US3898736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic appliance and method of using same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-30
•
Granted: 1975-08-12
•
Expires: 1989-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A set of preformed tooth positioning retainers of a size and shape to eliminate the need for custom molding and fitting of such devices. Also, the method of straightening teeth by determining the size of a patient''s mouth and then selecting a prefabricated tooth positioning retainer of an appropriate size from a set of such preformed retainers and inserting the same in the patient''s mouth.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl O Bergersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of positioning teeth comprising the steps of: providing a limited number of preformed resilient tooth positioning appliances of different preselected standard configuraion and dimension; measuring the oral cavity of the patient to determine the applicable standard size appliance for that patient; selecting such an appropriate standardized size appliance from the preformed group provided; and inserting the selected appliance into the patient''s mouth in bite abutting position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
The method of positioning teeth comprising the steps of: providing a limited number of preformed resilient tooth positioning appliances of different preselected standard configuraion and dimension; measuring the oral cavity of the patient to determine the applicable standard size appliance for that patient; selecting such an appropriate standardized size appliance from the preformed group provided; and inserting the selected appliance into the patient''s mouth in bite abutting position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the measurement of the oral cavity of the patient is taken along the mesio-distal diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the measurement of the mesio-distal diameter terminates with the first molar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
A set of preformed tooth positioning appliances for ready-made application for aligning teeth, comprising: a limited number of members of resilient material, each being generally U-shaped in plan and having a tooth receiving trough generally of a size and shape for reception on the teeth of a patient, said trough being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and having tooth receiving depressions, said tooth receiving depressions being non-identical duplications of a specific tooth configuration and being defined by ribs projecting inwardly of the trough which generally follow the contour of teeth intended to be received therein, said ribs defining the tooth receiving depressions projecting inwardly of the trough a greater distance in the gingival area of the retainer trough than in the remaining area thereof, each such positioner being of a size to fit a representative sampling of patient mouths all of said individual positioners being within a range to fit substantially all patient mouths and none of said positioners being a mating duplication of a specific patieNt mouth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
A set of preformed tooth positioning appliances for ready-made application for aligning teeth, comprising: a limited number of members of resilient material, each being generally U-shaped in plan and having a tooth receiving trough generally of a size and shape for reception on the teeth of a patient, said trough being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and having tooth receiving depressions, said tooth receiving depressions being non-identical duplications of a specific tooth configuration and being defined by ribs projecting inwardly of the trough which generally follow the contour of teeth intended to be received therein, said ribs defining the tooth receiving depressions projecting inwardly of the trough a greater distance in the gingival area of the retainer trough than in the remaining area thereof, each such positioner being of a size to fit a representative sampling of patient mouths all of said individual positioners being within a range to fit substantially all patient mouths and none of said positioners being a mating duplication of a specific patieNt mouth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A set of preformed tooth positioning appliances for ready-made application for aligning teeth, comprising: a limited number of members of resilient material, each being generally U-shaped in plan and having a tooth receiving trough generally of a size and shape for reception on the teeth of a patient, said trough being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and having tooth receiving depressions, said tooth receiving depressions being non-identical duplications of a specific tooth configuration and being defined by inwardly projecting ribs which generally follow the contour of the teeth intended to be received in the trough, with laterally inwardly projecting abutments on the distal side of each tooth receiving depression in the interproximal area of the ribs which define the tooth receiving depressions, each such positioner being of a size to fit a representative sampling of patient mouths all of said individual positioners being within a range to fit substantially all patient mouths and none of said positioners being a mating duplication of a specific patient mouth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A set of preformed tooth positioning appliances for ready-made application for aligning teeth, comprising: a limited number of members of resilient material, each being generally U-shaped in plan and having a tooth receiving trough generally of a size and shape for reception on the teeth of a patient, said trough being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and having tooth receiving depressions, said tooth receiving depressions being non-identical duplications of a specific tooth configuration and being defined by inwardly projecting ribs which generally follow the contour of the teeth intended to be received in the trough, with laterally inwardly projecting abutments on the distal side of each tooth receiving depression in the interproximal area of the ribs which define the tooth receiving depressions, each such positioner being of a size to fit a representative sampling of patient mouths all of said individual positioners being within a range to fit substantially all patient mouths and none of said positioners being a mating duplication of a specific patient mouth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |