The present invention pertains to a photocurable composition for a 3D printer for producing a transparent orthodontic device. A photocurable composition for a 3D printer can be provided, which has excellent physical properties such as thermal properties, strength, elastic modulus, and tensile elongation, and when used in a patient-customized transparent orthodontic device, the orthodontic device can reduce the pain felt by patients and can enhance orthodontic correction effectiveness due to being closely fitted to the dental structure. Moreover, a 3D-printed transparent orthodontic device can be produced which can be restored to the original shape thereof even when deformed from use.

A method and system for optimizing stiffness of an orthodontic archwire for a tooth malocclusion of a patient with a computer system, the method including: constructing a model of a patient's teeth in the computer system; inputting material properties of the archwire to the computer system; and determining an adjusted stiffness of a first section of the orthodontic archwire, the first section associated with the tooth malocclusion of the patient. In some cases, the adjusted stiffness may be determined based on different variables associated with the patient's teeth, which may include at least one of interbracket distance, malocclusion magnitude, bracket slot size, wire size, teeth size or extent of stiffness modification of the archwire.

A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance includes plating a first pattern of a material on a substrate to define a layer. Repeating plating of the first material one or more times forms an additional pattern. A layered structure is built up and forms a portion of the orthodontic appliance. A pattern of a second material different from a first material may be plated on the substrate or on a pattern of the first material. The material may be a sacrificial material that may be later removed. The orthodontic appliance may be an archwire or a self-ligating orthodontic bracket having one or more layered structures formed by plating patterns of the material. Plating may include plating patterns of materials so as to form a movable member in place relative to a bracket body.

A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance includes plating a first pattern of a material on a substrate to define a layer. Repeating plating of the first material one or more times forms an additional pattern. A layered structure is built up and forms a portion of the orthodontic appliance. A pattern of a second material different from a first material may be plated on the substrate or on a pattern of the first material. The material may be a sacrificial material that may be later removed. The orthodontic appliance may be an archwire or a self-ligating orthodontic bracket having one or more layered structures formed by plating patterns of the material. Plating may include plating patterns of materials so as to form a movable member in place relative to a bracket body.

A removable orthodontic correction device includes a first correction unit, a second correction unit, and several elastic members. The first correction unit is configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary or mandibular dental arch of a patient and has several first connection parts formed thereon. The second correction unit is configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the same maxillary or mandibular dental arch of the patient and has several second connection parts formed thereon. The elastic members couple the first connection parts to the second connection parts. Thus, the elastic force of the elastic members drives the first correction unit to retract toward the second correction unit, to achieve en masse retraction and intrusion of the anterior teeth during space closure in the treatment of dental protrusion.

A removable orthodontic correction device includes a first correction unit, a second correction unit, and several elastic members. The first correction unit is configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary or mandibular dental arch of a patient and has several first connection parts formed thereon. The second correction unit is configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the same maxillary or mandibular dental arch of the patient and has several second connection parts formed thereon. The elastic members couple the first connection parts to the second connection parts. Thus, the elastic force of the elastic members drives the first correction unit to retract toward the second correction unit, to achieve en masse retraction and intrusion of the anterior teeth during space closure in the treatment of dental protrusion.

An orthodontic appliance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises an anchor configured to be positioned adjacent a patient's teeth, and an arm extending away from and coupled to the anchor. The arm can include a first end portion at the anchor and a second end portion configured to be coupled to a securing member adhered to a tooth of the patient. The second end portion can include a first region and a second region extending from the first region at an angle. When the appliance is positioned adjacent the patient's teeth and secured to the securing member, the first and second regions may inhibit the second end portion from translating and/or rotating relative to the securing member.

An orthodontic bracket and archform system that uses friction-free mechanics are disclosed. The archform can have a male fastener that can be retained within an orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket can have varying locking mechanism, such as deflectable tabs, springs, locking pins, and others, that can cooperate with features of the male fastener to prevent sliding between the archform and the bracket.

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.

An elongated member is used to create tension to move teeth en masse to correct Class II and Class III malocclusions. The elongated member has a constant force spring that, when stretched, provides tension along the elongated member. A mesial end of the elongated member is attached to a bridge assembly which is attached to a row of teeth, and a distal end of the elongated member is attached to an anchor. The spring member provides a constant tension which moves the bridge assembly, and hence the row of teeth, a precalibrated distance.