Abstract: Methods for updating a geometry of an initial 3D model of a dental auxiliary or a dental appliance to conform to an engaging surface of a corresponding dental component to provide better force systems as part of an orthodontic treatment. Any of these methods may include predicting the updated geometry of the initial 3D model data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for predicting manufacturing outcomes are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving at least one image representing a target geometry of an object to be fabricated using an additive manufacturing process. The method can include generating at least one modified image by inputting the at least one image into a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm can be trained to determine one or more modifications to the at least one image, where the one or modifications are configured to compensate for predicted deviations from the target geometry of the object when the object is fabricated via the additive manufacturing process based on the at least one image. The method can further include generating instructions for fabricating the object using the additive manufacturing process, based on the at least one modified image.

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.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for placing dental auxiliaries on teeth are provided. In some embodiments, for example, a dental auxiliary positioner for placing a dental auxiliary on a tooth includes: a registration element configured to receive a patient's tooth; and an auxiliary support coupled to the registration element and further coupled to an auxiliary, where the auxiliary support is configured to position the auxiliary against a surface of the tooth, and where the auxiliary support includes a frame extending at least partially around the auxiliary, one or more struts coupling the auxiliary to the frame, and a flexible bridge coupling the frame to the registration element, where the flexible bridge is configured to bend in one or more directions relative to the tooth to adjust the position of the auxiliary on the surface of the tooth.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for placing dental auxiliaries on teeth and/or removing dental auxiliaries from teeth are provided. In some embodiments, a device for removing a dental auxiliary from a tooth includes: a first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, where the first and second elongate members are pivotally coupled to each other; a scraper at the distal end of the second elongate member, where the scraper is configured to apply force to the dental auxiliary to remove the dental auxiliary from the tooth; and a pair of sidewalls configured to capture debris resulting from the removal of the dental auxiliary from the tooth.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for designing dental appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes identifying one or more intended outcomes for one or more areas of a dental appliance, where the dental appliance is shaped to receive and engage with a person's dentition in accordance with a treatment plan; identifying one or more acceptability criteria for evaluating compliance with the one or more intended outcomes; obtaining an appliance model for the dental appliance, where the appliance model represents the one or more areas with one or more first physical properties conforming to the one or more acceptability criteria, and where the one or more first physical properties are different than one or more second physical properties outside the one or more areas; providing three-dimensional (3D) printing instructions to generate the dental appliance using the appliance model; and 3D printing the dental appliance using the 3D printing instructions.

Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a treatment plan for a patient's dentition and generating an aligner model representing an aligner configured to implement a treatment stage of the treatment plan. The aligner model can include a thickness map having a thickness parameter for each location of the aligner model. The method can include adjusting the thickness map by using the aligner model to evaluate an outcome when the aligner is applied to the patient's dentition, and iteratively reducing the value of each thickness parameter of the thickness map based on the evaluation until a resulting thickness is determined for each thickness parameter. The method can also include providing instructions to manufacture the aligner based on the aligner model with the resulting thickness for each thickness parameter of the thickness map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating support structures for additively manufactured objects are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a digital representation of a dental appliance configured to implement a treatment stage of a treatment plan for a patient's teeth. The method can include generating a support structure arrangement configured to support the dental appliance during an additive manufacturing process. The support structure arrangement can be generated using a machine learning model. The machine learning model can be trained on a training data set including appliance data representing geometries of a plurality of dental appliances, support structure data representing geometries of a plurality of support structure arrangements, and outcome data representing outcomes of the additive manufacturing process for the plurality of dental appliances with the respective support structure arrangements.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for assessing a dental x-ray image and predicting tooth eruption and/or exfoliation. The apparatuses may use one or more trained neural networks to assess a patient's x-rays as well as dental measurements determined from the patient's x-rays to predict approximately when a permanent tooth may erupt to replace a baby tooth. The neural networks may be trained using a data training set of x-ray images and accompanying dental measurement data.

