Abstract: Multiple techniques for detecting defects in customized dental appliances are disclosed. In one technique, processing logic obtains one or more images of a customized dental appliance, obtains a digital model associated with the customized dental appliance, and identifies an area of the one or more images that comprises a representation of the customized dental appliance. Processing logic then registers the one or more images to the digital model, compares the area of the one or more images of the customized dental appliance with the digital model of the customized dental appliance, determines a difference between the area of the one or more images that comprises the representation of the customized dental appliance and the digital model of the customized dental appliance at a region, and determines whether the difference satisfies a defect criterion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly and reliably determining an arch with of a patient's dental arch. A first portion of a 3D model of a patient's dentition is identified that corresponds to a first target tooth, the first portion of the 3D model is associated with one or more attributes of the first target tooth. A second portion of the 3D model is identified that corresponds to a second target tooth opposing the first target tooth. The second portion is associated with one or more attributes of the second target tooth. The arch width is automatically measured based on the attributes of the first and second target teeth. A graphic representing the arch width is overlayed on the patient's dentition.

Abstract: A processing device receives image data of an actual condition of a patient's dental arch at a stage of an orthodontic treatment plan. The processing device compares the image data of the actual condition of the patient's dental arch to a planned condition of the patient's dental arch for the stage of the orthodontic treatment plan. The processing device determines an updated orthodontic treatment plan based on one or more differences between the actual condition of the patient's dental arch and the planned condition of the patient's dental arch determined from the comparing. The processing device generates one or more three-dimensional (3D) models for one or more new orthodontic aligners in accordance with the updated orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a center of resistance of a tooth may include receiving a 3D digital representation of an initial arrangement and a final arrangement of a patient's teeth and determining a 3D treatment plan. The 3D treatment plan may include a plurality of 3D stages for rearranging the teeth from the initial arrangement toward the final arrangement. The method may also include determining, in accordance with the 3D treatment plan, an intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages and deriving, using a 3D resistance model, an applied force system for achieving the intended movement of the teeth for each of the stages. The method may also include deriving 3D geometries of oral appliances for the stages in response to the applied force system. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, systems, and devices for prioritization of three dimensional dental elements. One method for prioritizing three dimensional dental elements includes receiving a virtual initial dental data set (IDDS) of teeth having spatial information regarding the positions of a number of teeth in the virtual IDDS with respect to each other for presentation of the teeth in a virtual three dimensional space to be viewed on a user interface, setting prioritization values of a number of elements of one or more of the number of teeth, and prioritizing the number of elements to be selected by a user based upon their prioritization values.

Abstract: Methods and systems including: receiving one or more 2D images of a patient's face including a depiction of the patient's teeth in an initial arrangement; extracting teeth contours of the patient's teeth from within the mouth region of the one or more received 2D images of the patient's face; generating, using a neural network, a 2D rendering depicting a post-treatment arrangement of the patient's teeth based on the one or more received 2D images; generating a realistic composite 2D image depicting the patient's face with the 2D rendering depicting the post-treatment arrangement of the patient's teeth; and sending the realistic composite 2D image for display on a user interface of an output device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool that can provide multiple treatment plan options based on a single initial tooth data set. A user can use the treatment planning tool to select a treatment plan based on factors, including cost, treatment duration, treatment complexity, and material or feature selection. Tooth arrangements at different treatment stages can be compared. In some cases, a tooth arrangement at one treatment stage can be superimposed over a tooth arrangement at a different treatment stage or over a tooth arrangement from a different treatment plan.

Abstract: Laser cutting systems and methods are described herein. One or more systems include a laser, an optical component, a fixture for holding a support with a part positioned on the support, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify a cut path for trimming excess material from a dental appliance, determine adjustment instructions for adjusting a focal length of the laser to cut along the cut path, and trim the excess material from the dental appliance along the cut path with the laser. The focal length is adjusted by adjusting at least one of: the laser, the optical component, and the fixture, and while moving the fixture at a constant speed relative to the laser to avoid increasing a brittleness of a polymer material of the dental appliance along the cut path.

Abstract: This disclosure provides polymeric materials comprising weak crosslinking covalent bonds and/or weak crosslinking units comprising a weak covalent bond. Weak covalent bonds can be used in place of hydrogen bonds present in traditional polymeric materials (e.g., polyurethanes). Advantageously, the toughness can be controlled by varying the strength of weak covalent bonds and/or by varying the number of weak covalent crosslinks. Crosslinked materials applying the weak covalent crosslinking bonds can be used to create tough materials able to resist stress relaxation. Further, the present disclosure provides polymer chains and polymeric materials comprising inchain loops (also referred to herein as rings). The inchain loops comprise weak bonds and/or weak bridges comprising at least one weak bond.

