Abstract: An orthodontic self-ligating bracket system with an open auxiliary groove, and a self-ligating bracket. The system includes brackets, wherein each bracket includes a main groove and auxiliary groove, and an elastic baffle plate is between the main and auxiliary grooves; the brackets include first, second and third brackets. The first bracket is arranged on an incisor, the second bracket is arranged on a canine, the third bracket is arranged on a premolar, and the elastic baffle plates of the first bracket, the second bracket and the third bracket are ingeniously arranged, such that an arch wire of the bracket system generates different orthodontic forces at the positions corresponding to different brackets.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for bleaching and optionally coloring a shaded zirconia, particularly mono-chromatic pre-shaded dental zirconia. The compositions and methods are useful in generating a shade gradient in milled dental restorations. The compositions comprise metal salts or complex dissolved in a solvent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pre-formed, customized, ceramic, labial/lingual orthodontic clear aligner attachments (CCAA) by additive manufacturing (AM) may comprise measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model, designing a 3D CAD structure model for one or more CCAA on various parts of each tooth, importing data related to the 3D CAD CCAA structure model into an AM machine, directly producing the CCAA in the ceramic slurry-based AM machine by layer manufacturing, enabling the provider to deliver patient-specific CCAA's by an indirect bonding method to the patient's teeth to improve the efficacy and retention of the clear aligners.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, tooth attachment placement (TAP) device or for assisting a user in placing one or more appliances or attachments on one or more teeth is disclosed. The TAP device comprises single tooth jigs connected through splines. The geometry of the device is automatically designed in the treatment planning unified workstation, thereby generating a digital STL file. Then the device is created from a non-flexible biocompatible material by a 3D printer in accordance with the digital STL file. Appliance, for example, may be a bracket or a bracket shim; and the attachment may be an aligner attachment or a pad. Different embodiments of the TAP device are disclosed. Methods for verifying the accuracy of the placements of the brackets on the teeth using the TAP device are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treating mal-alignment of teeth using super-elastic nickel titanium, heat activated nickel titanium coated or uncoated orthodontic wires with composite resins in order to effectuate desired tooth alignment. The composite resin is formed into beads that hold the wire in place preferably on the lingual surface of the teeth. Alternate embodiments using composite brackets are disclosed. The overall purpose of this invention is to provide a close contact, low profile orthodontic system, in particular, a lingual orthodontic system that is significantly more comfortable than existing orthodontic systems, completely concealed and effective.

Abstract: Techniques for preparing a model (e.g., a digital model) of a person's teeth are described. The techniques include receiving a model of a maxillary arch and a mandibular arch of a person's teeth, operating an automated mesh cleaning operation to modify the model, segmenting the model to identify individual teeth and gum tissue in the model, identifying and marking features of each tooth of the model, and adjusting the individual teeth of the model into a recommended orientation relative to each other, and applying a treatment method. The treatment method may include a selection of a bracket type and an aligner type. The techniques may determine a proposed location of brackets or aligners on the individual teeth based on the applied treatment method and export a digital model of a bracket tray for formation of a bracket tray that can be used to secure the brackets to a person's teeth.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating attachment placement appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes directly fabricating an attachment placement appliance body including a support formed in a tooth-receiving cavity configured to receive a tooth. The method can include directly fabricating one or more coupling structures connected to the support, and directly fabricating an aligner attachment connected to the one or more coupling structures. The attachment placement appliance body can be configured to align the aligner attachment to a predetermined location on the tooth. The aligner attachment can be shaped to engage with an attachment well of a shell aligner and exert one or more forces on the tooth when the aligner attachment is coupled to the attachment well. The one or more coupling structures can be configured to release the aligner attachment with removal of the attachment placement appliance body from the tooth.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing device having a first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, first communication circuitry, and at least one first processor in communication with the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the first communication circuitry. The at least one first processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to cause the first communication circuitry to receive a first signal from a first transmission medium, calculate a first authentication value for an object based on data included in the first signal, and cause the first communication circuitry to transmit a second signal to the first transmission medium. The second signal identifies whether the object is authentic based, at least in part, on the first authentication value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a related pair of elements and methods are for aligning or positioning teeth. The apparatus is configured to be worn in a mouth of a wearer and further configured to be supported on the teeth of the wearer, and has elements arranged to be distributed along a set of the teeth and at least one engager member for engaging the elements for moving one or more of the teeth. In such embodiments, at least one pair of the elements can be engaged such that when in use, at least one part of one of the elements in the pair bears against at least one part of the other of the elements in the pair.

