Teeth repositioning systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods of repositioning teeth, using one or more appliances for installing on a patient's teeth are described. The appliance includes an arch shaped member; a plurality of spring members coupled to or provided on the arch shaped member; and a plurality of securing members for securing to a corresponding plurality of the patient's teeth on a one-to-one basis, the securing members being supported by the arch shaped member. The arch shaped member and the plurality of springs, together, comprise a two dimensional structure having a length dimension and a width dimension with varying widths along the length dimension, that is bent into a three dimensional structure.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A connector for securing a dental appliance to a patient's dentition, the connector comprising:
 a backing portion having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side is configured to be bonded to a patient's tooth;   a first extension structure and a second extension structure spaced apart from the first extension structure, each extending outwardly from the second side of the backing portion, and each having (a) a first portion extending away from the second side of the backing portion and (b) a second portion extending away from the first portion; and   a gap defined by the first extension structure, the second extension structure, and the backing portion, wherein the gap is configured to receive a coupling region of the dental appliance,   wherein the connector is configured to be positioned on the patient's tooth such that (a) the respective first portions of the first and second extension structures extend away from the backing portion in a generally buccolingual direction, and (b) the respective second portions of the first and second extension structures extend away from the corresponding first and second extension structures in a generally mesial-distal direction.   
     
     
         26 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein the connector is configured to detachably couple to the coupling region of the dental appliance. 
     
     
         27 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein the backing portion, the first extension structure, and the second extension structure are formed as an integral, unitarily-formed structure. 
     
     
         28 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein each of the first and second extension structure have a first side and a second side, and wherein, when the connector is positioned on the patient's tooth: (a) the first side of the first extension structure faces distally, (b) the first side of the second extension structure faces mesially, (c) the second side of the first extension structure faces mesially, and (d) the second side of the second extension structure faces distally. 
     
     
         29 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein each of the second portions of the first and second extension structures extends away from the corresponding first portions and towards one another. 
     
     
         30 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein, when the coupling region of the appliance is received in the gap, the second portions of the first and second extension portions are configured to snap back over the coupling region, thereby retaining and securing the coupling region within the gap. 
     
     
         31 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second extension structures are resiliently flexible and configured to flex outwards and away from one another, thereby increasing a width of the gap to receive the coupling region therein. 
     
     
         32 . The connector element of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second extension structures are generally rigid. 
     
     
         33 . The connector element of  claim 25 , wherein the first side of the backing portion is configured to be coupled to a lingual surface of the patient's tooth. 
     
     
         34 . The connector element of  claim 25 , wherein the first side of the backing portion is configured to be coupled to a buccal surface of the patient's tooth. 
     
     
         35 . The connector of  claim 25 , wherein, when the coupling region is secured within the gap, forcing opposing regions of the coupling region toward one another sufficient to clear the first and second extension structures releases the coupling region from the connector. 
     
     
         36 . A system for repositioning a patient's teeth, comprising:
 a connector configured to be secured to a patient's tooth, the connector comprising—
 a backing portion having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side configured to be bonded to a surface of the patient's tooth, 
 a first L-shaped extension cantilevered on the backing portion, and 
 a second L-shaped extension cantilevered on the backing portion and spaced apart from the first extension; and 
   an appliance configured to be positioned within the patient's mouth adjacent the patient's teeth, the appliance comprising an anchor and an arm extending away from the anchor, the arm having a coupling region configured to detachably couple to the connector,   wherein the system is configured such that, when the connector is positioned on the patient's tooth and the arm of the appliance is coupled to the connector, the arm extends in a generally occlusogingival direction and is secured between the first and second extensions.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , further comprising a plurality of connectors. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the appliance comprises a plurality of arms, wherein each of the arms are configured to be coupled to a different one of the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the anchor is arch-shaped. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the appliance is formed of a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         41 . An orthodontic appliance, comprising:
 an anchor configured to be disposed adjacent a patient's teeth; and   an arm extending from the anchor and comprising a coupling region configured to be coupled to one of the teeth, the coupling region comprising a first leg and a second leg, each of the first and second legs having an arm extending therefrom,   wherein, when the appliance is positioned adjacent the patient's teeth, the arm of the first leg and the arm of the second leg extend in a generally mesial-distal direction.   
     
     
         42 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein, when the appliance is positioned adjacent the patient's teeth, the first and second legs extend in a generally occlusogingival direction toward the anchor. 
     
     
         43 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the arm comprises a spring portion positioned between the anchor and the coupling region. 
     
     
         44 . The orthodontic appliance of claim, wherein the first and second legs are spaced apart from one another, thereby forming a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         45 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 44 , wherein—
 the arm comprises a spring portion positioned between the anchor and the coupling region, and 
 the first and second legs extend distally from the spring portion. 
 
     
     
         46 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the spring portion is s-shaped. 
     
     
         47 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the arm of the first leg and the arm of the second leg are configured to engage a securing member adhered to the tooth. 
     
     
         48 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the anchor is arch-shaped. 
     
     
         49 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the anchor and the arm are formed of a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         50 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the anchor is configured to be positioned adjacent a lingual side of the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         51 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the anchor is configured to be positioned adjacent a buccal side of the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         52 . The orthodontic appliance of  claim 41 , wherein the anchor is configured to be positioned adjacent a buccal side of the patient's teeth.