ELASTIC ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE

Abstract

Provided herein is an orthodontic aligning appliance for moving tooth or teeth of a patient and methods of making and using the same.

Claims

1. An orthodontic appliance formed of a combination of an elastic material and a non-elastic material, the appliance exerting a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth along a dental arch, wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance, wherein the orthodontic appliance comprises tooth sockets that correspond to and enclose each tooth on the dental arch and covers substantially the entire surface of each tooth of the dental arch and a substantial part of the gum surface of each tooth, and wherein the elastic material has an elasticity such that it is capable of being stretched at least 300% of its original length.

2. (canceled)

3. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 20 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

4. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

5. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

6. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 90 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

7. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 95 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

8. (canceled)

9. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber or power chains, and orthodontic rubber bands.

10. The orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the appliance forming material further comprises a reinforcing material to enhance stability and anchorage of the appliance.

11. A method of forming an orthodontic appliance, comprising: creating a dental model of a patient tooth and bite, constructing individual teeth from the dental model, moving a tooth or teeth of target of alignment according to a prescription by a treating doctor to create an aligned dental model of the patient, forming at least one appliance from the aligned dental model of the patient; wherein the appliance comprises an appliance forming material comprising an elastic material in an amount that imparts to the appliance elastic properties such that the appliance exerts a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth, and wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, and wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein moving a tooth or teeth of target comprises moving the tooth or teeth of target manually or using computer software.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein forming an appliance comprises forming the appliance by direct 3D printing or by casting.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein forming the appliance by casting comprises: 3D printing a cast-able appliance using a cast-able material, fabricating a mold from the cast-able appliance, and injecting into the mold the appliance forming material to form the appliance.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the appliance forming material comprises a reinforcing material to enhance appliance stability and anchorage.

16. A method of aligning a tooth or teeth of target of a patient, comprising: forming an appliance, and applying the appliance to the patient to move the tooth or teeth of target from an original position(s) to a prescribed position(s) according to a prescription by a treating doctor, wherein forming the appliance comprises: creating a dental model of a patient tooth and bite, constructing individual teeth from the dental model, moving a tooth or teeth of target of alignment according to a prescription by a treating doctor to create an aligned dental model of the patient, and forming at least one appliance from the aligned dental model of the patient, wherein the appliance comprises an appliance forming material comprising an elastic material in an amount that imparts to the appliance elastic properties such that the appliance exerts a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth, and wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, and wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone or power chain material, and orthodontic rubber bands.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the appliance forming material.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the appliance forming material.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the appliance forming material.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the appliance forming material further comprises a reinforcing material to enhance stability and anchorage of the appliance.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the prescribed position is an intermediate position toward a final prescribed alignment of the tooth or teeth of target of alignment prescribed by a treating doctor.

23. An orthodontic aligner kit, comprising at least one appliance formed of a combination of an elastic material and a non-elastic material, the appliance exerting a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth along a dental arch, wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance, wherein the orthodontic appliance comprises tooth sockets that correspond to and enclose each tooth on the dental arch and covers substantially the entire surface of each tooth of the dental arch and a substantial part of the gum surface of each tooth, and wherein the elastic material has an elasticity such that it is capable of being stretched at least 300% of its original length.

24. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 23, comprising a plurality of appliances, wherein each appliance is formed according to a method comprising: creating a dental model of a patient tooth and bite, constructing individual teeth from the dental model, moving a tooth or teeth of target of alignment according to a prescription by a treating doctor to create an aligned dental model of the patient, and forming at least one appliance from the aligned dental model of the patient, wherein the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber or power chains, and orthodontic rubber bands.

25. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 23, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 20 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

26. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 23, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

27. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 23, wherein the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the total weights of the elastic and non-elastic materials forming the appliance.

28. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 23, wherein the appliance forming material further comprises a reinforcing material to enhance stability and anchorage of the appliance.

29. The orthodontic aligner kit of claim 24, wherein the plurality of appliances have up to three appliances.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 is an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance showing a view of the top side (non-tooth contacting side) of the invention appliance.

[0053] FIG. 2 is an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance showing a view of the bottom side (tooth/teeth contacting side) of the invention appliance.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance (top) being applied to teeth (bottom).

[0055] FIGS. 4A-4D show one aspect of the invention appliance over traditional aligner appliances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0056] As used herein, the term original position of tooth or teeth refers to the position of the tooth or teeth of the target of treatment prior to the treatment using the appliance of invention; and the term final position refers to position of such tooth or teeth at the conclusion time point of an orthodontic treatment course prescribed by a treating doctor; and the term intermediate position refers to any position between the original position and the final position of the tooth or teeth of the target of treatment prescribed by a treating doctor.

