Therapeutically countoured, compliance encouraging aligner implement
View Patent ↗Described is an orthodontic aligner implement that can ensure the accuracy and efficiency of clear aligner orthodontic therapies as well as increase patient compliance by reducing discomfort and combining functionality into a breath-freshening medium. The implement includes a consumable mass having at least two channels disposed on opposite sides of the mass and traversing the width of the mass. The channels are adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth. Also described is a method of positioning an orthodontic aligner into a prescribed position that includes placing the aligner approximately in the prescribed position in one's mouth, placing the aligner implement described above into the mouth, and applying the implement in contact with the aligner in one's mouth.
1. A method of positioning an orthodontic aligner into a prescribed position comprising: (a) placing said aligner at least approximately in the prescribed position in one's mouth; (b) placing an aligner implement into the mouth, wherein the aligner implement comprises a consumable mass having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, wherein each of the top side and the bottom side includes a single channel traversing the width of said mass, said channels being adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth; (c) positioning the aligner implement such that opposing anterior or incisor teeth are seated within said channels; and (d) with said implement positioned as in step (c), applying pressure between said implement and said aligner.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising performing the applying of step (d) for at least three minutes.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) with a second aligner implement, wherein the second aligner implement comprises a consumable mass having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, wherein each of the top side and the bottom side includes a single channel traversing the width of said mass, said channels being adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said applying is performed for 3-5 minutes.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) with one or more additional aligner implements, wherein each of the one or more additional aligner implements comprises a consumable mass having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, wherein each of the top side and the bottom side includes a single channel traversing the width of said mass, said channels being adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth, so that the total contact time between said aligner implements and said aligner is at least 30 minutes in a day.
6. A method of promoting the acceleration of tooth movement in a patient undergoing clear aligner therapy comprising prescribing for said patient a regimen including:
a) placing an aligner at least approximately in a prescribed position in the patient's mouth;
(b) placing an aligner implement into the patient's mouth, wherein the aligner implement comprises a consumable mass having a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, wherein each of the top side and the bottom side includes a single channel traversing the width of said mass, said channels being adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth;
(c) positioning the aligner implement such that opposing anterior or incisor teeth are seated within said channels; and
(d) with said implement positioned as in step (c), applying pressure between said implement and said aligner.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said aligner implement includes at least 0.5 grams of a sweetener which cannot be metabolized by oral bacteria.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said sweetener is xylitol.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said aligner implement includes mint flavoring in an, amount sufficient to last at least three minutes while pressure is being applied in step (d).