Patent ID: 7445447
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A method to verify adherence to an orthodontic elastic band regimen, the method comprising the steps of: providing elastic bands that have been dyed with a semi-persistent dye such that elastic bands which have been used are distnguishable from those that have not been used; providing a compartmented container which comprises a plurality of independently identifiable and accessible compartments; providing instruction to the orthodontic patient to retain each used orthodontic elastic band in a compartment of the container to be associated with a day, or period of time comprising a part of the overall regimen period; initiating an orthodontic elastic band regimen on a start date and in association with a starting compartment of the compartmented container; determining the rigor of adherence of the orthodontic elastic band regimen based upon the number of used elstic bands which have been stored in each compartment which is associated with a period of time comprising a part of the overall regimen period; determining a length of the orthodontic elastic band regimen, which extends from the start date corresponding to the last container compartment which contains a full complement of used elastic bands as determined by the number of bands to be worn at a given time and how many times per day the bands should be changed.