Method and apparatus for precise bond placement of orthodontic appliances
US6123544A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for precisely positioning and bonding orthodontic appliances such as brackets and buccal tubes to a patient's teeth. The method and apparatus includes the use of a transfer tray and arms that are connected to the transfer tray. Orthodontic appliances are releasably connected to the arms and detached from the arms once the adhesive used for bonding the appliances to the tooth surfaces has sufficiently hardened. In certain embodiments, the transfer tray has a shape that helps hold the tray immobile relative to the patient's teeth also facilitates clean-up of any adhesive extruded from the base of the appliances during bonding. In other embodiments, fixture components are connected to the tray and include analogs for each orthodontic appliance. In certain embodiments, the tray is made by placing matrix material over arms for supporting orthodontic appliances or appliance analogs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.