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: An apparatus and method are used to deliver an electrical current to, through or across gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, cosmetic, and or regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing or modifying oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens. Use of systems and methods according to the present invention may effectively tighten epithelial contact with one or more teeth (e.g., by the junctional epithelium and/or the sulcular epithelium) and/or cause a tightening of the oral epithelium, thereby improving an appearance of a human smile.

Abstract: Systems for force measurement upon orthodontic appliances are described. Generally, a system for measuring a force or moment imparted by an orthodontic appliance may comprise a dentition mold having one or more target teeth each formed upon a fixture and which is movable independently of the dentition mold, a measurement sensor coupled to the fixture, and a processor in communication with the measurement sensor. An orthodontic appliance may be configured for placement upon the dentition mold where the orthodontic appliance imparts a force or moment upon the one or more target teeth such that the force or moment is transmitted to the measurement sensor via the fixture for measurement of the force or moment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for cleaning teeth. The device (10) has a mouthpiece (20) in the form of a substantially horseshoe-shaped dental arch (22), a retaining unit (26) and a motor drive (28). The dental arch (22) is designed as a closed hollow body, and the side of the hollow body (22) that faces the teeth has a tooth-cleaning film (34, 36). The tooth-cleaning film (34, 36) has an individualized surface contour matched to the tooth shape and jaw shape and can made set into oscillation by the motor drive (28).

Abstract: A comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool that can provide multiple treatment plan options based on a single initial tooth data set. A user can use the treatment planning tool to select a treatment plan based on factors, including cost, treatment duration, treatment complexity, and material or feature selection. Tooth arrangements at different treatment stages can be compared. In some cases, a tooth arrangement at one treatment stage can be superimposed over a tooth arrangement at a different treatment stage or over a tooth arrangement from a different treatment plan.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining an orthodontic treatment for a subject are provided. The method comprises: obtaining an indication of a current and target position of the given tooth; determining a tooth movement trajectory of the given tooth during the orthodontic treatment, the tooth trajectory defining a path of the given tooth from the current to the target position, the determining the tooth trajectory comprising determining a movement of the given tooth along the tooth trajectory by: determining, a plurality of movement components for the given tooth to be performed to displace from the current to the target position; obtaining, for a given one of the plurality of movement components, a respective magnitude value, the respective magnitude value being indicative of a path length at which the given tooth is to displace towards the target position thereof performing the given one of the plurality of movement components.

Abstract: A device including one or more preformed or customized eruption guidance appliances placed in an individual's mouth. The preformed appliances are vibrated with a pulsation device to encourage tooth eruption by increasing the force and efficiency of the eruption toward a preferred location and a preferred alignment as well as providing increased blood flow and blood oxygen flow to the muscles and tissues in and around the oral cavity of the individual. The preformed guidance appliance driven by the pulsation device is selected from a range of guidance appliances, each of which is selected by size and shape to fit an individual based on the individuals anticipated tooth and jaw size as well as the growth profile.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention may be a teeth cleaning device including: a first support structure comprising a first dentature channel configured to receive at least a first portion of a dentature of a user; a plurality of teeth cleaning pads located within the first dentature channel; a plurality of air bladders operably coupled to the teeth cleaning pads; an air-flow subsystem operably coupled to the air bladders; and a control unit operably coupled to the air-flow subsystem, the control unit configured to: (1) pressurize the air bladders with external air in a pressurization mode; and (2) transfer air between select ones of the air bladders in a cleaning mode.

Abstract: A method and processor for generating a 3D-platform representation of a tooth-specific platform for attachment of a dental appliance to a tooth of a patient are disclosed. The method includes acquiring a 3D-tooth representation of the tooth, and defining an attachment zone on the surface of the 3D-tooth representation. The attachment zone has a zone perimeter enclosing a surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation corresponding to a surface portion of the tooth to which the tooth-specific platform is to be attached. The method also includes generating the 3D-platform representation having (i) a tooth-oriented surface matching the surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation and having a perimeter matching the zone perimeter, (ii) a perimeter wall extending between the tooth-oriented surface and the tooth-opposite surface and away from the surface portion, and (iii) a tooth-opposite surface matching an expanded surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation.

