Orthodontic article having partially hardened composition and related method
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDavid K. Cinader, JR., James D. Christoff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthodontic article is provided for bonding to a tooth structure comprising an orthodontic appliance, a layer of partially hardened hardenable composition adjacent the appliance, and a bonding adhesive adjacent the partially hardened hardenable composition. A method of making an orthodontic article for orthodontic bonding is provided, comprising partially hardening a hardenable composition adjacent the base of an orthodontic appliance.
Claims20
A method of making an article for orthodontic bonding comprising:
- a) applying a hardenable composition to the base of an orthodontic appliance;
- and
- b) partially hardening the hardenable composition to provide a partially hardened hardenable composition;
- wherein at least one of the base or a surface of the partially hardened hardenable composition has a contour of a negative replica of at least a portion of a tooth structure.
A packaged orthodontic assembly comprising:
- a container including a recess;
- an orthodontic appliance received in the recess, the appliance comprising
- a) a base for bonding to tooth structure;
- b) a partially hardened hardenable composition adjacent and extending across the base;
- and
- c) a bonding adhesive adjacent and extending across the partially hardened hardenable composition;
- wherein the partially hardened hardenable composition has a tooth-facing surface contour of a negative replica of at least a portion of the tooth structure.
An orthodontic article for bonding to a tooth surface structure comprising:
- a) an orthodontic appliance having a base;
- b) a partially hardened hardenable composition adjacent and extending across the base, the partially hardened hardenable composition being less than 95 percent cured;
- and
- c) a bonding adhesive adjacent and extending across the partially hardened hardenable composition;
- wherein the partially hardened hardenable composition has a tooth-facing surface contour of a negative replica of at least a portion of the tooth structure at a time prior to the appliance being bonded to the tooth structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.