US 11,786,341 B2
Occlusal block design for lateral locking
James Nishimuta, Durham, NC (US); and Jun Sato, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/115,071.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/945,797, filed on Dec. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0169614 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. A61C 7/36 (2006.01); A61C 7/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61C 7/36 (2013.01) [A61C 7/08 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plurality of occlusal blocks for a mandibular relocation, comprising:
a first occlusal block having a first 3D shape and comprising a first engagement surface and a first occlusal surface, the first engagement surface having a first midline extending in an occlusal-gingival direction, the first engagement surface including a first portion on a first side of the midline and a second portion on a second side of the midline, the first portion comprising a curvature different from the second portion, the first portion having a substantially straight edge between the first engagement surface and one of a buccal or lingual surface of the first occlusal block and the second portion having a convex curved edge between the engagement surface and another one of the buccal or the lingual surface of the first occlusal block; and
a second occlusal block having a second 3D shape and comprising a second engagement surface and a second occlusal surface, the second engagement surface to engage the first engagement surface and including a portion that is convex;
wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are shaped to engage each other with a curvature difference, wherein the first 3D shape and the second 3D shape are substantially the same 3D shape.