Patent ID: 8708697
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: A61C,B33Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for orthodontically positioning a patient's tooth, comprising: a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth, at least one of the teeth receiving cavities comprising an attachment receiving well configured to engage an attachment disposed on the patient's tooth, the appliance comprising an appliance material having an appliance material malleability, the attachment comprising an attachment material having an attachment material malleability; and a tactile object consisting of a material layer having a uniform layer thickness, a first surface, and a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface; the first surface interfacing with a portion of the attachment receiving well and the second surface interfacing with a portion of the attachment so as to modulate engagement between the attachment and the attachment receiving well when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient, wherein the material layer is made of malleable material and has a material layer malleability that is greater than each of the appliance material malleability and the attachment material malleability, the material layer malleability being selected such that a predetermined force is imparted on the patient's tooth when the orthodontic appliance is worn by the patient, and wherein the portion of the attachment receiving well interfacing with the first surface is displaced from the portion of the attachment interfacing with the second surface by a distance substantially equal to the layer thickness; wherein the tactile object is located only on the attachment well of the appliance or the attachment.