Abstract:
An orthodontic system includes an orthodontic bracket that has a base configured to be attached to a surface of a tooth. The bracket includes a first member and a second member attached to the base, the first and second members being spaced apart to define an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire having indentations. The first member includes a first gear that partially protrudes into the archwire slot, the first gear configured to engage some of the indentations on the archwire.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/252,760, filed on Nov. 9, 2015. This application is related to U.S. Patent Applications ______ (attorney docket 39758-0002001), ______ (attorney docket 39758-0004001), ______ (attorney docket 39758-0005001), ______ (attorney docket 39758-0006001), and ______ (attorney docket 39758-0007001). The contents of the above applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to orthodontic systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Orthodontic braces are useful in correcting alignment of teeth to proper positions and orientations in the dental arch and to improve dental health. In some examples, orthodontic braces include metal brackets bonded to the teeth and arch wires that are tied to the brackets by elastic ties. The arch wires are designed to apply force to the brackets and teeth, causing the teeth to slowly move or rotate in prescribed directions. The arch wires are adjusted, e.g., every three or four weeks during treatment to maintain pressure in order to supply prescribed forces to the teeth. There are many types of dental braces. For example, braces can be self-ligating such that the arch wire clips into the brackets without the need for ligatures. Some dental braces use computer-adjusted wires. These braces use the same principle of force delivery by an external source outside of the bracket (e.g., wire, coils, or elastics). In some examples, a bracket may have a base that is angulated to combine torque, angulation, in and out bend, and offsets for each tooth. This enables an unadjusted arch wire to perform variant alignment functions (i.e., with no further wire bending). In some examples, a series of clear molds may be used to produce teeth alignment. Orthodontic treatments generally last for two to three years. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In a general aspect, an orthodontic bracket includes a base configured to be attached to a surface of a tooth; and a first member and a second member attached to the base, the first and second members being spaced apart to define an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire having indentations, in which the first member includes a first gear that partially protrudes into the archwire slot, the first gear configured to engage some of the indentations on the archwire. 
         [0005]    In another general aspect, a method includes attaching a base of an orthodontic bracket to a surface of a tooth, in which the orthodontic bracket has a base, a first member and a second member, the first and second members are attached to the base and spaced apart to define an archwire slot configured to receive an archwire having indentations, and the first member includes a first gear that partially protrudes into the archwire slot. The method includes inserting the archwire into the archwire slot; engaging the first gear with the indentations on a first surface of the archwire; and rotating the first gear to apply a force to the archwire. 
         [0006]    In another general aspect, an orthodontic bracket includes a base configured to be attached to a surface of a tooth; and an occlusal member and a gingival member attached to the base, in which the occlusal member and the gingival member are spaced apart to define an archwire slot between a gingival surface of the occlusal member and an occlusal surface of the gingival member, and the archwire slot is configured to receive an archwire having indentations on occlusal and gingival surfaces of the archwire. The occlusal member includes a first miniature gear that partially protrudes through a gingival surface of the occlusal member into the archwire slot, and the first gear is configured to engage the indentations on the occlusal surface of the archwire. The gingival member includes a second miniature gear that partially protrudes through an occlusal surface of the gingival member into the archwire slot, and the second gear is configured to engage the indentations of the gingival surface of the archwire. 
         [0007]    In another general aspect, a method includes attaching a base of an orthodontic bracket to a surface of a tooth, in which the orthodontic bracket has a base, an occlusal member and a gingival member, the occlusal member and the gingival member are attached to the base and spaced apart to define an archwire slot between a gingival surface of the occlusal member and an occlusal surface of the gingival member, and the archwire slot is configured to receive an archwire having indentations on occlusal and gingival surfaces of the archwire. The occlusal member includes a first miniature gear that partially protrudes through a gingival surface of the occlusal member into the archwire slot, and the first gear is configured to engage the indentations on the occlusal surface of the archwire. The gingival member includes a second miniature gear that partially protrudes through an occlusal surface of the gingival member into the archwire slot, and the second gear is configured to engage the indentations of the gingival surface of the archwire. The method includes inserting the archwire into the archwire slot; engaging the first and second gears with the indentations on the occlusal and gingival surfaces of the archwire; and rotating the first and second gears to apply a force to the archwire. 