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: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product provide the ability to navigate between components in a computer-aided design (CAD) mobile drawing application. A drawing is opened in the CAD mobile drawing application on a mobile device. A navigation panel is activated. A component is selected in the drawing. In response to the selecting, information about the selected component is displayed within the navigation panel. Via a mobile device gesture, an element of the information is selected and used as the selected element. The navigation panel is updated by displaying information about the selected element.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, devices, and systems that utilize a cheek retractor and/or a mobile device holder for case assessment and/or dental treatments. One cheek retractor includes a first and a second lip holder, both including imaging markers of a predetermined size to determine a scale of teeth of a user, where each imaging marker is located a predefined distance from the remaining imaging markers, and where the lip holder is to hold a cheek away from a mouth of a user to expose teeth of the user. A mobile device holder can include elements to receive a mobile device to capture images of the patient's teeth.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides method, systems, and devices for adjusting an arch of teeth. An appliance includes a removable shell formed of a first material having a number of cavities formed therein, wherein the number of cavities are shaped to receive teeth of a patient, and an arch element extending from the removable shell in a lingual direction and across at least a portion of the arch width of the removable shell, wherein the arch element is designed to expand an arch of the teeth of the patient, wherein the arch element has a width specific to a stage of a treatment plan.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for presenting object properties by receiving selection of a component of a model presented in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer aided design tool, the GUI including an interactive display element having an arrangement of property fields related to the selected component, determining property values associated with the property fields based on the selected component, and providing the determined property values in corresponding property fields of the interactive display element for presentation in the GUI in conjunction with the model, such that responsive to receiving selection of a different component of the model, the property fields are updated with property values corresponding to the different component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable including: a first flexible flat cable and a second flexible flat cable, wherein: an end of the first flexible flat cable is connected with a first terminal; an another end of the first flexible flat cable is provided with a plurality of first pads; an end of the second flexible flat cable is connected with a second terminal; an another end of the second flexible flat cable is provided with a plurality of second pads connected with the plurality of first pads in one-to-one correspondence. The flexible flat cable according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can improve versatility, reusability and repairability of the flexible flat cable.

Abstract: A method for compact and descriptive representation of teeth shape (or other anatomic shapes) in terms of characteristic curves and its application to generation of automatic designs within dental CAD software or other software is provided. In an embodiment, a method includes capturing tooth shape by a network of characteristic curves (i.e. margin lines). In an embodiment, a method includes compactly encoding curves as strings, which then can be indexed and searched efficiently by similarity. In an embodiment, a method includes retrieving high quality crown design proposals from a case repository based on similarity of margin lines.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a display device that may produce and display a predetermined internal surface (e.g., a predetermined plane view) of an object according to a user input designating a depth thereof. Such display device may include a data storage, a user input interface, a processor, and an image display. The data storage may be configured to store image data. The user input interface may be configured to receive a request from a user. The processor may be configured to generate image data for a 3D image with internal surface images at one or more depths in response to the user request. The image display may be configured to display the 3D image with internal surfaces at each depth.

Abstract: A method for compact and descriptive representation of teeth shape, or other shapes, in terms of characteristic curves and its application to generation of automatic designs within dental CAD software or other software is provided. In an embodiment, a method includes capturing tooth shape by a network of characteristic curves, such as margin lines. In an embodiment, a method includes compactly encoding curves as strings, which then can be indexed and searched efficiently by similarity. In an embodiment, a method includes retrieving high quality crown design proposals from a case repository based on similarity of margin line.

Abstract: A mold comprises a main body and a separable feature. One or more weakened regions join the separable feature to the main body. The one or more weakened regions are breakable to enable the main body to be removed from a shell independently of the separable feature after the shell is formed over the mold.

Abstract: A breakable or deflectable mold includes a first section, a second section, and a weakened region that joins the first section to the second section. The weakened region is breakable or deflectable to enable the first section to be removed independently of the second section after a shell is formed over the breakable mold.

Abstract: An intermaxillary fixation system is provided, including a bone anchorage screw having at least one of an elongated head with internal threading and an externally threaded screw extending from a head of the bone anchorage screw, a fixation system, and a rail bar. A method for the stabilization and fixation of maxillary and mandibular arches is also provided, including setting a plurality of bone anchorage screws to the maxillary and mandibular arch, each bone anchorage screw having a head, fixing one or more T-shaped bars to the bone anchorage screws, bending and connecting a rail bar to heads of the one or more T-shaped bars with orthodontic screws, and wrapping a connector between the heads of the bone anchorage screws located on the mandibular arch and the maxillary arch.

Abstract: An electronic three-dimensional (3D) model of a dental arch is displayed. An ideal arch is superimposed on the dental arch. The shape of the ideal arch is adjusted in response to adjustment input from a user. Furthermore, a tooth width is calculated for teeth in the dental arch. A crowding score is calculated based on a comparison of a length of the ideal arch and a tooth width total, the tooth width total based at least in part on a total of the tooth widths for the teeth.