Abstract: A cover device formed of a plastic or similar composition is structured for removable attachment over a bracket of an orthodontic appliance to conceal the bracket from view. The cover device includes a main plate with an outer front face, and top and bottom claws integrally formed with the main plate, curling behind the main plate, and each terminating at distal ends in spaced, opposing relation to each other behind the main plate. The front face includes an ornamental design or other indicia that is applied by polymer fusion technology to significantly reduce the risk of exposing the user to inks and pigment compositions, particularly if the cover device is accidentally swallowed. The application of the indicia by polymer fusion technology also increases the structural integrity of the cover device; mechanically strengthening the cover device at its point of greatest flexure.

Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary orthodontic elastic attachments that are customized to fit within the cutout windows of dental aligners, thus improving adhesion and minimizing inadvertent detachment from the tooth surface. The unique base pads are designed to have a shape that complements the present shape of the cutout windows like a puzzle piece. To improve adhesion to the tooth surface, the base pad may have its surface area maximized within the cutout windows. Also for improved adhesion, the base pad may be contoured to the dental anatomy of the tooth at the gumline for an intimate fit. Further exemplary embodiments may include the base pad having beveled edges to permit the aligner to slide over the base pad if it is adhered slightly off-center.

Abstract: A set of self-ligating brackets for orthodontics includes brackets having a base and a block arranged on the base. An occlusal wall extends from the block and has at least one occlusal ligature wing. A gingival wall extends from the block and has at least one gingival ligature wing. A slot, which separates the occlusal wall and the gingival wall from one another, has the same minimum clear width for the brackets of the set and extends continuously in a direction from mesial to distal. The slot also has a base area on which an archwire lies during orthodontic treatment. A passage extends in the gingival-occlusal direction through the block and is delimited by a lingually located surface and by a labially located surface. Resilient clips with a labial leg and with a lingual leg are interconnected by an occlusally arranged portion.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing device having a first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, first communication circuitry, and at least one first processor in communication with the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the first communication circuitry. The at least one first processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to cause the first communication circuitry to receive a first signal from a first transmission medium, calculate a first authentication value for an object based on data included in the first signal, and cause the first communication circuitry to transmit a second signal to the first transmission medium. The second signal identifies whether the object is authentic based, at least in part, on the first authentication value.

Abstract: Orthodontic braces comprising rotatable versatile brackets are provided. Each rotatable bracket has two different slot sizes, and rotation of the whole bracket before its bonding to the tooth brings one or the other of the slot sizes into horizontal alignment so that different archwires corresponding to the selected size can be accommodated.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket has a bonding base adapted for attachment to the crown of a tooth. A body member is attached to the front surface of the base and extends forwardly to a front face. The base defines a torque angle with respect to the front face of the body. Gingival and occlusal projections extend forwardly from the body member. The projections have archwire slot surfaces which, together with a portion of the body member's front face, define an archwire slot. First and second channels defined in the projections are coplanar and are disposed at an angle to the front face of the body member that is substantially equal to the torque angle. A door is disposed in one of the first and second channels. The door is movable between an open position and a closed position to selectably provide or prevent access to and from the archwire slot.

Abstract: A system includes a first computing device having a first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, first communication circuitry, and at least one first processor in communication with the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the first communication circuitry. The at least one first processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the first non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to cause the first communication circuitry to receive a first signal from a first transmission medium, calculate a first authentication value for an object based on data included in the first signal, and cause the first communication circuitry to transmit a second signal to the first transmission medium. The second signal identifies whether the object is authentic based, at least in part, on the first authentication value.

