US6183248B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for releasing tooth positioning appliances
Assignee: Align Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1999-02-16
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Granted: 2001-02-06
•
Expires: 2019-02-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved dental appliance system, and methods for using and fabricating the improved appliance, including a polymeric overlay or shell having a teeth-receiving cavity formed therein. The dental appliance having the necessary stiffness or strength to firmly secure the appliance on the teeth and provide controlled forces required for repositioning the teeth, until such time as removal of the appliance is desired. The appliance may be configured for use with a removal mechanism. The removal mechanism provides for selective release of the appliance from the teeth as the removal mechanism undergoes a state change stimulated by an environmental stimulus or environmental switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Muhammad Chishti
- 👤 Loc X. Phan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/08; A61C2201/00; A61C2201/007; A61C7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a shell including at least one layer of a polymeric material and having a cavity which fits closely over a contiguous group of teeth, the at least one layer of polymeric material being reversibly shiftable between a first state where the appliance is held onto the teeth and a second state where the appliance may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a shell including at least one layer of a polymeric material and having a cavity which fits closely over a contiguous group of teeth, the at least one layer of polymeric material being reversibly shiftable between a first state where the appliance is held onto the teeth and a second state where the appliance may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material exists in the second state when exposed to a non-oral environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 2 , wherein the non-oral environment is selected from the group consisting of non-physiologic temperature, non-physiologic pH, and non-physiologic ionic strength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material is converted to the second state by exposure to energy selected from the group consisting of mechanical energy and electromagnetic energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the shell has cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An appliance as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shell has a stiffness in the range from 0.1 GPa to 4 GPa in the first state and wherein the stiffness is reduced by at least 10% in the second state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An appliance as in claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the shell has a stiffness in the range from 0.1 GPa to 4 GPa in the first state and wherein the stiffness is reduced by at least 90% in the second state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement; and a removal mechanism coupled to the polymeric shell, the removal mechanism being reversibly switchable from a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement; and a removal mechanism coupled to the polymeric shell, the removal mechanism being reversibly switchable from a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism comprises at least one polymeric layer laminated to at least a portion of the polymeric shell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 10 , wherein the polymeric layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism comprises a plurality of polymeric layers laminated to the shell, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers undergoes the state switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism comprises a plurality of polymeric layers laminated to the shell, wherein each layer undergoes the state switch independent of the other layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism comprises an adhesive within at least a portion of the cavities, the adhesive having a first peel strength when in the first state and a second peel strength when in the second state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism is formed at least in part from a material having a first state with a first modulus and a second state with a second modulus, the first modulus being different from the second modulus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism is a structure, the structure having a first state with a first deformation and a second state with a second deformation, the first deformation being different from the second deformation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism switches from the first state to the second state in response to an environmental stimulus and returns to the first state when the environmental stimulus is removed or in response to a second environmental stimulus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 17 , wherein the environmental stimulus is selected from the group consisting of temperature, ionic strength, pH ratio, and liquid absorption.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 9 , wherein the removal mechanism switches from the first state to the second state in response to an external stimulus and returns to the first state when the externed stimulus is removed or in response to a second external stimulus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as in claim 19 , wherein the external stimulus is selected from the group consisting of light, magnetism, electricity, and radio waves.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a polymeric shell having a cavity shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement; and an attachment device which couples to the shell, the attachment device having a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth and a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, wherein the attachment device is reversibly switchable between the first and second states.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a polymeric shell having a cavity shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement; and an attachment device which couples to the shell, the attachment device having a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth and a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, wherein the attachment device is reversibly switchable between the first and second states.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device is positionable between an outer surface of the teeth and an inner surface of the cavity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device is an anchor device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
An appliance as in claim 23 , wherein the anchor comprises a geometric shape, the geometric shape allowing installation of the shell on to the teeth and restricting removal of the shell when the anchor device is in the first state.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 21 wherein the attachment device comprises at least one polymeric layer laminated to at least a portion of the attachment device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 25 , wherein the polymeric layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
35 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device comprises a plurality of polymeric layers laminated to the attachment device, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers undergoes the state switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device comprises a plurality of polymeric layers laminated to the attachment device, wherein each layer undergoes the state switch independent of the other layers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device switches from the first state to the second state in response to an environmental stimulus and returns to the first state when the environmental stimulus is removed or in response to a second environmental stimulus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 29 , wherein the environmental stimulus is selected from the group consisting of temperature, ionic strength, pH ratio, and liquid absorption.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device switches from the first state to the second state in response to an external stimulus and returns to the first state when the external stimulus is removed or in response to a second external stimulus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
An appliance as in claim 31 , wherein the external stimulus is selected from the group consisting of light, magnetism, electricity, and radio waves.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
An appliance as in claim 21 , wherein the attachment device is embedded within the shell.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance as in claim 33 , wherein the attachment device is a structure selected from the group consisting of wires, filaments, meshes, rings, and braids.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
