Orthodontic device

Abstract

An orthodontic device can include a bracket configured to support an orthodontic wire. The orthodontic device can include a locking assembly coupled to the bracket and switchable between a plurality of operational modes. The plurality of operational modes can comprise a first sliding mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidable relative to the bracket and a second locked mode in which the orthodontic wire is slidably locked relative to the bracket.

1 .- 214 . (canceled) 
     
     
         215 . A method for designing an orthodontic treatment system, the method comprising:
 determining an orthodontic force profile to be applied to a patient's teeth to treat the patient based on malocclusion characteristics of the patient's teeth;   based on the determined orthodontic force profile, selecting a first sliding mode for a first orthodontic device to be secured to a first tooth; and   based on the determined orthodontic force profile, selecting a second non-sliding mode for a second orthodontic device to be secured to a second tooth.   
     
     
         216 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising obtaining image data of a patient's teeth and processing the obtained image data to determine malocclusion characteristics of the patient. 
     
     
         217 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising manufacturing the first and second orthodontic devices. 
     
     
         218 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising selecting the first sliding mode and selecting the second locked mode based on a look-up table (LUT) that maps a plurality of clinical scenarios to operational modes of the first and second orthodontic devices. 
     
     
         219 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising determining the malocclusion characteristics of the patient's teeth based on at least image data of the patient's teeth. 
     
     
         220 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising switching at least the first sliding mode to a first non-sliding for the first orthodontic device on the first tooth, or the second non-sliding mode to a second sliding mode for the second orthodontic device on the second tooth. 
     
     
         221 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising, when a gap is between the first tooth and the second tooth is to be closed, forming a loop in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the loop is between the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     
     
         222 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising, when the first tooth and the second tooth are to be separated apart, forming a kink in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the kink is between the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     
     
         223 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising, when a crown of the first tooth is angularly misaligned with a crown of the second tooth, forming a bend in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the bend is between the first tooth and the second tooth and configured to impart a torque at the crown of the first tooth. 
     
     
         224 . The method of  claim 215 , further comprising, when the second tooth is an incisor, and a crown of the first tooth is tilted labially, using a rectangular wire to extend through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device. 
     
     
         225 . A system for creating a patient-specific orthodontic system, the system comprising an orthodontic design system having processing electronics configured to:
 determine an orthodontic force profile to be applied to a patient's teeth to treat the patient based on malocclusion characteristics of the patient's teeth;   based on the determined orthodontic force profile, select a first sliding mode for a first orthodontic device to be secured to a first tooth; and   based on the determined orthodontic force profile, select a second non-sliding mode for a second orthodontic device to be secured to a second tooth.   
     
     
         226 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to obtain image data of a patient's teeth and to process the obtained image data to determine malocclusion characteristics of the patient. 
     
     
         227 . The system of  claim 225 , further comprising an imaging device configured to capture the image data. 
     
     
         228 . The system of  claim 225 , further comprising a manufacturing system configured to manufacture the first and second orthodontic devices. 
     
     
         229 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to select the first sliding mode and to select the second locked mode based on a look-up table (LUT) that maps a plurality of clinical scenarios to operational modes of the first and second orthodontic devices. 
     
     
         230 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to switch at least the first sliding mode to a first non-sliding for the first orthodontic device on the first tooth, or the second non-sliding mode to a second sliding mode for the second orthodontic device on the second tooth. 
     
     
         231 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to, when a gap is between the first tooth and the second tooth is to be closed, form a loop in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the loop is between the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     
     
         232 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to, when the first tooth and the second tooth are to be separated apart, form a kink in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the kink is between the first tooth and the second tooth. 
     
     
         233 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein the processing electronics are configured to, when a crown of the first tooth is angularly misaligned with a crown of the second tooth, form a bend in a wire extending through the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device, wherein the bend is between the first tooth and the second tooth and configured to impart a torque at the crown of the first tooth. 
     
     
         234 . The system of  claim 225 , wherein, when the second tooth is an incisor, and a crown of the first tooth is tilted labially, a rectangular wire is used with the first orthodontic device and the second orthodontic device.