Abstract: Provided are a zirconia sintered body capable of being widely used as a dental material, in particular, a zirconia sintered body capable of being applied to both a dental material for a back tooth and a dental material for a front tooth and a simple and easy method for manufacturing the zirconia sintered body. The method for manufacturing a zirconia sintered body includes a molding step of molding a powder composition that has an yttria content of more than 3% by mole and 5.2% by mole or less and that contains a first zirconia powder having an yttria content of 2% by mole or more and 4% by mole or less and a second zirconia powder having an yttria content of more than 4% by mole and 6% by mole or less to obtain a green body, and a sintering step of sintering the green body to obtain a sintered body.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket is provided, including a backend surface, a frontend surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a passageway. The backend surface is adapted for attachment and is opposite the frontend surface. The first and second side surfaces are connected between the backend surface and the frontend surface. The passageway extends from the first side surface to the second side surface. The cross-section of the passageway includes an access opening, an archwire slot, a path portion, and at least one rotation portion. The access opening is configured to allow the archwire to enter the passageway. The archwire slot is configured to receive the archwire. The path portion connects the access opening and the archwire slot. The rotation portion is provided in the path portion to allow the archwire to change its orientation.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for installation on an archwire is described. The orthodontic appliance has two archwire sliding parts, for sliding along an archwire, a telescoping assembly linking the two archwire sliding parts to one another, an external force conveyer and a spring secured to one of the archwire sliding parts. The telescoping assembly is offset from the archwire on which it is to be installed. A method for exerting pressure on a target orthodontic bracket that is connected to adjacent orthodontic brackets by an archwire is also described. The method uses the described orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket include a bracket body with an arch wire slot. A mesial recess is located at a mesial side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A distal recess is located at a distal side of the bracket body and extends into the bracket body from the arch wire slot. A central ridge defines a ridge surface separated from the lateral ledges respectively by mesial and distal walls. A clip includes a first arm and a second arm connected by a U-shaped portion. The first arm terminates in a mesial arm, a distal arm, and a middle arm. The clip is moveable between an open position in which the arch wire slot is accessible and a closed position in which the arch wire slot is occluded.

Abstract: The invention related to a method for manufacturing a distractor for skeletal attachment to a jaw of a patient. This method comprises the steps of: (a) generating a three-dimensional image of the jaw of the patient or of parts of the jaw; (b) generating a virtual model of a patient-specific distractor using the three-dimensional image; and (c) manufacturing the distractor or parts thereof with the help of the virtual model.

Abstract: An element intended for an orthodontic system comprises: a fixing surface to be attached to the wall of a tooth; a body, having sides counterposed with respect to the fixing surface and defining a groove passing through sides, for housing an arch wire that can be removed and protrudes while being kept in the groove through at least one of sides with respect of the element; a slit passing through the sides toward the groove in order to assemble the archwire in the groove. In this way the play between the arch wire and the hole is lower than the space between the archwire and the groove, in order to keep the archwire in the body.

Abstract: Provided is a high-light transmittance zirconia sintered body, prepared by processing and forming a material for the high-light transmittance zirconia sintered body, and then performing high-temperature sintering in the atmosphere under normal pressure. The material for a high-light transmittance zirconia sintered body is prepared from zirconia powder and ?-aluminum oxide as raw materials, wherein the molar percentage of yttrium oxide in the zirconia powder is 4-6%. The high-light transmittance zirconia sintered body can be used for preparing a fixed dental prosthesis. The zirconia sintered body has a grain size of 0.1-0.7 ?m, and due to the dispersion and toughening by aluminum oxide, the zirconia sintered body has a higher strength and toughness. Pores in the zirconia powder can be eliminated by adding aluminum oxide. The zirconia sintered body has a higher light transmittance, and the prepared dentures are good in texture, good in jade-like appearance, and closer to the human teeth.

Abstract: Dental archwires of single-crystal shape memory alloys, methods of fabrication and apparatus for fabrication. A dental archwire is provided of a hyperelastic, single-crystal shape memory CuAlX alloy, where X is Ni, Mn, Nb, or Be. The dental archwire has a shape-set curved length and either a round diameter of between about 0.013 to about 0.026 inches or a rectangular cross-section with dimensions of between about 0.016 by 0.016 inches and about 0.020 by 0.030 inches.

Abstract: A zirconia sintered body is provided having a color tone equivalent to the color tone guides of various natural teeth and having the same aesthetics as a natural front tooth. The present invention provides a colored translucent zirconia sintered body comprising zirconia containing greater than 4.0 mol % and not greater than 6.5 mol % of yttria, less than 0.25 mol % of erbia, less than 2,000 ppm of iron oxide in terms of Fe2O3, less than 0.01 wt. % of cobalt oxide in terms of CoO, and less than 0.1 wt. % of alumina; the zirconia sintered body having a relative density of not less than 99.90%, a total light transmittance of not less than 25% and less than 40% for light having a wavelength of 600 nm at a sample thickness of 1.0 mm, and a strength of not less than 500 MPa.

