Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.

Abstract: Methods for simulating orthodontic treatment are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes capturing a first representation, the first representation including a depiction of a patient's teeth. The method can include building a parametric model of the patient's teeth based on the first representation, using one or more case-specific parameters for one or more shapes associated with at least one of the patient's teeth. The method can also include simulating an outcome of a dental treatment plan for the patient's teeth to produce a simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan. The method can further include modifying the parametric model to provide a modified model representing the simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan.

Abstract: A system for packaging mass-customized items includes a computer system including a database containing item identification information unique to each item; (2) outer container identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each outer container in a plurality of outer containers; (3) inner pack identification apparatus that applies the item identification information received from the database to each inner pack in a plurality of inner packs; and (4) inner pack filling apparatus that fills each inner pack with a specific item matched to that inner pack by the item identification information received from the database. Each item is associated with its unique item identification information and is inserted into an inner pack with matching item identification information, and each outer container is presented for loading with one or more inner packs matched to that outer container by the item identification information received from the database.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient's jaw, and providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the patient. The virtual model of the dental appliance including repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell configured to move a position of the misaligned jaw of the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and processes to control multiple temperatures in additive manufacturing. Such temperature control adjusts polymer properties and facilitates processing of materials to form 3D objects. The systems and processes disclosed herein also facilitate the processing of typically difficult-to-process materials and deliver such materials to a photocuring zone configured to photopolymerize materials into 3 dimensional objects with a layer-by-layer process. Such processes can include the steps of heating a resin to a flowable temperature, applying the resin to a carrier, cooling the film to increase viscosity or to solidify the resin, and applying the film containing the resin onto an area being printed, then photocuring the film. Also provided herein are resins and related polymer materials having properties that are tunable with exposure to more than one temperature zone. The formed polymers can include multiple regions of polymer material, each independently having distinct properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining if a 3D tooth model requires trimming or removal of incomplete or missing data (e.g., gingiva covering a portion of a tooth such as a molar). A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. Raw dental features, principal component analysis (PCA) features, and/or other features may be extracted and compared to those of other teeth, such as those obtained through automated machine learning systems. A classifier can identify and/or output probability that the 3D tooth model requires trimming. Trimming of the 3D tooth model can be implemented without human intervention.

Abstract: A scan model that is a mathematical model to simulate an imaging process performed by an x-ray imaging device that created a two-dimensional x-ray image of at least one tooth is generated. The scan model uses an initial estimate of one or more parameters of the x-ray imaging device. The one or more parameters include a scan angle parameter indicative of a scan angle of the x-ray imaging device. A two-dimensional contour of a three-dimensional model is adjusted to cause a first component of the two-dimensional contour to approximately align with a second component of the two-dimensional x-ray image. The scan model is calibrated based on data obtained from adjusting the two-dimensional contour.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for manufacturing a physical dental model. A virtual model is provided representative of at least a portion of the intra-oral cavity including at least one dental implant implanted therein, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representative of each dental implant. The virtual spatial disposition of each such virtual portion is determined with respect to the virtual model, corresponding to a real spatial disposition of the respective implant with respect to the intra oral cavity. A physical model is then manufactured based on the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to each implant at a respective physical spatial disposition with respect to the physical model corresponding to the respective virtual spatial disposition of the respective virtual portion with respect to the first virtual model as already determined.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to adding customized cut line information to a shell that is to be formed over mold of a dental arch. In one embodiment, a processing device generates or receives a digital three-dimensional model of a mold for a dental arch of a patient. The processing device determines a cut line for a shell that is to be formed over the mold for the dental arch of the patient. The processing device then supplements the digital three-dimensional model by adding an auxiliary structure to the digital three-dimensional model, wherein the auxiliary structure comprises at least one of an elevation or a depression that extends along the cut line in the digital three-dimensional model, wherein the auxiliary structure will cause the shell formed over the mold to have an impression of the auxiliary structure that identifies the cut line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses (including systems and devices), including computer-implemented methods for segmenting, correcting and/or modifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of a subject's oral cavity to determine individual components such as teeth, gingiva, tongue, palate, etc., that may be selective and/or collectively digitally manipulated. In some implementations, artificial intelligence uses libraries of labeled 2D images and 3D dental models to learn how to segment a 3D dental model of a subject's oral cavity using 2D images, height map and/or other data and projection values that relate the 2D images to the 3D model. As noted herein, the dental classes can include a variety of intra-oral and extra-oral objects and can be represented as binary values, discrete values, a continuum of height map data, etc. In some implementations, several dental classes are predicted concurrently.

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

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 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: 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: Systems and methods of simulating dental treatments are disclosed. A method may include capturing a first 2D image of a patient's face, including the patient's teeth, building a parametric 3D model of the patient's teeth and gingiva based on the first 2D image, developing a simulated outcome of a dental treatment of the patient's teeth by rendering the parametric 3D model with the patient's teeth in one or more positions and/or orientations corresponding to the treatment goals of the dental treatment plan, and rendering a second 2D image of the patient's face with gingiva and teeth according to a simulated outcome of the dental treatment plan. As noted herein, the dental treatment plan may include orthodontic and/or restorative elements. The simulated outcome may correspond to estimated outcomes and/or intended outcomes of the dental treatment plan.

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: An apparatus for dental imaging comprises a light source for generating light, an optics system for focusing the light, and a probe head. The light source, the optics system and the probe head are arranged such that the light passes through the optics system, passes through the probe head, and exits the probe head. The optics system is configured such that chief rays of the light before entering the probe head are divergent to each other, wherein an angle defined by a marginal ray of an outermost beam of the light is complementary to an angle defined by an extreme off-axis chief ray of the light with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include identifying a misaligned jaw of a patient from a virtual image of the patient's jaw, providing a treatment plan for the patient including a virtual model of a dental appliance having a first shell and a second shell configured to reposition at least one tooth of the patient, and adjusting the position of the repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell to comply with a number of constraints. The virtual model of the dental appliance including repositioning jaw elements on the first shell and the second shell configured to move a position of the misaligned jaw of the patient.