Abstract: A method for generating a mapping of dental occlusion generates a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth (1a, 1b) according to acquired image data. The maxillary and mandibular arches are positioned in opposition in the generated model of the patient's teeth and a meal model (50) generated having characteristics of a foam material. A pressure field distribution for the generated meal model is calculated for one or more pairs of opposed teeth (1a, 1b) from the generated three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth. The calculated pressure field distribution (54) can be displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.

Abstract: A process of applying at least one dental element to a patient's arch employs a device having a support tray shaped to fit to at least a portion of a patient's dental arch. A formed, liquid-soluble material (such as a thin starch layer formed from a starch sheet) is supported by the support tray and holds at least one dental element in a location for allowing an exposed surface of the at least one dental element to be applied to a patient's dental arch. Afterwards, the support tray is removed from the liquid-soluble material and the liquid-soluble is removed by dissolving it in a liquid, such as water.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods to plan, display and evaluate orthodontic treatment plans. A plurality of teeth in a representation on a computer display may be moved simultaneously in accordance with a mathematically defined pattern. Software tools available to generate the treatment path may include adjusting the smile teeth, moving teeth along a curve fit to points in the mandible, individually moving a tooth, cross sectioning to check for interference and simulations of occlusal points, highlighting teeth that have moved from their original position, making notations on the teeth, and generating and saving animation sequences of before and after treatment tooth positions.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a computer-implemented method for dynamically manipulating a three-dimensional virtual model representing a patient's teeth so as to facilitate visualization of an orthodontic treatment plan being applied thereto. The method comprises: rendering the three-dimensional virtual model based, at least in part, upon one or more images of a patient's teeth, and manipulating the three-dimensional virtual model via a translational movement in a two-dimensional computer display area and along a plane vertically oriented relative to the oppositely-oriented teeth. The translational movement imposes a translational manipulation upon a first one of the two sets of oppositely oriented teeth and a rotational manipulation upon a second one of the two sets of oppositely oriented teeth, the simultaneous manipulation being configured to open the teeth relative to one another so as to facilitate visualization of an orthodontic treatment plan.

Abstract: Medical devices with a light source and antimicrobial solution include a solution retainer adapted to retain an antimicrobial solution against a user; a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the antimicrobial solution in the solution retainer; and a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable. Medical device includes a container, a bowl, a full body suit, garments for body parts, a helmet, and a catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for manufacturing transparent braces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing transparent braces in such a way that a plurality of dental molds are manufactured based on orthodontic dental data that is created on the basis of current dental data of a patient and instructions of a dentist and includes a plurality of orthodontic process steps, and then transparent substances are vacuum-pressed onto the respective dental molds.

Abstract: The positions of orthodontic appliances such as brackets and buccal tubes on a patient's teeth are determined using digital data that represents the shapes of the patient's teeth. Certain landmarks of the teeth such as the marginal ridges are determined using software, and the software adjusts positions of the virtual appliances on the teeth as needed in order to bring the marginal ridges into proper alignment at the conclusion of treatment. The resulting positions are optionally used to determine the location of the appliances in an indirect bonding apparatus such as a transfer tray.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a virtual model of a set of teeth for manufacturing a physical model of the set of teeth includes providing a virtual model of the set of teeth generating a cavity in said gingival part, into which cavity a removable component fits, where the removable component and the cavity are configured to provide a gap at an interface; and providing for supporting and positioning the removable component in the cavity, wherein the area of contact between the removable component and the cavity wall at the interface is controlled by the shape of the adjoining surfaces of the supporting and positioning and the other of the removable component and the cavity wall.

Abstract: A method and workstation are described for designing compensation in an orthodontic archwire in order to offset the bracket-slot-to-wire play and realize the disered displacement in a tooth from an initial position to the target position. Bracket-slot-to-wire play can reduce the effectiveness of an archwire in bringing the teeth of an orthodontic patient from malocclusion to desired target. Bracket-slot-to-wire play is the difference in volume between the size of a bracket slot, which is larger than the size of the archwire, and the size of the sliding segment of an archwire inserted in the bracket slot. Customized archwires comprise alternating sliding segments interconnected by segments with bends and/or twists in three-dimensional space. The sliding segments are placed in the bracket slots and exert forces on the brackets created by the segments with bends and/or twists for moving the teeth towards the target positions.

