Method for creating features in orthodontic aligners
OwnerJack Hilliardinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for creating features in an orthodontic aligner employs a hot air source having a maximum flow rate of approximately 10 liters per minute to selectively heat a small local region of the aligner above the thermoforming temperature of the aligner material. The heated region of the aligner is manipulated to form the desired feature, and then allowed to cool to solidify the feature. These features can be used, for example, to directly impart therapeutic forces on teeth, or for attachment of aligner auxiliaries to the aligner.
Claims19
A method for creating features in an orthodontic aligner made of a thin layer of thermoplastic material comprising:
- selectively heating a small region of the aligner above the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material with a hot air source having a maximum flow rate of approximately 10 liters per minute;
- manipulating the heated region of the aligner to form a feature;
- and
- cooling the heated region below the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material to solidify the feature.
A method for modifying an orthodontic aligner made of a thin layer of thermoplastic material, said method comprising:
- selectively heating a small region of the aligner above the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material with a hot air source having a maximum flow rate of approximately 10 liters per minute;
- manipulating the heated region of the aligner to form a feature;
- cooling the heated region below the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material to solidify the feature;
- and
- attaching an aligner auxiliary to the feature.
A method for modifying an orthodontic aligner made of a thin layer of thermoplastic material over a sequence of stages of orthodontic treatment to progressively move teeth toward desired positions, wherein at least one stage of orthodontic treatment comprises:
- selectively heating a small region of the aligner above the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material with a hot air source having a maximum flow rate of approximately 10 liters per minute;
- manipulating the heated region of the aligner to form a feature;
- cooling the heated region below the thermoforming temperature of the thermoplastic material to solidify the feature;
- and
- using the feature to exert a therapeutic force on at least one tooth during the stage of treatment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.