Embodiments are provided for using an individualized orthodontic treatment index. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial virtual dental model from a first scan of a patient's dentition, modifying the initial virtual dental model to create a target virtual dental model according to a treatment goal, assigning a number of dental references to the target virtual dental model, receiving a treatment outcome virtual dental model from a second scan of the patient's dentition, mapping the number of dental references from the target virtual dental model to a treatment outcome virtual dental model, and calculating an individualized treatment index score for the treatment outcome virtual dental model according to one or more differences between the target virtual dental model and the treatment outcome virtual dental model based on the number of dental references.

Embodiments are provided for using an individualized orthodontic treatment index. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial virtual dental model from a first scan of a patient's dentition, modifying the initial virtual dental model to create a target virtual dental model according to a treatment goal, assigning a number of dental references to the target virtual dental model, receiving a treatment outcome virtual dental model from a second scan of the patient's dentition, mapping the number of dental references from the target virtual dental model to a treatment outcome virtual dental model, and calculating an individualized treatment index score for the treatment outcome virtual dental model according to one or more differences between the target virtual dental model and the treatment outcome virtual dental model based on the number of dental references.

Apparatuses and methods for monitoring the performance of an orthodontic appliance for repositioning a patient's teeth. An orthodontic appliance may include a plurality of teeth receiving cavities shaped to reposition the patient's teeth from an initial arrangement towards a target arrangement, and one or more sensors configured to determine tooth movement (based on position and/or orientation) and/or forces applied to the teeth. The sensor may be distributed between attachments and aligners that mate with the attachments.

Systems and methods for fabricating indirect bonding trays are disclosed. Physical models of a patient's teeth can be created with non-functional placeholder brackets, impressions of which can be transferred to indirect bonding trays. This can create wells in which functional brackets can be placed into, reducing errors created from transferring functional brackets from the physical model onto the indirect bonding trays.

Protrusions or holes with jagged edges formed on the lingual side of invisible aligner trays are provided. The protrusions or holes irritate the tongue causing it to retract away from the incisors thus eliminating intruding force otherwise exerted by the tongue. A clear corrugated material is provided which is suited for making the aligner trays having the protrusions which otherwise would be difficult with standard thick material used. The lingual side protrusions are added by computer to the impressions taken from a patient's teeth such that the protrusions are formed on the dental model used to make the aligner trays.

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for protecting doctors and others from pathogenic microorganisms aerosolized during surgical and other procedures on patients. The systems and methods generally operate by forming a partially-enclosed chamber around the patient's face during the procedure. A facial adapter and facial shield isolate a portion of the patient's face from the surrounding environment. The partially-enclosed chamber is connected to a vacuum source that brings the pathogenic particles through a filter, which further decreases the number of pathogenic particles expelled into the environment.

Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing an appliance for correcting malocclusions of a patient's teeth. The method may include measuring the positions of a patient's teeth and receiving tooth movement constraints. The method may also include generating an initial treatment plan based on the measured tooth positions and the tooth movement constraints and measuring the malocclusions of the patient's teeth for one or more types of dental malocclusions. The method may also include generating a plurality of treatment plans from the initial treatment plan based on the measured malocclusion and generating a model of an appliance for each stage of the treatment plan. The method may also include generating instructions for fabricating the appliance for each stage of the treatment plan based on the model of the appliance for each stage of the treatment plan.

A method for analyzing a real dental situation of a patient. The method includes steps, as follows, in succession. At an updated instant, acquisition of an updated image representing a real dental scene as observed by an operator. Determination of a virtual dental scene as a function of the representation of the real dental scene on the updated image. Presentation of the virtual dental scene in transparent mode and overlaid on the real dental scene, or display of the updated image on a screen and presentation of the virtual dental scene overlaid with the representation of the real dental scene on the updated image displayed on the screen, in transparent mode or not on the representation.

A device for cranial restructuring, by the expansion, compression, or flexure of a cranial structure located between first and second anchor points, includes: a force generator configured to generate force; a first anchor attachment to the first anchor point; a second anchor attachment to a second anchor point; a hydraulic force transmitting structure, connected to the force generator, to transmit the generated force to the anchors thereby putting the cranial structure in tension, compression or flexure. Another device for cranial restructuring includes: a head support, having a head-receiving portion; a force generator to generate force which is periodic; a first anchor attachment to the first anchor point; a force transmitting structure, connected to the force generator, which transmits the periodic force to the anchor in a restructuring direction; wherein the head support includes: a restriction to prevent or restrict movement of the user's head when the periodic force is applied.

Direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners with torque, rotation, and full-control anchors divots are provided. An example process generates multiple virtual models of orthodontic treatment based on progressive moduli of elasticity (MOE) of different materials that will be used to 3D-print a progressive set of 3D-printed aligners. A progression of 3D-printed aligners applies modeled forces to the divot anchors positioned by the models and to the teeth, in treatment stages that are also computed by the models. One class of the example 3D-printed aligners may have flat occlusal biting surfaces, enabling simultaneous treatment of bite correction, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), lower jaw growth, and sleep apnea, along with orthodontic movement of teeth. An example 3D-printed aligner has a micro blower for creating air pressure to treat apnea. The aligner may have a microprocessor, sensors, data handling, and data transmission, for controlling actions of the 3D-printed aligner.