Abstract: An appliance for orthodontic hardware in the form of a cap sized to fit over a bracket and arch wire braces system. The cap includes a hollowed, mound shaped body with a bottom edge defining an opening on one side of the body. The cap also includes multiple tabs extending from the edge and partially over the opening. The bottom edge also defines two channels aligned opposite each other and extending from the bottom edge. With this arrangement, the cap can be positioned over a bracket with the tabs engaging the bracket and retaining the cap thereto while the channels defined in the body prevent the cap from engaging the arch wire.

Abstract: Method and system including receiving one or more parameters associated with an orthodontic condition, receiving a treatment goal information associated with the orthodontic condition, and providing a predefined template associated with the received treatment goal information, wherein the predefined template includes at least one orthodontic condition related information, are provided.

Abstract: An orthodontic remodeling device, having an extra-oral driver, a bite plate or other intra-oral orthodontic appliance, and a dual headed connector for connecting the two.

Abstract: A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances used with braces. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient's teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The appliances may be substituted with braces as appropriate to optimize the treatment of the teeth.

Abstract: An oral illumination apparatus configured for placement in a mouth. The oral illumination apparatus includes a housing configured to be coupled to a structure in the mouth. The housing including a processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect a characteristic from within the mouth, wherein the sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of the characteristic to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus includes a light source coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a power source coupled to the housing. The processing circuit is configured to control the light source in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: A palatal t-bar for preventing movement of selected teeth during corrective movement of other teeth through the use of an orthodontic appliance such as orthodontic braces. The t-bar comprises an elongate stem having an anchorage end arranged for affixation to the palatal bone of a patient by means of a temporary bone anchorage device, e.g., a miniscrew implant, and a free end extending in an anterior direction from the anchorage end. The stem is shaped to conform to the palatal surface of the patient. A cross-bar extends laterally from the free end of the stem and is arranged to engage one or more selected maxillary anterior teeth to retain the teeth non-mobile and non-rotational during corrective movement of other teeth utilizing an orthodontic appliance such as orthodontic braces.

Abstract: Described is an orthodontic aligner implement that can ensure the accuracy and efficiency of clear aligner orthodontic therapies as well as increase patient compliance by reducing discomfort and combining functionality into a breath-freshening medium. The implement includes a consumable mass having at least two channels disposed on opposite sides of the mass and traversing the width of the mass. The channels are adapted to seat between opposing anterior or incisor teeth. Also described is a method of positioning an orthodontic aligner into a prescribed position that includes placing the aligner approximately in the prescribed position in one's mouth, placing the aligner implement described above into the mouth, and applying the implement in contact with the aligner in one's mouth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance includes a portion made of a shape memory alloy having a base alloy composition of at least two different metallic elements and a treated region having an alloy composition that is depleted in at least one of the metallic elements. The base alloy may include a nickel titanium alloy (NiTi), a copper chromium nickel titanium alloy (CuCrNiTi), or a copper aluminum nickel (CuAlNi) alloy. The treated region may be depleted in at least one of copper, aluminum, nickel, and titanium relative to the base alloy composition by exposing the base alloy to a source of energy. The base alloy composition has a first austenitic finish temperature and the treated region has an austenitic finish temperature that may be different than the first austenitic finish temperature. The treated region may form a part of an archwire, a stop, a hook, a crown, a band, or an orthodontic bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibrating orthodontic device (1) to be used as an adjuvant for the treatment of correcting malocclusions, the capture comprising vibrating devices (5 and 6) that promote teeth vibration, improving movement of teeth, reducing pain and the time of treatment.

Abstract: A customized orthodontic device for the treatment of a patient and a method for producing the same. The customized orthodontic device includes a plurality of bracket assemblies which each include a bracket with at least one groove. The groove is configured to receive an arch wire. The bracket assemblies are digitally designed to include the bracket, a base, and an intermediate component. The base is configured to be placed on a face of a tooth. The intermediate component extends between the bracket and the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontics element which may be interdependent of a jaw bone. The orthodontics element includes firstly a plate (1) with a general parallelepipedal shape provided at one end with a first set of orifices and at the other end with a second set of orifices on the one hand, and secondly, between both of these sets, an anchoring block (4) provided with an element for attaching an orthodontics apparatus on the other hand.

Abstract: Orthodontic adhesives are claimed which use polymeric filler particles with defined particle size characteristics. The particle size characteristics are controlled such that these adhesives provide comparable mechanical retention and cohesive strength of conventional orthodontic adhesives when used to bond orthodontic appliances to teeth. Because polymeric fillers are generally softer than inorganic fillers, these adhesives are easier to remove from the tooth than conventional adhesives after debonding an orthodontic appliance. Embodiments of the invention include both self-curing and two-part adhesives, packaged adhesive-coated orthodontic appliances, and methods for removing a cured adhesive from a tooth surface.

