Abstract: Systems and methods including expandable dental appliances. The expandable dental appliances may include left and right portions that are distinct and separate parts, and that may be coupled by a sliding expansion feature configured to laterally translate the left and right portions toward or away from each other. Each of the left and right portions may include a palatal region and a tooth engagement region that are customized to respective left and right sides of a patient's upper dental arch. Systems may include multiple non-expandable dental appliances that are configured to be worn sequentially over the patient's upper dental arch to expand the patient's palate over corresponding stages of a treatment plan.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabricating palatal expanders by modeling expansion of the palatal region based on material properties for one or more regions of a maxillary jaw determined from a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of the maxillary jaw and/or internal topological information for the maxillary jaw determined from the CBCT scan. Also described herein are series of palatal expanders having a sequence and configured to be sequentially worn by a patient to expand the patient's palate in which the left maxillary portion and the right maxillary portion are progressively separated relative to each other, and the thickness of the palatal region changes.

Abstract: Methods for designing a palatal expander. Methods may include forming a digital model of a palatal region and tooth engagement regions. Methods may include forming attachment regions on buccal sides of the tooth engagement regions, the attachment regions shaped and sized to engage with attachments bonded to a patient's teeth. Methods may also include forming at least one breach region corresponding to a thinned region of the palatal expander that extends anteriorly to posteriorly in the palatal region or an occlusal portion of one or both of the tooth engagement regions. The breach region may be configured to breach or bend when a pulling force is applied to one or both of the tooth engagement regions such that the attachment regions are detached from respective attachments.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses (devices, systems, etc.) for simultaneously applying both palatal expansion and anterior force to a subject's teeth. An orthodontic apparatus may include a palatal region extending between two or more tooth engagement regions and one or more elastic band attachments projecting laterally and/or anteriorly form the tooth engagement region(s) that securely couple an elastic band to a headgear. These methods and apparatuses may be used for nonsurgical correction of Class III malocclusions during maxillary palatal expansion treatment or during a holding period of the palatal expansion treatment, e.g., following recent palatal expansion.

Abstract: Dental appliances and methods for expanding the lower dental arch. The appliances may be removable mandibular expander devices for efficient arch expansion while being comfortable to wear and easy to use. The appliances may include a lingual portion that is shaped and sized to apply an expansion force to lingual surfaces of one or more teeth. The shape and size of the lingual portion may be configured to distribute the forces among posterior and/or anterior teeth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., distalizers) and methods for distalizing a subject's teeth while preventing or reducing undesirable tipping and/or rotation of the teeth. The distalizer apparatuses may include tooth engagement regions shaped to accommodate molars, canines and/or premolar teeth, may include a transpalatal region extending between engagement regions having an anterior edge that is posterior to a premolar region of the first tooth engagement region, and may include an attachment site for an elastic band on the outer buccal surface.

Abstract: A series of a palatal expanders increasing width can be used to gradually expand a patient's palate. Each palatal expander may have a palatal region flanked by teeth regions. The palatal region can have a plurality of anchor-receiving features (e.g., anchor interfaces) that allow the palatal expander to be attached to temporary anchorage device anchors that have been implanted into the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

Abstract: Dental retainer devices are provided. The dental retainer devices can be customized based on patient specific dental anatomy and dental treatment plans. Methods of making the dental retainer devices are also provided. The methods can included additive manufacturing. Methods are also provided for customization of a dental retainer device based on the patient specific anatomy. The methods for customization can include providing a dentist with different options for anterior teeth coverage, posterior teeth coverage, and palatal configurations for the dental retainer devices.

Abstract: Releasable and removable palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These releasable palatal expanders are adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver, and may include a breach region configured to predictably bend or break when a pulling force is applied. The palatal expander apparatuses described herein may include one or more locks for locking the palatal expander onto the patient's teeth. The lock(s) may be unlocked to release the palatal expander from the teeth. A lock may include a control for manually unlocking the lock. Unlocking the locks may allow the palatal expander to automatically disengage from the patient's teeth.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Abstract: A method for generating and fabricating a dental device having a body. The body may have a first plurality of tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of a first side of an arch. The body may also have a second plurality of tooth receiving cavities shaped to receive teeth of a second side of an arch. A palatal portion may extend between the first plurality of tooth receiving cavities and the second plurality of tooth receiving cavities. The palatal portion may be shaped to apply an expansion force to the teeth of the first side of the arch and the teeth of the second side of the arch. The palatal portion may include a plurality of bands that extend between the first plurality of tooth receiving cavities and the second plurality of tooth receiving cavities, each respective band may have a respective different thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

Abstract: A series of a palatal expanders increasing width can be used to gradually expand a patient's palate. Each palatal expander may have a palatal region flanked by teeth regions. The palatal region can have a plurality of anchor-receiving features (e.g., anchor interfaces) that allow the palatal expander to be attached to temporary anchorage device anchors that have been implanted into the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: A dental attachment placement device comprises a plurality of articulated registration elements shaped for placement on a plurality of teeth, which can facilitate placement, accommodate tooth movement, and improve alignment of the registration elements with the teeth, so as to accurately position an attachment for placement. The plurality of registration elements may comprise one or more attachment supports and one or more retention supports extending from the plurality of registration elements. A dental attachment can be removably coupled to the attachment support. The plurality of registration elements and attachment supports may be located on opposing sides of one or more teeth in order to maintain placement prior to adhering the attachment to the tooth. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of registration elements comprises a tooth registration surface shaped to engage the tooth with a specific position and orientation for accurate positioning of the attachment.