         [0008]    Other aspects include other combinations of the features recited above and other features, expressed as methods, apparatus, systems, program products, and in other ways. Advantages of the aspects and implementations may include one or more of the following. The orthodontic brackets can be active brackets or smart brackets. A remote orthodontic system can allow active brackets or smart brackets to be remotely controlled or adjusted. The active brackets can generate force, and the force applied to the teeth can be increased or decreased while the patient is at home. The progress of teeth alignment can be monitored remotely. The remote orthodontic system can provide feedback and report symptoms, if any, to the orthodontist. In cases where adjustments to the original treatment plans are needed, the force adjustments can be made and applied while the patient is at home without the need to visit the dental clinic. The system can also provide an estimate of the remaining treatment time based on current progress of treatment. The system can reduce the trial and error in orthodontic treatment by using proper biomechanical pre-planning and insistent re-adjustment and monitoring. The system can improve the accessibility for orthodontic treatment in rural areas, and may reduce the number of days that school children miss classes. The orthodontic treatment outcomes may be more predictable, leading to a better quality with potentially reduced treatment side effects. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary remote orthodontic system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of various modules of the remote orthodontic system. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams of an exemplary e-Tract bracket. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of the e-Tract bracket with an arch wire. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams of an exemplary e-Tract bracket. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a smart bracket and exemplary reference markers. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    This document describes an orthodontic system that enables an orthodontist to remotely monitor orthodontic braces on patients and make adjustments when necessary in a precise and predictable manner. In some implementations of the remote orthodontic system, the orthodontic system includes smart brackets in which each bracket has a miniature motor that drives a miniature gear, which in turn drives small rods or posts that push against an arch wire, generating a reaction force that pushes against the bracket&#39;s wings, in which the reaction force is transferred to the corresponding tooth to provide the required force for alignment of the tooth. The number of miniature motors and the configuration of the motor(s) can vary depending on design and functions. For example, the orthodontic system can include smart brackets in which each bracket has two miniature motors that drive miniature gears, which in turn pull or push an arch wire to generate opposing forces for alignment of the corresponding tooth (by generating couple forces system). In other implementations of the remote orthodontic system, the orthodontic system includes smart brackets in which each bracket has one or more miniature motors that drive one or more miniature gears, which in turn drive a rotatable base to provide root torque to the bracket for generating a force for alignment of the corresponding tooth. In some implementations of the remote orthodontic system, the orthodontic braces include arch wire segments connected by smart brackets in which each bracket has one or more miniature motors that apply forces to the arch wire segments, such that the combination of the forces generated by the plurality of brackets provide the proper amount of force for the alignment of each individual tooth. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a remote orthodontic system  100  includes orthodontic braces composed of smart brackets  102  (only one is shown in the figure) that communicate wirelessly with a computer server  104 . The computer server  104  can be a physical machine located at the patient&#39;s home, or it can be a virtual server commonly referred to as a cloud server that resides remotely. The following describes examples in which the computer server  104  is a cloud server. In some examples, the computer server  104  may interact wirelessly with the brackets  102  by receiving signals from or sending signals to the brackets  102 . This interaction occurs through, e.g., a home-based reader  108  or a user&#39;s cell phone  110 , while the computer server  104  communicates with a clinic terminal  106  at a dental clinic. The computer server  104  receives signals from the brackets  102  (e.g., through the reader  108  or the cell phone  110 ), determines the current configurations of the brackets  102 , determines whether adjustments are necessary, and sends back signals using the same route (e.g., through the reader  108  or the cell phone  110 ) to the brackets  102  in order to control motors in the brackets  102  to make the necessary adjustments. The computer server  104  communicates with the terminal  106  at the dental clinic to enable an orthodontist and/or other healthcare providers to monitor the configurations of the brackets  102  and enter commands to make additional adjustments when necessary. 
         [0018]    In some implementations, when the patient first visits the orthodontist, the orthodontist may prescribe a treatment plan that specifies the amount and direction of force to be applied to each tooth at different time periods. The orthodontist may provide an electronic file that includes the treatment plan, and the patient may download, from the computer server  104 , the electronic file having updated data containing the treatment plan to the reader  108  or the cell phone  110 . The reader  108  or the cell phone  100  may execute an orthodontic application program that uses the information about the treatment plan to interact with the brackets  102 . 
         [0019]    After the first visit to the orthodontist, and at each follow up visit every three or four weeks, the orthodontist executes the orthodontic treatment program on the server  104 . The orthodontic treatment program may analyze signals received from the brackets  102  to determine the progress of teeth alignment. The program may compare the current progress with the prescribed treatment plan and determine which brackets need to be adjusted to increase or decrease the force applied and its direction to the corresponding tooth, or to adjust the torque applied by the bracket to the tooth. The program instructs the server  104  to send signals to the brackets  102  to configure the brackets  102  such that each tooth receives the proper amount of force metrics according to the prescribed treatment plan. 