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: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for electronic devices associated with monitoring a patient's use of an intraoral dental appliance. The monitoring electronics may communicate with near-field communication (NFC) signals. An NFC booster is disclosed to improve NFC data transfer between the electronic devices that monitor patient usage and communication devices. NFC boosters may be included within dental appliance cases and/or mobile phone cases. Also described are method and apparatuses for mounting the monitoring electronics onto the dental appliance. Also described are compact sensors, e.g., capacitive sensors, that may be included as part of a monitoring electronics unit.

Abstract: A method for use in additively manufacturing an orthodontic aligner may include receiving a digital model of an aligner, processing the digital model of the aligner to modify the digital model based on predicted deviations during fabrication to generate a first updated digital model of the aligner, determining that whether the predicted deviations of a physical aligner additively manufactured based on the first updated digital model of the aligner are acceptable, and outputting the first updated digital model of the aligner for fabrication of the physical aligner by additive manufacture of the physical aligner.

Abstract: Methods for designing orthodontic appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a treatment plan for a patient's dentition and generating an aligner model representing an aligner configured to implement a treatment stage of the treatment plan. The aligner model can include a thickness map having a thickness parameter for each location of the aligner model. The method can include adjusting the thickness map by using the aligner model to evaluate an outcome when the aligner is applied to the patient's dentition, and iteratively reducing the value of each thickness parameter of the thickness map based on the evaluation until a resulting thickness is determined for each thickness parameter. The method can also include providing instructions to manufacture the aligner based on the aligner model with the resulting thickness for each thickness parameter of the thickness map.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an aligner breakage solution that tests probability of aligner breakage at weak points. A method includes gathering a digital model representing an aligner for a dental arch of a patient, receiving material property information for a material to be used to manufacture the aligner, and analyzing one or more regions of the aligner. Analyzing a region of the aligner comprises simulating application of a load around the region, determining at least one of a stress, a strain or a strain energy density at the region, evaluating a strength of the aligner at the region, and determining whether the region satisfies a damage criterion based on the strength of the aligner at the region.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an aligner breakage solution that tests progressive damage to an aligner. A method includes gathering a digital model representing an aligner for a dental arch of a patient, and simulating progressive damage to the aligner. Simulating progressive damage for a region of the aligner comprises simulating, using at least the digital model, a sequence of loads on the aligner, determining an amount of damage to the region of the aligner for each load, and after each simulation of a load on the aligner, updating the digital model based on the amount of damage to the region of the aligner. The method further includes determining whether a damage criterion is satisfied for at least one region of the aligner and determining whether to implement one or more corrective actions for the aligner.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an aligner breakage solution. A method includes obtaining a digital design of a polymeric aligner for a dental arch of a patient. The polymeric aligner is shaped to apply forces to teeth of the dental arch. The method also includes performing an analysis on the digital design of the polymeric aligner using at least one of a) a trained machine learning model, b) a numerical simulation, c) a geometry evaluator or d) a rules engine. The method may also include determining, based on the analysis, whether the digital design of the polymeric aligner includes probable points of damage, wherein for a probable point of damage there is a threshold probability that breakage, deformation, or warpage will occur. The method may also include, responsive to determining that the digital design of the polymeric aligner comprises probable points of damage, performing corrective actions based on the probable points of damage.

Abstract: A dental attachment placement device comprises a plurality of registration elements shaped for placement on a plurality of teeth and one or more flexible arms for biasing the registration element to a tooth. A first a first flexible arm may extend from a registration element on a lingual side. The first flexible arm may have a connected end and a distal end. The distal end may be configured to extend at least part way over the tooth and apply a lingual force to bias the registration element against the tooth.

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. An orthodontic device may include a plurally of registration element. A plurality of first flexible arms may extend from each registration element on a lingual side. The first flexible arm may have a connected end and a distal end. The distal end may be configured to extend at least part way over the tooth and apply a lingual force to bias the registration element against the tooth. A plurality of attachment supports may each be located on a buccal side of the plurally of registration elements and include an attachment frame that is releasably coupled to an attachment.