Archforms with terminal ends that anchor to orthodontic brackets disposed on teeth of the patient and methods of forming the same are disclosed herein. The archforms can include enlarged end portions, such as a ball, that can anchor onto brackets bonded to surfaces of the teeth of the patient.

A method for producing a shape memory band of an orthodontic appliance. The shape memory band is one piece, has a cross section that can vary according to the longitudinal position of said cross section, and includes a bonding zone configured so as to exhibit a shape substantially identical to that of a tooth. The method includes: determining an orthodontic treatment suitable for treating the teeth, determining a set of forces to be exerted locally on the teeth in order to obtain the orthodontic treatment and the shape of the surface of the teeth to which bonding zones of the shape memory band are to be bonded, and producing the shape memory band. The local cross section of the shape memory band is determined according to the forces and in such a way as to define bonding zones substantially identical to the surfaces of the teeth.

An orthodontic appliance having a transitory flexural modulus, which lowers when applied to an environmental condition, such as heat. The lowered flexural modulus causes the appliance to become more flexible and therefore have less initial discomfort. As the appliance is worn, it cools to gradually increase the flexural modulus and apply greater orthodontic force to teeth.

Continuous adjustment appliances are provided that can store a large number of geometries that can be successively accessed throughout orthodontic treatment, with each geometry can correspond to an arrangement of the patient's teeth. An appliance according to the present disclosure can be stimulated to transition among the myriad geometries, which can include changes to the overall shape of the appliance as well as the position and geometry of the cavities corresponding to a patient's teeth. Methods of creating the continuous adjustment appliances and methods of treatment using the continuous adjustment appliances are also revealed.

Embodiments are provided for utilizing metallic portions in dental positioning appliances. One embodiment includes a removable dental positioning appliance having a shell having one or more cavities shaped to receive and reposition one or more teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation and where at least a portion of the shell is formed from a mesh material.

An orthodontic bracket and archform system that uses friction-free mechanics are disclosed. The archform can have a male fastener that can be retained within an orthodontic bracket. The orthodontic bracket can have varying locking mechanism, such as deflectable tabs, springs, locking pins, and others, that can cooperate with features of the male fastener to prevent sliding between the archform and the bracket.

Proposed are a spacer and a method of manufacturing the spacer. The spacer includes a body portion configured as a single structure and formed of a shape memory material, the body portion supporting teeth at both sides of a tooth loss space. Furthermore, the body portion includes a first grip portion surrounding a part around a tooth disposed at a first side with respect to the tooth loss space, a second grip portion surrounding a part around a tooth disposed at a second side with respect to the tooth loss space, and a bridge connecting the first grip portion and the second grip portion to each other. Furthermore, the first grip portion and the second grip portion have curved shapes open toward directions opposite to each other. Furthermore, the method includes a data obtaining process, a data processing process, and a laser cutting process.

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.

A dental implant system with a ceramic implant and with an abutment, which moreover includes an insert element for the ceramic implant. The insert element is either manufactured from non-ceramic material or is manufactured essentially of injection molded ceramic. The insert element matches with a recess a proximal region of the ceramic implant and is inserted or insertable into the recess. The insert element serves for the fastening of the abutment and for this is equipped with fastening structures. The insert element, which is arranged in the recess of the ceramic implant, is connectable or connected to the ceramic implant by way of a frictional connection and/or positive connection with respect to axial traction.

An orthodontic anchor system may include an anchor system having an anchor system distal end and an anchor system proximal end. The anchor system may include an aligner receptacle, an aligner housing, an anchor mechanism, and an elastic band receptacle. The aligner housing may be configured to house an aligner. The anchor mechanism may be configured to house an elastic band. The aligner housing may be configured to house the aligner without requiring a modification of the aligner.