Method and apparatus for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus

A method for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• b) obtaining a selection of one or more brackets for the orthodontic structure;
• c) obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected one or more brackets on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• d) generating an orthodontic template for each of said brackets from a bonding agent that subsequently secures said brackets to teeth in said orthodontic structure.

A method for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus, the method comprises the steps of:

• obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• obtaining a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure;
• obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• producing a physical model of the orthodontic structure from the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• automatically placing the at least a portion of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the physical model of the orthodontic structure based on the digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• generating the orthodontic template by forming an overmold of said physical model with said selected orthodontic apparatus placed on physical model.

A method for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus, the method comprises the steps of:

• obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• obtaining a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure;
• obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• producing a mold of the placement of the at least a portion of the orthodontic apparatus on the orthodontic structure based on the digital model of the placement of the at least a portion of the orthodontic apparatus on the orthodontic structure, wherein the mold includes alignment structure corresponding to the at least a portion of the orthodontic apparatus, an wherein the alignment structure aligns the at least a portion of the orthodontic apparatus for installation;
• and
• generating the orthodontic template by forming an overmold of said mold.

An apparatus for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of an orthodontic apparatus, the apparatus comprises:

• a processing module;
• and
• memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• (a) obtain a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• (b) obtain a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus;
• and (c) obtain a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• machinery manufacturing a physical model of the placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure and generating the orthodontic template by forming an overmold of said physical model, wherein a physical embodiment of at least a portion of the selected orthodontic apparatus is placed into portions of the overmold.

An apparatus for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of an orthodontic apparatus, the apparatus comprises:

• a processing module;
• and
• memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• (a) obtain a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• (b) obtain a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus;
• and (c) obtain a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• machinery producing, as the orthodontic template, a physical model of the orthodontic structure with the at least a portion of the selected orthodontic apparatus placed thereon from the digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure.

An apparatus for use in generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of an orthodontic apparatus, the apparatus comprises:

• a processing module;
• and
• memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• (a) obtain a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient;
• (b) obtain a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus;
• and (c) obtain a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• machinery producing a physical model of the orthodontic structure from the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• machinery automatically placing the at least a portion of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the physical model of the orthodontic structure based on the digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure;
• and
• machinery for making an overmold of said physical model with the selected orthodontic apparatus placed on the physical model, said overmold providing a template for placement of said selected orthodontic apparatus on the orthodontic structure of said orthodontic patient.