Patent for “Tooth attachment device”

3D Printing – Frank Witte, Friedrich Riemeier, Rohit Sachdeva, Phillip Getto, Dentsply Sirona Inc

Search Patent for “Tooth attachment device”

Abstract for “Tooth attachment device”

“In a preferred embodiment, the disclosure discloses a tooth attachment placement device (TAP device) or for assisting a person in placing one or several attachments or appliances on one or multiple teeth. TAP devices consist of single tooth jigs that are connected by splines. The treatment planning unified workspace automatically designs the geometry of the device, creating a digital STL file. Next, the 3D printer creates the device from a non-flexible and biocompatible material in accordance to the digital STL. An appliance, for instance, could be a bracket, a bracket shim, or an attachment. The aligner attachment, or the pad, can also be used. There are many different versions of the TAP device. The TAP device can be used to verify the accuracy of bracket placements.

Background for “Tooth attachment device”

“A. Field”

“This disclosure is generally applicable to dentistry and orthodontics. The disclosure is more specific and relates to the application of templates to teeth that provide a locating mechanism to a variety of purposes including localization of treatment on a tooth and precise placement of brackets, bracket bonding pad, and other orthodontic appliances.

“B. “B.

“Bonding brackets to the teeth of a patient with malocclusion in orthodontics is a common treatment. There are slots in the brackets that can be used to receive an archwire. The bracket-archwire interaction controls forces applied to teeth and determines the direction of tooth movement. The orthodontist usually bends the wire manually. The movement of the teeth can be monitored during treatment. The orthodontist can make manual adjustments to the wire shape and bracket position.

“In traditional orthodontics, it is crucial to accurately place brackets on the teeth to ensure that the tooth can be moved to the desired position over the course of treatment. An orthodontist will plan treatment for each patient based on the location of the brackets. The desired bracket position can be determined in many ways (see Lemchen U.S. Pat. RE 35,169, Andreiko and al., U.S. Pat. Nos. Nos.

Once the bracket position has been determined, bonding the bracket to your teeth with bracket placement aids or directly can be done. Bracket placement tools, such as custom-machined bracket placement jigs or thermoplastic bracket transfer tray, are well-known in the art. Andreiko, Cohen et. al. U.S. Pat. No. No. No. 6,123,544.”

The present disclosure offers tooth templates or device for a wide range of purposes. It includes precisely placing brackets on teeth. These devices or templates are cheaper and easier than the transfer trays and jigs described above. The templates can be made without the use of any special equipment, such as stereolithography or milling machines. These templates can be used for many other dental purposes, beyond bracket placement. They can be used to locate mechanisms for specific procedures such as varnishing, etching, treatment for cavities, root canals, and other treatments, and for attaching aligners or pads to the teeth.

“In a preferred embodiment, a tooth attachment placement device (TAP) is disclosed to assist a user in placing one of more attachments or appliances on one or more of their teeth. TAP devices consist of single tooth jigs that are connected by splines or other elements with different configurations. The TAP device’s geometry is created automatically in the treatment planning unified workstation. This creates a digital file of TAP device design in STL or any other format. Next, the TAP devices are created using a non-flexible, biocompatible material. This is done in accordance to the digital file. A skilled person in the art will know that the TAP device may also be made from flexible or semi-flexible material or a combination of flexible materials. An appliance could be either a bracket, or a bracket-shim. The attachment can be an aligner attachment, or a pad. A bracket shim, an intermediate structure that has opposed surfaces facing the tooth and one facing the bracket base, provides a shim between tooth surface and bracket base for precise positioning of the bracket and its slot in three-dimensional space. The template or device consists of single tooth jigs that are connected by splines. This device can be produced in both lingual and labial versions. It is more comfortable than traditional deep-drawn Indirect Bonding Trays. All brackets can be bonded in one step. The device can also be divided into sections if necessary for certain malocclusions. A single jig can be used to re-bond a single tooth. For later bonding teeth that are not possible to bond initially, jigs may be used. This is because the tooth may need rotation or be erupted. The device’s geometry is generated automatically in the treatment planning station. No operator interaction is required to create the STL file. This STL file can be used to produce the device from biocompatible material that is not flexible using a 3D printer. The device can be produced at very low cost.

