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Dentsply Sirona Inc.

Dentsply International Inc.

Hilliard, Jack Keith

Jack Keith Hilliard

Michael C Anderson

Daniel Julié

Bradford H Clatt

Daniel Julie

The orthodontic alignment of misaligned teeth includes preparing a digital and/or physical overlay model which is the superimposed positioning of the patient's original misaligned dentition with the target or final position. The superimposition of one upon the other creates an open space through which teeth may move in a natural manner, allowing for a treatment plan that takes into account the physical interaction of one tooth with another or the differences in tooth movement rates due in part to differences in underlying bone density or the like. An aligner tray fabricated using the model will likewise represent the before and after tooth positions and will also have the open space to allow tooth movement. Force exerting structures are preferably placed into the aligner tray to impinge upon the patient's teeth in a prescribed manner when the aligner tray is inserted into the patient's oral cavity.

Orthodontic aligner fabrication by overlay method

A clip for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly has a lifting element between the labial surface of the bracket and the labial portion of the clip that can be rotated to provide a range of adjustability in lifting the labial portion of the clip with respect to the bracket. The lifting element thereby controls the range of motion of the tongue of the clip in its closed position. This limits the forces applied by the clip to an archwire held in the archwire slot of the bracket, and also allows an archwire to slide freely in the slot. A threaded shaft or camming mechanism can be employed as the lifting element.

Self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly

A system produces orthodontic aligners by CNC machining. A digital model of the patient's dental anatomy is manipulated using CAD software to create a solid CAD model of an aligner. A CNC milling machine is then used to machine the inside and outside surfaces of the aligner from a block of suitable material. A progressive series of aligners can also be designed.

System for producing orthodontic aligners by CNC machining

A robotic system for forming features in orthodontic aligners includes a control system, a platen for three-dimensional positioning of the aligner, a heating station for selectively heating a small region of the aligner, and a thermoforming station for manipulating the heated region to form a desired feature in the aligner. Optionally, a laser cutting and trimming station can also be included to trim excess material from the aligner or to cut features into the aligner. The control system can include a processor with CAD software to enable a user to design features for aligners.

Robotic system for forming features in orthodontic aligners

A method for producing orthodontic aligners uses a CAD system to modify a digital model of the patient's oral anatomy to incorporate features that accommodate attachment of aligner auxiliaries to the completed aligner(s).

Automated method for producing improved orthodontic aligners

A method and apparatus for orthodontic treatment employs a removable orthodontic aligner having a polymeric shell with a plurality of cavities shaped to receive teeth. A number of openings are formed that extend through the shell of the orthodontic aligner into a cavity. An orthodontic aligner auxiliary can then be secured to the opening in the shell of the orthodontic aligner to exert a therapeutic force on a tooth.

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Lakeland, FL, United States of America

Jack Keith Hilliard