Abstract: The invention relates to additively manufactured dental devices comprised of a denture base and at least one removable bracing body joined at specific locations to the denture base. The invention also relates to methods of using these additively manufactured dental devices in the fabrication of dental prostheses.

Abstract: An occlusal splint arrangement having a maxillary miniplast splint and a mandibular miniplast splint, and including a positioning means defining the position of the mandibular miniplast splint with respect to the maxillary miniplast splint in the x-direction. The positioning means is designed like a fixing band transmitting tensile forces, the two ends of the fixing band being fixed to two fastening elements, and the fastening elements being disposed in the left and the right molar region of the mandibular miniplast splint, and a middle section of the fixing band being guided at a guide means, and the guide means being disposed in the incisor region of the maxillary miniplast splint.

Abstract: A method for visualizing patient dentition acquires a contour image of patient dentition and segments the contour image to identify one or more segmented teeth. At least one deciduous tooth among the one or more segmented teeth is identified. A virtual model of a target dentition arrangement of the patient dentition is generated, wherein the at least one deciduous tooth is replaced by a replacement permanent tooth.

Abstract: A device and method for seating orthodontic aligners over the dentition of a user includes a light-based device having a bite plate or mouthpiece, with light-emitting elements, for contacting the aligners. Instructions are provided for using of the light-based aligner seating device by placing the mouthpiece over the aligners, applying light radiation during a predetermined number of sessions throughout a predetermined treatment period, wherein the seating and the fit between the aligners and teeth are better than without use of the light-based device.

Abstract: A mouthpiece device and method for helping human users with congested sinuses breathe freely through their mouths while sleeping while minimizing the risks of dry mouth and drooling. The device fits between the user's jaws and is configured to apply a gentle jaw and lip opening pressure sufficient to at least partially open a sleeping user's jaw and lips while the jaw and lip muscles are relaxed. At the same time, the device is configured to so that when the user, while still sleeping, activates their jaw or lip muscles to swallow, this action overcomes the gentle opening force, allowing the user to easily swallow without conscious effort. Methods of configuring the device shape and opening forces are also taught.

Abstract: An aligner assembly for facilitating an alignment of one or more teeth is disclosed. The aligner assembly includes a shell adapted to receive the one or more teeth. The aligner assembly further includes one or more engagement structures configured to be coupled to one of the one or more teeth or the shell. Each engagement structure includes a slot and adapted to engage with the shell for facilitating a reposition of the one or more teeth.

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: 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: Methods and systems are provided for generating a treatment plan for arch expansion where a polymeric shell appliance is utilized to generate one or more activation forces that facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A first appliance and a second appliance comprise engagement surfaces that provide mandibular relocation forces and forces to limit lateral movement of the jaw, such as opposing inclined surfaces on opposite sides of the mouth. In some embodiments, engagement surfaces between oral appliances comprise a curvature difference, which allows engagement at differing angles and positions.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject's teeth. A target configuration for the subject's teeth is determined. Receiving features are produced on a dental base in response to the target configuration, the receiving features being configured to receive physical tooth models. The physical tooth models are assembled on the dental base to form a physical arch model. A dental aligner is produced using the physical arch model to move the subject's teeth to the target configuration.

Abstract: A method for orthodontic treatment includes providing a first set of aligners to a user. The first set of aligners includes a first aligner, a second aligner, and a third aligner configured to move a tooth of a user. The first aligner, the second aligner, and the third aligner are created using a single physical dental model and are substantially the same shape. The first aligner has a first thickness, the second aligner has a second thickness, and the third aligner has a third thickness. The first thickness is different than the second thickness and the third thickness, and the second thickness is at least substantially equivalent to the third thickness.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet comprising first, second, and third layers is provided. The first layer consists of a co-polyester having an elongation at break of greater than 70%. The second layer consists of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer having an elongation at break of greater than 200% and a hardness of about 60 A to about 85 D. The first layer has a hardness greater than the hardness of the second layer. A mold is provided and the multilayer sheet is thermoformed over the mold to form a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities configured to receive and position a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. Excess material is trimmed from the thermoformed multilayer sheet to form the multilayer dental aligner.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet comprising first and second layers is provided. The first layer consists of a co-polyester. The second layer consists of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer having an elongation at break of greater than 200%, a hardness of 60A to 85D, an ultimate tensile strength of greater than about 5000 psi, and a light transmission between 400 nm and 800 nm of greater than about 75%. A mold is provided and the multilayer sheet is thermoformed over the mold to form a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities configured to receive and reposition a patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement. Excess material is trimmed from the thermoformed multilayer sheet to form a multilayer dental aligner.