“In one embodiment, the jig used to hold the appliance (or attachment) has one to three marks that indicate the orientation and location of the appliance to be placed on at least one tooth. In some embodiments, the device or template is temporarily attached to the tooth’s surface. After the template or device is created, the user can remove the marking indicating the location of appliance. This creates a void in template at the indicated location. Alternativly, the template can form the void during the manufacturing process. The template can then be applied to the tooth. The template’s void allows the user to attach a bracket directly to the tooth at this location. Or, the shim can be used in its place. Optionally, the mark can include orientation features that assist in placing the bracket correctly on the tooth.

The template can be used to place brackets on multiple teeth in the upper or lower arch. The template can also be used to place a bracket on one tooth. There are other possible constructions for the templates, including templates that can be applied directly to the tooth to create a bracket-locating mark.

“Another preferred aspect is a method for verifying accuracy of placing an orthodontic template on the patients’ teeth. It involves the following steps: a) creating an orthodontic template design using treatment planning software; b) indicating the outline and markings indicating the orientation and position of each appliance on each tooth; then c) applying the template onto the actual teeth; d) checking the accuracy of placement of template on patient’s teeth using the computer; e) adjusting the placement or the acceptable placement of template on patient until the template is reached the patient. To verify that the template was placed correctly on the patient’s teeth, an image of their dentition is taken. The template is then digitally compared to the template placed on the three-dimensional virtual model of the patient’s teeth. If the placement of the template is not as desired, the placement is corrected until it is. An in-vivo scanner or digital photos are used to capture the image of the patient’s dentition with the template on the actual teeth.

“Another aspect of the invention is a method for placing a brace on a tooth. It involves the following steps: a) creating a template to place a bracket onto a tooth; b) placing the template on the tooth’s surface; c) attaching the bracket to the tooth at the spot where the void was created; e) bonding or shimming the bracket to the tooth; and finally, f) removing and replacing the template. The orthodontist can use the void in a template to apply a chemical composition to the tooth’s surface or to place a mask for laser-etching.

“A template can be used to apply a treatment to a tooth in another aspect. The template can be placed onto one of the patient’s teeth. The template contains a void that indicates the orientation and location of the treatment to be performed on at least one tooth. The template is designed to be attached to the tooth’s surface in a reference position. There are many possible treatments that could be used, including etching, cleaning and varnishing.

The templates in this disclosure can be used on the tooth directly for direct bonding or they can be combined with a model of your teeth to be used to create a conventional indirect bonding bracket placement tool, as described below.

“Another preferred aspect is a method for creating an orthodontic template for a person to assist in the placement of an appliance on a designated teeth void of an appliances. Each of a plurality remaining teeth have an appliance attached thereto. The procedure involves: (a) creating a three-dimensional model of a patient that includes a designated tooth with an appliance attached and the remaining teeth; (b) storing this three-dimensional model in a computer. (c) placing an appliance on the designated teeth using treatment planning instructions and a library containing virtual appliances. (d) 3D printing the template. The template indicates the outline of the tooth. The template has one or more marks which indicate where and how the appliance should be placed. This method is especially useful when the designated tooth has only been partially erupted, and cannot receive an appliance. The images from in-vivo scanning of the patient are used to create the virtual 3-D model. Images include both the patient’s remaining teeth and any existing appliances.

These and other aspects of disclosure will become more obvious from the detailed discussion of currently preferred embodiments of disclosure.

“In a preferred embodiment, the disclosure discloses a tooth attachment placement device (TAP) or for assisting a person in placing one or several attachments or appliances on one or multiple teeth. TAP devices consist of single tooth jigs that are connected by splines or other elements with different configurations. The TAP device’s geometry is created automatically in the treatment planning unified workstation. This generates a digital file of TAP device design in STL format or any other format suitable, including STEP and VDA. Next, the TAP devices are created using a non-flexible and biocompatible material. This is done by a generative manufacturing device such as a 3D printer according to the digital file. A skilled person in the art will know that the TAP device may also be made from semi-flexible or flexible materials, or a combination of flexible/non-flexible materials. An appliance could be a bracket, a bracket shim, or an attachment. The attachment could be an aligner attachment, or a pad.

