Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making an orthodontic article. The method includes (a) providing a photopolymerizable composition; (b) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition using actinic radiation to form an article in the shape of an orthodontic article including a number of layers of at least one photopolymerized polymer; and (c) moving the article and thereby generating a mass inertial force in the uncured photopolymerizable composition. The article has a first surface, and no more than 75% of the first surface has a slope magnitude greater than 2.5 degrees. Orthodontic articles are also provided, including an orthodontic article that is prepared according to the method. Orthodontic articles having low extractable component content are further provided. The mass inertial force tends to form a coating layer of uncured photopolymerizable composition on the article, and curing the coating layer can form a surface having low slope magnitude.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making an orthodontic article. The method includes (a) providing a photopolymerizable composition; (b) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition using actinic radiation to form an article in the shape of an orthodontic article including a number of layers of at least one photopolymerized polymer; and (c) moving the article and thereby generating a mass inertial force in the uncured photopolymerizable composition. The article has a first surface, and no more than 75% of the first surface has a slope magnitude greater than 2.5 degrees. Orthodontic articles are also provided, including an orthodontic article that is prepared according to the method. Orthodontic articles having low extractable component content are further provided. The mass inertial force tends to form a coating layer of uncured photopolymerizable composition on the article, and curing the coating layer can form a surface having low slope magnitude.

Abstract: Attachments of the present disclosure combines the optimal practices of the traditional bracket-wire system and more recent resilient appliance (e.g., CTAs and polymeric bands) systems. The attachments include prescribed in/outs, torques and angulations designed utilizing the straight wire methodology for determining the bonding location on a particular tooth of the dental arch. A marriage of bracket prescription with attachment placement can help the treating professional to better visualize the treatment outcome with the tray or band on the patient.

Abstract: An orthodontic article is described comprising the reaction product of a free-radically polymerizable resin; a first free-radical photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a first wavelength range; and a second free-radical initiator selected from a second photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is different than the first wavelength range, or a thermal free-radical initiator. In some embodiments, the first free-radical photoinitiator exhibits a maximum absorbance at a wavelength of the range of 370-380 nm or 320-330 nm and/or comprises photoinitiator groups selected from acyl phosphine oxide or alkyl amine acetophenone. Also described are photopolymerizable compositions and methods.

Abstract: Orthodontic articles and polymerizable resin compositions are described. The orthodontic article comprises a cured composition comprising the reaction product of free-radically polymerizable resin comprising 30 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of at least one urethane component, and 25 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of reactive diluent(s) comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The polymerizable resin comprises no greater than 35 wt. % of reactive diluent(s) having a high affinity for water. Reactive diluent(s) such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers having a high affinity for water have low log P values. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin comprises at least one acidic monomer.

Abstract: Trays for indirect bonding orthodontic appliances to a patient's teeth and methods of bonding orthodontic appliances to patient's teeth, using a custom patient-specific mold body that optimizes the placement of the orthodontic appliances on the patient's teeth. Method of designing such trays for indirect bonding orthodontic appliances are also included.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for building a three-dimensional object using a printable composition including high viscosity polymerizable components. The method includes the steps of a) providing a printable composition comprising a high viscosity polymerizable component and a temporary solvent; b) selectively curing the printable composition to form an article representing the shape of the three-dimensional object; and c) removing a substantial amount of the temporary solvent from the article. The method is particularly well suited to making an orthodontic clear tray aligner. Also disclosed are a variety of printable compositions including high viscosity polymerizable components, such as polyurethane methacrylates, and temporary solvents.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photopolymerizable composition comprising 50-90 wt % of at least one urethane component, 5-50 wt % of at least one reactive diluent, 0.1-5 wt % of a photoinitiator, and optionally an inhibitor, wherein said composition has a viscosity at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius of 10 Pa·s or less, as determined using a magnetic bearing rheometer using a 40 mm cone and plate measuring system at a shear rate of 0.1 l/s. The present disclosure also provides an article including the reaction product of the photopolymerizable composition, in which the article exhibits an elongation at break of 25% or greater. Further, the present disclosure provides a method of making an article including (i) providing a photopolymerizable composition and (ii) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition to form an article. The method optionally also includes (iii) curing unpolymerized urethane component and/or reactive diluent remaining after step (ii).

Abstract: Orthodontic articles and polymerizable resin compositions are described. The orthodontic article comprises a cured composition comprising the reaction product of free-radically polymerizable resin comprising 30 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of at least one urethane component, and 25 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of reactive diluent(s) comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The polymerizable resin comprises no greater than 35 wt. % of reactive diluent(s) having a high affinity for water. Reactive diluent(s) such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers having a high affinity for water have low log P values. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin comprises at least one acidic monomer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes articles, systems, and techniques including an additive manufactured orthodontic attachment including a body defining a retaining member configured to retain the article in a recess defined by a shell of a transfer tray; a coupling portion configured to engage a tool for insertion of the attachment into the recess of the transfer tray; and a bonding surface configured to bond the attachment to a portion of an outer surface of a tooth of a patient.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions suitable for use for 3D printed (e.g. orthodontic) articles, especially orthodontic alignment trays, are described. The polymerizable composition comprises a) 30-70 parts by weight of (meth)acrylate monomer(s); and b) urethane (meth)acrylate polymer; wherein the reaction product comprises at least 1 wt. % polymerized units of a multifunctional compound comprising pendent cyclic moieties. The orthodontic article comprises the reaction product of a polymerizable composition as described herein. The urethane (meth)acrylate polymer typically comprises polymerized units of a multifunctional compound comprising pendent cyclic moieties and/or at least one (meth)acrylate monomer comprises polymerized units of a multifunctional compound comprising pendent cyclic moieties. Also described are methods of making an article, non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising data representing a three-dimensional model of an article, and systems.

