Orthodontic appliance and group standardized brackets therefor and methods of making, assembling and using appliance to straighten teeth

Claim 2

A plurality of brackets as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the configuration of each of the base portions and the depth and orientation of each archwire support portion groove are derived from a mathematical archform model established for a particular ethnic race.

Claim 3

A plurality of brackets as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the configuration of each of the base portions and the depth and orientation of each archwire support groove are derived from measurements of the shapes of the teeth of individuals of the same ethnic race as the patient.

Claim 4

A plurality of brackets as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the configurations are derived from measurements of points on the surfaces of the teeth of individuals of the same ethnic race as the patient and a calculation of inclinations of the crown long axes of the teeth of such individuals, the points including labial-lingually spaced points at the tooth gum intersections of the teeth and labial-lingually spaced points at the occlusal ends of the teeth.

Claim 5

A plurality of brackets as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the configuration of each of the base portions and the depth and orientation of each archwire support grove are based on ideal crown long axis inclination angles and jaw shape characteristic of persons of the given ethnic race.

Claim 6

A plurality of brackets as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the brackets are configured to fit on, and correct malocclusions of, the teeth of persons of the given ethnic race whose teeth are maloccluded, each of the archwire support grooves having a depth and an angulation specifically selected to correct malocclusions of the teeth of persons of the given ethnic race.

Claim 7

A plurality of brackets as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the brackets are manufactured with the aid of a specifically programmed digital computer programmed to control the production of brackets as designed for attachment of each to a particular tooth of persons of the given ethnic race to correct malocclusions of said teeth.

Claim 8

A plurality of brackets for treating patients who are members of an Asian anthropological group classified on the basis of common dental anatomy including at least an upper first bicuspid bracket comprising an archwire support portion mountable on the facial side of the tooth and having an archwire slot therein having geometric parameters of a slot in-out dimension of 0.042 +/-0.004 inches, a base curvature radius of between 1/4th and 1/16th inches, a slot inclination angle of -3°+/-2°, a slot tip angle of approximately 4°+/-1°, and a slot rotation angle of approximately -2°+/-1°.

Claim 9

A combination of brackets for an orthodontic appliance for the treatment of patients of an Asian anthropological class of patients, having similarities of dental anatomical features statistically common to the members thereof, the combination of brackets comprising: a plurality of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, the given ethnic race being Asian, each bracket being configured in accordance with dimensional parameters including a slot in-out dimension, a bracket base curvature, a slot inclination angle, a slot tip angle and a slot rotation angle, the plurality including at least two brackets, which have different combinations of dimensional parameters, selected from the group consisting of brackets having dimensional parameters which equal approximately the following: for the upper central brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.050 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: 18°, slot tip angle: 4°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the upper lateral brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.054 inches, base curvature radius: 0.5 inches, slot inclination angle: 16°, slot tip angle: 6°. and slot rotation angle: -3°, for the upper cuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.037 inches, base curvature radius: 0.25 inches, slot inclination angle: 0°, slot tip angle: 8°. and slot rotation angle: -4°, for the upper first bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.042 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: 2°, slot tip angle: 4°. and slot rotation angle: -2°, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.052 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: 1°, slot tip angle: 6°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower central brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.050 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: -2°, slot tip angle: 0°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower lateral brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.050 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: 0°, slot tip angle: 0°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower cuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.038 inches, base curvature radius: 0.25 inches, slot inclination angle: 0°, slot tip angle: 2°. and slot rotation angle: -6°, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.045 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -8°, slot tip angle: 3°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.050 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -8°, slot tip angle: 6°, and slot rotation angle: 0°; wherein "equal approximately", for the parameters, is: for slot inclination angle, within +/- 2°, for slot tip angle, within +/- 1°, for slot rotation angle, within +/-1°, for slot in-out dimension, within +/- a constant of 0.020 inches, which is within +/- 0.005 inches of being the same for all brackets, and for base curvature radius, between 1/2 to 2 times the stated value, with all radii that have an absolute value of at least 0.5 inches being defined as infinite.

Claim 10

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in Claim 9 further comprising a molar bracket configured in accordance with dimensional parameters including a slot in-out dimension, a slot inclination angle and a slot rotation angle, and selected from the group comprising of brackets having dimensional parameters which equal approximately the following: for upper first molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -10°, and slot rotation angle: 15°, for upper second molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -10°, and slot rotation angle: 15°, for lower first molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -10°, slot rotation angle: 4°, and for lower second molar bracket:s slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -7°, slot rotation angle: 0° wherein the molar bracket preferably comprises a buccal tube having a mounting band.