Before we get into the details of the disclosure, let’s first give an overview of the unified workstation. The software features of the workstation allow for creation of a two-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional virtual model of a patient using a computer. This can be used to communicate, plan treatment, design and create templates or appliances.

The essence of the unified workspace described herein is the ability capture images from multiple sources, including volumetric images, surface images, 3-D and 2-D images. These images can be static or dynamic and include CBCT, CT, CAT and MRI. These images are combined to create a single simulation model of the craniofacial/dentofacial complex. This is used for diagnosis, planning, treatment planning, and designing appliances to treat craniofacial or dentofacial issues. These images can be used to create a composite face structure with dynamic or static behavioral characteristics. You can also track jaw movement or function and simulate functional movements (e.g. smile movement in the lower jaw).

The user can set the global position of the entire face relative to its surroundings for planning purposes. You can also use specific anatomical marks or user-defined reference planes to determine the relative positions of any structural element, such as the upper and lower jaws. A combination of registration methods can also be used to register the relationship between the lower jaw and the accompanying teeth. One example is to record the bite registration by taking an intraoral scan of the teeth and then using that as a template for registering the relationship between the upper and lower jaws from a CBCT volumetric scan.

“Most important, volumetric data can be used to extract three-dimensional structural data. This may include crowns and root of teeth, bone, facial soft tissue, and appliances attached. Each of these elements can be individually manipulated in three-dimensional space to create a treatment plan and the correct device to fix a problem. To design a holistic treatment program, it is possible to model the interdependencies between the various components. You can define the relationships between various structural components by selecting a suitable reference plane and mapping the spatial relationships between particular structures. Treatment design can include repositioning or restoring any structural elements in 2-D and 3-D space. Function can also be simulated and modeled using captured data. This allows for the achievement of desired goals such as the placement of roots in the bone so that they can withstand jaw movement. The condyle can also be adjusted to match the position of teeth. To better design treatment, mechanical analysis such as finite element methodology may be used. To design customized treatment devices such as removable orthodontic appliances, dental brackets and bridges, as well as crowns, bridges, partial dentures, obturators, temporary anchorage device made from natural or synthetic materials using generative manufacturing equipment such as SLA, milling, robotic manufacturing, or robotic manufacturing, all changes can be measured in relation to predetermined planes of reference. Any type of surgical, restorative, prosthodontic, or dental device, whether tissue-borne, dental-borne, or osseous-borne, may be combined or individually in serial or parallel. If the patient needs surgery, splints and fixation plates can all be designed or manufactured simultaneously. Navigational systems can be driven by the numerical output of any treatment plan. Simulators can be used to test proficiency or train skills. You can use the numerical output of the treatment plan to drive robotics that perform surgical procedures. This output can also be used to create a solid representation of the treatment plan by using generative manufacturing or milling techniques.

“Template data and normative data can be stored in memory to plan any structural changes or design modifications. Reference data from non-affected structural elements can be used to create templates and provide design parameters for the affected side.

You can also replace or eliminate any structure to accomplish the desired goal. Simulating the codependency between one object’s movement and its effect on another is possible for all three types of tissue. For example, the tooth can move to affect the gum soft tissue. Or, the root can move to the bone. How does the bone change? What happens to the face when the bones move. Different modalities and professionals can execute different types of planning in an interactive way, synchronously or asynchronously.

The unified workstation allows you to plan crowns with roots. This optimizes the planning process by changing the root position. As a result, the crown is more stable and minimizes aberrant forces that could cause root fracture, crown fracture, or break down of the bone. The same can be done for surgical patients. This allows the surgeon to plan the root positions and can also cut between the roots. Implants can be moved in a desired location to ensure that the implant is not damaged when it is inserted. You can also accurately size the implants so they don’t interfere with root space. This planning wouldn’t be possible if the roots weren’t made as separate objects that could move. To create bone, one can finally move the roots preferentially. One can make bone by extruding a root. You can also move roots to change the gum tissue structure. For orthodontic movement, one can either avoid root collisions or move teeth only to areas with bone. To achieve these goals, one can plan tooth movement as well as bone movement and soft tissue gums and the face. You can alter the location of all objects that are removed, their shape and volume, and even change their form to repair or reconstruct. You can remove or sculpt any area of gum soft issue bone dentition. One can also use a fusion technique but it is preferable to extract data from the CBCT for bone or dentition with roots at a minimal level. You can do partial intramural scans if distortion is expected (e.g. large metal crowns and fillings) or you can scan an impression only in the area of interest.

