Elastomeric orthodontic bracket

Abstract

An orthodontic bracket is provided, which comprises an outer body, an elastomeric inner body coupled to the outer body, and a bracket base configured to couple to a tooth. The inner body of the outer body is disposed between the outer body and the bracket base. In an embodiment, a removable dental appliance comprises a plurality of polymeric shell portions each having one or more cavities shaped therein to receive one or more teeth and wherein each of the plurality of shell portions is formed to be separate from the other plurality of shell portions, wherein the bracket base is a polymeric shell portion.

1 . An orthodontic bracket comprising:
 an outer body;   an inner body coupled to the outer body, wherein the inner body is elastomeric; and   a bracket base configured to couple to a tooth;   wherein the inner body is disposed between the outer body and the bracket base;   wherein the inner body has thickness of at least 0.1 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body comprises a slot formed from a portion of the outer body. 
     
     
         3 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body at least partially contacts at least one major surface of the outer body. 
     
     
         4 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body comprises at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 4 , wherein the outer body comprises at least one recessed area to interlock with at least one of the protrusions of the inner body. 
     
     
         6 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body comprises a polymeric material sufficient to allow the outer body to flex at least 20% with respect to the bracket base. 
     
     
         7 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body has a modulus of elasticity of no greater than 2500 megapascals. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket base has a first thickness, and the inner body has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is at least the first thickness. 
     
     
         10 . A kit, comprising:
 the inner body of  claim 1 ; and   the outer body of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         11 . A removable dental appliance comprising:
 a plurality of polymeric shell portions each having one or more cavities shaped therein to receive one or more teeth and wherein each of the plurality of shell portions is formed to be separate from the other plurality of shell portions;   the orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket base is a polymeric shell portion.   
     
     
         12 . The removable dental appliance of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an arch member coupled to the orthodontic bracket, wherein the arch member provides one or more forces to reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation.   
     
     
         13 . The removable dental appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the polymeric shell portion, and the orthodontic bracket are a single piece. 
     
     
         14 . The removable dental appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the inner body has a modulus of elasticity no greater than a modulus of elasticity of an arch member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an orthodontic bracket comprising:
 receiving one or more dimensions of an outer body and a bracket base;   determining one or more dimensions of an inner body based on the one or more dimensions of the outer body and the bracket base; and   forming the inner body based on the one or more dimensions of the inner body.   
     
     
         16 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket base has a first cross-sectional area, the outer body has a second cross-sectional area, and the inner body has a third-cross sectional area, wherein the third cross-sectional area is at least 50% of the first cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         17 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 16 , wherein the third cross-sectional area is at least 75% of the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         18 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body has thickness of at least 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket base has a first thickness, the inner body has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is at least 120% of the first thickness. 
     
     
         20 . The orthodontic bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body envelops at least one major surface at least one major surface of the bracket base.