Claim 11

A combination of brackets for an orthodontic appliance for the treatment of patients of an Caucasian anthropological class of patients, having similarities of dental anatomical features statistically common to the members thereof, the combination of brackets comprising: a plurality of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, the given ethnic race being Caucasian, each bracket being configured in accordance with dimensional parameters including a slot in-out dimension, a bracket base curvature, a slot inclination angle, a slot tip angle and a slot rotation angle, the plurality including at least two brackets, which have different combinations of dimensional parameters, selected from the group consisting of brackets having dimensional parameters which equal approximately the following: for the upper central brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.044 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: 15°, slot tip angle: 5°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the upper lateral brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.057 inches, base curvature radius: 0.5 inches, slot inclination angle: 9°, slot tip angle: 9°. and slot rotation angle: 4.5°, for the upper cuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.037 inches, base curvature radius: 0.25 inches, slot inclination angle: -3°, slot tip angle: 10°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the upper first bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.044 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -6°, slot tip angle: 0°, and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.050 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -8°, slot tip angle: 4°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower central brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.045 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: -5°, slot tip angle: 2°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower lateral brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.045 inches, base curvature radius: infinite, slot inclination angle: -5°, slot tip angle: 4°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, for the lower cuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.045 inches, base curvature radius: 0.25 inches, slot inclination angle: -6°, slot tip angle: 6°. and slot rotation angle: -4.5°, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.046 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -7°, slot tip angle: 3°. and slot rotation angle: 0°, and for the lower second bicuspid bracket:s slot in-out dimension: 0.049 inches, base curvature radius: 0.125 inches, slot inclination angle: -9°, slot tip angle: 3°. and slot rotation angle: 0°; wherein "equal approximately", for the parameters, is: for slot inclination angle, within +/- 2°, for slot tip angle, within +/- 1°, for slot rotation angle, within +/-1°, wherein "equal approximately", for the parameters, is: for slot inclination angle, within +/- 2°, for slot tip angle, within +/- 1°, for slot rotation angle, within +/-1°, for slot in-out dimension, within +/- a constant of 0.020 inches, which is within +/- 0.005 inches of being the same for all brackets, and for base curvature radius, between 1/2 to 2 times the stated value, with all radii that have an absolute value of at least 0.5 inches being defined as infinite.

Claim 12

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in Claim 11 further comprising: a molar bracket configured in accordance with dimensional parameters including a slot in-out dimension, a slot inclination angle and a slot rotation angle, and selected from the group consisting of brackets having dimensional parameters which equal approximately the following: for upper first molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -15°, and slot rotation angle: 15°, for upper second molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -15°, and slot rotation angle: 15°, for lower first molar brackets: slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -12°, slot rotation angle: 2°, and for lower second molar bracket:s slot in-out dimension: 0.041 inches, slot inclination angle: -12°, slot rotation angle: 4°. wherein the molar bracket preferably comprises a buccal tube having a mounting band.

Claim 13

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the plurality of brackets includes a left half-subset of brackets and a right half-subset of brackets, the brackets of each half-subset including brackets for corresponding teeth that are each a mirror image of a corresponding bracket of the other half subset, each of the half-subsets including an upper central bracket, an upper lateral bracket, an upper cuspid bracket, an upper first bicuspid bracket and an upper second bicuspid bracket having the dimensional parameters including the slot in-out dimension, the base curvature radius, the slot inclination angle, the slot tip angle and the slot rotation angle, whereby the combination of brackets thereby forms a subset of brackets for an upper dental arch of a patient of the anthropological class.

Claim 14

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 13 wherein the plurality of brackets includes a left half-subset of brackets and a right half-subset of brackets, the brackets of each half-subset including brackets for corresponding teeth that are each a mirror image of a corresponding bracket of the other half subset, each of the half-subsets including a lower central bracket, a lower lateral bracket, a lower cuspid bracket, a lower first bicuspid bracket and a lower second bicuspid bracket having the dimensional parameters including the slot in-out dimension, the base curvature radius, the slot inclination angle, the slot tip angle and the slot rotation angle, whereby the combination of brackets thereby forms a subset of brackets for a lower dental arch of a patient of the anthropological class.