Abstract: Aligners and orthodontic systems are provided. In some embodiments, an aligner includes a polymeric shell including a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities, an interior layer, and an exterior layer. The exterior layer can comprise a discontinuity formed therein. When the aligner is worn on a patient's teeth, the interior layer can interact with the discontinuity to impart one or more forces to facilitate repositioning of the patient's teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is constructed from shells shaped to receive teeth. The shells can be constructed from one or more polymer materials and stacked and also varyingly affixed to one another, which can include affixing only about the edge of each shell. The orthodontic appliance can be one of a series of similar appliances for incremental orthodontic modification of teeth.

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: An example removable dental appliance includes an appliance body configured to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth of a dental arch of a patient. The appliance body includes a shell shaped to engage a tooth in an initial position and a gingival ridge extending from a mesial interproximal region along a gingival edge of the shell to a distal interproximal region. The gingival ridge is configured to engage a lingual or labial surface of the tooth below a height of contour of the tooth to enable the appliance body to apply a force vector at a contact point on the tooth to cause movement of the tooth toward a desired position of the tooth when the removable dental appliance is worn by the patient.

Abstract: A mandible support device for use with the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of a patient includes a first tray configured to engage one or more of the maxillary teeth, a second tray configured to engage one or more of the mandibular teeth, and a spacer having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is coupled to the first tray and the second surface is coupled to the second tray. The spacer is configured to position the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation.

Abstract: A method for producing an orthodontic or dental appliance includes laminating a layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a layer of polyethylene to form a multilayer film, forming the multilayer film into the shape of an orthodontic appliance, trimming the formed film to a desired shape, and removing the layer of polyethylene. In one embodiment, the appliance is a multi-layer structure formed from two adjacent layers of PET with a plurality of functional elements such as sensors or actuators between the two layers.

Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance to implement a stage of a treatment plan includes a number of tooth-receiving cavities configured to receive and resiliently reposition teeth on a first jaw from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement and at least one tab. The at least one tab can include a mesial end coupled to at least one of the number of tooth receiving cavities, a distal end defining a distal end of the dental appliance, an exterior surface configured to mate with an opposing dental appliance on a second jaw or an opposing tooth on the second jaw, the second jaw opposing the first jaw, and an interior surface opposite to the exterior surface, the interior surface configured to receive a coronal surface of an erupting tooth and manage eruption of the erupting tooth during the stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A retainer for stabilizing a position of teeth of a human dentition, the retainer comprising: an arc that has a parabolic curvature overall so that the retainer is applicable to teeth of an upper jaw or lower jaw of a patient to be treated, wherein the retainer includes a plurality of local shapes that are arranged along a center line of the retainer and that are oriented perpendicular to the center line, wherein the local shapes are respectively adapted to cooperate with interdental spaces between adjacent teeth, wherein the retainer is integrally provided in one piece from a thermoplastic synthetic material which is configured to be processed by a SD pressure method.

Abstract: The example systems, methods, and/or computer-readable media described herein help with design of highly accurate models of un-erupted or partially erupted teeth and help fabricate of aligners for un-erupted or partially erupted teeth. Automated agents that use machine learning models to parametrically represent three-dimensional (3d) virtual representations of teeth as 3D descriptors in a 3D descriptor space are provided herein. In some implementations, the automated agents described herein provide instructions to fabricate aligners for at least partially un-erupted teeth using representative 3D descriptor(s) of a tooth type.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining hook and or positioning feature placements during dental treatment planning. A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. A target tooth may be identified. Hook and or positioning feature placement may be determined based on satisfying manufacturing and clinical constraints. The hook or positioning features can be input into a dental treatment planning system.

Abstract: A dental retainer including one or more of a retaining body having a plurality of dental impressions to receive teeth, a pair of passthrough openings adapted to allow passage of one or more molars, premolars, and canines, and an aperture disposed adjacent the lingual surface of the incisors.

Abstract: An aqueous oral care fluoride treatment composition, a method of providing fluoride to a patients tooth surface, and a method of reducing the incidence of dental caries, wherein the composition includes: 0.5 wt-% to 4.8 wt-% of a water-soluble cationic N-containing polymer; a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer; 1.0 wt-% to 2.5 wt-% of sodium fluoride; and at least 60 wt-% water; wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the aqueous composition.

