Computer aided design matrix for the manufacture of dental devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising: obtaining a set of clinical options for the dental device from a health care provider; creating a first data set from the set of clinical options; communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software; preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software; communicating the digital design to an automated milling apparatus; and automatedly milling a block of polymer to obtain the dental device. Also disclosed are dental devices manufactured by the above method. Further disclosed are methods of treating or ameliorating apnea jaw-related disorder in a patient, the method comprising obtaining a dental device manufactured by the above method and positioning the dental device over the dentition prior to sleep, whereby the mandible is advanced forward relative to the maxilla, thereby ameliorating the symptoms of sleep apnea or the jaw-related disorder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising:
 obtaining a patient data set from a health care provider, wherein the patient data set comprises data regarding the shape of a patient's anatomy;   obtaining options from the data set, the options comprising a set of clinical options for the dental device from the same or a different health care provider,
 wherein the set of clinical options comprises two or more options selected from the group consisting of splint design, titration mechanisms, titration accessories, splint design, retention mechanisms, splint material, fin or strap design, and sleeve, 
 wherein the set of clinical options are 
   communicating the dentition data set and the options data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software;   preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software in accordance with the dentition data set and the options data set;   communicating the digital design to an automated milling apparatus; and   automatedly milling a block of polymer to obtain the dental device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient data set comprises data regarding the shape of a patient's dentition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of clinical options are intelligently organized. 
     
     
         4 . A method of manufacturing a dental device, the method comprising:
 obtaining a set of clinical options for the dental device from a health care provider;   creating a first data set from the set of clinical options;   communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software;   preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software;   communicating the digital design to an automated manufacturing apparatus; and   automatedly manufacturing a block of polymer to obtain the dental device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the health care provider is selected from the group consisting of a dentist, a dental technician, a physician, a TMJ specialist, and a sleep disorder specialist. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the set of clinical options comprise two or more clinical options selected from the group consisting of titration mechanisms, titration accessories, splint design clinical options, retention mechanisms, splint and material clinical options. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the titration option is selected from the group consisting of microtitration series, jack screw titration, Herbst hinge titration, anterior hinge titration, strap titration, and mechanical hook. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the titration accessory is selected from the group consisting of fin, strap, affixed sleeve, removable sleeve, straps, anterior hinge, short or long Herbst, jack screw, and Herbst hinge in combination with jack screw. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the splint design clinical options are selected from the group consisting of lingualess, full lingual coverage, edentulous, posterior lingual, anterior lingual, anterior lingualess, and monoblock. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the retention mechanism is selected from the group consisting of implant-retained mechanisms, metallic ball clasps, plastic ball clasps, dental buttons, soft liner, and a hard acrylic polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the splint material option is selected from the group consisting of standard polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), lined PMMA, high-strength polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polymer produced from polyoxymethylene and acetal copolymers (Duracetal®), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), and a physiologically compatible, water insoluble, non-maleable polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fin or straps design option is selected from the group consisting of, a normal fin, an acute fin, an obtuse fin, and straps in compression or traction setting. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the set of clinical options further comprise an option selected from the group consisting of an open anterior, an anterior discluder, a scalloped occlusal and/or lingual opening, a compliance chip, an AM positioner, a tapered posterior, a tongue attractor, and a bruxism package. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the selection of the clinical options is through a web portal. 
     
     
         15 . A dental device manufactured by the method of:
 obtaining a set of clinical options from a health care professional;   creating a first data set from the set of clinical options;   communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software;   preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software;   communicating the digital design to an automated manufacturing apparatus; and   automatedly manufacturing a block of polymer to obtain the dental device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the manufacturing is additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating or ameliorating a jaw-related disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
 obtaining a dental device manufactured by the method of:
 obtaining a set of clinical options from a health care professional; 
 creating a first data set from the set of clinical options; 
 communicating the data set to a computer aided design (CAD) software; 
 preparing a digital design for the dental device using the CAD software; 
 communicating the digital design to an automated manufacturing apparatus; and 
 automatedly manufacturing a block of polymer to obtain the dental device; and 
   positioning the dental device over the dentition prior to sleep,   whereby the mandible is advanced forward relative to the maxilla, thereby ameliorating the symptoms of sleep apnea or the jaw-related disorder.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein sleep apnea or the jaw-related disorder is selected from temporomandibular disorder (TBD), poorly positioned temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or aesthetic deficiencies. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of instructing the patient in the use of the device.