Intra-oral tooth positioner and process for production thereof

Abstract

One or more prestressed elastic bands is incorporated into a resilient tooth positioner (such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,467,432 and 2,531,222) in such a manner that they bear on the buccal and labial surfaces of one or both arches of a patient's teeth. Such incorporation causes the tooth positioner to tend to contract while in place so that inward pressure is exerted on the teeth of one or both arches, closing spaces between the teeth. Such prestressed elastic bands may be incorporated into resilient tooth positioners by stretching pre-cured elastic bands along the arch of a cast of a patient's teeth (or along an arch-shaped generalized form) and maintaining such tension while molding identical or compatible uncured material around the teeth and bands and while curing such materials to complete the appliance. Such bands may also be attached to existing tooth positioners by various means, and bands having various configuration can be used.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.