1384results about "Arch wires" patented technology

Interactive, computer based orthodontist treatment planning, appliance design and appliance manufacturing is described. A scanner is described which acquires images of the dentition which are converted to three-dimensional frames of data. The data from the several frames are registered to each other to provide a complete three-dimensional virtual model of the dentition. Individual tooth objects are obtained from the virtual model. A computer-interactive software program provides for treatment planning, diagnosis and appliance from the virtual tooth models. A desired occlusion for the patient is obtained from the treatment planning software. The virtual model of the desired occlusion and the virtual model of the original dentition provide a base of information for custom manufacture of an orthodontic appliance. A variety of possible appliance and appliance manufacturing systems are contemplated, including customized archwires and customized devices for placement of off-the shelf brackets on the archwires, and removable orthodontic appliances.

Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.

The present invention concerns an orthodontic appliance for accelerating the tooth aligning effect and shortening the treatment period, and has an object to provide an appliance which can bring about higher aligning effect than usual ways by giving vibration to tooth to be aligned to activate bone remodeling of the targeted tooth and the alveolar bone and enhance the shift of the tooth. This appliance includes a vibrating element and a dental mouthpiece having the vibrating element built therein. The provision of the vibrating element in the dental mouthpiece facilitates the application of vibration and handling, and continues the treatment safely even at home. The inner shape of the dental mouthpiece serves aligning treatment as well as acceleration of the effect.

The present invention provides an improved self-ligating orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the improved orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire, a channel formed upon the base and transversely oriented to the archwire slot, and a ligating slide member slideably retained within the channel and closeable over the archwire slot for retaining the orthodontic archwire therein, and wherein the ligating slide member includes at least one coplanar resilient retention mechanism for exerting retention forces coplanar with the ligating slide member for holding the ligating slide member in a closed position. In one embodiment, the improved orthodontic bracket comprises a bracket with a ligating slide member slideably retained within a dovetail shaped channel.

Disclosed is an orthodontic appliance for straightening misaligned teeth. The orthodontic appliance is made of a shape memory polymer, and is formed in a cap-shaped tray capable of covering the maxillary or mandibular teeth. An original shape of the tray-type orthodontic appliance made of the shape memory polymer is identical to that of perfectly aligned teeth obtained after orthodontic treatment, and a temporarily formed shape of the tray-type orthodontic appliance is identical to that of the teeth alignment of a patient before orthodontic treatment. The tray-type orthodontic appliance is restored to the original shape memorized at a temperature above a specified glass transition temperature. The orthodontic appliance can be easily manufactured to perform orthodontic treatment, also providing appealing esthetics, in which the orthodontic appliance can be colored to be identical to a tooth with inexpensive manufacturing cost.

A self-locking orthodontic bracket comprises a body (1) and a base (2) contoured to fit a tooth surface. The body (1) has an arch wire slot (3) extending horizontally across the labial / buccal surface, a pair of tie wings (4A and 4B) projecting vertically on either side of the arch wire slot (3), a retainer member (6) having a transverse part and two perpendicular horizontal extensions at the end (6A and 6B) attached to the sides of one of the tie wings (4A) and a slidable cover (5) retained and guided in the recess created between the retainer member (6) and the surface of the tie wing (4A). The slidable cover (5) can be moved vertically towards the tip of the tie wing (4A) to open the arch wire slot (3) and it can be moved in the opposite direction to close the arch wire slot (3).Different embodiments of the slidable cover (5) and the retainer member (6) are disclosed herein.

Methods and apparatus for orthodontic treatment planning that involve determining an initial position of an orthodontic structure, determining an altered position, and generating response surface data using a mathematical relationship between the positions. The mathematical relationship may be defined by a number of parameters useful for determining one or more of the stress, strain, force, and moment associated with movement of the orthodontic structure. The mathematical relationship between the initial position and the altered position may be defined using a finite element analysis, empirically determined, or using other computational methodologies such as a finite difference methodology. The mathematical relationship may also be defined using an analytical methodology, such as elasticity and / or plasticity methodologies. Response surface data may be generated as a teaching aid, treatment planning aid, table, or other useful form, which may be useful, for example, for designing an orthodontic appliance, verifying an orthodontic prescription, and / or planning the prescription.

