A method of providing an accurate three-dimensional scan of a dental arch area is disclosed. The arch area has two segments and a connecting area between the two segments. The connecting area has homogeneous features. A connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature is affixed to the arch area. The definable feature overlays at least part of the connecting area. The arch area is scanned to produce a scanned dataset of the arch area. The definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool on the connection area is determined based on the scanned dataset. The dimensions of the arch area are determined based on the data relating to the definable features from the scanned dataset.

Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.

Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.

Provided are an intraoral image processing method and an intraoral image processing apparatus. The intraoral image processing method according to an embodiment may include: obtaining a three-dimensional oral cavity model of an oral cavity; obtaining curvature information of the three-dimensional oral cavity model; obtaining roughness information of the three-dimensional oral cavity model, based on the curvature information; obtaining a color of the three-dimensional oral cavity model, based on the roughness information; and displaying the three-dimensional oral cavity model, based on the obtained color.

The present disclosure is directed to arthroscopic visualization systems and methods. The visualization system can include a camera with a fluid inflow path, wherein a proximal end of the camera is configured to fluidly connect a fluid reservoir to the fluid inflow path. The system can also include a cannula with a lumen, wherein the lumen is configured to be fluidly connected to the fluid inflow path at a distal end of the camera. In addition, the system can also include a scope, wherein the scope is configured to be connected to the distal end of the camera and a portion of the scope is configured to be inserted into the lumen of the cannula.

Provided herein are systems for monitoring a subject's teeth during orthodontic treatment. In particular, described herein are apparatuses having a fixed focal length for coupling to a patient's smartphone, including a built-in lip/cheek retractor. These smartphone dental imaging apparatuses may be configured to easily and robustly interface with the user's smartphone to allow capture of dental images.

Provided herein are systems for monitoring a subject's teeth during orthodontic treatment. In particular, described herein are apparatuses having a fixed focal length for coupling to a patient's smartphone, including a built-in lip/cheek retractor. These smartphone dental imaging apparatuses may be configured to easily and robustly interface with the user's smartphone to allow capture of dental images.

An oropharyngeal dam for facilitating a safe and efficient dental treatment is disclosed. The oropharyngeal dam includes a pair of cheek retractors including an upper retractor component, a lower retractor component and a cheek retracting sheet. Further, the upper retractor component, the lower retractor component, the cheek retracting sheet, and a set of lip retractors are collectively configured to retract cheeks of a patient. The oropharyngeal dam includes a tongue protector including an upper protector component, a lower protector component and a tongue protecting sheet. Furthermore, the upper protector component, the lower protector component and the tongue protecting sheet are collectively configured to shield and retract a tongue of the patient. The set of lip retractors are configured to aid lip retraction when pulled outside the mouth.

Apparatuses, including sleeves, intraoral scanning systems to use these sleeves, and methods of using the sleeve, that authenticate the sleeve for use with an intraoral scanning system. Authentication may include verifying that the sleeve is new (unused) and/or verifying that the sleeve is appropriate and/or intended for use with the intraoral scanning system. Once authenticated, operation parameters of the intraoral scanning system can be automatically set based on information from a scanned identifier on the sleeve.

Apparatuses, including sleeves, intraoral scanning systems to use these sleeves, and methods of using the sleeve, that authenticate the sleeve for use with an intraoral scanning system. Authentication may include verifying that the sleeve is new (unused) and/or verifying that the sleeve is appropriate and/or intended for use with the intraoral scanning system. Once authenticated, operation parameters of the intraoral scanning system can be automatically set based on information from a scanned identifier on the sleeve.