Orthodontic kit and methods for same

Abstract

A method for providing orthodontic therapy. The method includes the steps of providing a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient, applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools, placing the tools back into the kit, storing the kit, and reusing the kit at all of the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy.

1 . A kit for a dental patient, the kit comprising an enclosure and at least two of the following components:
 a. at least one bonding tray,   b. a tool for enamel reproximation,   c. an orthodontic wire,   d. brackets,   e. ligature ties,   f. bonding adhesive,   g. at least one cheek retractor,   h. orthodontic cement,   i. a thank you card to give to the patient, and   j. a treatment plan.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein a treatment plan is included in the kit and wherein the treatment plan is developed by a third party specifically for the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2  wherein the third party is not the patient's dental professional. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the orthodontic wire and brackets are colored to match the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1  wherein the kit includes a system for associating the kit, the enclosure and at least two of the components with the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 5  wherein the system comprises RFID tags associated with the enclosure and at least two of the components. 
     
     
         7 . A method performed by a patient's dental professional comprising the steps of:
 a. making a copy of a patient's teeth,   b. sending the copy of the patient's teeth to a kit provider, wherein the kit provider assembles a kit comprising an enclosure and at least two of the following components:
 i. at least one bonding tray, 
 ii. a tool for enamel reproximation, 
 iii. an orthodontic wire, 
 iv. brackets, 
 v. ligature ties, 
 vi. bonding adhesive, 
 vii. at least one cheek retractor, 
 viii. orthodontic cement, 
 ix. a thank you card to give to the patient, and 
 x. a treatment plan, 
   c. receiving the assembled kit,   d. applying braces to the patient's teeth using the components in the kit,   e. placing at least some of the components back into the kit,   f. storing the kit, and   g. reusing the kit at the patient's subsequent visits.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the kit includes a patient treatment plan written specifically for the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the patient treatment plan was written by a third party who is not the patient's dental professional. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the enclosure and a plurality of the components in the kit each include patient identifying indicia thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the patient identifying indicia is a RFID tag. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the components in the kit are never hot sterilized after being placed in the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a kit that includes an enclosure and tools and components for providing orthodontic therapy using braces to a single patient,   b. applying the braces to the single patient's teeth using the tools,   c. placing the tools back into the kit,   d. storing the kit, and   e. reusing the kit at all of the single patient's subsequent visits during the term of the orthodontic therapy.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the kit includes indirect bonding trays. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the kit includes a patient treatment plan written specifically for the single patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the patient treatment plan was written by a third party who is not the patient's dental professional. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the enclosure and a plurality of the tools and components in the kit each include patient identifying indicia thereon. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the patient identifying indicia is a RFID tag. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the tools in the kit are never hot sterilized during the term of the orthodontic therapy.