Dental assemblies and related methods of making are provided. The dental assemblies include a dental article with a bonding surface an adhesive having both a compressible material and at least one hardenable dental composition extending across the bonding surface. The compressible material is coupled to the dental article by a first quantity of hardened dental composition extending at least partially through the compressible material and contacting the bonding surface. The hardened dental composition extends over less than the entire bonding surface. Adjacent portions of the compressible material contain a second quantity of unhardened dental composition, preserving flexibility of the compressible material. Advantageously, this configuration was found to enhance bond reliability and facilitate manufacturing.

Methods of administering a quantity of adhesive to bond orthodontic brackets is disclosed herein. The quantity of adhesive to bond a selected bracket to a tooth at a specific location thereon can be calculated based on a known geometry of the selected bracket and a digital model of the patient's teeth. A instruction guide can visually indicate with a graphic the amount of adhesive to dispense from a syringe or other device to bond the selected bracket to the surface of the tooth at a specific location planned in the digital model.

Methods of administering a quantity of adhesive to bond orthodontic brackets is disclosed herein. The quantity of adhesive to bond a selected bracket to a tooth at a specific location thereon can be calculated based on a known geometry of the selected bracket and a digital model of the patient's teeth. A instruction guide can visually indicate with a graphic the amount of adhesive to dispense from a syringe or other device to bond the selected bracket to the surface of the tooth at a specific location planned in the digital model.

A method and processor for generating a 3D-platform representation of a tooth-specific platform for attachment of a dental appliance to a tooth of a patient are disclosed. The method includes acquiring a 3D-tooth representation of the tooth, and defining an attachment zone on the surface of the 3D-tooth representation. The attachment zone has a zone perimeter enclosing a surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation corresponding to a surface portion of the tooth to which the tooth-specific platform is to be attached. The method also includes generating the 3D-platform representation having (i) a tooth-oriented surface matching the surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation and having a perimeter matching the zone perimeter, (ii) a perimeter wall extending between the tooth-oriented surface and the tooth-opposite surface and away from the surface portion, and (iii) a tooth-opposite surface matching an expanded surface portion of the 3D-tooth representation.

An orthodontic device is provided, including an anchorage structure, a palatal expansion structure, and at least one protrusion. The anchorage structure includes left and right posterior teeth caps configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; a palatal bar connecting the left and right posterior teeth caps; and an expanded arch extending from the left posterior teeth cap to the right posterior teeth cap. The palatal expansion structure includes: left and right anterior teeth parts configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; and expansion screws connecting the left anterior teeth part and the right anterior teeth part to each other and to the palatal bar. The at least one protrusion is formed on then occlusal side of the expanded arch and configured to contact the patient's mandibular dental arch when the orthodontic device is worn.

An orthodontic device is provided, including an anchorage structure, a palatal expansion structure, and at least one protrusion. The anchorage structure includes left and right posterior teeth caps configured to be removably worn on the posterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; a palatal bar connecting the left and right posterior teeth caps; and an expanded arch extending from the left posterior teeth cap to the right posterior teeth cap. The palatal expansion structure includes: left and right anterior teeth parts configured to be removably worn on the anterior teeth of the maxillary dental arch; and expansion screws connecting the left anterior teeth part and the right anterior teeth part to each other and to the palatal bar. The at least one protrusion is formed on then occlusal side of the expanded arch and configured to contact the patient's mandibular dental arch when the orthodontic device is worn.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to marking orthodontic devices. In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base that is additively manufactured and comprising a plurality of wells configured to house orthodontic appliances and a marking integral to the base, wherein the marking identifies one or more of the orthodontic appliances and locations for the orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliances comprises a body including features and a bonding surface, wherein the orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured and includes a marking integral to the orthodontic appliance, wherein the marking is located on one or more of the body and the bonding surface.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to marking orthodontic devices. In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base that is additively manufactured and comprising a plurality of wells configured to house orthodontic appliances and a marking integral to the base, wherein the marking identifies one or more of the orthodontic appliances and locations for the orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, an orthodontic appliances comprises a body including features and a bonding surface, wherein the orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured and includes a marking integral to the orthodontic appliance, wherein the marking is located on one or more of the body and the bonding surface.

A method for directly printing orthodontic and dental appliances on the teeth of a patient. The tooth is scanned with a scanner which is communicated with a computer controller configured to recognize the anatomy of the tooth. The surface of a tooth of the patient is then prepared in order to receive the type of appliance designated for the patient. Using image data from the print head, the computer controller prepares a three-dimensional blueprint or design of an appropriate orthodontic or dental appliance. The computer controller controls the type and amount of material that is distributed through the print head only when the print head passes over the recognized anatomy so as to directly print the corresponding appliance onto the tooth layer by layer as the print head makes successive passes over the surface of the tooth.

A method for directly printing orthodontic and dental appliances on the teeth of a patient. The tooth is scanned with a scanner which is communicated with a computer controller configured to recognize the anatomy of the tooth. The surface of a tooth of the patient is then prepared in order to receive the type of appliance designated for the patient. Using image data from the print head, the computer controller prepares a three-dimensional blueprint or design of an appropriate orthodontic or dental appliance. The computer controller controls the type and amount of material that is distributed through the print head only when the print head passes over the recognized anatomy so as to directly print the corresponding appliance onto the tooth layer by layer as the print head makes successive passes over the surface of the tooth.