Abstract: A method includes wire driven phase in which a plurality of attachments are bonded to teeth, the attachments including a wire-retaining region and an engagement region. The engagement region has a shoulder configured to releasably engage a corresponding indentation in an aligner tray. An archwire is inserted in to the wire-retaining regions to move a first malaccluded tooth from a first position to a second position. An aligner phase follows the wire driven phase, in which the archwire is removed, and an aligner tray is applied over the teeth of the patient. The aligner tray includes cavities shaped to receive and resiliently position the first maloccluded tooth from the second position to a third position, and further includes indentations configured to releasably engage at least a portion of the engagement regions on the attachments.

Abstract: A method of making a physical mockup the method comprises the steps of providing a virtual dental arch, a virtual set of orthodontic brackets for the virtual dental arch and a virtual set of analogs. Each analog is associated with a virtual bracket of the virtual set of brackets and the shape of at least one of the analogs differs from the shape of the associated bracket. The method further comprises the steps of providing a virtual mockup in which the virtual dental arch and the set of virtual analogs are merged, and manufacturing the physical mockup based on the virtual mockup. The physical mockup represents a shape composed of the shape the dental arch and the shape of the set of analogs. The invention facilitates bonding of brackets to a patent's teeth.

Abstract: A method of making customized orthodontic brackets. The method has steps of providing a plurality of customized orthodontic bracket precursors, providing one or more support structures, positioning the bracket precursors by means of the support structure(s) in a machining device and using the machining device to provide an archwire slot in each bracket precursor by material removal with the archwire slots aligned along a common path with each other. The invention helps minimizing efforts in the manufacturing and provides the brackets with a precise archwire slot.

Abstract: Method of making a customized orthodontic bracket. A bracket receiving area is determined on a three-dimensional tooth model of a patient's tooth, and a bracket base is provided with a tooth-facing surface that is shaped according to the shape of the bracket receiving area. An outline of a bracket head is determined on the tooth model, and the bracket head is provided with a bracket head surface that is shaped according to the shape within the bracket head outline. The bracket has an outer surface with a shape corresponding to the natural shape of the patient's tooth, which helps to minimize discomfort during orthodontic treatment with the brackets.

Abstract: A method of making customized orthodontic brackets. The method has steps of providing a plurality of customized orthodontic bracket precursors, providing one or more support structures, positioning the bracket precursors by means of the support structure(s) in a machining device and using the machining device to provide an archwire slot in each bracket precursor by material removal with the archwire slots aligned along a common path with each other. The invention helps minimizing efforts in the manufacturing and provides the brackets with a precise archwire slot.

Abstract: A method of making a customized orthodontic bracket (20) which comprises a bracket base for attaching the bracket (20) at a patient's tooth (200), a bracket body with a bracket head, and an archwire slot. According to the method a three-dimensional tooth model representing the shape of at least part of a patient's tooth (200) is provided. A bracket receiving area is determined on the tooth model, and the bracket base is provided with a tooth-facing surface that is shaped according to the shape of the bracket receiving area. Further an outline of the bracket head is determined on the tooth model, and the bracket head is provided with a bracket head surface (26a, 26a?) that is shaped according to the shape within the bracket head outline. Thus a bracket (20) is provided which has an outer tongue-facing or cheek-facing surface of a shape corresponding to the natural shape of the tooth the bracket is attached to. The disclosure helps minimizing any discomfort during an orthodontic treatment with the brackets.

Abstract: A method of making a physical mockup the method comprises the steps of providing a virtual dental arch, a virtual set of orthodontic brackets for the virtual dental arch and a virtual set of analogs. Each analog is associated with a virtual bracket of the virtual set of brackets and the shape of at least one of the analogs differs from the shape of the associated bracket. The method further comprises the steps of providing a virtual mockup in which the virtual dental arch and the set of virtual analogs are merged, and manufacturing the physical mockup based on the virtual mockup. The physical mockup represents a shape composed of the shape the dental arch and the shape of the set of analogs. The invention facilitates bonding of brackets to a patent's teeth.

Abstract: Provided is an improved self-ligating orthodontic appliance and methods of assembling the same. The improved orthodontic appliance uses at least one resilient clip to releasably couple an archwire to the body, where a portion of the clip is rigidly coupled to the appliance body in a position and orientation that minimizes the overall profile of the appliance. The appliance is assembled by combining a press fit coupling between the clip and appliance body with an interference fit coupling between the clip and retaining structure located on the body. Advantages include a greater freedom to select a bonding pad location, lower bracket profile, decreased engagement force, enhanced clip fatigue life, and ease of assembly.

Abstract: Provided is an improved self-ligating orthodontic appliance and methods of assembling the same. The improved orthodontic appliance uses at least one resilient clip to releasably couple an archwire to the body, where a portion of the clip is rigidly coupled to the appliance body in a position and orientation that minimizes the overall profile of the appliance. The appliance is assembled by combining a press fit coupling between the clip and appliance body with an interference fit coupling between the clip and retaining structure located on the body. Advantages include a greater freedom to select a bonding pad location, lower bracket profile, decreased engagement force, enhanced clip fatigue life, and ease of assembly.