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 engage a flexible band.    
     
     
         2 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the component has the form of a hook.  
     
     
         3 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible band comprises an elastic band or a ligature.  
     
     
         4 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is mounted on the shell.  
     
     
         5 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is embedded in the shell.  
     
     
         6 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic component is formed by the shell.  
     
     
         7 . An appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is shaped so that engagement with the flexible band applies force to the shell when the shell is mounted on the teeth to assist in repositioning of teeth.  
     
     
         8 . A removable elastic positioning system comprising: 
 a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation; and    at least one orthodontic component shaped to engage a flexible band.    
     
     
         9 . An appliance as in  claim 8 , wherein the component has the form of a hook.  
     
     
         10 . An appliance as in  claim 8 , wherein the orthodontic component is mountable on the shell.  
     
     
         11 . A method of preparing a removable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 providing a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation;    mounting an orthodontic component shaped to engage a flexible band on the shell.    
     
     
         12 . A removable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation, wherein the shell has at least one opening to expose a portion of a received tooth.    
     
     
         13 . An appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one opening is disposed to expose a portion of a received tooth upon which an orthodontic component is mountable.  
     
     
         14 . An appliance as in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one opening is disposed to expose a portion of a received tooth upon which an orthodontic component comprising a hook is mountable.  
     
     
         15 . An appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow an orthodontic component mounted on the exposed portion of the received tooth to protrude through the at least one opening.  
     
     
         16 . An appliance as in  claim 15 , wherein the shell is configured to engage a flexible band mounted on the orthodontic component.  
     
     
         17 . An appliance as in  claim 15 , wherein the shell is configured to engage the orthodontic component.  
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a removable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 providing a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation;    forming at least one opening in the shell which exposes a portion of a received tooth.    
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein forming the at least one opening comprises forming at least one opening in a location which exposes a portion of a received tooth upon which an orthodontic component is mountable.  
     
     
         20 . An appliance as in  claim 19 , wherein forming the at least one opening comprises forming at least one opening in a location which exposes a portion of a received tooth upon which an orthodontic component comprising a hook is mountable.  
     
     
         21 . A method of using a removeable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 providing a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation, the shell having at least one opening which exposes a portion of a received tooth;    positioning the shell over the teeth so that the portion of the received tooth is exposed by the opening; and    mounting an orthodontic component on the portion of the received tooth exposed by the opening.    
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 21 , further comprising connecting the shell and the orthodontic component with a flexible band.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 21 , wherein the orthodontic component comprises a hook.  
     
     
         24 . A removable elastic positioning appliance comprising: 
 a shell shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation, the shell having at least one protrusion which contacts at least one received tooth to assist in holding the appliance in position.    
     
     
         25 . An appliance as in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to contact an interdental area.  
     
     
         26 . An appliance as in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to contact a tooth along at least a portion of its gingival margin.  
     
     
         27 . An appliance as in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a continuous protrusion which is configured to contact one or more teeth along the gingival margin and interdental areas.  
     
     
         28 . An appliance as in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one protrusion is mountable on the appliance.