Individualized Jig for Orthodontic Braces, Assembly Formed by that Jig, a Base and a Bracket, and its Design Methods

Abstract

The invention relates to a customized jig for an orthodontic appliance, to an assembly formed by the jig, a base and a bracket, and to the associated design methods. The customized jig is used to install a bracket-bearing base on a tooth, said base forming part of an orthodontic appliance. The invention is characterized in that: the jig is a cap that covers the tooth, covering the free edge thereof and at least portions of the front and rear surfaces of same; and the shape of the jig is such that it matches that of the base in at least one portion of at least one of the edges thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly formed by a customized base bearing a bracket and a customized jig of the type mentioned above, and to methods for designing one such jig.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An individualized orthodontic jig to position a base of an orthodontic appliance to a tooth, the jig comprising:
 a cap having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface corresponding in shape to a shape of a tooth to which the cap is configured to be secured and the cap configured to extend over an occlusal surface of the tooth;   a first part of the cap corresponding in shape to at least a portion of a first face of the tooth, the first part terminating in a first gingival edge;   a second part of the cap corresponding in shape to at least a portion of a second face of the tooth, the second part having a second gingival edge, the second gingival edge extending gingivally past the first gingival edge, the first part and the second part define a space therebetween which corresponds exactly to the tooth; and   a first point that extends gingivally from the first gingival edge, the first point configured to engage the base.   
     
     
         16 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 15 , wherein the first point is a first lateral point comprising a first lateral edge, the first lateral edge and the first gingival edge defines a housing that opens in a direction away from the second part and open in the gingival direction, the housing configured to receive the base. 
     
     
         17 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 16 , wherein the housing defines a predetermined correct position of the orthodontic appliance on the tooth. 
     
     
         18 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 17 , further comprising a second lateral point comprising a second lateral edge, the second lateral point extends gingivally from the first gingival edge wherein the housing is further defined by the second lateral edge. 
     
     
         19 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 18 , wherein the first gingival edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of an occlusal edge of the base, the first lateral edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of a first lateral edge of the base, and the second lateral edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of a second lateral edge of the base. 
     
     
         20 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 15 , wherein the first point is a central point that extends gingivally from a center of the first gingival edge, the central point configured to engage an occlusal side of the base. 
     
     
         21 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 15 , wherein the first part is an anterior part and the first gingival edge is an anterior gingival edge and the second part is a posterior part and the second gingival edge is a posterior gingival edge. 
     
     
         22 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 15 , wherein the first gingival edge is located proximal an occlusal edge of the tooth. 
     
     
         23 . An orthodontic assembly comprising:
 a first bracket comprising a top, a bottom, and a first groove through the top configured to receive an archwire therein;   a first base extending outward from the bottom of the first bracket, the first base comprising an occlusal edge and generally opposed lateral edges; and   a first individualized orthodontic jig comprising a first part configured to extend along a portion of a first face of a first tooth and ending in a first gingival edge, and a second part configured to extend along a portion of a second face of the first tooth, the first part and the second part of the first individualized orthodontic jig define a space therebetween which corresponds exactly to the first tooth to which the first base is intended to be secured;   wherein the first part comprises at least one point extending gingivally from the from the first gingival edge, the first base is fixed to the jig by engagement between at least the base and the at least one point at a predetermined correct position of the first groove relative to the first tooth.   
     
     
         24 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one point is a first lateral point comprising a first lateral edge which engages at least a portion of a first lateral edge of the first base, and the first gingival edge engages at least a portion of the occlusal edge of the base. 
     
     
         25 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 24 , wherein the first lateral edge and the first gingival edge define a housing within which the first base is fixed to the jig at the predetermined correct position of the first groove relative to the first tooth by engagement of the first lateral edge of the base with the first lateral edge of the first point and engagement of the occlusal edge of the base with the first gingival edge. 
     
     
         26 . The orthodontic assembly of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a second bracket comprising a top, a bottom, and a second groove through the top configured to receive the archwire therein;   a second base extending outward from the bottom of the second bracket, the second base comprising an occlusal edge and generally opposed lateral edges; and   a second individualized orthodontic jig comprising a first part configured to extend along a portion of a first face of a second tooth and ending in a first gingival edge, and a second part configured to extend along a portion of a second face of the second tooth, the first part and the second part of the second individualized orthodontic jig define a space therebetween which corresponds exactly to the second tooth to which the second base is intended to be secured;   wherein the first part of the second individualized orthodontic jig comprises at least one point extending gingivally from the from the first gingival edge, the second base is fixed to the second individualized orthodontic jig by engagement between at least the second base and the at least one point at a predetermined correct position of the second groove relative to the second tooth.   
     
     
         27 . The orthodontic assembly of  claim 26 , further comprising an archwire which is received within the first groove and the second groove to exert corrective forces on the first bracket and the second bracket. 
     
     
         28 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 24 , further comprising a second lateral point comprising a second lateral edge, the second lateral point extends gingivally from the first gingival edge wherein the housing is further defined by the second lateral edge. 
     
     
         29 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 28 , wherein the first gingival edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of an occlusal edge of the base, the first lateral edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of a first lateral edge of the base, and the second lateral edge is contoured to correspond exactly to a contour of at least a portion of a second lateral edge of the base. 
     
     
         30 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 23 , wherein the first point extends gingivally from a middle of the first gingival edge, the first point configured to engage the occlusal edge of the first base. 
     
     
         31 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 30 , wherein the first base comprises a notch that extends gingivally from the occlusal edge, and the notch and the central point are configured to matingly engage. 
     
     
         32 . An individualized orthodontic jig, the jig comprising:
 a cap having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface corresponding tin shape to a shape of a tooth to which the jig is configured to be secured;   a first part of the cap corresponding in shape to at least a portion of a first face of the tooth, the first part terminating in a first gingival edge;   a second part of the cap corresponding in shape to at least a portion of a second face of the tooth, the second part having a second gingival edge;   a first lateral point that extends gingivally from the first gingival edge, the first lateral point having a first lateral edge; and   a housing formed by at least the first gingival edge and the first lateral point, the housing being open in a gingival direction and a direction away from the first part of the cap;   wherein the second gingival edge extends gingivally past the first gingival edge and the first lateral point, and wherein the first gingival edge and first lateral edge are configured to espouse an occlusal edge and a first lateral edge of a base carrying a bracket.   
     
     
         33 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 32 , wherein the first part is an anterior part and the first gingival edge is an anterior gingival edge, and the second part is a posterior part and the second gingival edge is a posterior gingival edge. 
     
     
         34 . The individualized orthodontic jig of  claim 33 , further comprising a second lateral point that extends gingivally from the anterior gingival edge, the second lateral point configured to espouse at least a portion of a second lateral edge of the base, wherein the first lateral edge of the base is a mesial edge and the second lateral edge is a distal edge.