Custom orthodontic appliance forming method and apparatus
US9622834B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y80/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method by which an orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient to produce a three-dimensional digitized model of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.