Abstract: A tray for use in bonding orthodontic appliances to selected teeth of a patient is disclosed. The tray includes an outer shell having wall sections extending over facial, lingual, and occlusal surfaces of the selected teeth to form a channel including tooth cavities having a configuration matching and arranged for receiving the selected teeth. A matrix is bonded to the inner surface of the outer shell and is contoured to complement the facial or lingual surface of the teeth. A stabilization member extends from the outer shell and includes an inside surface contoured to complement at least a portion of the facial surface of a tooth located adjacent the selected teeth. Orthodontic appliances are detachably connected to the matrix, wherein each appliance includes a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for use in the corrective treatment of malocclusion and other dentofacial defects is provided. The apparatus has at least one stimulator which is configured to apply a stimulus to a part of the dento-oral complex and includes at least one actuator controllable by means of electronic signals. A feedback system is also provided and is configured to measure parameters relating to the biomechanical tissue response resulting from the stimulus applied by the at least one stimulator, to analyze the parameters by means of a processor, and to adjust the stimulus applied by the at least one stimulator by means of the required control signals in order to apply a stimulus representing an optimal orthodontic force.

Abstract: A processing device receives an intraoral image of a first intraoral site and determines an identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device then locks the intraoral image and selects a portion of the intraoral image depicting a portion of the first intraoral site based at least in part on the identity of the first intraoral site. The processing device may then generate a model comprising the first intraoral site based at least in part on the locked intraoral image, wherein the portion of the locked intraoral image is used for a first region of the model, and wherein data from one or more additional intraoral images that also depict the portion of the first intraoral site is not used for the first region of the model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed enabling an orthodontist or a user to create an integrated three dimensional digital model of dentition and surrounding anatomy of an orthodontic patient from a three-dimensional digital model obtained using a scanner with a three-dimensional digital model obtained using a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) or Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRT) imaging devices. The digital data obtained from scanning as well as from CBCT imaging are downloaded into a computer workstation, and registered together in order to create a comprehensive 3-D model of the patient's teeth with roots, bones and soft tissues. The invention provides substantial improvement over the traditional two dimensional imaging modalities such as x-rays, photographs, cephalometric tracing for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a customized jig for an orthodontic appliance, to an assembly formed by the jig, a base and a bracket, and to the associated design methods. The customized jig is used to install a bracket-bearing base on a tooth, said base forming part of an orthodontic appliance. The invention is characterized in that: the jig is a cap that covers the tooth, covering the free edge thereof and at least portions of the front and rear surfaces of same; and the shape of the jig is such that it matches that of the base in at least one portion of at least one of the edges thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly formed by a customized base bearing a bracket and a customized jig of the type mentioned above, and to methods for designing one such jig.

Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes computing device related, systems, and methods for identifying force placed on a tooth are described herein. One method includes receiving initial orthodontic data (IOD) including teeth data; creating a virtual set of teeth from the IOD; receiving dental appliance information including at least one of dental appliance material properties and characteristics; virtually placing a dental appliance, formed from the dental appliance information, onto the virtual set of teeth; and determining one or more forces applied to the teeth based on information from the IOD and dental appliance information.

Abstract: The canine tooth traction device is a 0.019?×0.025? stainless steel sectional wire. It is distally inserted in the molar band of a transpalatal arch anchorage and mesially ligated to a bondable attachment (bracket or button) on the canine tooth. The canine tooth traction device is an elongated member that has a cinching end and an attachment end. The cinching end is 15 mm in length, with 4-5 mm length activation bend of 45° mesial to the molar band. The length of the traction arm from the activation bend to the bondable attachment ligating loop is 40-50 mm. The loop of the attachment end is ligated to the bracket or button. The cinching end is cinched toward and behind the anchor headgear molar tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.

Abstract: Methods and systems for viewing images. One system includes a source of images, a computer, and a screen. The computer includes a processor and a user interface module configured to generate a graphical user interface or GUI. The GUI includes a first window in which one or more of the images are displayed. The GUI is displayed on the screen and the graphical user interface module generates an output or modifies the GUI in response to user input (e.g., tap, click, etc.). In response to the input, the graphical user interface generates an image-navigation map. The image-navigation map is displayed in a foreground of the first window and the one or more images are in displayed in a background of the first window. The image-navigation map includes one or more thumbnail images of at least one of the one or more images.

