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US 2014/0193767 A1Published application
Tactile objects for orthodontics, systems and methods
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsChunhua Li, Jennifer Chen, John Morton, Jon Moss, Clark Kaufhardt, Heng Cao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic system including a tactile object is provided for modulating an engagement between a tooth attachment and an orthodontic appliance.
Claims20
A system for orthodontically positioning a patient's tooth, the system comprising:
- a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth, at least one of the teeth receiving cavities comprising an attachment receiving well configured to engage an attachment disposed on the patient's tooth;
- a tactile object disposed between the attachment receiving well and the attachment so as to modulate engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient;
- and
- a base disposed in the attachment receiving well, the tactile object being physically coupled to the base, at least one of the base and the tactile object being made from a material having malleability greater than an appliance material from which the appliance is formed.
1 more element
An orthodontic positioning appliance comprising:
- a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well for engaging an attachment disposed on the patient's tooth;
- a tactile object coupled to the appliance and disposed proximate to the attachment receiving well so as to modulate application of force during the engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient;
- and
- a base disposed in the attachment receiving well, the tactile object being physically coupled to the base, at least one of the base and the tactile object being made from a material having malleability greater than an appliance material from which the appliance is formed.
1 more element
A method for applying a tooth positioning force to the dentition of a patient, the method comprising:
- providing a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well;
- providing an attachment for disposal on at least one of the patient's teeth so as to engage the attachment receiving well of the appliance;
- providing a tactile object for disposal between the attachment receiving well and the attachment so as to modulate force application during engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient;
- and
- forming a base in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.
2 more elements
A method for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance, the method comprising:
- generating a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance, or digital model thereof, having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth, where at least one of the teeth receiving cavities includes an attachment receiving well;
- providing a tactile object for disposal between the well and an attachment when disposed on the patient's tooth, or proximate to the attachment receiving well, for modulating force application during engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient;
- and
- disposing a base in the attachment receiving well, wherein the tactile object is physically coupled to the base.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.