         [0020]    Because the adjustments to the brackets  102  can be conveniently performed at the patient&#39;s home, the treatment plan may have instructions for more frequent bracket adjustments at finer time intervals, such as twice every month. The patient has the option of making adjustments to the brackets at times that are convenient to the patient. 
         [0021]    The wireless reader  108  can interact wirelessly with the brackets  102  using a communication protocol similar to, e.g., the RFID protocol, Bluetooth protocol, or other protocols. The wireless reader  108  may be connected to the computer server  104  through a wire connection or a wireless link. The mobile phone  110  executing the orthodontic application program may interact wirelessly with the brackets  102  using a communication protocol similar to, e.g., the near-field communication protocol, Bluetooth protocol, or other protocols. The system may operate in, e.g., the 401-406 MHz, 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, and/or 5725-5850 MHz bands. The mobile phone  110  may communicate with the computer server  104  through a wireless link. 
         [0022]    In some implementations, the smart bracket  102  has sensors that can detect the amount of force (and/or the position trajectories) being applied to the tooth through the arch wire. Alternatively the sensors can be attached to or embedded in the arch wire itself. The sensors provide feedback signals so that the orthodontic treatment program executing on the computer server  104  can determine that the correct amount of force and the direction of force are applied to each tooth to ensure its proper alignment and positioning. If, after configuring the brackets  102 , the sensors determine that the force/direction applied to the tooth deviates from the prescribed amount by more than a threshold value, the program may generate an alert signal, indicating that the patient should contact the orthodontist. Alternatively, the program can readjust and apply the new biomechanical force specifications. Upon receiving an instruction from the patient, the computer server  104  may send the data from the sensor to the clinic terminal  106  so that the orthodontist may determine whether it is possible to reconfigure the brackets remotely, or to inform the patient that it is necessary to return to the dental clinic for further examination and adjustment. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a remote orthodontics system  120  may include a server  104  that communicates with different types of smart orthodontic braces, or orthodontic braces that include more than one type of smart brackets (individually or as a group). The computer server  104  may execute an orthodontic treatment program that is configured to control the various types of braces having various types of smart brackets. The server  104  may communicate with a clinic terminal  106  to enable an orthodontist to remotely monitor treatment progress or provide adjustments. 
         [0024]    For example, one type of smart bracket is bracket  122 , referred to as the e-Right bracket. The e-Right bracket  122  includes miniature motors that drive miniature gears, which in turn drive small rods that push against an arch wire inserted into a slot of a bracket attached to a tooth. The small rods provide forces that in combination produce the desired amount of force in the desired direction that is applied to the corresponding tooth to provide the required movement for alignment of the tooth. 
         [0025]    A second type of smart bracket is bracket  124 , referred to as the e-Tract bracket. The e-Tract bracket has two miniature motors that drive miniature gears  132 , which in turn pull or push an arch wire (inserted in between) to generate retracting or protracting forces for movement and/or alignment of the corresponding tooth (or a group of teeth). 
         [0026]    A third type of smart bracket is bracket  126 , referred to as the e-Bracket in this document. The e-Bracket has one or more miniature motors that drive one or more miniature gears, which in turn drive a rotatable base to provide torque to the bracket  126  for generating a force for alignment of the corresponding tooth. 
         [0027]    A fourth type of orthodontic braces variation is e-Wire braces  128 . The e-Wire braces  128  include arch wire segments  134  connected to smart brackets  136  in which each bracket  136  has one or more miniature motors that apply forces to the arch wire segments  134 , such that the interaction of the brackets  136  and wire segments  134  result in the proper amount of forces being applied to the teeth that need adjustment. Each arch wire segment is attached to the corresponding tooth surface in order to translate the delivered force. A patient may use any configuration of two or more of the e-Right bracket  122 , e-Tract bracket  124 , e-Bracket  126 , or e-Wire braces  128  at the same time. The following describes details of the e-Tract bracket  124 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in some implementations, an e-Tract bracket  180  can be used as an auxiliary tool with any of the orthodontic bracket systems, or as an add-on to the functionality of the advanced wireless-based bracket systems. The e-Tract bracket  180  can generate retraction or protraction forces through simultaneous rotating gear action coupled with an inter-locking serrated arch wire. The type of traction would depend on the gears&#39; rotation direction. The e-Tract bracket  180  can be used in combination with other brackets to provide a bracing function to facilitate the overall alignment.  FIG. 3A  shows a front view of the bracket  180  while  FIG. 3B  shows a side view of the bracket  180 . Gears on the bracket  180  can lock onto notches on a specially designed arch wire to generate a retraction or protraction force on the arch wire. The e-Tract bracket  180  can have, e.g., a height L 1  of about 5 mm and a length L 2  of about 11 mm. The dimensions of the e-Tract bracket  180  can vary depending on the amount of force required and the size of the tooth on which the bracket  180  is attached. 