The present invention provides an orthodontic appliance including a unitary appliance body positionable about a portion of a single dental arch, where the appliance body may define a lingual portion, a labial-buccal portion, and a contoured portion therebetween. The appliance body may further define an anterior portion and a posterior portion, as well as a first wire coupled to the appliance body, with the first wire extending from the lingual portion of the appliance body to the labial-buccal portion of the appliance body. In addition, a first portion of the first wire may be embedded in the appliance body while a second portion of the first wire extends from the posterior portion of the appliance body. The appliance may further include a second wire disposed about the appliance body between the first wire and the anterior portion of the appliance body. A series of appliances may be used to shift a patient's bite to proper bite orientation.

A self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly with selectively removable self-ligation features is configured to provide a low profile to minimize labial-lingual prominence. A clip is configured to snap into the base of the bracket and close over the archwire slot to retain the archwire in the slot. The clip is easily moved to an open position when the archwire is changed out during routine treatment. The clip includes spaced apart arms that, along with the bracket tie-wings, straddle the most outwardly prominent site on the crown of the tooth thereby minimizing labial-lingual profile. The self-ligation capability is achieved without any increase in occlusal-gingival height or measial-distal width of the orthodontic bracket.

Low profile self-ligating orthodontic brackets and methods of using such orthodontic brackets. The bracket includes a bracket body, a latching member, and a hinge pin pivotally coupling a hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body. The hinge pin, which is made of a resilient material, is configured to flex so that a portion of the latching member can be engaged with a recess defined in the bracket body to couple the non-hinged end of the latching member with the bracket body.

A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire. A magazine for holding a plurality of straight archwires needing to be bent and a conveyor system for receiving the wires after the bending process is complete are also described. The robot bending system is able to form archwires with any required second and third order bends quickly and with high precision. As such, it is highly suitable for use in a precision appliance-manufacturing center manufacturing a large number of archwires (or other medical devices or appliances) for a distributed base of clinics.

Orthodontic system anchoring method and custom apparatus affixed to teeth, TADs and / or tooth positioning and stabilization appliances and / or orthodontic auxiliaries. Each appliance has mechanical fasteners structured to secure segments of a curable flexible resin rope called a flex fit module (FFM). The FFM is moldable and adaptable to the oral cavity between mechanical fasteners in an uncured first mode where it is cut to length, positioned around the anatomy of the mouth and attached to clamps or fasteners at each end. Each fastener has a clamp attached to orthodontic auxiliaries, orthodontic appliances or onto a TAD for anchorage purposes. One end of this custom appliance is usually attached via a clamp manufactured as part of a bracket or band to a tooth. The other end is connected to an appliance, tad or auxiliary. Once connected together the system is cured and becomes a solid entity ready to accept orthodontic forces.

Improved orthodontic methods and apparatus are described that reduce the level of skill required for successful treatment, reduce the amount of orthodontist's time required for successful treatment, and have improved retention. Customized individual orthodontic treatment is possible utilizing brackets (92420), bands, and archwires (1200) specifically designed for each malocclusion. Computer software is used to organize hundreds of issues and appliance variations in an automated or semi-automated diagnosis and treatment system. Related tools include a bracket holder (500) having a handle (550), a pair of gripping members (520, 520′) and a gripping member position and orientation indicator (600) and a bracket vertical position indicator (700).

The self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics comprisesa base; an occlusal wall and a gingival wall extending from the base and having at least one ligature wing; a slot separating the occlusal wall and the gingival wall; a slide retained in a guide provided in the occlusal and / or gingival wall and arranged for being displaced between a closed position, in which the slide bridges the slot, and an open position in which the slot is open in the labial direction; means capable of retaining the slide in both its closed and open position; at least one recess in which a spring is seated and which is arranged in the gingival or occlusal wall of the bracket and is provided with an opening that faces the slide and from which a spring projects; a first stop on the slide which abuts against the at least one spring in the open position of the slide; a projection is which provided on the slide and which is so arranged that during displacement of the slide to its closed position it will abut against the spring before it reaches its closed position; space on both sides of the projection which accommodates the spring that projects from the recess which expands toward its opening facing the slide so that the spring can bent in the two directions of displacement of the slide; a second stop that abuts the slide in its closed position, once its projection has overcome the at least one spring.

