DIRECT FABRICATION OF ALIGNERS FOR ARCH EXPANSION

摘要

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

主权项

1. An apparatus, to expand an arch of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a force generating portion to expand the arch of the teeth; a flexible retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth; and a stiff retention portion coupled to the flexible retention portion, and positioned adjacent to a first plurality of teeth receiving structures of the flexible retention portion to receive a first plurality of teeth, to resist movement of the first plurality of teeth while allowing movement of a second plurality of teeth when the apparatus is worn.