         [0029]    The bracket  180  includes a base  182 , a support  184 , an upper member  186 , and a lower member  188 . In some examples, a back surface  194  of the base  182  attaches to a molar (last) tooth. In some examples, the base  182  is fitted on a mini-screw supporting implant. The upper member  186  houses a miniature motor and a miniature gear  190 . The miniature motor in the upper member  186  drives the miniature gear  190 . The lower member  188  houses a miniature motor and a miniature gear  192 . The miniature motor in the lower member  188  drives the miniature gear  192 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the upper gear  190  rotates in a clockwise direction and the lower gear  192  rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the teeth of the gears  190 ,  192  engage notches  198  in the arch wire  196  and pulls the arch wire  196  in a direction  210  towards the left (when viewed from a direction facing the front side of the bracket  180 ). Conversely, when the upper gear  190  rotates in a counterclockwise direction and the lower gear  192  rotates in a clockwise direction, the teeth of the gears  190 ,  192  engage the notches  198  in the arch wire  196  and pulls the arch wire  196  in a direction  212  towards the right. The arch wire  196  can be coupled to other brackets so that the pulling (or pushing) force generated by the gears  190 ,  192  can be used to generate a force that is applied to the other brackets and the teeth to which the brackets are attached. The upper member  186  includes an integrated circuit chip  202  that has circuitry for controlling the miniature motor in the upper member  186 . The lower member  188  also includes an integrated circuit chip that has circuitry for controlling the miniature motor in the lower member  188 . In some implementations, a single chip controls the operations of the motors in the upper and lower members  186 ,  188 . The chip can also be placed in the base  182 . The integrated circuit chip  202  in the upper member  186  and the integrated circuit chip  202  in the lower member  188  can communicate wirelessly to external devices, such as the reader  108  or the cell phone  110 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in some implementations, the e-Tract bracket  180  can have a fixed or removable cover  170  that is used to ligate the arch wire  196  with the bracket slot. 
         [0032]    In some implementations, the gears  190  and  192  can be driven manually. For example, a first miniature screw can be provided in the upper member  186 , in which the thread of the screw engages the gear  190 . The head of the first miniature screw can protrude outside of the upper member  186  so that the dentist or the patient can turn the first miniature screw to rotate the gear  190 . Similarly, a second miniature screw can be provided in the lower member  188 , in which the thread of the screw engages the gear  192 . The head of the second miniature screw can protrude outside of the lower member  188  so that the dentist or the patient can turn the second miniature screw to rotate the gear  192 . As the gear  190  and/or  192  are rotated, the arch wire  196  is pushed or pulled accordingly. In some implementations, the upper gear  190  can be manually driven, where the lower gear  192  simultaneously follows the action of the upper gear  190 . Alternatively, the gear  190  can be joined with the gear  192  via, e.g., a cord, through the bracket support structure  184 , to allow for a simultaneous coupled gear action. Additionally, the gear  190  (and/or  192 ), has a locking mechanism to prevent counter rotation after activation on a certain direction. 
         [0033]    Various smart orthodontic brackets and wires have been described above. These smart brackets and wires can be used in the remote orthodontic system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , in order to monitor the movement of the tooth under treatment, markers can be attached to one or more adjacent teeth. For example, a smart bracket  350  is attached to a tooth  352  that needs to be aligned. A first marker  354  is attached to a tooth  356 , and a second marker  358  is attached to another tooth  360 . When the smart bracket  350  is first installed on the tooth  352 , a set of one or more pictures of the teeth are taken. After a period of time, such as three or four weeks later, a second set of one or more pictures of the teeth are taken. The movement of the tooth  352  under treatment relative to the other teeth  356  and  360  can be measured by comparing the position of the bracket  350  relative to the markers  354  and  358  that function as reference points. 
