Abstract: Systems for force measurement upon orthodontic appliances are described. Generally, a system for measuring a force or moment imparted by an orthodontic appliance may comprise a dentition mold having one or more target teeth each formed upon a fixture and which is movable independently of the dentition mold, a measurement sensor coupled to the fixture, and a processor in communication with the measurement sensor. An orthodontic appliance may be configured for placement upon the dentition mold where the orthodontic appliance imparts a force or moment upon the one or more target teeth such that the force or moment is transmitted to the measurement sensor via the fixture for measurement of the force or moment.

Abstract: Composite materials for orthodontic applications are described herein. Generally, the multi-layer composite material assembly may comprise a first polymeric layer having a first flexural modulus, a second polymeric layer formed upon the first polymeric layer and having a second flexural modulus which is lower than the first flexural modulus, and a third polymeric layer formed upon the second polymeric layer such that the second polymeric layer is positioned between the first polymeric layer and the third polymeric layer, wherein the third polymeric layer has a third flexural modulus equivalent to the first flexural modulus. An additional fourth polymeric layer may be formed upon the third polymeric layer as well.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for reshaping airways concurrently with dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The systems can have a series of two or more oral appliances configured to progressively reposition the maxillary and mandibular teeth in two or more successive steps. Each oral appliance in the series can have one or more maxillary blocks, one or more mandibular blocks, a maxillary oral tray, and a mandibular oral tray. One or more maxillary blocks can be attached to or integrated with the maxillary oral tray. One or more mandibular blocks can be attached to or integrated with the mandibular oral tray. The maxillary and mandibular oral trays can be configured to move one or more teeth from a tooth first position to a tooth second position. The maxillary and mandibular blocks can be configured to interact with one another to treat sleep breathing disorders.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for reshaping airways concurrently with dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The systems can have a series of two or more oral appliances configured to progressively reposition the maxillary and mandibular teeth in two or more successive steps. Each oral appliance in the series can have one or more maxillary blocks, one or more mandibular blocks, a maxillary oral tray, and a mandibular oral tray. One or more maxillary blocks can be attached to or integrated with the maxillary oral tray. One or more mandibular blocks can be attached to or integrated with the mandibular oral tray. The maxillary and mandibular oral trays can be configured to move one or more teeth from a tooth first position to a tooth second position. The maxillary and mandibular blocks can be configured to interact with one another to treat sleep breathing disorders.

Abstract: Smile treatment planning systems and methods are described herein. One method for adjusting an image of a smile may generally comprise receiving a three-dimensional (3D) digital model of a dental arch of a patient, receiving a digital facial image of the patient which includes an image of one or more teeth of the patient when smiling, registering the 3D digital model to the one or more teeth of the patient from the digital facial image, correcting the 3D digital model for scale and distortion to create a corrected 3D digital model, and overlaying the corrected 3D digital model onto the digital facial image.

Abstract: Attachments for tooth movements are described herein where the orthodontic attachments may be formed by obtaining a digital model of a dentition of a subject and digitally placing one or more attachments upon the digital model for imparting one or more preselected movements to the dentition. A finite element model may be formed with one or more forces applied to the dentition and an initial stress map may be created to impart upon the dentition based on the finite element model. A subsequent stress map may be predicted using, e.g., machine learning, to achieve the one or more preselected movements.

