Various embodiments of an orthodontic appliance are provided. In one embodiment, an orthodontic appliance is provided, the appliance comprising: a body; at least one ring-shaped member connected to the body via at least one connecting portion; wherein the body and the at least one ring-shaped member are oriented adjacent to one another; and wherein the body and the at least one ring-shaped member are not coplanar when in an unloaded state.

Various embodiments of an orthodontic appliance are provided. In one embodiment, an orthodontic appliance is provided, the appliance comprising: a body; at least one ring-shaped member connected to the body via at least one connecting portion; wherein the body and the at least one ring-shaped member are oriented adjacent to one another; and wherein the body and the at least one ring-shaped member are not coplanar when in an unloaded state.

A method and system for applying colored dental adhesive and a high-resolution decal to the surface of a person's tooth. The colored dental adhesive is formed by combining dental adhesive with a food grade colorant. The high-resolution decal is formed by printing a design on a paper substrate. Before application of the colored dental adhesive, the tooth is cleaned and etched with a phosphoric acid compound. The colored dental adhesive is applied to the surface of a tooth. The decal is then placed on colored dental adhesive, and the colored dental adhesive is cured. Additional layers of dental adhesive may be applied on top of the decal.

The invention provides an intelligent dental ornament and a method of using the same, the intelligent dental ornament comprising: a dental ornament body with a cavity, a tester located within the cavity and for detecting a physiological parameter, a battery used by the tester, and a trigger switch for triggering the tester to start test; the dental ornament body is further provided with a through-hole for at least one pipette of the tester stretching out of the dental ornament body, and a sealing cover for sealing the through-hole. When the trigger switch activates the tester, the sealing cover is opened, and the pipette of the tester stretches out of the dental ornament body through the through-hole to obtain the saliva of the subject, and the physiology parameter in the saliva is detected, and the detection result is sent to an external device in communication with the tester. The intelligent dental ornament can intelligently detect the physiology parameters such as the blood glucose or alcohol content without affecting the aesthetics of the dental ornament, and has the advantages of simple operation, reducing pain of the user, being reusable, and reducing cost.

An ornament for attachment to orthodontic braces, the orthodontic braces having an arch wire overlying a laterally adjacent pair of teeth, the ornament having a web having a front end and a rear end; the ornament further having a first arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's front end; the ornament further having a second arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's rear end; the ornament further having a channel bounded by structures including the web, the first arm, and the second arm, the channel being fitted for, upon a passage of the arch wire between the first and second arms, nestingly receiving the arch wire.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient. Methods may include forming a shell from a prepolymer material, the shell including teeth receiving structures configured to receive at least a portion of the patient's teeth. The prepolymer material may be crosslinked to provide a first crosslinked polymer having a first degree of crosslinking. Methods may also include forming a force generating portion connected with the shell. The force generating portion may be configured to span a space between opposing posterior teeth of the patient and to apply an expansion force between the opposing posterior teeth of the patient. The force generating portion may be formed from the same prepolymer material as the shell. Forming the force generating portion may include varying crosslinking to provide a second crosslinked polymer having a second degree of crosslinking that is different than the first degree of crosslinking.

A method for changing the appearance of a tooth by applying a composition to it. The composition has a cosmetic enhancer and also has a substantially transparent binder which binds the cosmetic enhancer to the tooth.

A method for forming dental appliance having an ornamental indicia carrier may include forming a polymeric shell, forming a first adhesive layer configured to be adhered to the polymeric shell, the first adhesive layer including a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, forming a first adhesion layer over the first adhesive layer, and applying a colorant between the first adhesion layer and the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the arch of a patient are provided. An arch expanding appliance comprises a force generating portion to apply an arch expansion force and a retention portion to hold the force generating portion on the teeth. The retention portion comprises a flexible portion and a stiff portion. The force generating portion applies a force to move teeth associated with the flexible portion, while the stiff portion resists movement of its associated teeth. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.

Systems, methods, and devices for producing appliances for expansion of the palate of a patient are provided. A palate expanding orthodontic appliance comprises a teeth engagement portion comprising a plurality of teeth engagement structures and a force generating portion coupled to the teeth engagement portion and configured to apply force to cause the patient's palate to expand. The orthodontic appliances can be designed according to the specifications provided herein and manufactured using direct fabrication methods.