         [0034]    In some examples, the patient takes images of the teeth and sends them to the orthodontist, who monitors the progress of the treatment. If the movement of the tooth  352  is according to plan, then the smart bracket  350  will be adjusted according to plan. If the movement of the tooth  352  is outside of acceptable boundaries, then the orthodontist may adjust the treatment plan or ask the patient to return to the clinic for further examination and/or treatment. When the orthodontist needs to adjust the treatment plan, the orthodontist may send an instruction from the clinic terminal  106  to the server computer  104  to adjust the treatment plan stored locally at the server  104 . 
         [0035]    In some examples, the mobile phone  110  may execute an orthodontic app that provides instructions to the patient or a helper of the patient on how to take pictures in order to accurately determine the movement of the tooth  352 . For example, a helper may use the camera on the mobile phone  110  to take pictures of the patient&#39;s teeth. A reference image that was previously taken can be overlaid on a live view taken by the phone camera. The reference image may show the two markers  354  and  358 , so that the helper may position and orient the camera to take a picture of the teeth in which the markers  354  and  358  are at similar positions in the new picture. This makes it easier to compare the current picture with a previously taken picture to determine the movement of the tooth  352 . A set of orthodontic biomechanical algorithms can be used by the system  100  to determine the auto adjustments to be made to the smart brackets, such as increasing or decreasing the forces applied by the gears in the e-Tract brackets. 
         [0036]    The smart brackets may have sensors for sensing the force applied to the corresponding tooth. For example, a microelectromechanical sensor system having piezoresistive microsensors attached between the smart bracket and the tooth can be used to take measurements that can be used to calculate forces applied to the tooth in the x, y, and z directions, and moments in the x, y, and z directions. By monitoring the forces actually applied to the tooth, the system  100  can determine whether the gears in the smart brackets need to be adjusted to apply more or less force in a certain direction. 
         [0037]    The chip  202  ( FIG. 4 ), the miniature motors, and the sensors system can be powered wirelessly by beaming power to microcoils in the smart brackets. The chip  202  may include circuitry for modulating data sent to the reader  108  or the server  104 , or demodulating the signals sent from the reader  108  or the server  104 . 
         [0038]    The remote orthodontic system  100  helps orthodontists and their patients to have a high quality orthodontic treatment, with reduced visits to the dental office and reduced costs. For example, the adjustments to the smart brackets and arch wires can be made while the patients are at home. The orthodontists can also monitor the treatments and make adjustments to the treatment plans from home, allowing more flexible work schedules. 
         [0039]    A novel orthodontic bracket that can generate and deliver forces has been described above. The system  100  is interactive in which the patient and the treatment provider are able to monitor the status of teeth alignment and report responses and symptoms. The system can be remotely controlled, enabling quick re-adjustment and auto-correction. The system can apply biomechanical equations based on the known static and dynamic equilibrium laws and algorithms. The system provides treatments with predictable and improved outcomes, so the treatment duration can be accurately forecasted and better controlled. 
         [0040]    Each of the computer server  104 , mobile phone  110 , and reader  108  can include one or more processors and one or more computer-readable mediums (e.g., RAM, ROM, SDRAM, hard disk, optical disk, and flash memory). The one or more processors can perform various calculations or control functions described above. The calculations and various functions can also be implemented using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The term “computer-readable medium” refers to a medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution, including without limitation, non-volatile media (e.g., optical or magnetic disks), and volatile media (e.g., DRAM) and transmission media. Transmission media includes, without limitation, coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics. 
         [0041]    The features described above can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in any form of programming language (e.g., C, Java), including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, a browser-based web application, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. 
         [0042]    Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions include, e.g., both general and special purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors or cores, of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM) or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memories for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. The mass storage devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, Blu-ray DVD disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). The chip  202  ( FIG. 4 ) may include one or more processors described above. The chip  202  may also include one or more volatile or non-volatile memories for storing instructions to be executed by the one or more processors. 
         [0043]    While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. 
         [0044]    Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
         [0045]    Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. 
         [0046]    Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, a combination of various types of smart brackets can be used for treating one patient. The smart brackets and arch wires can be made of materials different from those described above. In some implementations, each bracket can include a radio frequency identification tag associated with a unique identifier. In some implementations, each chip (e.g.,  202 ) has a unique identifier. This way, if a patient has multiple brackets, the server  104  can uniquely identify each bracket and send different instructions to different brackets.