Method for forming jigs for custom placement of orthodontic appliances on teeth
US5368478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Orthodontic appliance placement jigs are provided positioning and orienting the appliance at connection points on the teeth of a patient, particularly for positioning brackets against the surfaces of the teeth so that they can be bonded thereto. The jigs are each provided with a surface conforming to the contour of the tooth to which they are to be mounted. Another surface of the jig engages the bracket to hold it in the proper position and orientation for mounting to the tooth and spaced in relation to the contour surface to precisely locate the jig on the tooth. The jigs are particularly useful in positioning brackets of custom appliances designed to the individual anatomy of the patient, and requiring custom positioning of the brackets on the teeth. The jigs are formed with numerical controlled machinery that develops jig forming instructions from digitized tooth shape data and from digital representations of the tooth finish positions and appliance design. The jig forming instructions are preferably derived from the same data and digital information from which the tooth finish positions and custom appliance geometry are calculated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.