Abstract: A zirconia ceramic material for use in dental applications is provided comprising an yttria-stabilized zirconia material comprising from 4.5 mol % to 5.1 mol % yttria. Optionally, the zirconia ceramic has a coloring agent that may comprise one or more metals selected from terbium (Tb), chromium (Cr), erbium (Er), and cobalt (Co), and further, may, optionally, comprise alumina, which if present may be in an amount from 0 wt % to 0.25 wt %. The zirconia ceramic materials exhibit both enhanced translucency and a flexural strength of at least 800 MPa when fully sintered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for simulating mandibular movements, device for the same and recording medium for recording the same. With the method for simulating mandible movements according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the simulation directly on the medical image of the patient and thus simulate the mandibular movements more closely to the actual situation. Therefore, the inaccurate mechanical approximation of the mandibular movement with the articulator according to the conventional art is overcome. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to simulate mandibular movements customized to the various states of the patient and specific clinical cases.

Abstract: The present invention provides assemblies, kits, and methods including a compressible material. Optionally, a hardenable dental composition (e.g., an adhesive or primer) is in contact with the compressible material for bonding a dental article (e.g., an orthodontic appliance) to a tooth structure. Removal of excess hardenable and/or hardened dental composition, if desired, can be facilitated for embodiments in which the hardenable dental composition is an unfilled or a lightly filled composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for making a bonded refractory material, the methods comprising preparing a slurry comprising glass precursor particles having an average particle size ranging from about 1 nm to about 200 nm; combining zirconia particles with the slurry to form a batch composition comprising at least about 80% by weight of zirconia; forming a green body from the batch composition; and sintering the green body to form a sintered refractory material. Sintered high-zirconia refractory materials can comprise at least about 80% by weight of zirconia having an average grain size of 100 microns or less, wherein the zirconia is interspersed in a glassy phase, and wherein the sintered refractory materials comprise about 15% or less by weight of the glassy phase. Melting vessels having at least one interior surface comprising such sintered zirconia refractory materials are further disclosed herein.

Abstract: An orthodontic system includes at least one orthodontic bracket attached to a surface of a tooth, in which the bracket define an archwire slot for receiving an archwire. The bracket includes a gear system, a motor to drive the gear system, and an integrated circuit to control the motor. A computer server sends instructions to the integrated circuit in the orthodontic bracket, and the integrated circuit controls the motor according to the instructions to drive the gear system to apply a force to the archwire.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a shutter for controlling object light incident to an image sensor, a holding frame holding the shutter, an annular elastic member for absorbing impact generated when the shutter is driven, a first fastening member engaging with an inner circumferential surface of the annular elastic member, a first body-side support provided to a body of the imaging apparatus, and a first holding-frame-side support provided to the holding frame. On either of the first body-side support and the first holding-frame-side support, a through hole is formed, into which the annular elastic member is press-fitted. A length of an inner circumference of the through hole is greater than a length of an outer circumference of the annular elastic member when the through hole is seen from a direction to which the first fastening member is fastened. Another of the body-side support and the first holding-frame-side support is fastened with the first fastening member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing customized ceramic labial/lingual orthodontic brackets by digital light processing, said method comprises measuring dentition data of a profile of teeth of a patient, wherein measuring dentition data is performed using a CT scanner or intra-oral scanner, based on the dentition data, creating a three dimensional computer-assisted design (3D CAD) model of the patient's teeth using reverse engineering, and saving the 3D CAD model on a computer, designing a 3D CAD bracket structure model for a single labial or lingual bracket structure, importing the 3D CAD bracket structure model into a Digital Light Processing (DLP) machine, directly producing the bracket by layer manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for generating computer 3D models of an object, by registering two or more scans of physical models of an object. The scans may be 3D scans registered by a curve-based registration process. A method is provided for generating a 3D model of a portion of a patient's oral anatomy for use in dental restoration design. Also provided are scanning workflows for scanning physical models of an object to obtain a 3D model.