Images of the roots can also be taken using CBCT. These images can then be attached to crowns that were created by scanning intramural impressions, models, or scans. It is not necessary to fuse a model of your dentition into the crank facial structure. It is possible to capture all information in one shot, and then extract specific features. The unified workstation combines the soft, osseous, and dental information into one single document and separates them into individual parts for treatment planning. Different approaches can be used to optimize the treatment plan, such as correcting crowding, planning veneers, and positioning the teeth correctly. This is true for all structures. The decision can be driven based on the patient’s need, time constraints and cost-benefit ratio.

The prior application Ser. No. No. 13 April 2001 and published OraMetrix patent Application WO 01/80761. The contents are incorporated herein.

“General Description”

Below is a description of a unified computer environment and computer system that can be used to plan, diagnose, and deliver therapeutics. It is especially suitable for treating craniofacial structures. The system can be used to plan treatment for an orthodontic patient who has other craniofacial conditions or conditions that require surgery, prosthodontic, restorative, and/or oral treatment.

FIG. 1. The overall system 50 comprises a general-purpose computer 10 with a processor (CPU12) and a user interface 14 including a screen display 16, mouse 18, and keyboard 20. This system can be used to plan treatment for a patient 34.

“The system 50 contains a computer storage medium (or memory 22) that is accessible to the general-purpose computing system 10. The memory 22 can be a hard drive memory or attached peripheral devices and stores two or more sets digital data that represent patient craniofacial information. The sets contain at least one set of digital information 24 that represents patient craniofacial information from a first imaging system and another set of digital information 26 that represent patient craniofacial information from a second imaging system. These data are, at most in part, representative of common craniofacial anatomy structures. The data that represents the external appearance of the patient’s face or its surface configuration would normally be included in at least one of the two sets of digital data.

The first set 24 may be a collection of two-dimensional color photos of the patient’s head and face taken with a color digital camera 28. The second set could contain three-dimensional images of the patient’s teeth taken using a suitable scanner 30 such as a handheld optical 3D scanner or another type of scanner. Other digital image data may be stored in the memory 22, including digitized Xrays or ultrasound images, CT scanners, CBCT scanners, jaw tracking devices, scanning devices, video cameras, etc. from other imaging equipment 36. Other imaging devices do not need to be at the same location as the workstation system 50. The imaging of the patient 34 using one or more imaging devices 36 can be done remotely in a clinic or hospital. In this case, image data is obtained from the workstation 50 via the Internet 37 or another communication medium and stored in memory 22.

“The system 50 also includes a set computer instructions that are stored on a machine-readable storage media. Instructions may be stored in memory 22, accessible by the general-purpose computing system 10. You can store the instructions on the machine-readable medium 32 on the computer system 10. Below are detailed instructions that will instruct the general computer system to perform various functions, including the creation and use of the virtual model patient in diagnosis, therapy, and treatment planning.

These functions include the function of automatically and/or with operator interaction via the interface 14 superimposing the first 24 digital data sets and the second 26 digital data sets so as to create a composite, digital representation of the craniofacial structures in a common coordinate scheme. The ‘virtual patient model’ is sometimes referred to as this composite, digital representation. Figure 16 shows the digital model of FIG. 1 as a digital representation of the patient 34. One of the 24 sets of data, 26 includes the photographic data of the patient’s head, teeth, and face. This was taken with the color digital cam 28. Another set of data might include intra-oral 3D scan data from the hand-held scanner 30 CT scan data X-Ray data, etc. FIG. FIG. 1 shows how the hand-held scanner 30 takes a series images that contain 3D information. This information is used to create a 3D model at the scanning node 31 in accordance with the instructions in the PCT application of OraMetrix (PCT publication no. WO 01/80761 is incorporated herein. Additional data sets may be possible and preferred in some embodiments. The following data sets can be combined to create a virtual patient model: intra-oral scan of patient’s teeth, gums and associated tissues, Xray, CT scan, intraoral color photographs (to add true color (texture), to 3D teeth models and color photographs, which are then combined in the computer to create a 3D morphable face model. These data sets can be superimposed on each other with the appropriate scaling to ensure that they are in the same registry. This 3D representation can be saved as a point cloud that represents not only the surface of the patient, but also the interior structures such as bone and teeth roots. One possible embodiment is the handheld in-vivo scanning device that also includes a color CCD camera for capturing individual images and video.

