Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting and correcting deviation during an orthodontic treatment plan is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving an un-segmented current teeth image representing a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun and before the plan ends for the patient; matching a previously segmented teeth model with the current teeth image; and generating at least one corrective stage to define an intermediate tooth arrangement, wherein the at least one corrective stage repositions a digital teeth image so that a prescribed tooth arrangement of the previously segmented teeth model can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a cutting tool includes a cutting system that includes a cutting tool that includes a tip configured to cut material thermoformed to a dental model. The cutting system is configured to determine, based on a cut line generated for the cutting tool to cut a dental aligner from material thermoformed onto a dental mold, a target tool vector defined by an angle of a tip of the cutting tool with respect to a surface of the dental model at the cut line, compare the target tool vector to a constraint of the cutting tool, and adjust a position of the tip of the cutting tool with respect to the cut line to compensate for the target tool vector being outside the constraint of the cutting tool.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of an orthodontic device having tooth-fitting cavities, such as an aligner, using layer-by-layer printing of a single or multiple polymeric materials. The cavities of the appliance or an appliance mold are defined by the boundaries of the multiple layers, encapsulating up to fourteen teeth of a patient, and shaped to apply a load to at least one tooth that is sufficient to cause movement of the tooth, and remodeling of the adjacent bone. In the case where the cavities form an appliance mold, the mold is used to form a positive model and an appliance is formed thereon. A series of such appliances may be used to treat malocclusion of teeth, each appliance used in series to incrementally move one or more teeth from initial positions toward a desired final position. The appliance may be fabricated with a variety of disclosed materials, and may include auxiliary features for interaction with other orthodontic elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: Provided is a method in which a computational device generates a design of a negative mold of teeth. The negative mold of the teeth is fabricated from the design of the negative mold. An aligner is formed using the fabricated negative mold. Provided also is a negative mold of teeth for fabricating a positive model of the teeth for an aligner. The negative mold comprises a tooth surface, and an identity tracking entity coupled to the tooth surface to provide identification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.

Abstract: A light assisted orthodontic device includes at least one material layer formed to be positioned over one or more teeth; a light source coupled to the at least one material layer, the light source being configured to emit light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1500 nm; and a power source configured to power the light source. A method for making a light assisted orthodontic device includes forming a first material layer shaped to be positioned over one or more teeth; and coupling a light therapy array to the first material layer. A method of orthodontic treatment includes positioning the device over one or more teeth, the device applying a corrective pressure to the one or more teeth; and emitting light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1500 nm to the one or more teeth.

Abstract: A method for registering imageries of a tooth includes integrating imageries to roughly register two imageries. The method includes cross-sectioning the imageries through the tooth and moving one imagery relative to another one. Moving includes at least one of rotating and translating an imagery and may be relative to a characteristic feature of the tooth in the imagery. The tooth may be an anterior tooth, such as an incisor. Cross-sectioning may be at the characteristic feature in a sagittal plane, a transverse plane, and a coronal plane. And, moving may include at least one of rotating and translating the second imagery on a plane-by-plane basis in each plane. The method may include evaluating an error in the position of the imageries and repeating moving the imageries. A dental registration system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system to capture different imageries of the teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for digital orthodontic setup using a prescribed ideal arch form. The invention may include an imaging system, an orthodontic device production system, and an orthodontic treatment system interconnected by way of a network. The orthodontic treatment system may facilitate manipulating one or more reference teeth into a position by the dental practitioner. The orthodontic treatment system may further facilitate selection of an ideal unit-less arch form and scaling of the ideal unit-less arch form into a scaled ideal arch form to fit the reference teeth. After the selected ideal unit-less arch form is scaled to fit the reference teeth, the remaining teeth are positioned with respect to the scaled ideal arch form, either manually by a dental practitioner or automatically by an alignment algorithm.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a customized appliance for the orthodontic treatment of teeth, comprising forming an appliance comprising plural cavities each shaped to conform to the crown of a tooth and customized extensions which are chemically bonded to thermoformed aligners in a dental repositioning system. These extensions facilitate rigid and precise attachment of aligners to auxiliary devices such as TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices) or are used as a mechanism to strengthen the aligner in specific areas. This facilitates simultaneous wear of aligners and sectional braces for the treatment of dental malocclusions.