Abstract: A customized orthodontic bracket system is provided. The system can include a bracket having a customized bracket bonding pad for bonding the bracket to a tooth of a patient and a bracket slot adapted to receive a customized archwire. The customized archwire is adapted to be positioned in the bracket slot to form a precise bracket slot-archwire interface. The bracket slot and the archwire when positioned in the bracket slot can be positioned substantially adjacent the tooth surface to reduce induced vertical error in tooth positioning. The bracket slot can be configured to have a bracket slot width substantially matching a cross-section of the archwire to reduce torque rotation around an axis of the archwire when positioned therein to further enhance end-of-treatment tooth positioning and reduce overall treatment time.

Abstract: A method for treating orthodontitis (i.e., gingivitis caused by malpositioned teeth). The process includes evaluating improper morphologies of alveolar bone in the horizontal dimension (i.e., orthodontosis) caused by displaced root(s) of a tooth, uprighting the root of the malpositioned tooth utilizing an orthodontic bracket system thereby causing the alveolar bone to be restored, which in-turn alleviates the orthodontitis. An orthodontic bracket is provided for use with an arch wire to apply corrective forces to a tooth. The bracket includes a vertical member having a slot formed therein for receiving the arch wire and a wide base horizontal member connected to the vertical member. The vertical member is positioned gingivally with respect to the horizontal member. The horizontal member includes opposing first and second ends that extend away from the vertical member and define a pair of spaced-apart wire engaging points engageable with the arch wire during treatment.

Abstract: A method for treating orthodontitis (i.e., gingivitis caused by malpositioned teeth). The process includes evaluating improper morphologies of alveolar bone in the horizontal dimension (i.e., orthodontosis) caused by displaced root(s) of a tooth, uprighting the root of the malpositioned tooth utilizing an orthodontic bracket system thereby causing the alveolar bone to be restored, which in-turn alleviates the orthodontitis. An orthodontic bracket is provided for use with an arch wire to apply corrective forces to a tooth. The bracket includes a vertical member having a slot formed therein for receiving the arch wire and a wide base horizontal member connected to the vertical member. The vertical member is positioned gingivally with respect to the horizontal member. The horizontal member includes opposing first and second ends that extend away from the vertical member and define a pair of spaced-apart wire engaging points engageable with the arch wire during treatment.

Abstract: An orthodontic system includes an orthodontic arch wire having a shape that corresponds to a dental arch, the arch wire having a first end portion that has a first series of grooves. In some examples, the first end portion has a second series of grooves, and the first and second series of grooves are positioned on opposite sides of the first end portion. In some examples, a bracket can be provided in which the bracket has a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is configured to engage the first series of grooves and the second gear is configured to engage the second series of grooves, enabling one or both of the first and second gears to drive the first end portion and provide a force along a longitudinal direction of the arch wire.

Abstract: Method of making a customized orthodontic bracket. A bracket receiving area is determined on a three-dimensional tooth model of a patient's tooth, and a bracket base is provided with a tooth-facing surface that is shaped according to the shape of the bracket receiving area. An outline of a bracket head is determined on the tooth model, and the bracket head is provided with a bracket head surface that is shaped according to the shape within the bracket head outline. The bracket has an outer surface with a shape corresponding to the natural shape of the patient's tooth, which helps to minimize discomfort during orthodontic treatment with the brackets.