Abstract: Multilayer polymer sheets are provided, as well as related methods, systems, and appliances.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes determining an appliance geometry for an orthodontic appliance. The appliance geometry can include a plurality of power arms including a first power arm having a first connection point for connecting to a shell, and a second power arm having a second connection point for connecting to the shell or a tooth. The appliance geometry can also include an elongate connecting structure coupled to the first and second power arms, and an elongate counter-force connector coupled to the first power arm and extending toward the second power arm. The elongate connecting structure and the elongate counter-force connector can be coupled to the first power arm at respective locations separate from the first connection point. The elongate connecting structure can be coupled to the second power arm at a location separate from the second connection point.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances and systems are provided. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliance for repositioning a patient's teeth includes a first shell section shaped to receive a first portion of the patient's teeth and a first discontinuity formed on the first shell section, and a second shell section shaped to receive a second portion of the patient's teeth and a second discontinuity formed on the second shell section. The orthodontic appliance can also include a first elastic member coupled to the first shell section, such that the first elastic member interacts with the first discontinuity to exert a first force on the first portion of the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance can also include a second elastic member coupled to the second shell section, such that the second elastic member interacts with the second discontinuity to exert a second force on the second portion of the patient's teeth.

Abstract: Multilayer polymer sheets are provided, as well as related methods, systems, and appliances.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance can include a shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive a patient's teeth is disclosed. The orthodontic appliance may comprise an interior surface and an exterior surface, and an elastic coating covering at least a portion of one or more of the interior surface or exterior surface of the shell. A stiffness of a portion of the orthodontic appliance corresponding to the portion of the shell covered by the elastic coating can be determined by a stiffness of the elastic coating.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance may include an outer shell having a plurality of cavities shaped to receive the patient's teeth and generate one or more of a force or a torque in response to the appliance being worn on the patient's teeth. The orthodontic appliance may also include an inner structure having a stiffness different than a stiffness of the outer shell. The inner structure can be positioned on an inner surface of the outer shell in order to distribute the one or more of a force or a torque to at least one tooth received within the plurality of cavities.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for expanding arch of teeth. A device for expanding an arch of teeth of a patient can include a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein. The number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient. A device for expanding an arch of teeth of a patient can include an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across an arch width of the removable shell. The arch element can be formed of the first material and a second material that is a different material than the first material, can be designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, and can have a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to marking orthodontic devices. In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base that is additively manufactured and comprising a plurality of wells configured to house orthodontic appliances and a marking integral to the base, wherein the marking identifies one or more of the orthodontic appliances and locations for the orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliances comprises a body including features and a bonding surface, wherein the orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured and includes a marking integral to the orthodontic appliance, wherein the marking is located on one or more of the body and the bonding surface.

Abstract: A series of appliances including a first appliance and a second appliance. The first appliance can be configured to receive at least one tooth of a first jaw and have a first number of bite adjustment structures extending from the lingual surface of the first appliance. The first number of bite adjustment structures can have a first shape and location specific to a first stage of the treatment plan. The second appliance can be configured to receive at least one tooth of the second jaw, have a second number of bite adjustment structures extending from the second appliance and be designed to make contact with the first number of bite adjustment structures.

Abstract: An oral appliance having an upper tray, a lower tray, and axial inserts attached to either the upper tray or lower tray to adjust the relative position of a user's upper jaw and lower jaw in order to treat sleep apnea and/or snoring while at the same time allowing orthodontic treatment of the subject.

Abstract: A method of producing a custom dental anchor application appliance may be provided. The appliance may be for mounting one or more anchors to teeth of a patient. The appliance may be for use in orthodontic aligner treatment. The method may include forming a dental appliance. The forming may be done using a three-dimensional printing approach. The appliance may include a body. The body may include at least one anchor-locating area. The anchor-locating area may be shaped to conform to a mounting area on a surface of a tooth. The appliance may include a receiving structure. The receiving structure may be configured to removably support a dental anchor. The dental anchor may be of a predefined configuration in a fixed position and orientation relative to the body.

Abstract: A method for producing a shape memory band of an orthodontic appliance. The shape memory band is one piece, has a cross section that can vary according to the longitudinal position of said cross section, and includes a bonding zone configured so as to exhibit a shape substantially identical to that of a tooth. The method includes: determining an orthodontic treatment suitable for treating the teeth, determining a set of forces to be exerted locally on the teeth in order to obtain the orthodontic treatment and the shape of the surface of the teeth to which bonding zones of the shape memory band are to be bonded, and producing the shape memory band. The local cross section of the shape memory band is determined according to the forces and in such a way as to define bonding zones substantially identical to the surfaces of the teeth.

Abstract: Direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners with torque, rotation, and full-control anchors divots are provided. An example process generates multiple virtual models of orthodontic treatment based on progressive moduli of elasticity (MOE) of different materials that will be used to 3D-print a progressive set of 3D-printed aligners. A progression of 3D-printed aligners applies modeled forces to the divot anchors positioned by the models and to the teeth, in treatment stages that are also computed by the models. One class of the example 3D-printed aligners may have flat occlusal biting surfaces, enabling simultaneous treatment of bite correction, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), lower jaw growth, and sleep apnea, along with orthodontic movement of teeth. An example 3D-printed aligner has a micro blower for creating air pressure to treat apnea. The aligner may have a microprocessor, sensors, data handling, and data transmission, for controlling actions of the 3D-printed aligner.