Claim 15

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14 wherein the plurality of brackets includes at least one subset, each subset including a pair of central brackets, a pair of lateral brackets, a pair of cuspid brackets, a pair of first bicuspid brackets and a pair of second bicuspid brackets, each pair of the brackets having the dimensional parameters for placement on adjacent teeth and wherein the plurality comprises at least four brackets for the same bracket subset, the subset being selected from the subset group consisting of an upper subset of upper brackets and a lower subset of lower brackets, and, the at least four brackets including at least two pair of brackets wherein the brackets of each pair are mirror images of each other for placement on corresponding teeth on opposite sides of a patient's mouth.

Claim 16

A combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the at least four brackets includes at least six brackets from the same bracket subset, the at least six brackets including at least three pairs of brackets wherein the brackets of each pair are mirror images of each other for placement on corresponding teeth on opposite sides of a patient's mouth, and, the brackets of the at least three pairs having geometric parameters designed for placement on adjacent teeth.

Claim 17

A combination of brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 16 wherein the plurality of brackets includes at least two brackets for two adjacent teeth, preferably at least three brackets for three adjacent teeth.

Claim 18

A combination of brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 17 wherein the plurality of brackets includes one of the following: a) an upper bicuspid bracket selected from the group; b) an upper bicuspid bracket selected from the group and at least one bracket selected from a sub-group consisting of an upper cuspid bracket and an upper second bicuspid bracket; c) an upper cuspid bracket, an upper first bicuspid bracket and an upper second bicuspid bracket; d) an upper central bracket, an upper second bicuspid bracket, and at least one bracket selected from a sub-group consisting of an upper lateral bracket, an upper cuspid bracket and an upper first bicuspid bracket; e) an upper central bracket, an upper second bicuspid bracket, and at least two different brackets selected from a sub-group consisting of an upper lateral bracket, an upper cuspid bracket and an upper first bicuspid bracket; f) a lower cuspid bracket; g) a lower cuspid bracket, a bracket selected from a first sub-group consisting of a lower central bracket and a lower lateral bracket, and a bracket selected from a second subgroup consisting of a lower first bicuspid bracket and a lower second bicuspid bracket; h) a lower cuspid bracket, a first anterior bracket selected from a first sub-group consisting of a lower central bracket and a lower lateral bracket, a first posterior bracket selected from a second subgroup consisting of a lower first bicuspid bracket and a lower second bicuspid bracket, and at least one bracket different from the first anterior and first posterior brackets and selected from a third subgroup consisting of the brackets of the first and second subgroups; and i) a lower central bracket, a lower lateral bracket, a lower cuspid bracket, a lower first bicuspid bracket and a lower second bicuspid bracket.

Claim 19

An orthodontic appliance comprising a plurality of brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 or a combination of brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 18 and an orthodontic archwire having an arcuate shape configured to fit in each of the grooves of the brackets, when the brackets are attached on the teeth of the persons of the given ethnic race, and to correct malocclusions of the teeth of persons of the given ethnic race and/or to move the teeth of the patient to finish positions specially determined as ideal for patients of the ethnic race.

Claim 20

An orthodontic appliance including a combination of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 18 and further comprising an archwire, or, an orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 9, the archwire having a midpoint and two ends, the archwire being symmetrical about the midpoint and definable on each side of the midpoint by at least five adjacent sections, including, proceeding distally from the midpoint toward an end, a first section adjacent the midpoint, a second section adjacent the first section, a third second adjacent the second section, a fourth section adjacent the third section, and a fifth section adjacent the fourth section, wherein the plurality of brackets each has a base configured for connection to a specific one of the teeth of the patient and a slot configured to connection at a specific relative position along the archwire, the plurality of brackets includes at least four brackets including at least two pair of brackets, each pair being configured for a different tooth and each pair including two brackets that are mirror images of each other and are configured for connection to corresponding teeth on opposite right and left sides of a dental arch of the patient, and, each of the brackets is configured in accordance with the dimensional parameters that include the slot in-out dimension, the base curvature radius, the slot inclination angle, the slot tip angle and the slot rotation angle.

Claim 21

An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the patients are to be treated are of an Asian anthropological class and wherein the archwire has a cross-sectional dimension that is nominally 0.001 inches narrower than the height of a slot in at least one of the brackets and the slot in the at least one of the brackets is inclined at an inclination angle as follows: for the upper central brackets: 18°, for the upper lateral brackets: 16°, for the upper cuspid brackets: 0°, for the upper first bicuspid brackets: 2°, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: 1°, for the lower central brackets: -2°, for the lower lateral brackets: 0°, for the lower cuspid brackets: 0°, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: -8°, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: -8°.