[0057] As used herein, the term appliance or aligner, which is used interchangeably herein, refers to an orthodontic device for moving a tooth or teeth according to a prescription by a treating doctor. Clear orthodontic appliances refer to those made from a plastic material, which is generally a polyester material. Such clear appliances are exemplified by Invisalign aligners. The Invisalign aligners, and methods of making and using the same, are described in general in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,807, and 5,975,893, the teaching of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0058] As used herein, the term elastic appliance refers to an orthodontic appliance capable of being stretched to a substantially higher degree than traditional polymer based clear aligners, such as the Invisalign aligners.

[0059] As used herein, the term intermittent aligning force refers to an aligning force generated by an aligner that substantially or entirely loses its strength due to characteristics of the material forming the aligner, e.g., due to fatigue, aging, degradation, erosion, or breaking down of the material. In contrast, continuous aligning force refers to an aligning force that is not intermittent, e.g., the aligning force generated by conventional plastic orthodontic aligners such as the Invisalign aligners.

Orthodontic Appliances

[0060] In one aspect of the present invention, it is provided an orthodontic appliance formed of a material (appliance forming material) comprising an elastic material in an amount that imparts to the aligner elastic properties such that the appliance exerts a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth, wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, and wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance.

[0061] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0062] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 20 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0063] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0064] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0065] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 90 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0066] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 95 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0067] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material has an elasticity that it is capable of being stretched at least 300% of its original length.

[0068] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone or power chain material, and orthodontic rubber bands.

[0069] In some embodiments of the invention appliance, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the appliance forming material further comprises a reinforcing material to enhance stability and anchorage of the appliance.

Appliance Forming Materials

[0070] Appliance forming materials usable for forming the elastic appliance of invention can be any biocompatible elastic materials. As used herein, the term elastic material generally refers to materials which possess high elasticity (i.e.) which can be stretched several times its original length (at least 300%) and upon releasing of the stress (stretching force), it returns back to its original shape and dimensions.

[0071] Examples of elastic materials useful in the present invention include elastomers, which are the class of polymer materials with high elastic nature. Elastomers show entropy-dependent elasticity. The polymer chains return back to the original state because it prefers to be in the lowest state of entropy. Elastomers are the class of polymer materials with high elastic nature and they include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubbers, chloroprene rubber, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA rubber), ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber (EPDM), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), etc.

[0072] The appliance forming materials can be substantially all elastic materials or, in some embodiments, can include other materials, such as a reinforcing material. In some embodiments, the appliance forming material specifically exclude a polyester material.

[0073] As used herein, the term reinforcing material refers to any material capable of enhancing appliance stability, anchorage, and force loading. To enhance stability of an orthodontic appliance, such reinforcing material imparts attributes to the appliance that inhibits or prevents degradation or erosion of the appliance such that the appliance retains its elasticity and aligning force over the entire course of treatment or, alternatively, over a period of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 26 weeks or 28 weeks, retaining at least 80% (e.g., about 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or about 99%) of its elasticity and/or aligning force.

[0074] To enhance anchorage of an orthodontic appliance, such reinforcing material imparts, for example, attributes that allows the appliance to be anchored at a point or an area in the oral cavity. Such attributes can be, for example, adhesion, and thus, a reinforcing material that enhances adhesion of the appliance would be useful.

[0075] Examples of such reinforcing materials can include a fiber material, which fiber material can be, for example, polyester fibers, or polyethylene fibers.

[0076] Another example of such reinforcing material is metallic alloys used in orthodontics or dentistry in general (ST. steel, NiTi, TMA, CuNiTi).

[0077] The physical properties of the elastic material (modulus of elasticity, stiffness, etc.) can be readily modified according to the type of orthodontic movement needed with any specific case.

[0078] The appliance of invention of elastic material will have the shape of individual teeth so that it fits around individual teeth. Using the analogy of glover-fingers, the appliance of invention fits around individual teeth like a glove fits individual fingers, and using the same analogy, previous art plastic aligners cover teeth like a mitten covers the fingers where all the fingers are wrapped around with no internal boundary. The invention appliance covers individual teeth and wrap around them to eliminate the tracking error problem of prior art.

[0079] In some embodiments, the internal dimensions of the elastic appliance can have the same size of the teeth to provide perfect fit or they can be designed to be slightly smaller, which is made possible due to the elasticity of the elastic appliance forming material. The combination of smaller size and elastic material will entail that the aligner will be slightly stretched and hence provide a better grip on individual teeth.

[0080] In some embodiments, the appliance of invention can have very thin or no coverage in areas where upper and lower teeth interact or touch. This will eliminate the intrusion side effect mentioned earlier in the prior art.

[0081] In some further embodiments, the elastic appliance of invention can have variable thickness either before fitting into the patient mouth or due to variable stretching that will happen after fitting into the patient mouth.