An appliance as in claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of the attachment device comprises a shape memory alloy, the alloy being reconfigured when subjected to an external stimulus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a shell including at least one layer of a polymeric material and having a cavity which fits closely over a contiguous group of teeth; and an attachment device coupled to the shell and positionable between an outer surface of the teeth and an inner surface of the cavity, the at least one layer of polymeric material and the attachment device each having a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth and a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental positioning adjustment appliance comprising: a shell including at least one layer of a polymeric material and having a cavity which fits closely over a contiguous group of teeth; and an attachment device coupled to the shell and positionable between an outer surface of the teeth and an inner surface of the cavity, the at least one layer of polymeric material and the attachment device each having a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth and a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
100 words
An improved method for removing and replacing a dental appliance from over teeth, the appliance including a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth, wherein the improvement comprises (1) reversibly transforming a component of the appliance from a first state, where the appliance is held onto the teeth, to a second state where the appliance may be removed from the teeth with less force than would be required in the first state, (2) removing the appliance from the teeth while the component is in its second state, and (3) replacing the appliance back over the teeth.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
100 words
An improved method for removing and replacing a dental appliance from over teeth, the appliance including a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth, wherein the improvement comprises (1) reversibly transforming a component of the appliance from a first state, where the appliance is held onto the teeth, to a second state where the appliance may be removed from the teeth with less force than would be required in the first state, (2) removing the appliance from the teeth while the component is in its second state, and (3) replacing the appliance back over the teeth.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the transforming comprises applying a stimulus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the component comprises a polymeric layer which undergoes the reversible transformation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
47 words
An improved method as in claim 39 , wherein the polymeric layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the component comprises a plurality of polymeric layers each of which undergo the reversible transformation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved method as in claim 41 , wherein each layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the component is formed at least in part from a material having a first state with a first modulus and a second state with a second modulus, the first modulus being different from the second modulus.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the component switches from the first state to the second state in response to an environmental stimulus.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved method as in claim 44 , wherein the environmental stimulus is selected from the group consisting of temperature, ionic strength, pH ratio, and liquid absorption.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the component is embedded within the shell.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the appliance is replaced over the teeth while the component is in the first state.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved method as in claim 37 , wherein the appliance is replaced over the teeth while the component is in the second state.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
94 words
An improved method for removing and replacing a dental appliance from over teeth, the appliance comprising a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth to produce a final tooth arrangement, wherein the improvement comprises (1) transforming an interface between the shell and the teeth from a first state, where the interface holds the shell on the teeth, to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, (2) removing the appliance while the interface is in the second state, (3) replacing the appliance back over the teeth.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
94 words
An improved method for removing and replacing a dental appliance from over teeth, the appliance comprising a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth to produce a final tooth arrangement, wherein the improvement comprises (1) transforming an interface between the shell and the teeth from a first state, where the interface holds the shell on the teeth, to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, (2) removing the appliance while the interface is in the second state, (3) replacing the appliance back over the teeth.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface comprises a polymeric layer which undergoes the transformation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
An improved method as in claim 50 , wherein the polymeric layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface comprises a plurality of polymeric layers each of which undergo the transformation.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved method as in claim 52 , wherein each layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of memory polymers, methacrylate containing polymers, acrylate containing polymers, thermoplastic polymers, cross-linked thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic polymer blends, cross-linked thermoplastic polymer blends, thermoplastic elastomer polymers, and thermoset polymers.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface comprises an adhesive within at least a portion of the cavities, the adhesive having a first peel strength when in the first state and a second peel strength when in the second state.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface is formed at least in part from a material having a first state with a first modulus and a second state with a second modulus, the first modulus being different from the second modulus.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface is a structure, the structure having a first state with a first deformation and a second state with a second deformation, the first deformation being different from the second deformation.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the transforming comprises applying an environmental stimulus.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved method as in claim 57 , wherein the environmental stimulus is selected from the group consisting of temperature, ionic strength, pH ratio, and liquid absorption.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface is positionable between an outer surface of the teeth and an inner surface of the cavities.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
46 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the interface is an anchor device comprising a geometric shape, the geometric shape allowing installation of the shell on to the teeth and restricting removal of the shell when the anchor device is in the first state.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the appliance is replaced over the teeth while the interface is in the first state.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved method as in claim 49 , wherein the appliance is replaced over the teeth while the interface is in the second state.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, said system comprising: a plurality of dental position adjustment appliances including a polymeric shell with cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth; and a removal mechanism coupled to the polymeric shell, the removal mechanism being switchable from a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, the appliances including: a first appliance having a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement; one or more intermediate appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive intermediate arrangements; a final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the last intermediate arrangement to the final tooth arrangement; and wherein each position adjustment appliance is formed of at least one layer of a polymeric material, the polymeric material transformable from a first state, where the appliance is held onto the teeth to a second state, where the appliance can be removed from the teeth, the transformation activated by an environmental stimulus.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement, said system comprising: a plurality of dental position adjustment appliances including a polymeric shell with cavities shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth; and a removal mechanism coupled to the polymeric shell, the removal mechanism being switchable from a first state where the shell is held onto the teeth to a second state where the shell may be removed from the teeth, the appliances including: a first appliance having a geometry selected to reposition the teeth from the initial tooth arrangement to a first intermediate arrangement; one or more intermediate appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the first intermediate arrangement to successive intermediate arrangements; a final appliance having a geometry selected to progressively reposition the teeth from the last intermediate arrangement to the final tooth arrangement; and wherein each position adjustment appliance is formed of at least one layer of a polymeric material, the polymeric material transformable from a first state, where the appliance is held onto the teeth to a second state, where the appliance can be removed from the teeth, the transformation activated by an environmental stimulus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |