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US 2022/0039921 A1Published application
Aligners with elastic layer
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsAvi KOPELMAN, Jeeyoung CHOI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved orthodontic appliances, as well as related systems and methods, are provided. In one aspect, an orthodontic appliance can include a shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive a patient's teeth. The shell can include an exterior layer and an interior layer having a stiffness less than a stiffness of the exterior layer. A discontinuity can be formed in the exterior layer.
Claims24
An orthodontic appliance, comprising:
- a shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive a patient's teeth, wherein the shell comprises a first layer and a second layer having a stiffness less than a stiffness of the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises an exterior layer of the shell and the second layer comprises an interior layer of the shell;
- and
- a discontinuity formed in the first layer,
- wherein when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient, the discontinuity interacts with the second layer so as to generate forces suitable for repositioning one or more of the patient's teeth.
1 more element
An orthodontic system, comprising:
- a plurality of orthodontic appliances, each comprising a shell including one or more cavities shaped to receive a patient's teeth, wherein the plurality of orthodontic appliances are successively wearable by the patient to move one or more teeth from a first arrangement to a second arrangement, and wherein at least one of the appliances comprises:
- an appliance shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth, the appliance shell comprising a first layer and a second layer having a stiffness less than a stiffness of the first layer, wherein the first layer comprises an exterior layer of the appliance shell and the second layer comprises an interior layer of the appliance shell;
- and
- a discontinuity formed in the first layer,
- wherein when the appliance is worn by the patient, the discontinuity interacts with the second layer so as to generate forces suitable for repositioning one or more of the patient's teeth.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.