TEETH REPOSITIONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . An orthodontic appliance comprising:
a single, unitarily-formed member configured to be positioned in a mouth of a patient along a patient's teeth, the member comprising first portions and second portions that alternate along a longitudinal axis of the member, wherein each of the first portions is configured to be secured to an orthodontic bracket and at least one of the second portions is resiliently flexible and comprises first regions and a second region extending between the first regions, and wherein the member is not a wire, and further wherein, when the member is positioned in the patient's mouth along the teeth—
the first regions extend away from the first portions along a generally mesiodistal dimension, and
the second region extends from the first regions in a gingival direction and is aligned with an interdental space.
22 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein the at least one of the second portions is configured to impart a force and/or torque on one or both adjacent teeth to move the teeth from an original position to a final position.
23 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the second portions comprises a rigid portion extending in a generally mesiodistal direction when the member is secured to the patient's teeth.
24 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein the first regions are substantially linear.
25 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein the second region is substantially U-shaped.
26 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein the member is generally arch-shaped along the longitudinal axis.
27 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 21 , wherein the member comprises a shape memory alloy.
28 . An orthodontic appliance comprising:
a single, unitarily-formed member configured to be positioned in a mouth of a patient along a patient's teeth, the member comprising first portions and second portions that alternate along a longitudinal axis of the member, wherein each of the first portions is substantially rigid and configured to be secured to an orthodontic bracket, and wherein at least one of the second portions is resiliently flexible and configured to impart a force and/or torque on one or both adjacent teeth to move the teeth from an original position to a final position.
29 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 28 , wherein at least another one of the second portions is substantially rigid and extends between adjacent first portions along a generally mesiodistal dimension.
30 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 28 , wherein the at least one second portion is substantially U-shaped.
31 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 28 , wherein the member is generally arch-shaped along the longitudinal axis.
32 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 28 , wherein the member is not a wire.
33 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 28 , wherein the member is formed of a shape memory alloy.
34 . An orthodontic appliance comprising:
a single, unitarily-formed structure formed from a sheet of material, the structure configured to follow an arch of a jaw of a patient and comprising male connector portions and intermediate portions, each intermediate portion positioned between a pair of adjacent male connector portions, wherein:
each of the male connector portions is configured to be secured to a female connector, and
the intermediate portions comprise one or more first intermediate portions and one or more second intermediate portions, wherein:
the first intermediate portions are springs configured to impart a force and/or torque on one or both of adjacent teeth to move one or both teeth from an original position to a final position, and
the second intermediate portions are substantially linear and comprise a rigid portion of the structure.
35 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein at least one of the spring portions is substantially U-shaped.
36 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein the male connector portions extend along a generally occlusogingival direction when the appliance is installed in the patient's mouth.
37 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein each of the first and second intermediate portions span a different interdental space.
38 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein the member is configured to be positioned in the mouth of the patient adjacent a lingual side of the patient's teeth.
39 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein the member comprises a shape memory alloy.
40 . The orthodontic appliance of claim 34 , wherein the structure is not a wire.