Abstract: A dental appliance for positioning a patients teeth includes a polymeric shell with a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth. The polymeric shell includes at least 3 alternating polymeric layers AB, wherein layer A includes a thermoplastic polymer A, layer B includes a thermoplastic polymer B, and the thermoplastic polymer B is different from the thermoplastic polymer A. Each of the thermoplastic polymers A and B have a flexural modulus of about 1.0 GPa to about 4.0 GPa; and each of the thermoplastic polymers A and B have a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 40° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of making an orthodontic article. The method includes (a) providing a photopolymerizable composition; (b) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition using actinic radiation to form an article in the shape of an orthodontic article including a number of layers of at least one photopolymerized polymer; and (c) moving the article and thereby generating a mass inertial force in the uncured photopolymerizable composition. The article has a first surface, and no more than 75% of the first surface has a slope magnitude greater than 2.5 degrees. Orthodontic articles are also provided, including an orthodontic article that is prepared according to the method. Orthodontic articles having low extractable component content are further provided. The mass inertial force tends to form a coating layer of uncured photopolymerizable composition on the article, and curing the coating layer can form a surface having low slope magnitude.

Abstract: An orthodontic article is described comprising a cured composition comprising the reaction product of free-radically polymerizable resin comprising at least one monomer, oligomer and/or polymer, comprising at least two (meth)acryl moieties; a monofunctional reactive diluent; and a polymer or macromolecule comprising a free-radical photoinitiator group. The polymer or macromolecule has a molecular weight of at least 500 g/mole. In one embodiment, the cured composition comprises a first and second photoinitiator wherein at least one is a polymer or macromolecule. Also described are photopolymerizable compositions and methods.

Abstract: A dental appliance is described, the dental appliance including a polymeric substrate with a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth, an arrangement of engineered microstructures on the substrate wherein the engineered microstructures include a therapeutic agent. The microstructures may be three-dimensionally engineered on a polymeric film disposed on a major surface of the polymeric substrate, wherein the microstructures extend outwards from the surface. The microstructures also comprise a compound releasable from the three-dimensionally engineered microstructures over a predetermined patient wear time.

Abstract: A dental appliance includes a polymeric shell with a first major surface having a plurality of cavities for receiving one or more teeth, and a layer of a metal oxide MOx on the first major surface.

Abstract: Orthodontic articles and polymerizable resin compositions are described. The orthodontic article comprises a cured composition comprising the reaction product of free-radically polymerizable resin comprising 30 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of at least one urethane component, and 25 to 70 wt. %, inclusive, of reactive diluent(s) comprising at least one monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The polymerizable resin comprises no greater than 35 wt. % of reactive diluent(s) having a high affinity for water. Reactive diluent(s) such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers having a high affinity for water have low log P values. In one embodiment, the polymerizable resin comprises at least one acidic monomer.

Abstract: An orthodontic article is described comprising the reaction product of a free-radically polymerizable resin; a first free-radical photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a first wavelength range; and a second free-radical initiator selected from a second photoinitiator having sufficient absorbance at a second wavelength range, wherein the second wavelength range is different than the first wavelength range, or a thermal free-radical initiator. In some embodiments, a 1 g/liter acetonitrile solution, at a pathlength of 1 cm, has an absorbance of greater than 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.10 at a wavelength of the first wavelength range when measured with a spectrophotometer. In some embodiments, the first free-radical photoinitiator exhibits a maximum absorbance at a wavelength of the range of 370-380 nm or 320-330 nm and/or comprises photoinitiator groups selected from acyl phosphine oxide or alkyl amine acetophenone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a photopolymerizable composition comprising 50-90 wt % of at least one urethane component, 5-50 wt % of at least one reactive diluent, 0.1-5 wt % of a photoinitiator, and optionally an inhibitor, wherein said composition has a viscosity at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius of 10 Pa·s or less, as determined using a magnetic bearing rheometer using a 40 mm cone and plate measuring system at a shear rate of 0.1 l/s. The present disclosure also provides an article including the reaction product of the photopolymerizable composition, in which the article exhibits an elongation at break of 25% or greater. Further, the present disclosure provides a method of making an article including (i) providing a photopolymerizable composition and (ii) selectively curing the photopolymerizable composition to form an article. The method optionally also includes (iii) curing unpolymerized urethane component and/or reactive diluent remaining after step (ii).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides engineered surfaces that exhibit reduced specular reflection and gloss while still providing a high intensity of reflected light at multiple incident angles. The structured metal surfaces include engineered topography that increases diffuse reflection, leading to a greater intensity of light perceived at multiple viewing angles. A viewer engaging such surfaces is likely to perceive a stronger ‘white’ reflection of the incident light and an improvement, particularly in orthodontic and other oral applications, of aesthetic appearance. Methods of creating the engineered surfaces and orthodontic articles incorporating the engineered surfaces are also disclosed.