An orthodontic appliance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a retainer configured to retain a patient's teeth in a desired final tooth arrangement. The retainer can include a plurality of attachment portions, each configured to be coupled to a securing member adhered to a tooth of the patient. When the retainer is positioned adjacent to the patient's teeth and secured to the securing members, a shape of the attachment portions can inhibit the attachment portions from translating and/or rotating relative to the securing member.

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.

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.

A dental furnace for firing dental-ceramic compounds, comprising a combustion chamber for receiving ceramic elements to be fired. The heating of the combustion chamber is carried out using a heating device. The heating device is connected to an evaluation device via a resistance measuring device. The temperature in the combustion chamber and/or an operating state of the dental furnace can be determined using the evaluation device.

Devices, systems, and methods for orthodontic treatment planning and treatment are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the present technology are directed to a method of obtaining data characterizing movements of a patient's teeth from original positions to desired, final positions. In some embodiments, the method can include identifying one or more components of the movements, evaluating the movements, and/or modifying the movements. A method of the present technology can comprise obtaining an orthodontic treatment plan, which can include one or more suggested interventions to accomplish the tooth movements, a design of such intervention(s), and/or other useful information regarding the orthodontic treatment. In some embodiments, a method of the present technology comprises evaluating an orthodontic treatment during and/or after implementation of the treatment and, based on the evaluation, obtaining another orthodontic treatment plan and movement data characterizing movements of a patient's teeth from their current positions to desired, final positions.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for generating a treatment plan for arch expansion where a polymeric shell appliance is utilized to generate one or more activation forces that facilitate tooth movement. The polymeric shell appliances may comprise one or more tooth receiving cavities, in which each of the plurality of tooth receiving cavities is shaped and arranged to provide a counter moment of each of the plurality of teeth.

An aligner assembly for facilitating an alignment of one or more teeth is disclosed. The aligner assembly includes a shell adapted to receive the one or more teeth. The aligner assembly further includes one or more engagement structures configured to be coupled to one of the one or more teeth or the shell. Each engagement structure includes a slot and adapted to engage with the shell for facilitating a reposition of the one or more teeth.

A computer-implemented method and a system create a virtual model of at least a part of an orthodontic appliance. A process for manufacturing at least a part of an orthodontic appliance is described. A device formed by an orthodontic appliance and at least one strut is described.

A system and method of forming a coated orthodontic wire for use in an orthodontic wire alignment system. The coating is designed to be applied to a conventional orthodontic wire, typically made of nickel titanium, and stable at storage and during clinical insertion to the patient, does not affect the elastic properties of the nickel titanium wire and which dissolves, after a predetermined period of time, when the coated wire is placed in the patient's mouth. The dissolvability feature of the coating is important to form an aperture in a composite bead that adheres to the tooth. The created aperture allows the nickel titanium wire to displace through the composite bead, without disengaging from the composite bead, and thereby effectuate tooth movement. As such, the coating must also be edible in nature.