Abstract: A curable orthodontic FFM resin rope appliance connecting orthodontic anchoring and custom appliances affixed to teeth, TADs and/or tooth positioning appliances, which serve in moving and stabilization if teeth by connecting said appliances and/or orthodontic auxiliaries. The FFM resin rope appliance is moldable and adaptable to the oral cavity and positioned to be secured between any type of fasteners including mechanical fasteners, which accept the FFM resin rope in an uncured first mode where the FFM resin rope is cut to length, positioned around the anatomy of the mouth and attached to clamps or fasteners and/or flex fit wafers FFW(s) at each or one end. Once connected together the FFM resin rope is cured and becomes a solid entity ready to accept orthodontic forces to hold or move teeth.

Abstract: Described herein are aqueous and substantially non-aqueous oral compositions comprising a cationic steroidal compound and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A milling block fitted with, or directly milled into said block at least one orthodontic auxiliary. These auxiliaries include but are not limited to orthodontic fasteners, buttons, cleats, tubes, brackets, springs, tad fastening clamps flex fit modules (FFM) or flex fit wafers (FFW) to be placed within the mouth and attached to teeth after custom milling of the block to conform to the anatomy of a tooth/teeth and/or TADS or other orthodontic appliances such as RPE screw and/or other orthodontic hardware.

Abstract: Improved bite plates for use with orthodontic vibratory devices and devices offering other treatment modalities. The bite plates are specifically designed to be used with Class II and II correctors, such as the Herbst appliance. Such bite plates can be used with a variety of treatment modalities, including laser, IR, micropulse, vibration, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An oral illumination apparatus configured for placement in a mouth. The oral illumination apparatus includes a housing configured to be coupled to a structure in the mouth. The housing including a processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect a characteristic from within the mouth, wherein the sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of the characteristic to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus includes a light source coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a power source coupled to the housing. The processing circuit is configured to control the light source in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: A vibrating dental device vibrates a specific tooth in a dentition attached with a bracket, a wire or a mouthpiece as an orthodontic appliance. The vibrating dental device includes a vibration source, a connector connected to the orthodontic appliance, and a vibration transmitter, which transmits vibration generated by the vibration source to the connector. The connector is detachably attached to the orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: A dental device is provided in which the dental device comprises electronic components for ornamental functionality as well as orthodontic functionality. The dental device comprises components for light, sound, and video display for patients with braces, or for recreational users.

Abstract: Diagnostic mouthpieces and separate pads for same allow dental devices of various types to have a dual purpose. The diagnostic mouthpieces allow frequent use and early intervention.

Abstract: An orthodontic remodeling device, wherein the bite plate is modified to have textured teeth and gum facing surfaces so as to provide cleaning, massaging or acupressure effect when in use.

Abstract: A ceramic coated aesthetic orthodontic appliance is described as well as methods for making one. The appliance can be an archwire or a bracket. The ceramic coated aesthetic appliance can include an orthodontic archwire having a surface, an aesthetic coating covering at least a portion of the surface, and a ceramic coating layer covering at least a portion of the aesthetic coating. The aesthetic coating can be an aesthetic polymer coating and the ceramic coating layer can be deposited using a low temperature process such as ion beam assisted deposition. An ion beam surface cleaning step may also be added to enhance the adhesion of the ceramic coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthodontic force measuring device using a typodont and a load cell, and more particularly, to an orthodontic force measuring device using a typodont and a load cell, which connects an orthodontic application wire to a typodont, employs a load cell to measure an orthodontic force, reduces measurement error which may occur in a measurement method based on an image, precisely measures an orthodontic force, and measures an orthodontic force in a three-dimensional manner.

Abstract: An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side.

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: Improved shapeable bite plates for use with orthodontic vibratory devices and devices offering other treatment modalities. The shapeable bite plates can be manually shaped to fit the Euro arch, arch form I, the Roth arch, and even widest Damon Arch.

Abstract: The present application describes, inter alia, methods, devices, and systems for modeling and fabricating corrective appliances and methods of treating cleft palate using same.

Abstract: There is provided a method of calculating an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw in orthodontic treatment wherein an index for deciding the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw which becomes objective materials for a dentist to decide the necessity of surgically operating on the jaw of a patient in orthodontic treatment of the patient can be calculated easily, and by appropriately combining the results of other inspection methods, the dentist is able to diagnose easily with high objectivity and correctness, moreover with a short period of time, and its program. Using the distance (S?A) between S and A, the distance (S?Xi) between S and Xi (i is an integer from 1 to 4. X1=B, X2=Pog, X3=Gn and X4=Me.) and the distance (Go?Xj) between Go and Xj (j is an integer from 1 to 4. j=i or j?i.