“The software instructions also include a set or routines that allow the user interface 16 display the digital composite representation of craniofacial structures. Computer-aided design (CAD),-type software tools are used in a representative embodiment to display the model to the users and give them tools to view and study the model. The model should be able to be viewed in any orientation. You can show slices or sections of the model in arbitrary, user-defined planes using tools. The digital composite representation can be printed on a printer, or provided to the user as a visual format.

The software instructions also include instructions that provide the user with the tools on the 14-inch user interface for visualizing, on the interface, the interaction between the craniofacial structures and their relationship to external, visible appearances of the patient. The tools can be used to simulate changes in the anatomical shape or position of the craniofacial structures (e.g. teeth, jawbone, bone, soft tissue) and their impact on the patient’s external, visual appearance. Software tools are ideally suited for manipulating many parameters, such as the patient’s age, position, orientation, color, texture, reflectivity, and light conditions. These effects can have an impact on the patient’s visual appearance. You can quickly analyze the elements of the craniofacial or dental complex in either a static (i.e. there is no movement of anatomical structure relative to one another) or dynamic (i.e. there is movement of anatomical structure relative to one another such as chewing, growth, etc.). The modeling and simulation of teeth can be done as 3D virtual objects that are independent and individually moveable using the techniques described above in the OraMetrix PCT application WO 01/80761.

The disclosure creates a workstation environment that can be used to diagnose, plan treatment and deliver therapeutics. It is possible to study the effects of jaw movement and skull movement on smile and face of patients. The model can also be used to achieve the desired smile and feature. This model can be used to determine the exact location and arrangement of anatomical structures, such as the position and orientation of individual teeth, the shape and size of the arch, and the relative positions of the upper and lower arches. It is also possible to automatically solve for or deduce the jaw, tooth and bone corrections that must apply to the patient’s pre-treatment position in order to achieve the desired result. This allows for the creation of a treatment plan for each patient.

These simulation tools are user-friendly and intuitive icons 35 which can be activated using a keyboard or mouse on the computer’s user interface. These icons allow the user to navigate through specific tasks. They can highlight and select anatomical features, alter their positions relative to other structures and simulate movement (chewing and occlusion) by activating the software instruction. Rudger Rubbert and colleagues have provided examples of navigational tools, icons, and treatment planning tools that could be helpful in this process. No. No. 13/04/2001, whose contents are incorporated herein.”

The virtual patient model or a portion of it, including data that describes a three-dimensional model showing the teeth in their initial and treatment positions, can be used to generate customized orthodontic appliances. To create custom brackets and flat planar archwires and custom bracket placement jigs, the position of the teeth can be used. Alternately, data sets representing intermediate positions of the teeth can be used to create transparent aligning shells that allow for the movement of the final position. patents. These data can be used to place brackets or design an archwire customized as described in the cited application Ser. No. 09/835,039.”

The system 50 contains software routines and hardware devices that allow for the sharing of virtual patient models among device manufacturers and specialists. Software instructions for the system are best integrated with a patient management software program that has a scheduling function for scheduling patient appointments. Patient management software allows for flexible scheduling of appointments, based on the progress of treatment. It is possible to measure the progress of treatment. You can monitor the progress of treatment by regularly obtaining updated information in three dimensions about the progress of treatment for the craniofacial features of patients. This includes updated scans of the patient and comparing the 3D model to the original model of the patient before you start treatment.

