Robert E Tricca

US Patent:

6783604, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/967626

Inventors:

Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

B08B 312

US Classification:

134 32, 134 33, 134184, 134187, 134188, 422300

Abstract:

Apparatus for cleaning removable oral appliances, such as tooth repositioning aligners, comprise a base having a tray for holding the appliance in a bath of cleaning solution. A low-frequency driver is provided in the base for reciprocating the tray about a horizontal or vertical axis to wash the cleaning solution over the appliance. Usually, the apparatus will further comprise a cradle which is mounted to reciprocate about a horizontal axis within the base. The cradle defines a receptacle which removably receives the cleaning tray. The cleaning tray is preferably reciprocated at frequency in the range from 1 Hz to 10 Hz, usually in the range from 2 Hz to 5 Hz.

US Patent:

6790035, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/967822

Inventors:

Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA
Eric Kuo - Foster City CA
Peter G. Knopp - Palo Alto CA
Craig R. Bruns - Danville CA

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61C 300

US Classification:

433 6, 433167, 264 19

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patients dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.

US Patent:

7201576, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Apr 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/409306

Inventors:

Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US
Eric Kuo - Foster City CA, US
Peter G. Knopp - Palo Alto CA, US
Craig R. Burns - Danville CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433 24, 433 6

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patient's dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.

US Patent:

7255561, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Apr 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/409307

Inventors:

Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US
Eric Kuo - Foster City CA, US
Peter G. Knopp - Palo Alto CA, US
Craig R. Burns - Danville CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61C 13/00
A61C 13/08
A61C 19/00
A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433167, 433 6, 433 34, 264 19

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for forming a pontic in a polymeric shell dental appliance, including providing a polymeric shell dental appliance of the type which is removably placeable over a patient's dentition, said shell having a concave trough which conforms to the teeth when the appliance is placed over the dentition and a location in the trough corresponding to a missing tooth; and depositing a flexible, durably affixed material in the location to form the pontic.

US Patent:

7553157, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Sep 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/949717

Inventors:

Amir Abolfathi - Woodside CA, US
Jennifer C. Chen - Alhambra CA, US
Chunhua Li - Cupertino CA, US
Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US
Benjamin M. Wu - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433 6

Abstract:

An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.

US Patent:

7641828, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Oct 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/963252

Inventors:

Joseph M. DeSimone - Chapel Hill NC, US
Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

B29C 59/00

US Classification:

264129, 264 16, 433 18

Abstract:

Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.

US Patent:

7766658, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/000433

Inventors:

Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US
Benjamin M. Wu - Los Angeles CA, US
Chunhua Li - Cupertino CA, US
Eric Kuo - Foster City CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

A61B 5/117
A61C 3/00
A61C 17/00
A61C 17/02
A61G 17/02
A61N 1/30
A61M 37/00
A61M 31/00

US Classification:

433229, 433 6, 433 24, 433 80, 604 19, 604 28, 604 30, 604 66, 604 67

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting or diagnosing diseases by sampling and testing intra-oral fluids.

US Patent:

7824180, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Aug 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/229291

Inventors:

Amir Abolfathi - Woodside CA, US
Jennifer C. Chen - Alhambra CA, US
Chunhua Li - Cupertino CA, US
Robert E. Tricca - Danville CA, US
Benjamin M. Wu - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Align Technology, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

A61C 3/00

US Classification:

433 6

Abstract:

An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance.