Abstract: Systems and method for fabrication of dental appliances are provided. An example method includes receiving data identifying approximate locations of individual teeth in a three-dimensional digital dental model representing an impressioned position of a patient's dentition. The example method may also include generating component models corresponding to individual teeth for each of the identified approximate locations. The component models may be disposed at initial positions based on the impressioned position of the patient's dentition. The example method also includes determining target positions for the component models and generating a tooth-positioning appliance design based on the determined target positions for the component models. The method may also include causing a tooth-positioning appliance to be fabricated based on the tooth-positioning appliance design.

Abstract: Tooth-positioning appliances and apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for producing and using tooth-positioning appliances are provided. An example tooth-positioning appliance for adjusting the position of teeth of a patient includes a tooth-clasping arrangement shaped to secure the orthodontic appliance to at least one tooth and a flexible arrangement connected to the tooth-clasping arrangement. The flexible arrangement is less rigid than the tooth-clasping arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and method for fabrication of dental appliances are provided. An example method includes receiving data identifying approximate locations of individual teeth in a three-dimensional digital dental model representing an impressioned position of a patient's dentition. The example method may also include generating component models corresponding to individual teeth for each of the identified approximate locations. The component models may be disposed at initial positions based on the impressioned position of the patient's dentition. The example method also includes determining target positions for the component models and generating a tooth-positioning appliance design based on the determined target positions for the component models. The method may also include causing a tooth-positioning appliance to be fabricated based on the tooth-positioning appliance design.

Abstract: Tooth-positioning appliances and apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for producing and using tooth-positioning appliances are provided. An example tooth-positioning appliance for adjusting the position of teeth of a patient includes a tooth-clasping arrangement shaped to secure the orthodontic appliance to at least one tooth and a flexible arrangement connected to the tooth-clasping arrangement. The flexible arrangement is less rigid than the tooth-clasping arrangement.

Abstract: A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.

Abstract: Systems and method for fabrication of dental appliances are provided. An example method includes receiving data identifying approximate locations of individual teeth in a three-dimensional digital dental model representing an impressioned position of a patient's dentition. The example method may also include generating component models corresponding to individual teeth for each of the identified approximate locations. The component models may be disposed at initial positions based on the impressioned position of the patient's dentition. The example method also includes determining target positions for the component models and generating a tooth-positioning appliance design based on the determined target positions for the component models. The method may also include causing a tooth-positioning appliance to be fabricated based on the tooth-positioning appliance design.

Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.

Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.

Abstract: A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

Abstract: A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

Abstract: Tooth-positioning appliances and apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for producing and using tooth-positioning appliances are provided. An example tooth-positioning appliance for adjusting the position of teeth of a patient includes a tooth-clasping arrangement shaped to secure the orthodontic appliance to at least one tooth and a flexible arrangement connected to the tooth-clasping arrangement. The flexible arrangement is less rigid than the tooth-clasping arrangement.

Abstract: A tooth-positioning appliance for closing spaces has at least two appliance segments, each segment having a thin elastomeric shell with recesses for removably engaging a set of teeth, and tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging bonded attachments protruding from the teeth. One of the appliance segments includes a flat receptacle extending horizontally on the thin shell of the appliance segment, and the other appliance segment has a thin elongated tab extending laterally from the second appliance segment spanning the space to be closed, and in sliding engagement with the flat receptacle of the other appliance segment. An activating element is connected between the appliance segments to exert a force to change the size of the space between the sets of teeth as the tab slides with respect to the flat receptacle.

Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.