Abstract: Methods for obtaining an adjusted 3D model of patient's teeth based on a 2D image of the patient's teeth. In some examples, the method includes: obtaining a 3D digital model based on a scan of the patient's teeth; obtaining a 2D image based on a camera picture; iteratively comparing a distance between corresponding points on one or more teeth of the 3D digital model and of the 2D image, and generating an adjusted 3D model in which the one or more teeth of the 3D digital model are moved to reduce said distance, wherein iteratively comparing and generating comprises iterating until one or more deviations between the teeth of the 3D digital model and the 2D image are below a threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for motion compensation in a three dimensional scan. Motion compensation can include receiving three-dimensional (3D) scans of a dentition, estimating a motion trajectory from one scan to another, and calculating a corrected scan by compensating for the motion trajectory. Estimating the motion trajectory can include one or more of: registering a scan to another scan and determining whether an amount of movement between the scans is within a registration threshold; determining an optical flow based on local motion between consecutive two-dimensional (2D) images taken during the scan, estimating and improving a motion trajectory of a point in the scan using the optical flow; and estimating an amount of motion of a 3D scanner during the scan as a rigid body transformation based on input from a position tracking device.

Abstract: An intraoral scanning system for scanning an intraoral dental structure of a patient in a dental procedure may include an intraoral scanner and one or more processors coupled to the intraoral scanner and programmed with instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the intraoral scanning system to build a 3D model of the intraoral dental structure of the patient based on scan data acquired via the intraoral scanner and output feedback on a display. The feedback may include highlighting a portion of the 3D model that includes scan data that includes a finish line of the intraoral dental structure, wherein the scan indicates that the finish line is not suitable for receiving a prosthetic.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating orthodontic appliances are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes fabricating a shell including a plurality of cavities shaped to receive teeth, fabricating a discontinuity in the shell, and fabricating an elastic member positioned to interact with the discontinuity. At least one of the shell, the discontinuity, or the elastic member can be fabricated using a direct fabrication technique.

Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances for repositioning a patient's teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a movement path to move one or more teeth from an initial arrangement to a target arrangement, determining a force system to produce movement of the one or more teeth along the movement path, and determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance configured to produce the force system. The orthodontic appliance can include an outer shell comprising a plurality of teeth-receiving cavities and an inner structure positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell. The inner structure can have an elastic modulus different than an elastic modulus of the outer shell. The method can also include generating instructions for directly fabricating the orthodontic appliance using a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides protective repositioning appliances, accommodating mouth guards, and covering guards that protect an orthodontic patient against impact-induced injuries, as well as related systems and methods. A protective appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. An accommodating mouth guard can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to accommodate a patient's teeth from a first arrangement to a second arrangement and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. A covering guard can include a guard segment that covers at least a portion of an appliance. The combination of a guard segment and an appliance can provide an occlusal compliance that absorbs impacts.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances and associated methods are provided. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliance includes an appliance shell configured to reposition a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. The appliance shell can include a plurality of shell segments, each shell segment including a first material having a first elastic modulus. The appliance shell can also include a plurality of elastic segments, each elastic segment including a second material having a second elastic modulus less than the first elastic modulus. Each elastic segment can be coupled to a respective adjacent pair of shell segments.

Abstract: In a technique to assess the blurriness of an image, an image of a face is received, the image including a depiction of lips. A processing device determines a region of interest in the image, wherein the region of interest comprises an area inside of the lips. The processing device applies a focus operator to the pixels within the region of interest, and calculates a sharpness metric for the region of interest using an output of the focus operator. The processing device determines whether the sharpness metric satisfies a sharpness criterion, and one or more additional operations are performed responsive to determining that the sharpness metric satisfies the sharpness criterion.

Abstract: Systems for volume manufacturing of items are provided. In some embodiments, a fabrication system is configured to retrieve a fabrication data package including manufacturing data. The system can verify the manufacturing data of the fabrication data package, and transmit the fabrication data package to at least one fabrication terminal configured to perform at least one fabrication process in accordance with the manufacturing data of the fabrication data package. If a predefined fabrication processing time period has not expired, the system can determine a process load associated with at least one additional fabrication data package, and repeating the above processes for the at least one additional fabrication data package, if the process load of the at least one additional fabrication data package is less than a predetermined process load of the fabrication system. If the predefined fabrication processing time period has expired, the system can generate a status report.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for adjusting a tooth position. A system for adjusting a tooth position can include an attachment configured to be attached to a tooth to be moved, a dental appliance including a guide slot configured to receive the attachment and to define an adjustment trajectory of the tooth, and an adjustment band to generate force on the tooth to move the tooth along the adjustment trajectory.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that receive intraoral scan data in response to an optical scan of a surface of the tooth and a material disposed between the tooth and a gingiva surrounding the tooth, the material separating the surrounding gingiva from the tooth and covering a sub-gingival surface of the tooth. The received intraoral scan data is processed to differentiate the first optical scan data associated with the sub-gingival surface of the tooth and the second optical scan data associated with the material covering the sub-gingival surface of the tooth. The three-dimensional model of the tooth is generated based on the first optical scan data that is associated with the sub-gingival surface of the tooth and the third optical scan data associated with the tooth surface that is not covered by the material such that the three-dimensional model of the tooth includes the sub-gingival surface of the tooth.