Abstract: In embodiments, a system for scanning an intraoral cavity comprises an intraoral scanner to generate intraoral scan data of the intraoral cavity and viewfinder images of the intraoral cavity, a display, and a processing unit operatively connected to the intraoral scanner and to the display. The processing unit is to: receive the intraoral scan data and the viewfinder images from the intraoral scanner; generate a three-dimensional (3D) digital model of the intraoral cavity using the intraoral scan data; output the 3D digital model to the display; output the viewfinder images to the display; determine which portions of the intraoral cavity have been scanned; determine a current field of view of the intraoral scanner; determine a visual indicator that provides guidance for positioning and orienting the field of view of the intraoral scanner; and output the visual indicator to the display.

Abstract: A medical image might be generated for a patient image using a convolutional neural network trained on prior patient pre-procedure and post-procedure 2D images. A method might generate 3D models from pre-procedure 2D images and from post-procedure 2 images, and train the convolutional neural network with training images being the 3D models, to generate at least one 3D model of the present patient from the 2D image of the present patient, apply the 3D model of the present patient to the convolutional neural network in an inference stage, and apply patient-specific parameters derived from the proposed surgical procedure as a second input to the convolutional neural network in the inference stage to generate an inferred post-surgery 3D model of the present patient given the patient-specific parameters.

Abstract: An intraoral scanning device comprises housing comprising a head configured for insertion into a patient oral cavity, the head comprising a sloped surface and an aperture for transmission of optical signals, a transparent element positioned within the aperture, wherein the transparent element is at an acute angle with respect to the sloped surface, and a defogging unit comprising a heating unit. The intraoral scanning device further comprises a protective sleeve configured to cover at least a part of the head when the protective sleeve is coupled to the housing. The protective sleeve comprises an additional aperture that aligns with the aperture and an additional transparent element in the additional aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and apparatus for mandibular advancement or retraction via bone anchoring devices are described herein. In various aspects, an apparatus for treating a patient via mandibular advancement or retraction comprises a plurality of anchoring devices positioned in the patient's intraoral cavity. Each of the plurality of anchoring devices can be positioned in bone of the patient's upper jaw or bone of the patient's lower jaw. One or more connecting structures can be removably coupled to and extend between the plurality of anchoring devices in order to displace the lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to the upper jaw.

Abstract: A dual aligner assembly including a plurality of aligners, including a first aligner and a second aligner. The first aligner has a first shape corresponding to a set of target tooth positions and applies an orthodontic force against a set of target teeth. The first orthodontic force generates movement of the set of target teeth to the set of target tooth positions. The second aligner has a second shape corresponding to a combination of current tooth positions of the set of target teeth, the set of target tooth positions, and a thickness of the first aligner. The second aligner partially encloses the first aligner and provides an anchor for at least a portion of the first aligner. Via the anchor, a combination of the first aligner and the second aligner provides an orthodontic force that prevents the set of target teeth from moving to unwanted tooth positions during orthodontic treatment.

Abstract: A series of a palatal expanders increasing width can be used to gradually expand a patient's palate. Each palatal expander may have a palatal region flanked by teeth regions. The palatal region can have a plurality of anchor-receiving features (e.g., anchor interfaces) that allow the palatal expander to be attached to temporary anchorage device anchors that have been implanted into the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning comprises an elongate handheld wand comprising a probe at a distal end, one or more light projectors, and two or more cameras. Each light projector comprises at least one light source configured to generate light and a pattern generating optical element configured to generate a pattern of light when the light is transmitted through the pattern generating optical element. Each camera comprises a camera sensor and one or more lenses and is configured to capture a plurality of images that depict at least a portion of the projected pattern of light on an intraoral surface, wherein each camera is configured to focus at an object focal plane that is located between about 1 mm and about 30 mm from a lens of the one or more lenses that is farthest from the camera sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status are provided herein. In one aspect, a system for monitoring and treating sleep apnea in a patient comprises one or more sensors configured to monitor the patient for symptoms associated with sleep apnea; an intraoral appliance worn by the patient, one or more processors, and memory comprising instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to: receive a set of sensor data from the one or more sensors, detect, using a machine learning algorithm, onset of a sleep apnea event based on the set of sensor data, and transmit a control signal to the intraoral appliance to cause the intraoral appliance to displace a lower jaw of the patient from a first position to a second position in order to treat the sleep apnea event.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses to obtain an image, or a set of images, of a patient's teeth from one or more predetermined viewing angles. These methods and apparatuses may include the use an overlay comprising an outline of teeth for each predetermined viewing angle. The overlay may be used for automatically capturing, focusing and/or illuminating the teeth. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses for using a series of images of the patient's teeth including a set of predetermined views to determine if a patient is a candidate for an orthopedic procedure.