Claim 22

An orthodontic appliance as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein the patients to be treated are of a Caucasian anthropological class and wherein either the archwire has a cross-sectional dimension that is nominally 0.001 inches narrower than the height of a slot in at least one of the brackets and the slot in the at least one of the brackets is inclined at an inclination angle as follows: for the upper central brackets: 15°, for the upper lateral brackets: 9°, for the upper cuspid brackets: -3°, for the upper first bicuspid brackets: -6°, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: -8°, for the lower central brackets: -5°, for the lower lateral brackets: -5°, for the lower cuspid brackets: -6°, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: -7°, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: -9°. or the archwire has a cross-sectional dimension that is nominally 0.003 inches narrower than the height of a slot in at least one of the brackets and the slot in the at least one of the brackets is inclined at an inclination angle as follows: for the upper central brackets: 15°, for the upper lateral brackets: 9°, for the upper cuspid brackets: 2°, for the upper first bicuspid brackets: -10°, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: -12°, for the lower central brackets: -5°, for the lower lateral brackets: -5°, for the lower cuspid brackets: 0°, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: -2°, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: -3°.

Claim 23

A method of providing an orthodontic appliance for the treatment of patients of an Asian anthropological class of patients, having similarities of dental anatomical features statistically common to the members thereof, comprising providing a plurality of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 9, 10 or 13 to 18 as dependent on either Claim 9 or Claim 10.

Claim 24

A method as claimed in either Claim 23 wherein the method includes selecting a number of brackets from the plurality of orthodontic brackets, each corresponding to a different one of the teeth of the patient and securing the selected brackets each to the corresponding one of the teeth of the patient and wherein the securing step includes the step of securing each respective selected bracket to the corresponding one of the teeth at a distance spaced vertically from the most occlusal point of the tooth equal approximately as follows: for the upper central brackets: 4.6mm, for the upper lateral brackets: 3.9mm, for the upper cuspid brackets: 4.7mm for the upper first bicuspid brackets: 3.2mm, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: 3.6mm, for the lower central brackets: 4:0mm, for the lower lateral brackets: 4.0mm, for the lower cuspid brackets: 4.8mm, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: 4.0mm, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: 4.0mm wherein "equal approximately" is within +/- 0.2.

Claim 25

A method of providing an orthodontic appliance for the treatment of patients of a Caucasian anthropological class of patients, having similarities of dental anatomical features statistically common to the members thereof, comprising providing a plurality of orthodontic brackets as claimed in any one of Claims 11, 12 or Claims 13 to 18 as dependent on either Claim 11 or Claim 12.

Claim 26

A method as claimed in Claim 25 wherein the method includes selecting a number of brackets from the plurality of orthodontic brackets, each corresponding to a different one of the teeth of the patient and securing the selected brackets each to the corresponding one of the teeth of the patient and wherein the securing step includes the step of securing each respective selected bracket to the corresponding one of the teeth at a distance spaced vertically from the most occlusal point of the tooth equal approximately as follows: for the upper central brackets: 4.3mm, for the upper lateral brackets: 3.7mm, for the upper cuspid brackets: 4.6mm for the upper first bicuspid brackets: 4.2mm, for the upper second bicuspid brackets: 3.6mm, for the lower central brackets: 3.9mm, for the lower lateral brackets: 3.9mm, for the lower cuspid brackets: 4.7mm, for the lower first bicuspid brackets: 3.9mm, and for the lower second bicuspid brackets: 3.9mm wherein "equal approximately" is within +/- 0.2.

Claim 28

A method as claimed in Claim 27 wherein the bracket manufacturing step includes the step of manufacturing a plurality of brackets whose configurations each include the depth and angulation of a groove derived from a mathematical archform model of persons of the given ethnic race.

Claim 30

A method as claimed in Claim 29 wherein the digitized data includes data of the locations of a plurality of points on the surfaces of the teeth of the individual patient, the designing step further includes the step of deriving a mathematical representation of a crown long axis of each of a plurality the teeth of the individual patient, and, the finish position calculating substep includes the step of calculating the finish positions that incline the teeth based on inclinations of the derived crown long axes.

Claim 31

A method as claimed in either Claim 29 or Claim 30 further comprising the steps of determining whether a patient to be treated with a standardized appliance is of the defined type, and, upon determining that the patient to be treated with a standardized appliance is of the defined type, from the record of information selecting the standardized appliance and providing the standardized appliance for treatment of the patient to be treated therewith.