Dentsply International Inc.

Dentsply Sirona Inc.

Michael C Anderson

Jack Keith Hilliard

Daniel Julié

Bradford H Clatt

Carolyn M Primus

Michael C Alpern

David Richard Maroney

John F Bozman

Daniel Julie

Golf swing training aid

An apparatus usable with an injection molder for producing articles includes a first mold support including a first mold, and a second mold support including a second mold and a first die. The first mold support is movable relative to the second mold support between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first mold and the second mold being brought together to form an injection molded article include a body having at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the body and facing the second mold. In the second position, the first mold and the first die being brought together to subsequently form the article, the first die selectively subsequently forming an altered cross sectional region in at least a portion of the protrusion, forming an undercut in the altered cross sectional region or between the altered cross sectional region of the subsequently formed protrusion and the body.

Apparatus and method usable with an injection molder for producing articles

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

Thermoforming of plastic sheets over a model includes varying the thickness in the area that is stretched over the model so that when it thins it becomes more uniform in thickness. The plastic sheet is fabricated in a substantially uniform thickness but with a preformed a complex profile or 3D area that partially builds in part of the area that would be stretched so that it thins much less than a flat sheet. Combinations of these elements may also be made.

Straight 'N' clear thermoforming plastic

Improved methods for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances, such as brackets, to the tooth surfaces of dental patients are provided. The methods use a transfer tray to accurately position the brackets on the tooth surfaces. Preferably, the tray is made of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/siloxane material. The brackets are coated with a protective coating to prevent them from becoming embedded in the tray. Preferably, a translucent, blue-tinted coating is used to cover the brackets. Dental restorative materials are used to bond the brackets to the teeth. The transfer tray is then removed from the mouth, while the appliances remain firmly bonded to the tooth surfaces.

Methods for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances

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Palmetto, FL, United States of America

Michael C Anderson