Abstract: Orthodontic appliances, methods of preparing and seating said orthodontic appliances, and kits including said orthodontic appliances are described.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances and related methods are provided, including a fast-dissolving and humidity-resistant coating, containing a colorant and a binder selected from a polyamide, cellulose derivative, or homopolymer/copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide). The coating can facilitate appliance identification and serve as a reference marking to assist the practitioner in appliance placement. Advantageously, the composition of these coatings allows the color marking to be rinsed off quickly, and yet the color of the coating does not bleed during storage even in high humidity environments. The fast-dissolving nature of these coatings also allows the coating to be deposited in concave and recessed areas of the appliance, such as the archwire slot and vertical slot, since these coatings can be removed prior to archwire installation.

Abstract: The present application provides a glass composition comprising 10-50% by weight CaO, at least 15% and less than 50% by weight P2O5, less than 3% by weight Al2O3, less than 10% by weight Li2O, Na2O, and K2O combined, and 0-60% by weight of SrO, MgO, BaO, ZnO, or combinations thereof; dental compositions comprising the glass composition, and methods of making and using such dental compositions.

Abstract: The present application provides a glass composition comprising 10-50% by weight CaO, at least 15% and less than 50% by weight P2O5, less than 3% by weight Al2O3, less than 10% by weight Li2O, Na2O, and K2O combined, and 0-60% by weight of SrO, MgO, BaO, ZnO, or combinations thereof; dental compositions comprising the glass composition, and methods of making and using such dental compositions.

Abstract: The present application provides dental compositions, and methods of making and using dental compositions that include a calcium and phosphorus releasing glass. Such dental compositions can be useful for delivering ions to the oral environment.

Abstract: Provided are methods for making adhesive coated orthodontic appliances having a silane treated metallic bonding surface, and related assemblies. Exemplary methods of making an adhesive coated orthodontic appliance include providing a metallic bonding surface on the orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth surface, sand blasting the bonding surface with a silica-based media, functionalizing the bonding surface in the presence of a pH-modified coupling agent solution, and applying an adhesive onto at least a portion of the bonding surface, where the adhesive is a hydrophilic adhesive having a water uptake of at least 0.5 percent of its original weight after hardening.

Abstract: Orthodontic appliances and related methods are provided, including a fast-dissolving and humidity-resistant coating, containing a colorant and a binder selected from a polyamide, cellulose derivative, or homopolymer/copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide). The coating can facilitate appliance identification and serve as a reference marking to assist the practitioner in appliance placement. Advantageously, the composition of these coatings allows the color marking to be rinsed off quickly, and yet the color of the coating does not bleed during storage even in high humidity environments. The fast-dissolving nature of these coatings also allows the coating to be deposited in concave and recessed areas of the appliance, such as the archwire slot and vertical slot, since these coatings can be removed prior to archwire installation.

Abstract: Provided are methods for making adhesive coated orthodontic appliances having a silane treated metallic bonding surface, and related assemblies. Exemplary methods of making an adhesive coated orthodontic appliance include providing a metallic bonding surface on the orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth surface, sand blasting the bonding surface with a silica-based media, functionalizing the bonding surface in the presence of a pH-modified coupling agent solution, and applying an adhesive onto at least a portion of the bonding surface, where the adhesive is a hydrophilic adhesive having a water uptake of at least 0.5 percent of its original weight after hardening.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: Containers for photocurable materials are made of a polymer and metallic particles. The containers are particularly useful for storing materials having dyes that are highly sensitive to light. The containers are especially useful for storing dental materials such as orthodontic adhesives, including adhesives in syringes and cartridges as well as adhesives that are precoated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: The present application provides dental compositions, and methods of making and using dental compositions that include a calcium and phosphorus releasing glass. Such dental compositions can be useful for delivering ions to the oral environment.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: Protective fluoropolymer layers for dental articles, particularly orthodontic appliances, are provided that reduce adhesion of materials such as food, bacteria, and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces, which can cause staining. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: Protective fluoropolymer layers for dental articles, particularly orthodontic appliances, that include an elastomeric substrate, are provided that reduce adhesion of materials such as food stains, bacteria and proteinaceous substances to these surfaces, which can cause staining. Methods of reducing adhesion of these materials to such surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for moving teeth of a patient's dental arch from a first tooth arrangement to a second tooth arrangement include a plurality of resilient appliances such as positioning trays or elongated arch members that are used in sequence. Each appliance of the systems includes a row of spaced apart couplings for connection to respective teeth of the dental arch. The appliances have certain geometric characteristics that match the geometric characteristics of other appliances of the system, and at least one appliance has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of at least one other appliance.

Abstract: A series of orthodontic appliances is used in sequence to move the patient's teeth to desired positions. In one aspect, the shape of at least a portion of the patient's dental arch is determined, and a series of appliances is then selected based on the determined shape. In another aspect, the appliances are resilient and used in a sequence such that the stiffness of the current appliance in use increases as the course of treatment progresses.

Abstract: An orthodontic separator, dimensioned such that it can be inserted between adjacent teeth. The separator is characterized in that it exhibits an increase in compressive force after insertion between adjacent teeth in the oral environment. The separator, after insertion, exerts sufficient force on the adjacent teeth to push the teeth apart.

Abstract: Containers for photocurable materials are made of a polymer and metallic particles. The containers are particularly useful for storing materials having dyes that are highly sensitive to light. The containers are especially useful for storing dental materials such as orthodontic adhesives, including adhesives in syringes and cartridges as well as adhesives that are precoated onto the base of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: An orthodontic separator, said separator dimensioned such that it can be inserted between adjacent teeth, said separator being characterized in that when inserted between adjacent teeth in the oral environment, it exhibits an increase in compressive force, wherein the separator exerts sufficient force on the adjacent teeth to push the teeth apart.