Abstract: A maxillary skeletal expander includes a pair of bodies, an extending screw adjusting a space between the pair of bodies, guide rails having both sides inserted into the pair of bodies and guiding a movement of the bodies, a key hole integrally formed with the extending screw, screw insertion portions integrally formed with the bodies and having screw insertion holes guiding mini-screws implanted to an upper jaw, arms having one end fixed to the bodies and the other end extending toward teeth, and a teeth fixing part integrally formed with the arms and fixed to teeth of a patient.

Abstract: A set of rules to design an orthodontic appliance for generating an aesthetic smile is maintained in a computational device, where the set of rules is associated with an application that executes in the computational device. At least one measured value is computed from one or more features extracted by processing dental information of a patient. The application generates a parameter to design an orthodontic appliance based on the at least one measured value and the set of rules for generating the aesthetic smile.

Abstract: A collaborative method of generating a design representation of an object between a first user and a second user is described.

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: Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.

Abstract: A technique for fabricating a surgical splint for use in correcting a dental condition of a patient. The technique involves obtaining a three-dimensional digital model of lower and upper arch dentitions of the patient having the dental condition. Relative positions of the lower and upper arch dentitions are adjusted with respect to each other in the three-dimensional digital model using a computing device. A relative positioning structure is added to the three-dimensional digital model using the computing device. A physical model of the patient's corrected dentition is then generated from the three-dimensional digital model. The physical model includes the relative positioning structure that connects the lower and upper arch dentitions of the physical model at the adjusted relative position. The surgical splint is then formed using the physical model. A non-surgical splint is also described.

Abstract: Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for tracking teeth movement correction. One method embodiment includes using a set of positioning appliances shaped to move teeth through a number of successive stages of arrangements of an expected teeth arrangement model where each stage corresponds to a particular positioning appliance, mapping a current teeth position based upon positions of a number of physical markers attached to a number of physical teeth, comparing the positions of the number of physical markers with a corresponding number of virtual markers positioned on a number of virtual teeth of a stage in the expected teeth arrangement model, determining whether midcourse correction is needed.

Abstract: A series of polymeric orthodontic appliances is made by providing a set of tooth analogs, each having a model crown that represents the shape of a corresponding tooth of the patient. The tooth analogs are moved along respective guides as needed in order to bring the associated model crown an incremental step toward or away from its desired position. The polymeric appliance is formed by placing a sheet of polymeric material over the model crowns after at least one tooth analog has been moved to create a desired model tooth arrangement.

Abstract: A system providing transitional bracket and transfer jig modules that have been custom designed to address a rotated or partially erupted tooth in advance of applying a computer aided bracketing system to the tooth. The transfer jigs and brackets are used until the problem tooth is moved into a position that will allow positioning of the “ideal” bracket. Once the ideal brackets are position, the treatment plan can proceed as it would with existing systems to reach the final ideal position. The transitional modules are integrated into the customized treatment plan such that the orthodontist just follows the digitized plan, including correction of misaligned teeth. The computer system that assists with defining the treatment plan takes into account the starting position of the teeth and can adjust the plan, as well as use of transitional brackets, to accommodate many more patients that have one or more problem teeth needing correction.

