Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for determining and monitoring orthodontic treatment

US6471512B1 · kind B1 · utility

133Cited by
14References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 1999
Grant dateOct 29, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61C7/002
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating an orthodontic patient include processing that begins by generating digital information regarding the orthodontic patient by a site orthodontic system. The site orthodontic system then transmits the digital information to an orthodontic server, which creates an electronic patient record therefrom. The orthodontic server then generates an initial treatment from the electronic patient record, wherein the initial treatment plan includes precise steps to obtain a desired orthodontic structure. The orthodontic server then transmits a digital version of the initial treatment plan to the site orthodontic system. Upon confirmation from the site orthodontic system, the orthodontic server designs an orthodontic apparatus for one of the precise steps based on the treatment plan. The orthodontic apparatus is then fabricated and provided to the site orthodontic system. At predetermined points in time after installation of the orthodontic apparatus in accordance with the treatment plan, the patient's mouth is electronically scanned to obtain updated digital information. The site orthodontic system provides the updated digital information to the orthodontic ser…

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