초록 ▼

The invention comprehends the use of a bracket having a non-conforming base portion, mountable to a tooth in a preestablished position and angular orientation through the formation of an associated contoured shim, and a head portion symmetrically opposite to the base portion, the head portion having

The invention comprehends the use of a bracket having a non-conforming base portion, mountable to a tooth in a preestablished position and angular orientation through the formation of an associated contoured shim, and a head portion symmetrically opposite to the base portion, the head portion having a slot therein adapted and oriented to receive a conventional dental arch wire. A fixture is formed to fit over a tooth replica on which a bracket and shim is affixed, this fixture having an internal cavity which matches the shape and contour of the tooth, such as lingual surface, incisal edge and the labial surface, and includes the head portion of the bracket so as to align the conforming surface of the contoured shim with the same anatomical tooth surface as the labial or lingual surface matched by the fixture. The contoured shim formed to surround the non-conforming surface of the base of the bracket completes the matching of the appropriate labial or lingual surface of the tooth. The fixture may be rigid and of a material which can be changed to a non-rigid state upon application of a state-changing medium thereto. A secondary appliance, essentially like the fixture, may be formed over the fixture so as to be easily removed therefrom and from the bracket. Removal of the fixture, and, as appropriate, the appliance, from the bracket and shim is performed after the fixture with the bracket and shim mounted therein is assembled to a tooth and the bracket and shim are bonded thereto.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of fabricating an orthodontic appliance and repositioning a patient\s teeth, comprising the steps of: forming a model of the patient\s teeth in the shape of a dental arch with replicas of the teeth ideally located; releaseably mounting brackets on selected replicas in preselected location

The method of fabricating an orthodontic appliance and repositioning a patient\s teeth, comprising the steps of: forming a model of the patient\s teeth in the shape of a dental arch with replicas of the teeth ideally located; releaseably mounting brackets on selected replicas in preselected locations, said mounting being accomplished by use of an adhesive which adheres to the brackets with more force than to the replicas, said brackets each having a base portion for mounting to said replicas, said base portion providing a mounting surface that does not conform to the contour of the surface anatomy of the replica in the area of attachment; allowing said adhesive to fill the gaps and spaces formed between each such base portion and its associated replica, thereby forming a contoured shim conforming to the contours of the surface anatomy of the replica, said adhesive further being of such character as to solidify and, when desired, to separate from said replica flush with such conforming area, thereby leaving the remainder of the adhesive secured to the base portion of the bracket; forming a fixture over the dental arch model in intimate conformity with the respective replica crowns, lingual and labial surfaces and onto said brackets and contoured shims in securing engagement with said brackets and contoured shims, said fixture being formed of a material which, after being formed, is relatively rigid and in that state not readily removable from said brackets and contoured shims but which material can be subsequently altered as to its physical properties to facilitate removal thereof from said brackets and contoured shims; removing the thus formed fixture-bracket-shim assembly from the model as a single unit by utilizing the differential in the adhering character of the adhesive to separate said adhesive from the replicas; utilizing replica portions of said fixture-bracket-shim assembly to locate and bond the respective brackets and contoured shims onto the corresponding teeth in the patient\s mouth, said contoured shim forming a surface which precisely fits the corresponding area on the tooth in the patient\s mouth; and altering the physical properties of the utilized fixture portions while in the patient\s mouth for removal from the patient\s teeth and said brackets and contoured shims.