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AssigneesLingualcare, Inc., T.O.P. Service für Lingualtechnik GmbH
InventorsDirk Wiechmann, Ralf Paehl, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise
Estimating the term…
A set of customized orthodontic brackets are provided with slots that are arranged substantially parallel to the tooth surface. The archwire, in an as-manufactured condition, has a portion of substantial arcuate extent, which is canted relative to the occlusal plane. The brackets are designed on a computer as a combination of three-dimensional virtual objects comprising the virtual bracket bonding pad and a separate virtual bracket body retrieved from a library of virtual bracket bodies. The virtual brackets can be represented as a file containing digital shape data and exported to a rapid prototype fabrication device for fabrication of the bracket in wax or other material and casting the wax prototype in a suitable alloy. Other manufacturing techniques are also contemplated, including milling and laser sintering.
A method of designing a customized orthodontic bracket for a patient with the aid of a computer, said bracket having a bracket bonding pad, wherein the computer stores or has access to a three-dimensional model of portions of teeth of the patient to which said bracket will be bonded and either stores, or has access to, a library of virtual bracket bodies, comprising the steps of:
A method of designing and manufacturing a customized orthodontic bracket, comprising the steps of:
A method of designing a customized bracket for an individual patient with a computer, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.