The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 17, 2025
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2021
Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Jennifer Chavez, Fremont, CA (US);
Peter Webber, San Jose, CA (US);
Peter Dorfinger, Los Altos Hills, CA (US);
Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods of forming dental apparatuses, such as palatal expanders. Methods may include photopolymerizing a palatal region and left and right tooth engagement regions of a palatal expander. Junction regions coupling the palatal region and left and right tooth engagement regions may be formed using different combinations of first and second photo-curable materials in a layer-by-layer fashion such that each layer has a different ratio of first and second polymer materials. This can provide gradual material transitions and a robust bond between the palatal region and each of the left and right tooth engagement regions.