The present disclosure relates to an orthodontic system and a method of using the same to perform orthodontics. In one example, an orthodontic system is presented. The orthodontic system includes a tube having at least one sidewall and two opening ends, and a luting agent. The luting agent is disposed on at least a portion of one or more of the at least one sidewall of the tube and a portion of a surface of a tooth onto which the tube is directly attached or adhered. The two opening ends of the tube remain substantially open so that a wire can move along the tube.

A method and a system for determining an orthodontic treatment for a subject are provided. The method comprises: acquiring a 3D representation of the crown portion of a given tooth; generating a 3D representation of the root portion of the given tooth by: obtaining a location of a root apex of the 3D representation of the root portion; dissecting horizontally the 3D representation of the crown portion to generate a closed curve around the 3D representation of the crown portion, segmenting the closed curve into a plurality of sub-curves; for each one of the plurality of sub-curves, generating a segment of the 3D representation of the root portion; merging the 3D representation of the crown portion with the 3D representation of the root portion, thereby generating the 3D representation of the given tooth; and determining, based on the 3D representation of the given tooth, the orthodontic treatment for the subject.

An orthodontic appliance covering device for shielding an orthodontic appliance from view and for mimicking a set of teeth includes a shell, which has a plurality of cavities positioned therein. Each cavity is complementary to at least one of a tooth and a portion of an orthodontic appliance. The shell has a first face, which is open for insertion of a set of teeth having the orthodontic appliance engaged thereto. Each cavity has an associated at least one of a tooth and a portion of an orthodontic appliance positioned therein. A plurality of protrusions is engaged to and extends from a front face of the shell. The plurality of protrusions is shaped complementarily to the set of teeth. The protrusions are substantially opaque and white and thus mimic the set of teeth and shield both the set of teeth the orthodontic appliance from view.

An orthodontic appliance covering device for shielding an orthodontic appliance from view and for mimicking a set of teeth includes a shell, which has a plurality of cavities positioned therein. Each cavity is complementary to at least one of a tooth and a portion of an orthodontic appliance. The shell has a first face, which is open for insertion of a set of teeth having the orthodontic appliance engaged thereto. Each cavity has an associated at least one of a tooth and a portion of an orthodontic appliance positioned therein. A plurality of protrusions is engaged to and extends from a front face of the shell. The plurality of protrusions is shaped complementarily to the set of teeth. The protrusions are substantially opaque and white and thus mimic the set of teeth and shield both the set of teeth the orthodontic appliance from view.

Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.

Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.

A method and a system for determining a center of resistance point of a tooth for orthodontic treatment planning are provided. The method comprises: obtaining a tooth mesh from image data associated with a tooth crown of a patient; identifying a mesiodistal center of the tooth crown; determining a reference plane in the image data to extend through the mesiodistal center; determining an intersection curve based on an intersection of the reference plane and the tooth mesh, the intersection curve following a shape of the surface of the crown at the reference plane; determining a tooth axis of the tooth crown based on the intersection curve; determining a crown height of the tooth crown based on the tooth axis; and determining the center of resistance of the tooth based on the determined crown height and the determined tooth axis.

A method for evaluating an orthodontic appliance. Acquisition of a two-dimensional “appliance image” of teeth at least partially representing the orthodontic appliance in a service position. Acquisition of a two-dimensional “dentition image” of the teeth. If a determination of comparable dental and appliance attributes is not possible from the appliance image and from the dentition image, respectively, conversion of the appliance image and/or of the dentition image so that the appliance image be compatible with the dentition image. Determination of dental and appliance attributes relative to the shape of the tooth represented on the dentition image and relative to the shape of the orthodontic appliance on the appliance image. Comparison of the dental and appliance attributes, followed by determination of at least one score. At least one image is acquired with a mobile phone.

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.

A package opener comprises a handle having a first half and a second half. A plurality of blade cartridges are sandwiched between the first half and the second half, wherein the plurality of blade cartridges include at least one package opening blade cartridge, at least dual blade cartridge, and at least one envelope cutting blade cartridge. The package opening blade cartridge is configured at an operative bottom end of the handle. The dual blade cartridge is configured at an operative rear end of the handle. The envelope cutting blade cartridge is configured at an operative front end of the handle.