US 12,324,721 B2
Dental attachment positioning apparatuses
Peter Webber, Redwood City, CA (US); Yan Chen, Cupertino, CA (US); Jihua Cheng, San Jose, CA (US); Bastien Pesenti, San Jose, CA (US); Chunhua Li, Cupertino, CA (US); and Jennifer C. Chen, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/435,971.
Application 18/435,971 is a continuation of application No. 14/939,252, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, granted, now 11,931,222.
Prior Publication US 2024/0173102 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. A61C 7/08 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/24 (2006.01); A61C 7/14 (2006.01); A61C 7/16 (2006.01); A61C 13/15 (2006.01); A61N 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61C 7/08 (2013.01) [A61B 1/0002 (2013.01); A61B 1/00045 (2013.01); A61B 1/24 (2013.01); A61C 7/146 (2013.01); A61C 7/16 (2013.01); A61C 19/003 (2013.01); A61C 2202/01 (2013.01); A61N 2005/063 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0661 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of bonding an orthodontic attachment to a tooth of a patient, the method comprising:
receiving an attachment placement structure, the attachment placement structure including a well holding the orthodontic attachment therein, the orthodontic attachment having a mating surface at a first opening of the well, wherein the mating surface of the orthodontic attachment is shaped to conform to a contour of a buccal surface of the tooth, wherein the attachment placement structure further includes:
one or more registration surfaces that conform to one or more occlusal surfaces of the patient's teeth to aid in proper positioning or orientation of the orthodontic attachment;
a release liner covering the first opening of the well and covering the mating surface of the orthodontic attachment; and
one or more second openings that provide sole access to the well holding the orthodontic attachment;
removing the release liner from the mating surface of the orthodontic attachment;
placing the attachment placement structure on the patient's dentition to position the orthodontic attachment at a specified location with respect to the buccal surface of the tooth; and
bonding the mating surface of the orthodontic attachment to the buccal surface of the tooth.