Orthodontic kit and methods for same

Abstract

A method for providing orthodontic therapy. The method includes the steps of providing a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient, applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools, placing the tools back into the kit, storing the kit, and reusing the kit at the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for use by a dental professional for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient, the kit comprising an enclosure and the following components:
 a. at least one bonding tray,   b. a tool for enamel reproximation,   c. at least first and second orthodontic wires, wherein the first and second orthodontic wires are different sizes,   d. brackets,   e. ligature ties,   f. bonding adhesive, and   g. at least one cheek retractor.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the dental professional uses the first orthodontic wire at a first visit of the single patient and the second orthodontic wire at a second visit of the single patient. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the components is used during the second visit, and wherein the component is not hot sterilized between the first and second visits. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3  wherein the tool for enamel reproximation is a diamond bur, a diamond disc or a diamond strip. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 4  wherein the first and second orthodontic wires and brackets are colored to match the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         6 . A method performed by a patient's dental professional comprising the steps of:
 a. making a copy of a patient's teeth,   b. sending the copy of the patient's teeth to a kit provider, wherein the kit provider assembles a kit comprising an enclosure and at least two of the following components:
 i. at least one bonding tray, 
 ii. a tool for enamel reproximation, 
 iii. an orthodontic 
 iv. brackets, 
 v. ligature ties, 
 vi. bonding adhesive, and 
 vii. at least one cheek retractor, 
   c. receiving the assembled kit,   d. applying braces to the patient's teeth using the components in the kit,   e. placing at least some of the components back into the enclosure,   f. storing the kit, and   g. reusing at least one of the components from the kit at at least one of the patient's subsequent visits, wherein the components are reused without being hot sterilized.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the kit includes a patient identifier for associating the kit with the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the patient identifier is a barcode. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the tool for enamel reproximation is a diamond bur, a diamond disc or a diamond strip. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the kit includes at least first and second orthodontic wires, and wherein he first orthodontic wire is used at the patient's initial visit where the braces are applied, and wherein at a subsequent visit the first orthodontic wire is replaced with the second orthodontic wire. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising the steps of:
 a. receiving a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient,   b. applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools,   c. placing the tools back into the kit,   d. storing the kit, and   e. reusing at least one of the tools or components from the kit at at least one of the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy, wherein the components are reused without being hot sterilized.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the kit includes at least one indirect bonding tray. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the kit includes a patient identifier for associating the kit with the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the patient identifier is a barcode.