Abstract: A device includes an antenna, markers disposed inside the device and configured to be movable inside the device to measure positions of a first tooth and a second tooth among teeth in the oral cavity, a sensor module measuring positions of the markers, and at least one of a distance between a reference point set in the device and at least one of the first tooth and the second tooth and a distance between the first tooth and the second tooth based on the measured positions of the plurality of markers. The device further includes a communication module transmitting to an external device at least one of information about the measured distance between the reference point set in the device and the at least one of the first tooth and the second tooth and information about the measured distance between the first tooth and the second tooth through the antenna.

Abstract: Inventions herein include at least mostly optically clear orthodontic braces and feet orthotics (collectively referred to as “appliances”) with backscatter based sensors. These two categories of appliances share a common property requiring that the given appliance must be correctly custom manufactured to fit a patient's own particular geometry and dimensions of their teeth and/or feet in order to perform as intended. Incorporating such appliances with backscatter based sensors enables simple, easy, fast, efficient, and cost effective measurements, in real-time or near real-time, of stresses, forces, structural changes, and/or the like in the given appliance; which in turn can aid in determining if adjustments or re-manufacture of the appliance may be needed or desired; and/or wherein such measurements may aid in evaluating performance of the given appliance. In some embodiments, such measurements may also be taken remotely away from a practitioner; and then communicated to a remotely located practitioner.

Abstract: An orthodontic positioning device including a patient removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth provided in one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw and comprising a cutout operable to expose an orthodontic elastic band receiving member.

Abstract: A bone foundation guide system and method, the system could includes a bone foundation guide including a body forming an open surgical space, the body further having a bottom contoured to reversibly affix to exposed bone of a dental surgical site and a top contoured to match a bottom side of a dental implant surgical guide; at least one anchoring strut that removably attaches to the body with an apex of the anchoring strut further denoting one or more indentations for matching up with and receiving one or more portions of one alveolar ridge that opposes another alveolar ridge supporting the dental surgical site; alternatively to the anchoring struts and a tissue spacing gasket, the dental implant surgical guide that removably connects to the body; and alternatively to the anchoring struts or the dental implant surgical guide, the tissue spacing gasket that removably connects to the body.

Abstract: This invention presents an intraoral device for generation of contact perception between teeth, the device being configured for application to the upper or lower dental arch of a user and comprising a contact means (20, 20?) configured to be associated with at least a portion of one to four posterior teeth (D1) of the upper or lower dental arch, the device (10) being configured to generate a perception of contact to the user upon the contact between the contact means (20, 20?) and at least a portion of the opposing arch to at least a portion of one to four posterior teeth (D1), offering the option of an accessible intraoral device for practical use to the user, and that does not impair the mouth functions of the user during its use in the waking period. This invention further comprises a method of applying the device which allows the user to apply the device without assistance of a skilled professional, and a method for determining the thickness of the aforesaid device.

Abstract: A multilayer sheet for a dental appliance provided in the present disclosure includes a core layer having a tensile modulus greater than about 1400 MPa and an elongation at break greater than about 3%; and a first skin layer and a second skin layer sandwiching the core layer, wherein each of the first skin layer and the second skin layer independently has a water contact angle greater than 72° and/or a surface energy less than about 40 mN/m. The first skin layer and the second skin layer are the outermost layers of the multilayer sheet. A dental appliance made from the multilayer sheet structure is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clear orthodontic tray system and methods of making and using the same. The clear orthodontic tray system comprises pre-fabricated attachment device.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to aligners that are capable of immobilizing a patient's jaw after orthognathic surgery while also applying forces to reposition a patient's teeth. In embodiments, a processor determines, for a treatment stage, a dentition for an upper dental arch and a lower dental arch. The processor applies one or more stabilizing features to the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch. The processor determines whether the one or more stabilizing features will prevent jaw movement while the upper dental arch is engaged with the lower dental arch. Responsive to a determination that the one or more stabilizing features will prevent the jaw movement, the processor stores a first digital model comprising the dentition for the upper arch and the one or more stabilizing features for the upper arch and stores a second digital model comprising the planned dentition for the lower arch and the one or more stabilizing features for the lower arch for each increment of treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is constructed from shells shaped to receive teeth. The shells can be constructed from one or more polymer materials and stacked and also varyingly affixed to one another, which can include affixing only about the edge of each shell. The orthodontic appliance can be one of a series of similar appliances for incremental orthodontic modification of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction.