Patent ID: 8636509
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: A61C,B33Y,G16H

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for repositioning teeth from a first tooth arrangement to a subsequent tooth arrangement, the method comprising: receiving, on a computer, a digital data set comprising a digital model of the patient's teeth in a first arrangement for determining a severity of a malocclusion of a patient; generating, using a computer, based on the determined severity of the patient's malocclusion, a first treatment plan having data comprising a plurality of intermediate digital data sets each corresponding to a different successive tooth arrangement for repositioning the patient's teeth from the first arrangement toward a target arrangement, the treatment plan prescribing a first phase and a second phase in a pre-selected order, the first phase comprising successively placing polymeric shell appliances having tooth receiving cavities having different geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth, the second phase comprising placing a wire and bracket system to progressively reposition the teeth; receiving, on a computer, evaluation data indicating whether repositioning of the teeth is progressing in a satisfactory fashion after the patient has been administered at least some of the polymeric shell appliances; and generating, using a computer, a second treatment plan data in response to the evaluation data, the second treatment plan comprising a prescribed schedule for transitioning between administering to the patient polymeric shell appliances as in the first phase of the first treatment plan and placing a wire and bracket system to progressively reposition the teeth as in the second phase of the first treatment plan.