Removable dental appliance including positioning member

US11446117B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Ralf M. Paehl · Melle, DE
• David K. Cinader, Jr. · Walnut, US
• James D. Hansen · White Bear Lake, US
• Richard E. Raby · Lino Lakes, US
• Michael K. Domroese · South St. Paul, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 2018
• Grant date: Sep 20, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 18, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C2204/00
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A removable dental appliance may include an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth. The appliance body may include a unitary material defining a shell shaped to receive at least one tooth of the patient; a spring member integrally formed with the shell; and a positioning member integrally formed with the shell. The spring member may be configured to receive an attachment affixed to the at least one tooth. The spring member may be configured to apply a spring force to the attachment to cause movement of the at least one tooth toward a desired position when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient. The positioning member may be configured to facilitate engagement of the spring member with the attachment in response to a positioning force being applied to the positioning member.