Granted Patent B2

US 12,409,016 · App. 17/954,323 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Inventor: Ruth A. Page (Aliso Viejo, CA)

A61C7/125

Abstract

Claims (16)

1. A method comprising:

a) inserting an elongated cord segment into a mouth, the elongated cord segment comprising at least one non-absorbent food-grade material and having:

i) a cross-sectional shape consisting of convex surfaces; and

ii) a uniform density; and

b) positioning the elongated cord segment to cause separation between orthodontic hardware and at least one of the following: cheek tissue inside the mouth, or lip tissue inside the mouth, without the elongated cord segment contacting the orthodontic hardware.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated cord segment is compressible.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated cord segment is compression set resistant.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated cord segment is recyclable.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the elongated cord segment is within a range of 0.15 inch to 0.75 inch.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a major axis of a cross-section of the elongated cord segment is within a range of 0.25 inch to 0.75 inch.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a minor axis of a cross-section of the elongated cord segment is within a range of 0.15 inch to 0.5 inch.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the orthodontic hardware is mounted on at least one tooth in the mouth.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated cord segment comprises an antimicrobial agent.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated cord segment is configured to be reusable.

11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising cutting the elongated cord segment to length.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the length is within a range of 1.5 inches to 6 inches.

Continuity (3)

References Cited (65)