Embedded features and methods of a dental appliance

US6572372B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Align Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Loc Phan · San Francisco, US
• Muhammad Chishti · Sunnyvale, US
• Ross Miller · Sunnyvale, US
• H. Robert Van Den Berg · San Ramon, US
• Eric Kuo · San Francisco, US
• Jae Hyun Ahn · Daejeon, KR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 14, 2000
• Grant date: Jun 3, 2003
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C7/08
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Traditional orthodontic treatment often involves the use of basic repositioning devices, such as braces, and the use of supplementary devices, components or accessories to achieve desired end results. Such components may be mounted on fixed, non-removable devices or they may be part of a removable appliance typically worn prior to the application of the fixed devices. As with traditional treatment, it may be desired to utilize similar components when repositioning teeth with removable elastic repositioning appliances. Due to the nature of elastic appliances, such components may take a variety of forms ranging from readily available traditional accessories to specially created devices. Thus, traditional components may be mounted on or embedded in an elastic appliance, or the appliance may be formed to provide similar components. Likewise, the appliance may be modified to provide additional features for specific orthodontic treatments.