Patent ID: 7188421

Claim:
A method of bonding an orthodontic appliance to a patient's tooth structure comprising: providing a positive replica of a patient's tooth structure, wherein the replica is comprised of a material that transmits actinic radiation; placing a photocurable composition in a location between the base of an orthodontic appliance and the replica tooth structure; directing actinic radiation to the photocurable composition in order to harden the photocurable composition and make a bonding surface, wherein the act of directing actinic radiation to the photocurable composition is carried out by directing at least a portion of the actinic radiation through the replica tooth structure; detaching the appliance and the hardened photocurable composition from the replica tooth; applying a bonding adhesive to the hardened photocurable composition and/or selected areas of a patient's tooth; and hardening the bonding adhesive in order to bond the hardened photocurable composition and the appliance to the patient's tooth.