Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for use in constructing an orthodontic appliance

US4854866A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
1References
22Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 1987
Grant dateAug 8, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61C7/00
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Method and apparatus are provided for fabricating a precisely dimensioned orthodontic appliance. The apparatus includes a lingual tube/molar band assembly having a molar band attached to a patient's teeth and one or more lingual tubes. The apparatus also includes a transfer insert for use as a marking device and transfer lingual tubes, corresponding to the lingual tubes of the lingual tube/molar band assembly. In practicing the method, the transfer insert is seated in the lingual tubes of the lingual tube/molar band assembly. A negative impression is then taken with the transfer insert being absorbed into the impression material. The location of the lingual tubes are marked in the negative impression using the transfer insert. The transfer lingual tubes are then joined to the transfer insert. Stone is then poured into the negative impression to create the positive model of the patient's teeth. Upon separation of the negative impression from the stone cast, the transfer lingual tubes adhere to the positive model while the transfer insert remains with the negative impression. Since the location of the transfer lingual tubes in the stone model precisely matches the position of the lin…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.