Abstract: A bracket attachment system is described herein. One variation of an orthodontic bracket assembly generally comprises a main body having a contact surface for placement against a surface and defining a wire slot therethrough. A covering having a retention member configured to be inserted at least partially into the wire slot when the covering is positioned upon the main body may be included such that when a wire is positioned within the wire slot, the wire may be retained via the retention member in a secured position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cutting and trimming dental molds and oral appliances by receiving a digital model of teeth, determining a cutting loop path and applying a drape wall to the cutting loop to generate a simplified tooth base in a dental mold having an inner arch curve and an outer arch curve. The oral appliance may be formed on the dental mold and a cutter may be applied using a sweeping motion across the inner and outer arch curves.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cutting and trimming dental molds and oral appliances by receiving a digital model of teeth, determining a cutting loop path and applying a drape wall to the cutting loop to generate a simplified tooth base in a dental mold having an inner arch curve and an outer arch curve. The oral appliance may be formed on the dental mold and a cutter may be applied using a sweeping motion across the inner and outer arch curves.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing and storing acquired data relating to one or more dental conditions. The methods can include acquiring a first oral feature in a first data acquisition using a data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature first reference point from the first data acquisition, diagnosing a first dental condition upon confirming that the first oral feature first reference point is associated with the first dental condition, acquiring the first oral feature in a second data acquisition using the data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature second reference point from the second data acquisition, and tracking the progression of the first dental condition by determining a discrepancy between the first oral feature first and second reference points.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for concurrently treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and orthodontically moving teeth. The devices can have an orthodontic aligner and a TMD treatment device. The devices can be configured to concurrently reposition a mandible and orthodontically move one or more teeth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating an oral appliance are described for correcting malocclusions on a dentition of a subject. A three-dimensional representation of the dentition may be captured and a free-form structure having a lattice structure which matches at least part of a surface of the dentition is generated. The lattice structure defines a plurality of open spaces such that the free-form structure is at least partially transparent. The lattice structure may then be manufactured by impregnating or covering a coating into or upon the lattice structure such that the oral appliance is formed.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for concurrently treating temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and orthodontically moving teeth. The devices can have an orthodontic aligner and a TMD treatment device. The devices can be configured to concurrently reposition a mandible and orthodontically move one or more teeth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing and storing acquired data relating to one or more dental conditions. The methods can include acquiring a first oral feature in a first data acquisition using a data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature first reference point from the first data acquisition, diagnosing a first dental condition upon confirming that the first oral feature first reference point is associated with the first dental condition, acquiring the first oral feature in a second data acquisition using the data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature second reference point from the second data acquisition, and tracking the progression of the first dental condition by determining a discrepancy between the first oral feature first and second reference points.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating an oral appliance are described for correcting malocclusions on a dentition of a subject. A three-dimensional representation of the dentition may be captured and a free-form structure having a lattice structure which matches at least part of a surface of the dentition is generated. The lattice structure defines a plurality of open spaces such that the free-form structure is at least partially transparent. The lattice structure may then be manufactured by impregnating or covering a coating into or upon the lattice structure such that the oral appliance is formed.

Abstract: Indirect bonding tray systems are disclosed where the tray may generally comprise one or more individual modules each defining a receiving channel and configured for placement upon a dentition of a subject. A removal tab having a length may extend transversely relative to the individual module and a pivoting portion may be located away from the removal tab such that the removal tab is rotatable about the pivoting portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished by applying a series of labels to a digital dental model and applying a rolling ball process to identify tooth boundaries separating one tooth from a neighboring tooth and to also determine the crown/gum margin. The user may further assign regions to the dental model to indicate hard regions and soft regions. With the dental model labeled and defined, the user may then generate a treatment plan for moving the labeled and defined tooth or teeth relative to one another to correct for any malocclusions. Upon approval of the treatment plan, a series of 3D printed dental appliances or aligners to be worn in series by the patient may be fabricated to ultimately move the tooth or teeth to a desired position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for fabricating a dental or oral appliance utilizing support structures. A three dimensional representation of the dentition of a patient may be captured and reconfigured for correcting one or more malocclusions. The oral appliance may be printed upon an inner structure which supports the oral appliance during fabrication. The inner structure may be subsequently removed once the oral appliance is completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing and storing acquired data relating to one or more dental conditions. The methods can include acquiring a first oral feature in a first data acquisition using a data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature first reference point from the first data acquisition, diagnosing a first dental condition upon confirming that the first oral feature first reference point is associated with the first dental condition, acquiring the first oral feature in a second data acquisition using the data acquisition device, determining a first oral feature second reference point from the second data acquisition, and tracking the progression of the first dental condition by determining a discrepancy between the first oral feature first and second reference points.