Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a base with an outer surface, as well as at least one passageway extending through the base. An element is received in each passageway and is made of a material that transmits actinic radiation. The element serves as a window to facilitate the curing of light-curable orthodontic adhesive beneath the appliance base, while simultaneously preventing movement of the adhesive through the passageway. Optionally, one or more optical fibers are provided to facilitate curing of the adhesive.

Abstract: An effective orthodontic treatment is determined by storing an original position model of a patient's teeth. The patient's teeth are then displayed according to the original position model, and appliances are selected according to a proposed orthodontic treatment. A final position model of the patient's teeth is also stored, and the selected appliances are displayed based upon the final position model. A finite element analysis is performed based on the proposed orthodontic treatment and on a movement of the patient's teeth from the final position to the original position in order to determine stresses, strains, forces, and/or moments on the appliances and on the patient's teeth and bone. If the stresses, strains, forces, and/or moments are not optimized, a new orthodontic treatment is proposed and the process is repeated.

Abstract: An appliance used in orthodontic treatment includes a retaining groove that is located directly adjacent a base of the appliance. The retaining groove is useful for keeping a wire segment or other item in place and in contact with a body of the appliance so that the item does not detach from the appliance during the course of treatment. The retaining groove is particularly useful for keeping tieback loops and other items having a thread-like configuration in a captive, compact and snug relationship with the appliance.

Abstract: A prescription for an orthodontic brace is selected by providing data representing a number of teeth of the dental arch and by displaying images of the teeth in two or more different positions. Images of at least one tooth when in the first position and when in the second position are simultaneously displayed in superimposed fashion, and any difference in orientations of the displayed tooth images between the first position and the second position appears in contrast. As a consequence, the relative difference in positions can be readily observed. The invention is particularly useful for selecting a prescription of a brace from two or more prescriptions, and is also useful for observing the relative effect of a single prescription when used on certain teeth in comparison to the position of the same teeth during an earlier stage of treatment.

Abstract: An appliance used in orthodontic treatment includes a retaining guide that extends outwardly in an occlusal and/or a gingival direction. The retaining guide presents a smoothly contoured, domed shape having a relatively low profile for avoiding contact with opposing dentition or orthodontic appliances that are connected to opposing dentition. The retaining guide is useful for keeping a wire segment or other item in place and in contact with a body of the appliance so that the item does not detach from the appliance during the course of treatment. The retaining guide is particularly useful for keeping tieback loops and other items made from wire segments in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing variable information on a tape to form a tape segment, applying the tape segment onto an object, and cutting the tape segment includes a printer for printing information onto the tape segment. A controller controls the printer in response to input to vary the information printed onto the tape. The printed tape segment is transported to a location for application onto the object and is cut. The unwind tension of the tape as the tape is removed from the tape roll is controlled to present the tape to the printer at a substantially uniform speed and to reduce jerkiness of the tape. The information is registered such that it is placed at a predetermined location on different tape segments.

Abstract: A mill blank assembly for a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section for supporting the assembly in a milling machine. In certain embodiments, the milling section is adhesively bonded to the support section by a direct chemical bond that provides enhanced resistance to unintentional detachment of the milling section from the support section during a subsequent machining operation. Optionally, the support section includes a passageway that receives a quantity of flowable dental restorative material used to make the milling section, such that the restorative material that is located in the passageway provides additional resistance when hardened to unintentional detachment of the milling section from the support section.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on a continuous web of linerless tape defined by a print side for subsequent application to an article. The apparatus includes a support, a rotatably driven platen roller, a print head, and a stripping apparatus. The support is configured to maintain a continuous web of linerless tape. The rotatably driven platen roller is located downstream of the support. The print head is associated with the platen roller. More particularly, the platen roller directs the continuous web of linerless tape past the print head for printing on the print side thereof. Finally, the stripping apparatus is positioned adjacent the platen roller and downstream of the print head for directing the web of linerless material from the platen roller. In this regard, the stripping apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. The first roller is positioned to receive and contact the print side of the linerless tape.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance that includes a polycrystalline translucent aluminum oxide ceramic material having an average grain size of no greater than 1.0 micron and a Contrast Ratio value of less than about 0.7.

Abstract: Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

Abstract: A lighted sign housing is provided with a diffuse reflective film that is selected based on its reflectivity and luminance uniformity in order to reduce power consumption required for a given luminance while also increasing luminance uniformity. A method of using such film is also provided.

Abstract: A mill blank assembly for making a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section. The support section is adapted to fit in a chuck or collect of a milling machine. One of the milling section and the support section includes a projection that extends into a recess of the other, in order to enhance the strength of the bond between the milling section and the support section. As a result, the completed assembly is less likely to fracture or become disassembled during the milling process.

Abstract: A vacuum-assisted lamination apparatus and methods of using the same to laminate a film to a substrate or two or more continuous webs together are disclosed. The apparatus includes a series of rolls and a partial vacuum source to provide pressure on a film or films.

Abstract: A package for a multiple-component composition includes a first sheet and a second sheet connected to the first sheet, and at least one of the sheets is made of a flexible material. At least two storage chambers and a mixing chamber are located between the sheets and interconnected by passageways. In certain embodiments, the mixing chamber is located between the passageways. In some embodiments, the passageways are spaced from each other. Compressing the storage chamber directs components in the respective chambers into the mixing chamber for subsequent dispensing as needed. Optionally, an actuator is provided and has a channel for receiving the package. As the package moves through the channel, the storage chambers are compressed and the components in the storage chamber are directed to the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A lighted sign housing is provided having a sign face with both light-transmissive portions and light-blocking portions; and a reflective film applied to at least a portion of the light-blocking portions toward the interior of the sign housing. A method of using the reflective film is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inkjet printing include automated techniques for selecting and/or adjusting printing parameters. The techniques include methods for altering test pattern images received on a substrate for assessing certain characteristics, such as adhesion of a particular ink to a particular substrate. A computer selects certain printing parameters based on an assessment of the altered test pattern images.

Abstract: A container and applicator assembly includes an applicator with a handle and a dispensing tip, and a container with a chamber that detachably receives at least part of the applicator. The container has an inner surface with a plurality of protrusions that extend in the chamber along side portions of the tip. The protrusions facilitate distribution of the composition across the tip and also help to prevent unintentional movement of the composition to other areas.

Abstract: A mechanism includes a first member having a channel and a second member with a generally cylindrical portion at least partially received in the channel. The second member includes a stop portion for limiting relative movement of the first member and the second member. The stop portion is made of a formable material and includes at least three lobes that extend outwardly in different respective directions. The stop portion increases the stiffness of the second member, and is useful in both pivoting and rotating mechanisms for limiting relative movement between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance such as a bracket or buccal tube has a latch for retaining an archwire in an archwire slot. The latch releases the archwire from the archwire slot whenever the archwire exerts a force on the appliance that exceeds a certain minimum value. The minimum value is less than about one-half of the force required in the same direction to debond the appliance from the tooth, and thus reduces the likelihood that the appliance will unintentionally debond from the tooth during the course of orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A method of thermally transferring colorant from a movable ribbon onto printable areas of a thermal print receptive sheeting. The method includes arranging a print head so that its length is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the thermal print receptive sheeting and transferring colorant from the movable ribbon to the sheeting as the sheeting is stationary and the thermal print head is moved in a second direction substantially normal to the length of the thermal print head. The system includes a thermal print head, a transport for moving the thermal print receptive sheeting past the thermal print head in the first direction, and a mechanism that moves the print head in a second direction normal to the first direction when the print head is transferring colorant onto the sheeting.