“It is therefore contemplated that the system described herein provides tools and data acquisition subsystems that together provide a flexible platform or portal to many possible therapies and treatment options, depending on the preferences of the patient and practitioner. A practitioner may decide that a patient might benefit from a combination custom-made wires and brackets. Different manufacturers receive data from the virtual patient models for the coordinated preparation of custom appliances. The powerful tools described in this article and the virtual patient model allow for sharing of the entire patient’s picture with other specialists, such as dentists, maxilla or oral surgeons and cosmetic surgeons. This greatly enhances the ability of different specialists to coordinate and apply diverse treatments to reach the desired outcome. The overlay or superposition of multiple image information (e.g., 2D Xray, 3D teeth data, photographic data and other data), and the ability toggle between these views to simulate changes in craniofacial structure position and shape, as well as the ability to share the virtual patient model across computer networks to other specialists, device manufacturers and other specialists, allow the patient’s entire treatment to be simulated and modeled in computer. The patient can see the expected results and make changes based on their input.

“Treatment Planning”

FIGS. 2-13 explain the various steps involved in treatment planning. 2-13.”

“FIG. “FIG. 2” shows the in-vivo digitally scanned dentition model for a patient with gingiva 112 and teeth 110 in the malocclusion condition. In-vivo scanning can be done using a handheld, white light scanner. Alternately scanning can be done using other scanning devices such as a monochrome scanner or laser scanner. A scan of the impression or a physical model of your dentition can also be used to create a similar model.

“FIG. FIG. 3 shows the digital model for the patient. 2 with gingiva 112 and teeth. The target state is where the teeth 120 are placed using the treatment planning instructions in FIG. 1. Treatment planning simulations can help you achieve the target set up. Depending on the treatment plan selected for the patient, the target set-up could be the desired final state or intermediate state.

“Alternatively, treatment planning can be done with dentition models that do not include gingiva as described in FIGS. 4A, 4B 5A, 5B, 6 and 6

“FIG. “FIG.

“FIG. 5A is a model of teeth based on surface scanning of the patient’s dentition. The model shows tooth crowns 70, but the jaw bones and tooth roots are missing.

“FIG. 5B is a picture of teeth 72 that have roots in malocclusion. Roots are obtained by scanning the patient’s bones and dentition with a CBCT device, and then integrating the digital data from the CBCT and the in-vivo scan data.

“FIG. “FIG.

“FIG. FIG. 6 shows the digital model for the patient. 5B Set-up in a target condition by considering the position of the roots with the treatment planning instructions in FIG. 1. This approach has the advantage that roots positions are considered when planning the target setup. This helps to avoid any root movements.

“FIG. FIG. 7 shows the digital target setup model of the patient. 3. With the brackets 130 being placed on the 120 teeth. This figure also shows Gingiva 112. The instructions in FIG. can be used to automatically place the brackets 130 at the desired places on the teeth. 1. Alternately the brackets can be placed at the locations that the operator selects. The instructions in FIG. 1 will automatically place the brackets. 1 can be chosen and moved by the operator to another location.

“FIG. “FIG.8 shows the digital target setup model of the patient with brackets 130 placed on the 120 teeth of FIG. 7. With a reference 140 plane for the brackets. This figure also includes gingiva 112. All brackets can be moved globally to a different location by using the plane of reference.

“FIG. FIG. 9 shows the digital target setup model of FIG. 8 with brackets 132 repositioned using the plane as a guide. This figure also shows teeth 120 and gingiva 112.

“FIG. “FIG. 7 with a single bracket 134 repositioned, as shown on tooth 122. This is done when necessary.

“FIGS. Examples of bracket placement on a tooth are shown in 11A, 11B, and 11C. FIG. FIG. 11B shows that the bracket 137 does not touch the tooth surface 124 and creates a gap of 137 between the bracket base 137 and the tooth surface 124. FIG. 11C shows that the bracket 138 touches the surface of tooth 124 at two points (138 a, 138b), thereby leaving no gap between bracket 138 and tooth surface 124. To achieve the treatment goals, the operator can adjust the position of any bracket on a tooth’s surface. The gap between the base and the tooth’s surface determines the size of the pad needed to bond the bracket to the tooth.

“FIGS. Additional examples of bracket placement on a tooth are shown in 12A and 12B. FIG. FIG. 12.A shows the bracket touching at one point, 142a on the tooth 126. FIG. 12.B shows the bracket 144 touching at the opposite point, 144a on the tooth 126. FIG. 12B shows the bracket touching at the opposite end 144 a on tooth 126.

“The brackets are placed with respect to the tooth’s surface to allow for different forces such as torque, angle, translational and/or rotational movements in the desired directions.