[0082] An advantage of the invention appliance is that it can be made to exert a relatively lighter force that will span for a longer time period before dissipating and another activation is needed. This provided a more biologically compatible and favorable force loading leading to more efficient and comfortable tooth movement.

Aligner Kit

[0083] FIG. 1 shows an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance showing a view of the top side (non-tooth contacting side) of the invention appliance. FIG. 2 is an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance showing a view of the bottom side (tooth/teeth contacting side) of the invention appliance.

[0084] In a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided an orthodontic aligner kit, comprising at least one appliance according to the various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0085] In some embodiments of the invention aligner kit, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the aligner comprises a plurality of appliances, wherein each appliance is formed by a method according to the various embodiments of method of invention.

[0086] In some embodiments of the invention aligner kit, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of appliances have up to three appliances.

Method of Fabrication

[0087] In a second aspect of the present invention, it is provided a method of forming an orthodontic appliance, comprising:

[0088] creating a dental model of a patient tooth and bite,

[0089] constructing individual teeth from the dental model,

[0090] moving a tooth or teeth of target of alignment according to a prescription by a treating doctor to create an aligned dental model of the patient,

[0091] forming at least one appliance from the aligned dental model of the patient,

[0092] wherein the appliance comprises an appliance forming material comprising an elastic material in an amount that imparts to the appliance elastic properties such that the appliance exerts a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth, and

[0093] wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, and wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance.

[0094] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, moving a tooth or teeth of target comprises moving the tooth or teeth of target manually or using computer software.

[0095] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, forming an appliance comprises forming the appliance by direct 3D printing or by casting.

[0096] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, forming the appliance by casting comprises:

[0097] 3D printing a cast-able appliance using a cast-able material,

[0098] fabricating a mold from the cast-able appliance, and

[0099] injecting into the mold the appliance forming material to form the appliance.

[0100] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the appliance forming material comprises a reinforcing material to enhance appliance stability and anchorage.

[0101] 3D-printing and casting are well documented methods of fabricating a 3D object.

[0102] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0103] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 20 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0104] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0105] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0106] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 90 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0107] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 95 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0108] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material has an elasticity that it is capable of being stretched at least 300% of its original length.

[0109] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone or power chain material, and orthodontic rubber bands.

[0110] Methods of computer aided fabrication of orthodontic appliances are well documented in the art. Examples of such methods are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,807 and 5,975,893, the teaching of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Method of Use

[0111] In a third aspect of the present invention, it is provided a method of aligning a tooth or teeth of target of a patient, comprising:

[0112] forming an appliance, and

[0113] applying the appliance to the patient to move the tooth or teeth of target from an original position(s) to a prescribed position(s) according to a prescription by a treating doctor,

[0114] wherein forming the appliance comprises: [0115] creating a dental model of a patient tooth and bite, [0116] constructing individual teeth from the dental model, [0117] moving a tooth or teeth of target of alignment according to a prescription by a treating doctor to create an aligned dental model of the patient, [0118] forming at least one appliance from the aligned dental model of the patient, [0119] wherein the appliance comprises an appliance forming material comprising an elastic material in an amount that imparts to the appliance elastic properties such that the appliance exerts a continuous aligning force on a tooth or teeth, and [0120] wherein the elastic material is a material other than polyester, and wherein the elastic material accounts for all or substantially all the elastic properties of the appliance.

[0121] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the appliance is according to any of the various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0122] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the prescribed position is an intermediate position toward a final prescribed alignment of the tooth or teeth of target of alignment prescribed by a treating doctor.

[0123] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 10 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0124] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 20 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0125] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0126] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 80 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0127] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 90 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0128] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material comprises at least 95 wt % of the appliance forming material.

[0129] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material has an elasticity that it is capable of being stretched at least 300% of its original length.

[0130] In some embodiments of the invention method, optionally in combination with any or all the various embodiments disclosed herein, the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of silicone or power chain material, and orthodontic rubber bands.

[0131] FIG. 3 shows an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance (top) being applied to teeth (bottom).

[0132] The following examples illustrate rather than limit the embodiments of the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. 3D-Printing Fabrication of Orthodontic Appliance

[0133] An elastic orthodontic appliance of invention was fabricated by 3D-printing using an appliance forming material using the method disclosed herein. FIG. 1 shows an image of the appliance viewed from the non-tooth contacting side, and FIG. 2 shows an image of the appliance viewed from the tooth contacting side.

[0134] FIG. 3 shows an image of an embodiment of the invention appliance (top) being applied to teeth (bottom).

[0135] FIGS. 4A-4D show one aspect of the invention appliance over traditional aligner appliances in that the invention appliance significantly reduces the aligning steps in orthodontic treatment.

[0136] While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0137] The teachings of the references, including patents and patent related documents, cited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the teachings herein.