Method and apparatus for treating an orthodontic patient

US6540512B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Ora Metrix, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Rohit Sachdeva · Plano, US
• Ron Jennings · Plano, US
• David M. Schaller · Wallingford, US
• Thomas Weise · Berlin, DE
• Rudger Rubbert · Berlin, DE
• Friedrich Riemeier · Berlin, DE
• Gary Sadow · Greer, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 1, 2003
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C7/002
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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…