Abstract: Orthodontic devices such as aligners, palatal expanders, retainers, and dental implants can be used to adjust the position of teeth and to treat various dental irregularities. To help the clinician or doctor (i.e., orthodontist) design and plan the subject's treatment plan, a 3D digital model of the subject's teeth, dentition, and gingiva can be constructed from a 3D scan of the subject's mouth, teeth, dentition, and gingiva. The 3D model of the subject's teeth and dentition can be displayed graphically to the doctor on a display using a computing system with memory and software.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems that utilize a cheek retractor and/or a mobile device holder. The cheek retractor includes a first and a second lip holder to hold a cheek away from a mouth of a user to expose teeth of the user. A mobile device holder can receive a mobile device to capture images of the patient's teeth. These systems may be useful for case assessment and/or dental treatments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a removable dental appliance includes a shell having a number of tooth apertures configured to receive and reposition a number of teeth of a patient along one jaw of a patient, a repositioning jaw element that extends from a buccal or lingual surface of the shell, the element having a first outer surface oriented to face the tongue of the patient surface and a second outer surface oriented to face the cheek of the patient, and a reinforcement member formed along at least one of the first and second outer surfaces to provide reinforcement of the repositioning jaw element.

Abstract: A system for correcting class III malocclusions is disclosed. The system may include a maxilla appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the maxilla and a first coupling for receiving an elastic. The system may also include a mandibular appliance having tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of the mandible. In some embodiments, the system includes a class III corrective appliance having a first mount shaped to engage with the mandibular arch of the patient and having a second coupling shaped to receive the elastic.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating composite images of a patient and models of the patient's dentition are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes generating a plurality of 3D models, each comprising a virtual representation of the patient's dentition at different treatment stages of a treatment plan and obtaining an image of the patient's face and dentition. The method can include projecting the obtained image into a 3D space to create a projected 3D model of the patient's face and dentition. The method can also include generating a plurality of modified images, each representing the patient in a treatment stage of the treatment plan and formed by combining the patient's dentition of one of the 3D models with the patient's face of the projected 3D model. A modified image corresponding to a selected treatment stage and a corresponding 3D model can be provided for display.

Abstract: Systems for modeling a patient's teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a system includes a scanner operable to capture a scanned image of at least a portion of a surface of a first crown component of a first patient tooth, and to generate scanned image data representing a partial portion of the surface of the first crown component. The system can also include a processor configured to create a digital data set representing the scanned image data, select a digital tooth template that includes a second digital crown portion corresponding to the scanned image, create a morphed digital tooth crown model based on the selected digital tooth template, and merge the morphed digital tooth crown model with the digital data set representing the scanned image data of the first patient tooth to generate a complete digital patient tooth crown model.

Abstract: A plurality of occlusal blocks for a mandibular relocation may include a first occlusal block including a first engagement surface and a first side surface with a first undercut formed in the first side surface of the first occlusal block. A second occlusal block may include a second engagement surface to engage the first engagement surface and a second side surface with a second undercut formed in the second side surface of the second occlusal block.

Abstract: A method for dental treatment may include receiving photos capturing a state of a patient's dentition of a patient at a specific time, retrieving a first treatment plan to treat the patient's dentition, identifying an intended arrangement of the first treatment plan at the specific time, evaluating the photo parameters of the photos to generate alignment data to align the intended arrangement of the first treatment plan and the photos, generating an alignment mesh using the alignment data, the alignment mesh comprising a three-dimensional (3D) mesh representation of the patient's dentition at the specific time, performing an evaluation of the first treatment plan for modifications using the alignment mesh, and identifying proposed modifications to the first treatment plan based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A processing device receives intraoral scan data comprising a plurality of intraoral images of a dental site generated during scanning of the dental site by an intraoral scanner, one or more ink markings or other non-rigid indicia having been applied to the dental site prior to the scanning of the dental site, wherein at least two intraoral images of the plurality of intraoral images comprise representations of the one or more ink markings or other non-rigid indica. The processing device performs registration between the plurality of intraoral images and generates a three-dimensional (3D) model of the dental site using the plurality of intraoral images that have undergone registration, the 3D model of the dental site comprising a representation of the one or more ink markings or other non-rigid indica that were applied to the dental site prior to the scanning of the dental site.