2037results about "Brackets" patented technology

An interactive, software-based treatment planning method to correct a malocclusion is described. The method can be performed on an orthodontic workstation in a clinic or at a remote location such as a lab or precision appliance manufacturing center. The workstation stores a virtual three-dimensional model of the dentition of a patient and patient records. The virtual model is manipulated by the user to define a target situation for the patient, including a target archform and individual tooth positions in the archform. Parameters for an orthodontic appliance, such as the location of orthodontic brackets and resulting shape of an orthodontic archwire, are obtained from the simulation of tooth movement to the target situation and the placement position of virtual brackets. The treatment planning can also be executed remotely by a precision appliance service center having access to the virtual model of the dentition. In the latter situation, the proposed treatment plan is sent to the clinic for review, and modification or approval by the orthodontist. The method is suitable for other orthodontic appliance systems, including removable appliances such as transparent aligning trays.< / PTEXT>

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

An indirect bonding apparatus is made by initially placing spacer material over a replica of the patient's tooth structure. A tray is then formed over the spacer material and hardened. Next, the spacer material is removed from the tooth replica and orthodontic appliances are placed on the replica at desired locations. A matrix material is placed between the tray and the replica and allowed to harden. Optionally, the apparatus includes features for facilitating removal of the transfer apparatus after the bonding procedure has been completed, and features for applying firm, uniform pressure to the appliances during the bonding procedure. Other aspects of indirect bonding are also described.

A targeting device and method enables one or more orthodontic elements to be aligned with and bonded onto at least one tooth in a predetermined manner. The device is in the form of a shell that has, for each tooth with respect to which it is desired to align an orthodontic element, a cavity shaped to receive the tooth. Targeting indicators are also provided, and are configured for enabling the corresponding orthodontic elements to be guided into alignment in the required predetermined manner with respect to a tooth that is received in a corresponding cavity.

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

Apparatus for use in indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a container having a chamber and a placement device received in the chamber. At least one orthodontic appliance is releasably connected to the placement device and has a base with a contour that is a replica of a portion of the patient's tooth structure. A bonding composition for bonding the appliance to the patient's tooth structure is applied to the base before the container is closed by the manufacturer, such that the practitioner can simply remove the placement device from the chamber and immediately transfer the appliances to the patient's teeth.

An orthodontic bracket having a bracket body configured to be mounted to a tooth includes an archwire slot having a base surface defining a base plane and a slide engagement track defining a translation plane. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane. A ligating slide is engaged with the slide engagement track of the bracket body and movable along the slide engagement track and parallel to the translation plane between an opened position, in which an archwire is insertable into the archwire slot, and a closed position, in which the archwire is retained within the archwire slot. The translation plane is angled with respect to the base plane so as to prevent the ligating slide from contacting the gingiva surrounding the tooth when the ligating slide is moved to the opened position.

An orthodontic bracket has a locking member, one side of which is formed as a base side portion located on a base side and extending along the base, and the other side of which is formed as a counter base side portion having substantially the same width as the length of an arch wire slot 5 and extending on an upper side of the slot. The locking member is formed of an elastic member in which a notched portion is provided substantially in a center of the base side portion. Further, a bracket body has a closing stop groove formed at an open edge portion of the arch wire slot so as to stop a tip of the locking member in a slot closed position as well as an open stop concavity formed at an edge portion thereof located away from the stop groove so as to stop the tip of the locking member in a slot open position. A rib is formed in a longitudinally central portion of the stop groove in such a manner as to project so as to bury the stop groove in correspondence with the notched portion.

An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Apparatus for use in indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances includes a container having a chamber and a placement device received in the chamber. At least one orthodontic appliance is releasably connected to the placement device and has a base with a contour that is a replica of a portion of the patient's tooth structure. A bonding composition for bonding the appliance to the patient's tooth structure is applied to the base before the container is closed by the manufacturer, such that the practitioner can simply remove the placement device from the chamber and immediately transfer the appliances to the patient's teeth.

The present invention provides improved systems and methods for removably attaching a dental positioning appliance to the dental features of a patient during orthodontic treatment. These appliances function by applying force to specific surfaces of the teeth or dental features to cause directed movement. The application of force is improved by the use of one or more attachment devices which may be positioned on the teeth or dental features to provide the appropriate physical features. Specific design and location of these attachment devices may provide newly achievable and / or more effective repositioning forces, anchoring ability and appliance retention. The systems and methods of the present invention provide the design, production and use of such attachment devices with removable dental positioning appliances in orthodontic treatment.