Embedded features and methods of a dental appliance

Abstract

Traditional orthodontic treatment often involves the use of basic repositioning devices, such as braces, and the use of supplementary devices, components or accessories to achieve desired end results. Such components may be mounted on fixed, non-removable devices or they may be part of a removable appliance typically worn prior to the application of the fixed devices. As with traditional treatment, it may be desired to utilize similar components when repositioning teeth with removable elastic repositioning appliances. Due to the nature of elastic appliances, such components may take a variety of forms ranging from readily available traditional accessories to specially created devices. Thus, traditional components may be mounted on or embedded in an elastic appliance, or the appliance may be formed to provide similar components. Likewise, the appliance may be modified to provide additional features for specific orthodontic treatments.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A removable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 a shell having at least one orthodontic component, wherein the shell is shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation and the component is shaped to interact with an oral surface or orthodontic device.    
     
     
         2 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is embedded in the shell.  
     
     
         3 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic accessory is mounted on the shell.  
     
     
         4 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is formed by the shell.  
     
     
         5 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is configured to interact with is a soft tissue surface selected from the group of the palate, cheeks, lips, tongue, and gingiva.  
     
     
         6 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein component is configured to interact with a tooth or dental feature.  
     
     
         7 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is adapted to couple to an orthodontic device selected from the group of headgears, elastic bands, ligatures, springs, brackets, attachment devices and elastic repositioning appliances.  
     
     
         8 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is adapted to transmit force to one or more teeth to reposition said teeth from a first arrangement to a successive arrangement.  
     
     
         9 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is selected from the group of tubes, lingual flanges, lingual pads, lip pads or bumpers, buccal shields, buccinator bows or wire shields, brackets, hooks, buttons, springs, palatal bars, frameworks, pin-and-tube apparatuses and sheath covered springs.  
     
     
         10 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is shaped to interact with an oral surface and an orthodontic device.  
     
     
         11 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the removable dental positioning appliance is at least one of a system of at least one elastic repositioning appliances, wherein the system repositions teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a desired tooth arrangement.  
     
     
         12 . An appliance as in  claim 11 , wherein the system comprises at least two elastic repositioning appliances.  
     
     
         13 . An appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the system comprises three or more elastic repositioning appliances.  
     
     
         14 . A removable positioning appliance comprising: 
 a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation and at least one protrusion shaped to interact with an oral surface or orthodontic device.    
     
     
         15 . An appliance as in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion forms a hook for mounting flexible bands, ligatures, or orthodontic devices.  
     
     
         16 . An appliance as in  claim 13 , wherein the protrusion forms a spring which transmits force to one or more teeth to reposition teeth from a first arrangement to a successive arrangement.  
     
     
         17 . An appliance as in  claim 16 , wherein the spring engages an attachment body mounted on a tooth.  
     
     
         18 . An appliance as in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion forms a transpalatal arch bar.  
     
     
         19 . An appliance as in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion contacts an interdental area to assist in holding the appliance in position.  
     
     
         20 . An appliance as in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion contacts a tooth along at least a portion of its gingival margin to assist in holding the appliance in position.  
     
     
         21 . An appliance as in  claim 20 , wherein the protrusion is a continuous protrusion which contacts one or more teeth along the gingival margin and interdental areas to assist in holding the appliance in position.  
     
     
         22 . An appliance as in  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion forms a bite plate.  
     
     
         23 . An appliance as in  claim 22 , wherein the protrusion is an increased thickness of material in at least a portion of a posterior occlusal region.  
     
     
         24 . An appliance as in  claim 22 , wherein the protrusion is an extension of at least a portion of an upper palatal region with added thickness.  
     
     
         25 . An appliance as in  claim 22 , wherein the protrusion protrudes in an upper lingual or lower facial anterior region.  
     
     
         26 . A removable dental positioning appliance comprising: 
 a polymeric shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation, wherein one or more cavities has a window to expose at least a portion of an occlusal surface of a received tooth.    
     
     
         27 . An appliance as in  claim 26 , wherein the shell has a plurality of windows which are sized to allow interdigitation of upper and lower teeth.