US 12,403,380 B2
Systems for protecting and repositioning teeth
Eric Kuo, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Align Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/475,906.
Application 18/475,906 is a division of application No. 15/788,529, filed on Oct. 19, 2017, granted, now 11,806,602.
Application 15/788,529 is a division of application No. 12/277,191, filed on Nov. 24, 2008, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2024/0024757 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 5/00 (2006.01); A61C 7/08 (2006.01); A61F 5/56 (2006.01); A63B 71/08 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 71/085 (2013.01) [A61C 7/08 (2013.01); A61F 5/566 (2013.01); A63B 2071/088 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
an aligner having a polymeric shell comprising a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition teeth of a patient, wherein the polymeric shell is shaped to cover an occlusal surface of the patient's teeth when the aligner is worn by the patient; and
a covering guard for providing protection against impact-induced injuries when coupled with the aligner and when worn by the patient, the covering guard comprising a guard segment shaped to cover at least a portion of the aligner, a combination of the guard segment and the aligner shaped to provide protection against impact-induced injury,
wherein the combination comprises an occlusal portion disposed between a plurality of upper and lower teeth when the combination is worn by the patient, the occlusal portion having a compliance selected to provide impact absorption during an impact forcing the lower teeth into the upper teeth, and
wherein the covering guard is configured to be removably coupled to the aligner.