Disclosed is a system and method for treating mal-alignment of teeth using super-elastic nickel titanium, heat activated nickel titanium coated or uncoated orthodontic wires with composite resins in order to effectuate desired tooth alignment. The composite resin is formed into beads that hold the wire in place preferably on the lingual surface of the teeth. Alternate embodiments using composite brackets are disclosed. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a close contact, low profile orthodontic system, in particular, a lingual orthodontic system that is significantly more comfortable than existing orthodontic systems, completely concealed and effective.

Orthodontic anchoring method and custom apparatus affixed to teeth, TADS and / or tooth positioning and stabilization appliances and / or orthodontic auxiliaries. Each appliance has mechanical fasteners structured to secure segments of a curable flexible resin rope called a flex fit module (FFM). The FFM is moldable and adaptable to the oral cavity between mechanical fasteners in an uncured first mode where it is cut to length, positioned around the anatomy of the mouth and attached to clamps or fasteners at each end. Each fastener has a clamp attached to orthodontic auxiliaries, orthodontic appliances or onto a TAD for anchorage purposes. One end of this custom appliance is usually attached via a clamp manufactured as part of a bracket or band to a tooth. The other end is connected to an appliance, tad or auxiliary. Once connected together the system is cured and becomes a solid entity ready to accept orthodontic forces.

A method for applying a desired shape to an orthodontic archwire includes the steps of obtaining a numerical description of the desired shape of an orthodontic archwire, generating a description of the design of a fixture basing on the numerical description, manufacturing a fixture basing on this description of the design, constraining a wire into the fixture and applying an adequate treatment to the wire in order to cause it to adopt the shape dictated by the fixture.

A curable orthodontic FFM resin rope appliance connecting orthodontic anchoring and custom appliances affixed to teeth, TADs and / or tooth positioning appliances, which serve in moving and stabilization if teeth by connecting said appliances and / or orthodontic auxiliaries. The FFM resin rope appliance is moldable and adaptable to the oral cavity and positioned to be secured between any type of fasteners including mechanical fasteners, which accept the FFM resin rope in an uncured first mode where the FFM resin rope is cut to length, positioned around the anatomy of the mouth and attached to clamps or fasteners and / or flex fit wafers FFW(s) at each or one end. Once connected together the FFM resin rope is cured and becomes a solid entity ready to accept orthodontic forces to hold or move teeth.

A self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly with selectively removable self-ligation features is configured to provide a low profile to minimize labial-lingual prominence. A clip is configured to snap into the base of the bracket and close over the archwire slot to retain the archwire in the slot. The clip is easily moved to an open position when the archwire is changed out during routine treatment. The clip includes spaced apart arms that, along with the bracket tie-wings, straddle the most outwardly prominent site on the crown of the tooth thereby minimizing labial-lingual profile. The self-ligation capability is achieved without any increase in occlusal-gingival height or measial-distal width of the orthodontic bracket.

Orthodontic brackets and appliances, and methods of making and using orthodontic brackets. The orthodontic bracket may include a molded identification marking comprising at least one alphanumeric character disposed on a visible surface. A kit of self-ligating orthodontic brackets may be provided that includes individual brackets of different archwire slot widths for attachment to anterior and posterior teeth during a corrective orthodontic treatment. An appliance or auxiliary may be provided that includes a spring-loaded latch operative to secure the appliance to an orthodontic bracket.

A removable orthodontic appliance and methods of use and manufacturing of the removable orthodontic appliance for repositioning teeth of an upper jaw or lower jaw are provided. The removable orthodontic appliance comprises a trough shaped arch tray that defines an interstitial space between the sides of the arch tray for accommodating the teeth. The arch tray form fits over the contours of the teeth of the upper jaw or lower jaw from a first molar region through a second molar region. The arch tray extends down the teeth on a labial surface and a lingual surface of the teeth to the gingival areas. One or more arch wires are infused and rigidly anchored within the lingual side of the arch tray. Each of the arch wires comprises a surface pre-infused with a polymeric material for rigidly bonding to the lingual side of the arch tray.