Patent ID: 8251699
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: A61C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A method of attaching orthodontic brackets to teeth, comprising: providing a plurality of the brackets each having an opening for receiving a wire; positioning the brackets relative to the teeth or a model of the teeth with at least one of the brackets suspended in free space and offset from the teeth or a model of the teeth; fabricating a transfer tray for holding the brackets in the specified positions relative to the teeth or the model of the teeth, the transfer tray having customized voids and attachment elements, the voids for receiving the brackets and the attachment elements for registering the brackets in the specified positions; occluding the bracket openings with occlusion elements; positioning the brackets in the voids of the transfer tray with the attachment elements engaged to register the specified position of the brackets; filling the voids in the transfer tray with adhesive masses so that the brackets are embedded into or encapsulated by the adhesive masses with at least one of the adhesive masses extending into the corresponding void beyond at least a portion of the corresponding bracket opening of the offset bracket but with the corresponding occlusion element preventing the adhesive mass from flowing into the bracket opening; placing the transfer tray on the physical teeth so that the brackets are in the specified positions with a portion of the bracket opening of the offset bracket being closest to, but still offset from, the corresponding tooth, and with the corresponding adhesive mass extending away from the corresponding tooth beyond the corresponding bracket-opening portion that is closest to the corresponding tooth; curing the adhesive masses to bond the brackets to the teeth; removing the transfer tray from the teeth, leaving the brackets attached to the teeth; and unoccluding the bracket openings by removing the occlusion elements.