Abstract: Herein are provided methods, systems, computer-readable media, techniques and processes for occlusion estimation in dental prosthesis design. These include determining a first contact point between antagonist teeth, then simulating motion in order to determine additional contact points. Various of the determined contact points may not be used in the simulated motion, based on the simulated physics. When one or more predetermined stopping criteria have been met, then the contact points may be used to define the relative occlusal positions of antagonists. In some embodiments, sets of teeth in a bridge or crown, e.g., may be simulated as moving separately and a new state for each set of teeth may be determined.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining a dental treatment difficulty are described herein. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial and subsequent position of each of a first tooth and a second tooth and calculating a change in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can also include projecting the changes in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth onto a reference line and calculating a change in position on the reference line for the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can further include determining the dental treatment difficulty based on the changes in position on the reference line.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of methods of obtaining three-dimensional (3D) surface data of an object scene such as an intra-oral cavity. For example, measured surfaces may include the enamel surface of teeth, the dentin substructure of teeth, gum tissue and various dental structures. The methods can also be applied in medical applications and other applications in which 3D measurement data are acquired with maneuverable 3D measurement devices. In certain embodiments, the measurement device is positioned and translated to enable 3D data to be acquired for a backbone 3D data set. Subsequent controlled motion of the measurement device enables additional 3D data to be acquired and accurately joined to the backbone 3D data set.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating dental treatment utilizes virtual models created from scanned plaster casts. Patient's teeth are directly scanned with a three dimensional scanner or plaster casts of the patient teeth following treatment are scanned for evaluation. A planned configuration based on a plaster cast prior to treatment is created and the desired position and the two models are compared so that the actual position of the teeth may be compared to the desired position after treatment. Superimposition of the virtual models provides accurate and precise measurement of variances between the two virtual models. Difficulties due to superimposing the models, which are of the entire arch and evaluations based on individual teeth are overcome by applying an iterative closest point algorithm to correct the position and provide a truer measurement for evaluation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus's for improving orthodontic treatments. In an embodiment, an orthodontic tracking template is provided for assisting in determining whether a patient's teeth are in an appropriate tooth arrangement for transitioning between a wire and bracket orthodontic treatment to a patient-removable orthodontic appliance treatment. The tracking template may include a shell portion defining a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities arranged to fit over at least a portion of the patient's teeth in an intermediate tooth arrangement without applying a tooth-moving force to the teeth or to any brackets attached to the teeth.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a color-textured three-dimensional dental model is specific to a patient is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional dental model that is deficient of volumetric data for a three-dimensional anatomical landmark is obtained. A two-dimensional anatomical landmark of a two-dimensional intra-oral photograph that corresponds to the three-dimensional anatomical landmark of the three-dimensional dental model is identified. The two-dimensional intra-oral photograph is projected onto the three-dimensional dental model. The three-dimensional anatomical landmark is calculated from the projection of the two-dimensional anatomical landmark of the two-dimensional intra-oral photograph.

Abstract: Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided.

Abstract: An intra-oral scanning device includes a light source and an optical system, and communicates with a display system. The device captures images of an object of interest, e.g., patient teeth or associated anatomy, by projecting the light source as a first series of frames, and a second series of frames. The first series of frames projects first pattern data, and the second series of frames projects second data. The second series of frames are interleaved between frames in the first series of frames. The frames in the first series are partially-illuminated and are used to capture data for a 3D model. The frames in the second series are preferably fully-illuminated and are used to generate a live preview of the object. By displaying the live preview frames in juxtaposition to the 3D model, the operator is provided with visual feedback of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of managing delivery of an orthodontic treatment plan using treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated. A method includes, e.g., generating a treatment plan for a patient, generating a customized set of treatment guidelines, providing the set of customized treatment guidelines to the practitioner; and providing a set of orthodontic appliances to the practitioner.

Abstract: A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient's mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.

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: Braces placed on teeth are retained, until a predetermined criteria is satisfied. A plurality of aligners are ordered while retaining the braces on the teeth, in response to the predetermined criteria being satisfied. The braces are replaced with a first aligner of the plurality of aligners.

Abstract: A variety of improvements to the vibrating devices for dental remodeling are provided, including improved bite plate designs that accommodate common patient bite structure, a connector for a bite plate, a sizing tray for same, as well as better motors providing improved performance characteristics for an extraoral vibrator, and a completely intraoral vibrating dental plate with very thin cross section.

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: A protective shield is removably mounted over an orthodontic appliance in a user's mouth and includes an outer resilient compressible material layer joined to an inner adhesive layer. The shield is flexible for easy installation over all exposed surfaces of the orthodontic appliance; but is removable after a period of use. The outer resilient material layer of the shield can be formed of closed cell foam or a gelatinous material.

Abstract: An orthodontic device including positioning aligner, devices allowing incremental movement of teeth and continuous tooth movements appliances is described herein. In particular, it provides an appliance including at least one shell for receiving at least one tooth for repositioning, the shell including a tooth receiving cavity, in which, during use, the tooth may sit; and further including a wire receiving member for receiving a connecting wire, and an anchor. It also provides methods of making and using such appliances.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including a shell aligner having a portion accommodating movement of a patient's bracketed teeth between a first position and the second position as elicited by force from an orthodontic braces appliance worn by the patient, related systems and methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth.