US 5,055,039 A · Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same

Abstract

An orthodontic positioner appliance of elastomer base material is formed directly on the tooth coupling members during fabrication so as to assure accuracy of the appliance and compliance with the exact shape and placement of the members. A construction model is provided of the patient's teeth in a desired orientation, members are attached to the teeth in the model, and the positioner is formed by applying material to the model and directly to the members providing an exact adaptation of the material to the model including the members and providing an exact fit between the material and the members so as to eliminate any void between the members and the material to assure maximum purchase on the teeth but yet be easily removed by the patient. A first form of the positioner is formed by a hand lay-up or other appropriate technique providing a positioner body in the form of strip of silicone elastomer material, the body having a surface facing the teeth and recesses in spaced relation along the strip for snap fitting onto the members, the positioner urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the recesses and the members so as to eliminate any void or space between the members and the recesses. A second form of the positioner is formed by molding providing an arcuate body of elastomer material including a trough for receiving teeth, the trough having walls with recesses in spaced relation for fitting onto the members.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method of making an orthodontic elastic positioner for maloccluded or malaligned teeth located in a dental arch of a patient for coaction with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth including the steps of:

a) providing a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch wherein the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model;
and
c) forming an elastic positioner by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap-on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth.

1 more element

A method of orthodontic treatment of maloccluded or malaligned teeth utilizing a positioner of elastic material in cooperation with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth including the

a) providing a construction model of the patient's teeth and a portion of the gum tissue in the dental arch when the teeth therein are positioned in a desired orientation;
b) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the teeth in said construction model;
c) forming a positioner by applying positioner material to said construction model and directly to said coupling members thereby providing an exact adaptation of said positioner material to said construction model including said coupling members and providing an exact fit between said positioner material and said coupling members so as to eliminate any void or space between said coupling members and said positioner material and to provide an accurate snap-on coupling and peel-off effect for said positioner with respect to the coupling members on the patient's teeth;
d) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in accordance with the locations of coupling members attached to the teeth of said construction model;
and
e) applying said positioner to the patient's teeth, said positioner elastically urging the patient's teeth to an exact fit between the material of said positioner and the coupling members attached to the patient's teeth so as to eliminate any void or space therebetween thereby allowing a good purchase to the coupling members and therefore a good operative coupling to the patient's teeth.

3 more elements

A method of orthodontic treatment of maloccluded or malaligned teeth utilizing positioners of elastic material in cooperation with teeth-mounted coupling members including portions protruding from the surfaces of the teeth including the steps of:

a) attaching coupling members to the surfaces of the patient's teeth in a predetermined manner;
b) providing a first positioner having a body of elastic material in the form of an elongated strip having a length determined by the location of the coupling members and having a width initiating near the gingival line and terminating near the patient's opposing dental arch to avoid interference with occlusion, said strip having recesses in spaced relation therealong for fitting on said coupling members;
c) providing a second positioner having a body of elastic material in an arcuate shape including a trough for receiving teeth of the patient's dental arch, the trough having walls including surfaces shaped to the patient's teeth and including recesses shaped to said coupling members;
d) installing only the first positioner on the patient's period;
and
e) installing only the second positioner on the patient's teeth during another portion of a day during a treatment period.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same

Life of this patent

Orthodontic positioner and methods of making and using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30