“FIG. 13 shows the digital malocclusion of FIG. 2 with brackets 150 placed on the teeth 120 according to the bracket-positions per FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 13 shows the placement target of the brackets on teeth that will be used for the TAP device design in accordance to the disclosed herein.

“A skilled artist would know that target setup can be automated or manually done by an operator, or both.”

“TAP Device Design & Manufacturing.”

“FIG. “FIG. 1. in accordance to the placing of brackets on teeth as shown in FIG. 13. TAP 200 is composed of single-tooth jigs (210) interconnected by splines 300, 310. Each jig210 has a unique tooth number 320 engraved on the surface. This indicates the specific tooth that is associated with that particular jig. Each jig can hold an attachment or bracket that is to be attached to a tooth. The spline 322 is also equipped with over-molded retention pegs 322. The system shown in FIG. 1 automatically designs the geometry of the TAP device. 1. This system works without the need for operator interaction. It is possible to export the design as a digital STL File.

The spline is made from a small amount of rigid material and has a unique width. This helps to keep the TAP devices in their desired positions. Each spline has a different cross section. It is designed to withstand UV rays and provide snap points for separating sections as needed.

“The distance between the jigs and the spline can be varied depending on the geometry of your dentition and to provide enough space for the jigs and brackets to be placed on the teeth.”

The TAP device can serve both the upper and lower jaws together.

“Bracket placement in the TAP device Jigs can either be done manually or by a robot.”

The TAP device can be made for one tooth, multiple teeth, or the entire arch. You can also design the TAP device in segments.

“The TAP device is made at an orthodontist?s office or remotely at a manufacturing plant.”

The bracket holder can be held in place by two, three or four walls in a TAP device jig.

“The TAP device was made from a non-flexible biocompatible material by using an additive manufacturing process apparatus, such as a 3D Printer. The table below lists the properties of the preferred biocompatible materials. Table 1 lists the preferred form of the preferred biocompatible material for the TAP device. However, materials in powder form or other forms suitable for 3D printing apparatus may also be used.

The TAP device should be made of transparent/transparent material. Tubes are used for the splines. This design allows the spline’s tubes to be equipped with ultra-violate light, rays or rays that can cure the bracket pads on the teeth surfaces. It also allows for firm attachments of brackets to teeth after they are attached using the TAP device.

“There are markings on the splines to allow the splines to be broken at those points to remove the holders or jigs once the brackets have been bonded to your teeth.

The TAP device can also be used to attach other attachments such as aligner attachments to the teeth.

“The TAP devices come in ultra-violet resistance boxes for shipping and storage.”

The TAP device has many advantages over other similar devices. TAP devices are available in both labial or lingual formats. It is more flexible than traditional deep-drawn Indirect Bonding Trays (IDB). All brackets can be bonded in one step. The TAP device can be divided into segments if necessary for specific malocclusions. One jig can be used to re-bond a single tooth. A TAP device can include jigs to bond teeth later that are not possible initially. This is because the tooth does not need rotation or is not erupted. A customized TAP device can be made at a fraction of the cost of commercially available IDB Trays.

“In summary, according to the disclosures before, (a), the single-tooth jigs in a TAP devices are connected through splines, or other elements with different configurations; (b) The TAP design is stored in a digital format, preferably in STL format or any other suitable format including STEP and VDA; (c), the TAP design is made from non-flexible biocompatible materials, semi-flexible or flexible materials, or a combination of flexible/n; and (d) The digital file of the TAP design; and is produced using generative manufacturing device design.

“FIGS. “FIGS.15-19” shows various uses of the TAP device, as described below.

“FIG. 15 shows a lingual TAP device 220. The jig at location 221 is not used in this instance because the corresponding tooth is in the same position. An additional jig, 222, is available for later use. This figure shows the link to the patient identifier 324. Before bonding brackets to the teeth with the TAP device, the patient identifier link 324 and the additional jig 222 can be removed from the device. After bonding, each jig may be disassembled at points 224. You can use the jig 222, at a later time, to bond a bracket on the tooth in the 221 position that was originally skipped.

