Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016302886-A1
Application number	US-201615197401-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 29, 2016
Priority date	Apr 18, 2002
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A computer-implemented method for fabricating a teeth repositioning appliance, the method comprising:
receiving a digital representation of: at least one of a patient's teeth, and a modified attachment bonded to the tooth; generating a positive mold of the tooth and the modified attachment; and forming a teeth repositioning appliance over the positive mold.

2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the teeth repositioning appliance includes at least one force-transmitting component for placement over a patient's teeth so that the force-transmitting component engages a force-receiving component bonded to at least one of the patient's teeth at a contact point within a locus of engagement, wherein a position of the contact point adjusts within the locus of engagement as the tooth is repositioned so that the force transmitted to said tooth increases if the tooth lags its intended position.

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the digital representation of the modified attachment is a modified version of an attachment bonded to the tooth.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the modified attachment is larger than the attachment so as to form a channel and enable a locus of engagement to move.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the modified attachment is generated by forming a pressure point on the attachment.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the pressure point is a notch formed at an end of the attachment.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the modified attachment is generated by forming a modified bevel on a surface of the attachment.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the attachment includes a first surface and a second surface at a first angle with respect to one another, and the modified attachment includes a digital representation of the first surface and the second surface at a second angle with respect to one another that is less than the first angle.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the modified attachment includes the force-receiving component.

10 . A computer-implemented method for fabricating a teeth repositioning appliance, the method comprising:
receiving a digital representation of: at least one of a patient's teeth, and an attachment bonded to the tooth; modifying the digital representation of the attachment bonded to the tooth; generating a positive mold of the tooth and the modified attachment; and forming a teeth repositioning appliance over the positive mold.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein:
the application includes a plurality of teeth receiving cavities having geometries shaped to receive and resiliently position the patient's teeth, and further comprising at least one force-transmitting component that is structured so that the force-transmitting component engages a force-receiving component bonded to at least one of the patient's teeth at a contact point within a locus of engagement, wherein a position of the contact point adjusts within the locus of engagement as the tooth is repositioned so that the force transmitted to said tooth increases if the tooth lags its intended position.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein:
the appliance further comprises a cavity shaped so that a space between the appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein:
the appliance is shaped to permit the force receiving component to move relative to the appliance along a channel as the contact point adjusts within the locus of engagement.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein:
the force-transmitting component is arranged to engage the force-receiving component so as to counter a force from a first surface with a force from a second surface.

15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 10 , wherein:
modifying the digital representation of the attachment includes generating a pressure point on the attachment.

16 . A computer-implemented method for fabricating a teeth repositioning appliance, the method comprising:
receiving a digital representation of: at least one of a patient's teeth, and an attachment; modifying the digital representation of the attachment; positioning the digital representation of the attachment on the at least one tooth; generating a positive mold of the tooth and the modified attachment; and forming a teeth repositioning appliance over the positive mold.

17 . The computer-implemented method of claim 16 , wherein:
the appliance includes at least one force-transmitting component for placement over the patient's teeth, the force-transmitting component and/or the modified attachment structured so that the force-transmitting component engages the modified attachment on the at least one tooth at a contact point within a locus of engagement, wherein a position of the contact point adjusts within the locus of engagement as the tooth is repositioned so that the force transmitted to said tooth increases if the tooth lags its intended position.

18 . The computer-implemented method of claim 16 , wherein:
the appliance is shaped to permit the force receiving component to move relative to the appliance along a channel as the contact point adjusts within the locus of engagement.

19 . The computer-implemented method of claim 16 , wherein:
the attachment includes a first surface and a second surface at a first angle with respect to one another, and the modified attachment includes a digital representation of the first surface and the second surface at a second angle with respect to one another that is less than the first angle.

20 . The computer-implemented method of claim 16 , wherein:
modifying the digital representation of the attachment includes generating a pressure point on the attachment.

Assignees

• Align Technology Inc

Inventors

• Knopp Peter G
• Miller Aaron J
• Van Den Berg Rob

Classifications

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• A61C7/08

  Mouthpiece-type retainers {or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch (arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085)} · CPC title

• B33Y50/00

  Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing · CPC title

• A61C7/002 Primary

  Orthodontic computer assisted systems · CPC title