Teeth repositioning systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods of repositioning teeth, using one or more appliances for installing on a patient's teeth are described. The appliance includes an arch shaped member; a plurality of spring members coupled to or provided on the arch shaped member; and a plurality of securing members for securing to a corresponding plurality of the patient's teeth on a one-to-one basis, the securing members being supported by the arch shaped member. The arch shaped member and the plurality of springs, together, comprise a two dimensional structure having a length dimension and a width dimension with varying widths along the length dimension, that is bent into a three dimensional structure.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for making an orthodontic appliance, the method comprising:
 cutting an orthodontic appliance out of a sheet of material, the orthodontic appliance comprising attachment portions and connector portions extending between longitudinally adjacent attachment portions, each of the attachment portions being configured to be secured to an orthodontic bracket and at least some of the connector portions being resiliently flexible;   wherein each of the connector portions include first, second, and third regions, and wherein the second region extends between the first and third regions and is aligned with an interdental space, and wherein:
 the first region has a first end at one of the attachment portions and a second end at the second region, wherein the first region extends from its first end to its second end along a mesiodistal dimension, 
 the second region has a first end at the first region and a second end at the third region, wherein the second region extends gingivally away from the first region then turns and extends occlusally until terminating at the third region, and 
 the third region has a first end at the second end of the second region and a second end at another one of the attachment portions, wherein the third region extends from its first end to its second end along a mesiodistal dimension. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein cutting the orthodontic appliance out of the sheet of material produces a planar configuration of the orthodontic appliance, and wherein the method further comprises manipulating the planar configuration of the orthodontic appliance to form a three-dimensional configuration of the orthodontic appliance. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein manipulating the planar configuration of the orthodontic appliance comprises securing the planar configuration of the orthodontic appliance to a mandrel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the mandrel has a shape of a jaw of the patient comprising teeth and gingiva. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second regions of the connector portions are configured to impart a force and/or torque on one or both adjacent teeth to move the teeth from an original position to a final position. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second regions are U-shaped. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the orthodontic appliance is generally arch shaped. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sheet of material comprises a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first regions connect to the attachment portions at a first location and the third regions connect to the attachment portions at a second location, and wherein the attachment portions include an occlusal extension that extends from a body of the attachment portion to a location occlusal of both the first and second locations. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the attachment portions include a gingival extension that extends from the body of the attachment portion to a location gingival of both the first and second locations.