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Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for readapting a dental appliance to better fit a model of a wearer's teeth using a vacuum forming table and a heating element is disclosed. The readaptation apparatus is provided with an elastic membrane for closely conforming the dental appliance to the contours of the model upon application of negative pressure to the model and with a drum head adapter for retaining the elastic membrane to the surface of the vacuum forming table in order to efficiently readapt the dental appliance. The disclosed system includes the described readaptation apparatus, as well as a specialized vacuum forming device. The vacuum forming device positions the dental appliance a specific distance from a heating element on the vacuum forming device for bringing the dental appliance to a proper state of plasticity and then smoothly relocates it to the surface of the vacuum forming table, where the dental appliance is vacuum formed using the readaptation apparatus. The inventive method comprises forming the dental appliance using the vacuum forming device, trimming the dental appliance, and then readapting the dental appliance to better fit the model. This is done by heating it to a proper state of plasticity at a predetermined position on the vacuum forming device with an inventive positioning mechanism, relocating the appliance smoothly onto the vacuum forming table, and then vacuum forming the dental appliance to fit the model using the readaptation apparatus to sustain a negative pressure around the model and dental appliance.

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First Claim