Packaged orthodontic assembly with adhesive precoated appliances

Abstract

An assembly for use in orthodontic treatment includes at least two articles, and each article includes an orthodontic appliance as well as an adhesive that extends across the base of each appliance. The adhesive of at least one article differs from the adhesive of at least one other article in terms of composition, properties or characteristics, such that the adhesive can be tailored to enhance the bond between the particular selected appliance and its intended tooth.

1 . A packaged orthodontic assembly comprising at least two articles, each article including an orthodontic appliance having a base for connection to a tooth of an orthodontic patient, each article also including an adhesive extending across at least a portion of the base of the corresponding appliance, wherein the adhesive of at least one of the articles differs from the adhesive of at least one other article.  
   
   
       2 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the adhesive differs by at least one of the following: hydrophilicity, bond strength, curing mechanism, composition, color change upon hardening, color before hardening, viscosity, translucency, color when hardened, tack, refractive index, hydrophilicity, number of layers, patterns of layers, thickness of two or more layers, and composition of layers.  
   
   
       3 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly comprises at least two packages, and wherein each package receives a respective one of the articles.  
   
   
       4 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the assembly includes a holder having a plurality of receptacles, and wherein each package is received in a respective one of the receptacles.  
   
   
       5 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the packages are removably received in the receptacles.  
   
   
       6 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly comprises one package that receives all of the articles.  
   
   
       7 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the assembly includes a placement device connected to the articles for placing the articles on respective teeth of the patient.  
   
   
       8 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly includes a first set of articles and a second set of articles, wherein the appliance of each article of the first set is a posterior appliance for posterior teeth of a dental arch, wherein the appliance of each article of the second set is an anterior appliance for anterior teeth of the dental arch, and wherein the adhesive of at least one article of the first set differs from the adhesive of at least one article of the second set.  
   
   
       9 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a viscosity that is less than the viscosity of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       10 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set provides a bond strength that is greater than the bond strength provided by the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       11 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set provides a change in color upon hardening that is greater than the change in color upon hardening of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       12 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a dye concentration that is greater than the dye concentration of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       13 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a tack that is greater than the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       14 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set transmits less light than the light transmitted by the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       15 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a hydrophilicity that is greater than the hydrophilicity of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       16 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the adhesive of at least one article is a light-curable adhesive, and wherein the assembly comprises at least one package that comprises a material that blocks the passage of actinic radiation.  
   
   
       17 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly includes a first set of articles and a second set of articles, wherein the appliance of each article of the first set is a lower appliance for the teeth of a lower jaw, wherein the appliance of each article of the second set is an upper appliance for the teeth of the upper jaw, and wherein the adhesive of at least one article of the first set differs from the adhesive of at least one article of the second set.  
   
   
       18 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 17  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set provides a bond strength that is greater than the bond strength provided by the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       19 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 17  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a greater hydrophilicity than the hydrophilicity of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       20 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly includes a first set of articles and a second set of articles, wherein the appliance of each article of the first set is made of a light-transmissive non-metallic material, wherein the appliance of each article of the second set is made of a metallic material, and wherein the adhesive of at least one article of the first set differs from the adhesive of at least one article of the second set.  
   
   
       21 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 20  wherein each article of the first set comprises a ceramic material.  
   
   
       22 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the adhesive of the first set provides a bond strength that is greater than the bond strength provided by the adhesive of the second set.  
   
   
       23 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a color when cured that is less visible than the color when cured of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       24 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a dye concentration that is less than the dye concentration of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.  
   
   
       25 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the assembly includes a first set of articles and a second set of articles, wherein the appliances of each article of the first set is an appliance for a cuspid or a bicuspid tooth, wherein the appliance of each article of the second set is an appliance for a tooth other than a cuspid or bicuspid tooth, and wherein the adhesive of at least one article of the first set differs from the adhesive of at least one article of the second set.  
   
   
       26 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 25  wherein the adhesive of the first set provides a bond strength that is greater than the bond strength provided by the adhesive of the second set.  
   
   
       27 . A packaged orthodontic assembly according to  claim 25  wherein the adhesive of the articles of the first set has a greater number of layers than the number of layers of the adhesive of the articles of the second set.