It is important to calculate how much occlusal coverage each tooth should have. It can be difficult to make enough space between the TAP devices to accommodate the bends in the Splines in crowded cases. This TAP device design, which is essentially a TAP device that has spaces between it, is truly unique. Attachment of the jigs is done by one or more splines with different shapes. Variating the width of the TAP device can increase flexibility (thinners jigs), and decrease stability (wider ones). You can offset stability by bonding multiple teeth simultaneously or using a single jig that covers the entire occlusal area in cases where it is difficult to reach the tooth. The printing cost will be lower if there is enough space. This calculation is done by the material required.

“FIG. 16 shows a labial TAP Device 230 for a lower Jaw, with jigs 234, 236 and 238 as well as a patient identifier (326).

“Similarly, FIG. FIG. 17 shows an upper jaw with a labial TAP Device 240.

“FIG. 18 shows a lingual TAP 250 device placed on the jaw’s physical model 260. Jig for tooth 261 has been skipped because the tooth is in a rotating position and the jig can’t be used in this situation.

“FIG. “FIG. 18 and a patient identification connection 270. This view also shows that tooth 261 cannot be used because the tooth is in a rotational position.

“FIGS. “FIGS.

“FIG. “FIG.

“FIG. “FIG. 20 includes the bracket base 422.”

“FIG. 22 shows how to close the teeth and stabilize the TAP device. This image shows the lower teeth at 430, 432 for the holder, 434 for the bracket, 436 for the spline breaking point, 438 for the bracket, and bite at 440.

“FIG. “FIG. 23” shows another example of how to stabilize the TAP device using closing the teeth. This is the lingual view. This image shows the lower teeth at 430, 432 for the holder, 436 for the bracket, and 450 respectively.

“FIG. “FIG. 24” shows another way to stabilize the TAP device using closing the teeth. This is the labial view. This image shows the lower teeth at 430, the holder or jig 432, the bracket 436, and the spline 434.

“FIG. 25 shows a section showing a side view of a counter-shaped slot on the TAP device. This image shows the jig, or the holder 432, the spline 444, the bracket 434, and the pad 437.

“FIG. FIG. 26 shows the sane portion of the TAP device. 25 shows the front view of a counter-shaped slot. This illustration shows the holder or jig 432, the spine 434 and the bracket 436. The base 439 is also shown.

“FIG. 27 shows a section showing hollow tubes on the TAP device. This image shows tooth 430, the bracket 436, and the holder 432. The hollow tubes used for the splines should be noted. They are transparent and can be used to transmit light to cure bracket pads to attach brackets to teeth.

“FIG. “FIG. 28 is a section from the TAP device that shows an example of how the distance between the bracket and tooth surfaces is calculated. This image shows the tooth 430 with the holder 432 and the spline 434. The bracket 436, the spline 434, the bracket 436, and the pad 437 which fill the gap between the tooth surface 430 and the base 436.

“FIG. 29 shows another example of the TAP device that shows no distance between the bracket and tooth surfaces. This image shows the tooth 430 and the holder 432 as well as the spline 434, 434, and bracket 436. The bracket base 436 is directly below the tooth’s surface. The bracket base is covered with a thin layer glue or adhesive that attaches the bracket to the tooth. This is not shown in the Figure.

“FIG. 30 shows a section showing a snap fit on the TAP device. The figure shows the TAP device 433, the holder 433, and the spline, or the frame, of the TAP device 435. The TAP device 435 frames the jig 433, with snap 460. This holding arrangement could also be used as a ball-and-socket combination.

“FIG. 31 shows a section from the TAP device that illustrates an example of form-fitting elements. This figure shows the frame 434 as a spline and the over mold 462 that performs the form fitting.

“One skilled in art would know that there are other designs for the TAP device. FIG. FIG. 32 is another embodiment of the disclosure. It shows a design for another type of TAP device that uses the brackets placed on the malocclusion of the patient. This figure shows teeth 600 and clips holder 602, retention pin 604 and bracket 608.

“FIG. 33 is another type of TAP device as shown in FIG. 32 with clips 606 being inserted into the clip holder 602. This figure shows the bracket 608 and retention peg 604 as well as teeth 600.

“FIG. “FIG. 33 with each bracket’s orientation plane 610. This figure also includes teeth 600, clipholder 602, retention pin 604, bracket 604 and bracket 608.

Summary for “Tooth attachment device”