US5096417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic visual enhancement method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-14
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2011-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for visually highlighting the structural features of orthodontic appliances to facilitate easy discernment of difficult-to-see features, thereby simplifying and reducing the time required for therapeutic readjustment of orthodontic appliances, is disclosed, wherein a contrasting coloring agent is applied directly to the orthodontic appliances to achieve the desired results without any accompanying undesirable effects or disadvantages.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael H. Greenberg
- 👤 Richard S. Arnstine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C5/00; A61C5/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for visually highlighting structural features of orthodontic appliances to facilitate visual discernment of the features during therapeutic readjustment of the appliances, comprising the steps of: applying to a patient's teeth and to orthodontic appliances installed on the patient's teeth a non-toxic coloring agent; and allowing the coloring agent to accumulate at edges, corners, and surface irregularities of the orthodontic appliances so as to highlight said structural features.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for visually highlighting structural features of orthodontic appliances to facilitate visual discernment of the features during therapeutic readjustment of the appliances, comprising the steps of: applying to a patient's teeth and to orthodontic appliances installed on the patient's teeth a non-toxic coloring agent; and allowing the coloring agent to accumulate at edges, corners, and surface irregularities of the orthodontic appliances so as to highlight said structural features.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the applying step includes applying a coloring agent which is resistent to substantial absorption by the teeth and the orthodontic appliances.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2, further including the step of therapeutically readjusting the orthodontic appliances after the allowing step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 3, further including the step of removing the coloring agent after the step of therapeutically readjusting the orthodontic appliance before the coloring agent has been substantially absorbed by the teeth and the orthodontic appliances.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the removing step is performed by rinsing the patient's mouth with a stream of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, whereby the coloring agent is applied to the teeth the orthodontic appliances to cause the edges of the orthodontic appliances to become highlighted primarily by surface tension between the coloring agent and the orthodontic appliances.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said coloring agent is applied to the orthodontic patient's teeth using a single use applicator having a swab attached to a handle, the handle having a reservoir containing a quantity of the coloring agent, the applicator also having a breakable seal which when broken allows the coloring agent to flow to the swab.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for visually highlighting structural features of orthodontic appliances to facilitate visual discernment of the features during therapeutic readjustment of the appliances, comprising the steps of: applying to a patient's teeth and to orthodontic appliances installed on the patient's teeth a non-toxic coloring agent which is resistent to substantial absorption by the teeth and said orthodontic appliances; allowing the coloring agent to accumulate at edges, corners, and surface irregularities of the orthodontic appliances so as to highlight said structural features, said highlighting being caused primarily by surface tension between the coloring agent and the orthodontic appliances; then therapeutically readjusting the orthodontic appliances; and then removing the coloring agent from the patient's mouth by rinsing with a stream of water before the coloring agent has been substantially absorbed by the teeth and the orthodontic appliances.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for visually highlighting structural features of orthodontic appliances to facilitate visual discernment of the features during therapeutic readjustment of the appliances, comprising the steps of: applying to a patient's teeth and to orthodontic appliances installed on the patient's teeth a non-toxic coloring agent which is resistent to substantial absorption by the teeth and said orthodontic appliances; allowing the coloring agent to accumulate at edges, corners, and surface irregularities of the orthodontic appliances so as to highlight said structural features, said highlighting being caused primarily by surface tension between the coloring agent and the orthodontic appliances; then therapeutically readjusting the orthodontic appliances; and then removing the coloring agent from the patient's mouth by rinsing with a stream of water before the coloring agent has been substantially absorbed by the teeth and the orthodontic appliances.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4592141A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |