US 12409014

Technical Analysis of U.S. Patent 12,409,014

Date of Analysis: April 26, 2026

Patent Number: 12,409,014

Title: Systems and methods for orthodontic bracket design

Assignee: The patent was initially assigned to Lightforce Orthodontics Inc. The assignment was later made to TRINITY CAPITAL INC. on August 14, 2024.

Inventors:

• Alfred Charles Griffin, III
• Kelsey A. Fafara

Filing Date: March 13, 2024

Issue Date: Based on the provided documentation, the application was granted on September 9, 2025, and published as US 12,409,014 B2 on the same day.

Abstract:
The patent describes a method for manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets using additive manufacturing. The process involves measuring a patient's dentition data to create a three-dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the teeth. A virtual 3D CAD model of the bracket is then designed based on the tooth model. This bracket model is sent to an additive manufacturing machine, which directly produces the bracket layer-by-layer from an inorganic material, such as a ceramic, a polymer-derived ceramic, or a polymer-derived metal.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

This patent appears to have one independent claim based on the provided text.

Claim 1 (paraphrased):

A method for manufacturing customized orthodontic brackets (for either the tongue-side or lip-side of the teeth) using additive manufacturing (3D printing). The process involves the following steps:

1. Scanning the Teeth: Obtaining a 3D scan of a patient's teeth.
2. Creating a 3D Model: Using the scan data to create a 3D computer-assisted design (CAD) model of the patient's teeth.
3. Designing the Bracket: Designing a virtual 3D CAD model of the orthodontic bracket based on the 3D tooth model.
4. 3D Printing the Bracket: Sending the bracket's design file to an additive manufacturing machine to directly fabricate the physical bracket in layers.
5. Material: The bracket is made from an inorganic material, which can be a ceramic, a material that becomes ceramic after processing (polymer-derived ceramic), or a material that becomes metal after processing (polymer-derived metal).

In essence, this claim protects the entire digital workflow for creating patient-specific orthodontic brackets, from the initial scan to the final 3D-printed product using specific classes of materials.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is based on the provided patent information and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For legal opinions, please consult a qualified patent attorney.