Abstract: A device for use by a clinician includes a tip structure that is configured to extend from a handle and to be inserted into a patient's mouth and at least one light source that is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation from the device. The light source is on the tip structure or within the handle. A light device includes a shell that is configured to engage an orthodontic bracket while the orthodontic bracket is attached to a tooth and at least one light source is embedded in the shell and is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation. A method of debonding an orthodontic appliance from a tooth includes exposing an adhesive secured to the tooth to incoherent actinic radiation that reduces a bond strength of at least a portion of the adhesive and separating the orthodontic appliance from the tooth at the portion of the adhesive having reduced bond strength.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes components capable of allowing easy debonding of an orthodontic device from a patient's tooth. The adhesive includes an engineered marine mussel protein. The adhesive may include at least one photocleavable moiety. The adhesive is applied in one or more individual layers. One of the components of the adhesive is capable of binding to a tooth and the other component may be capable of binding to an orthodontic device. A method of adhering an orthodontic device to a tooth includes applying a layer of an orthodontic adhesive to either the tooth or the orthodontic device or the tooth and the orthodontic device and affixing the orthodontic device to the tooth with the orthodontic adhesive situated between the tooth and the orthodontic device. The engineered marine mussel protein includes one or more catechol moieties or one or more derivatives of a catechol moiety.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes components capable of allowing easy debonding of an orthodontic device from a patient's tooth. The adhesive includes an engineered marine mussel protein. The adhesive may include at least one photocleavable moiety. The adhesive is applied in one or more individual layers. One of the components of the adhesive is capable of binding to a tooth and the other component may be capable of binding to an orthodontic device. A method of adhering an orthodontic device to a tooth includes applying a layer of an orthodontic adhesive to either the tooth or the orthodontic device or the tooth and the orthodontic device and affixing the orthodontic device to the tooth with the orthodontic adhesive situated between the tooth and the orthodontic device. The engineered marine mussel protein includes one or more catechol moieties or one or more derivatives of a catechol moiety.

Abstract: A dental aligner and methods and systems for manufacturing the dental aligner. A boundary contour is defined in a two-dimensional space based on an edge of a model aligner in a ruler disc. The boundary contour may be measured on a grid in which the model aligner is formed. The information pertaining to the boundary contour in the model is transferred to a flat workpiece. The boundary contour may follow the patient's gingival margin. A trench is formed in the flat workpiece based on the boundary contour measured in the model aligner. The flat workpiece including the trench is deformed. Deforming the trench forms at least a portion of the edge of the dental aligner and may include a trim boundary. The aligner may be separated from the workpiece at the trim boundary. The model aligner and dental aligner may vacuum thermoformed from the same mold.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes components capable of allowing easy debonding of an orthodontic device from a patient's tooth. The adhesive includes an engineered marine mussel protein. The adhesive may include at least one photocleavable moiety. The adhesive is applied in one or more individual layers. One of the components of the adhesive is capable of binding to a tooth and the other component may be capable of binding to an orthodontic device. A method of adhering an orthodontic device to a tooth includes applying a layer of an orthodontic adhesive to either the tooth or the orthodontic device or the tooth and the orthodontic device and affixing the orthodontic device to the tooth with the orthodontic adhesive situated between the tooth and the orthodontic device. The engineered marine mussel protein includes one or more catechol moieties or one or more derivatives of a catechol moiety.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes components capable of allowing easy debonding of an orthodontic device from a patient's tooth. The adhesive includes an engineered marine mussel protein. The adhesive may include at least one photocleavable moiety. The adhesive is applied in one or more individual layers. One of the components of the adhesive is capable of binding to a tooth and the other component may be capable of binding to an orthodontic device. A method of adhering an orthodontic device to a tooth includes applying a layer of an orthodontic adhesive to either the tooth or the orthodontic device or the tooth and the orthodontic device and affixing the orthodontic device to the tooth with the orthodontic adhesive situated between the tooth and the orthodontic device. The engineered marine mussel protein includes one or more catechol moieties or one or more derivatives of a catechol moiety.

Abstract: A device for use by a clinician includes a tip structure that is configured to extend from a handle and to be inserted into a patient's mouth and at least one light source that is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation from the device. The light source is on the tip structure or within the handle. A light device includes a shell that is configured to engage an orthodontic bracket while the orthodontic bracket is attached to a tooth and at least one light source is embedded in the shell and is capable of emitting incoherent actinic radiation. A method of debonding an orthodontic appliance from a tooth includes exposing an adhesive secured to the tooth to incoherent actinic radiation that reduces a bond strength of at least a portion of the adhesive and separating the orthodontic appliance from the tooth at the portion of the adhesive having reduced bond strength.

Abstract: An orthodontic adhesive includes components capable of allowing easy debonding of an orthodontic device from a patient's tooth. The adhesive includes an engineered marine mussel protein. The adhesive may include at least one photocleavable moiety. The adhesive is applied in one or more individual layers. One of the components of the adhesive is capable of binding to a tooth and the other component may be capable of binding to an orthodontic device. A method of adhering an orthodontic device to a tooth includes applying a layer of an orthodontic adhesive to either the tooth or the orthodontic device or the tooth and the orthodontic device and affixing the orthodontic device to the tooth with the orthodontic adhesive situated between the tooth and the orthodontic device. The engineered marine mussel protein includes one or more catechol moieties or one or more derivatives of a catechol moiety.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing system of orthodontic brackets includes a package with an orthodontic bracket. The package has a base and a cap. The base has a post on which the orthodontic bracket is secured. The cap includes a blind bore. The cap surrounds the post and the orthodontic bracket. The cap and the base are configured to form a moisture tight seal therebetween. The orthodontic bracket may be a precoated orthodontic bracket. The base or the cap includes an o-ring. The package is releasably secured to a strip and the strip includes an RFID tag. The package is releasably secured to a strip. The strip includes an RFID tag. A method of manufacturing orthodontic brackets includes placing a predetermined amount of adhesive on an orthodontic bracket, positioning the precoated orthodontic bracket on the base, and placing the cap over the precoated orthodontic bracket and into contact with the base.

Abstract: A dental aligner and methods and systems for manufacturing the dental aligner. A boundary contour is defined in a two-dimensional space based on an edge of a model aligner in a ruler disc. The boundary contour may be measured on a grid in which the model aligner is formed. The information pertaining to the boundary contour in the model is transferred to a flat workpiece. The boundary contour may follow the patient's gingival margin. A trench is formed in the flat workpiece based on the boundary contour measured in the model aligner. The flat workpiece including the trench is deformed. Deforming the trench forms at least a portion of the edge of the dental aligner and may include a trim boundary. The aligner may be separated from the workpiece at the trim boundary. The model aligner and dental aligner may vacuum thermoformed from the same mold.

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.