Method and system for incrementally moving teeth

US6626666B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Align Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Muhammad Chishti · Sunnyvale, US
• Apostolos Lerios · Austin, US
• Brian Freyburger · Palo Alto, US
• Kelsey Wirth · Palo Alto, US
• Richard Ridgley · Los Altos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 8, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2003
• Expiry date: May 5, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C13/0004
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient's teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The system of appliances is usually configured at the outset of treatment so that the patient may progress through treatment without the need to have the treating professional perform each successive step in the procedure.