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AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsLoc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti, Ross J. Miller, H. Robert Vandenberg, Eric Kuo
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The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric appliances configured to receive the teeth in a cavity and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. This is accomplished by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth through stiffness of the appliance. However, such stiffness creates limitations in ease of use, patient compliance, and overall cost in material, manufacturing labor and treatment time. To overcome these limitations, the present invention utilizes polymeric or other material appliances with portions differing in rigidity or stiffness. Alternatively, elastic moduluses may differ from one appliance to the next in a successive series to accomplish various treatment goals. Thus, the systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such multiple stiffness positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment. Similarly, the devices of the present invention provide differing stiffness appliances which may be used independently for purposes other than repositioning, such as for retaining teeth in a desired position.
A dental appliance comprising:
In a system for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, said system comprising a plurality of incremental position adjustment appliances comprising shells having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth and which are successively worn by a patient to move teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement, an improvement comprising:
In a system for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a successive tooth arrangement, said system comprising a plurality of incremental position adjustment appliances comprising shells having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth and which are successively worn by a patient to move teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement, an improvement comprising:
A method for repositioning teeth, said method comprising:
A method for repositioning teeth, said method comprising:
A dental appliance comprising:
A dental appliance comprising:
A dental appliance comprising:
A dental appliance comprising:
A dental appliance comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.