Abstract: A dental bracket has a base and an engaging unit. The base has two engaged protrusions and two limiting protrusions. The engaging unit is mounted on the base and forms a space between the base and the engaging unit. The engaging unit has a plate, two engaging arms, and a blocking protrusion. The plate has a first surface and a second surface being flat and opposite the first surface. The two engaging arms are formed on the first surface of the plate and respectively engaged with the two engaged protrusions of the base. The blocking protrusion is formed on the first surface of the plate, is arranged between the two limiting protrusions of the base, and divides the space into two channels for inserting an archwire. The second surface of the engaging unit is flat and is able to decrease the foreign body sensation in the mouth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and a method for orthodontic torquing. For the various embodiments, a pliers for crimping coils of an orthodontic torquing spring to an arch wire includes: a pair of plier halves, each of the plier halves including a handle, a jaw, and a pivot section, each of the jaws including a crimping face defined by a distal edge having a length in a range of 200 percent to 400 percent of a diameter of the orthodontic spring, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge, the edges defined by a radius of curvature in a range of 0.1 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters, a textured surface on at least one of the crimping faces to frictionally engage the coil of the orthodontic spring, and a pivot joint connecting the pivot sections of the pair of plier halves such that the handles can be manipulated to cause the crimping faces of the jaws to move together to crimp a coil of the orthodontic torquing spring to the arch wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for planning a bracket system (1) for the correction of malpositions of teeth (2), comprising a plurality of brackets (3) and an arch (4) wherein at least one platelet (6) per tooth is mounted on certain tooth surfaces (5) of the teeth to be corrected (2), a three-dimensional optical image (50) of the tooth region to be treated is created, the platelets (6) have registration elements (10) comprising registration points (11) and the registration points (11) have a characteristic form for registration in the three-dimensional optical image (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthodontic working arch wire (2) for moving at least one tooth of a dental arch of patient to be treated from a first spatial configuration toward a second spatial configuration, including an element for connecting (42) to the tooth to be treated, which is intended to be attached onto the tooth being treated by snap-fining onto a bracket glued onto one of the surfaces of said tooth, the working arch wire being rigid, the connecting element being movable relative to the orthodontic working arch wire and connected to the orthodontic working arch wire by elastically deformable connecting means (43, 43a).

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: An improved edgewise orthodontic bracket is disclosed. In one embodiment, a bracket has a single pair of opposing T-shaped tie wings which define an archwire slot therebetween. Notches are provided on each of the mesial and distal sides of the center leg of each T-shaped tie wing for selectively receiving a ligating device. The notches are defined in the gingival/occlusal edges of the tie wings and comprise sloped portions that extend labially towards the archwire slot. Convex sidewall portions and convex floor portions are provided in the archwire slot adjacent to the notches. The body of the bracket is interconnected to a base that may includes a continuous series of characters that serve as texturing to facilitate bonding of the bracket with a tooth. A discontinuous perimeter rail may be used at the edge of the base.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes computing device related, systems, and methods for IPR planning as described herein. One method includes identifying a first tooth and a second tooth in a digital dental model with an overlap in a target final position in a treatment plan and identifying a reference line on each of the first tooth and the second tooth; revising the treatment plan wherein a position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth is determined in which the reference line of each of the first tooth and the second tooth are aligned and the first tooth and second tooth are not overlapping; and prescribing IPR based on the determined position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth.

Abstract: An independent low friction bracket includes a bracket basal body located on a mesh base. The bracket basal body has two side walls, the two side walls and the bracket basal body form a main arch wire slot; upper ends of the two side walls are provided with a ligating wing respectively, and outer surfaces of the two side walls are provided with a slope respectively, so that the side walls each have a gradually reduced wall thickness along the bracket basal body towards the ligating wing, and a recess is disposed at a place where the ligating wing is connected to the side wall.

Abstract: Ceramic materials comprising charge-compensating dopants and related methods. In some embodiments, the materials may comprise dopants such as Y2O3, Gd2O3, Nb2O5, and/or Ta2O5. Some embodiments may comprise a molar concentration of Y2O3 and/or Gd2O3 that is at least approximately equal to the molar concentration of Nb2O5 and/or Ta2O5. Certain embodiments and implementations may comprise particular, unique concentrations or concentration ranges of various compounds/materials in order to improve performance for use of such ceramic materials as biomedical implants.

Abstract: Provided is an orthodontic bracket that is capable of a more effective motion on the tooth surface. The orthodontic bracket includes a substrate surface that is bonded to the tooth surface and an arch wire retaining portion that is configured to retain an arch wire with the substrate surface as a bottom surface, the orthodontic bracket being connected by the arch wire and continuously applying a stress to individual teeth to thereby straighten a row of teeth, wherein the orthodontic bracket is in an approximately cambered cross-sectional shape that is orthogonal to the direction in which the arch wire is stretched with the substrate surface bonded to the tooth surface as the bottom surface, and is provided with a plurality of arch wire through holes respectively for inserting the arch wires into the holes and connecting adjacent orthodontic brackets by the arch wires.

Abstract: A system and method for translating teeth along an arch wire which utilizes brackets with larger dimensions and with variable dimensions so that larger lever arms are possible thereby reducing the need for excessive pressure and reducing occasions of excessive tooth rotation which is incidental to tooth translation.