| abstract |
A functional dental appliance system and a method of manufacturing the same. At least one surface mounted undercut is attached to the outer surface of the tooth. The dental appliance is constructed of a semi-rigid material which has a shape generally conforming to a portion of the contour of the tooth and the attached undercut. The semi-rigid material permits the dental appliance to deform temporarily prior to engagement with the portion of the tooth and the attached undercut such that the dental appliance returns to an undeformed state when engaged with the tooth and the attached undercut to form a pressure fit engagement relationship. The dental appliance may be manufactured by attaching a surface mounted dental undercut to the outer surface of a tooth and forming the dental appliance to conform to a portion of the outer surface of the tooth and the attached undercut. |