| ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120106812 | SMILE DESIGNER - Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120082950 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTRA-ORAL DRUG DELIVERY - Systems and methods are disclosed for intra-oral delivery of drugs. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120065952 | METHOD FOR MANIPULATING A DENTAL VIRTUAL MODEL, METHOD FOR CREATING PHYSICAL ENTITIES BASED ON A DENTAL VIRTUAL MODEL THUS MANIPULATED, AND DENTAL MODELS THUS CREATED - A 3D virtual model of an intra oral cavity in which at least a part of a finish line of a preparation is obscured is manipulated in virtual space by means of a computer or the like to create, recreate or reconstruct finish line data and other geometrical corresponding to the obscured part. Trimmed virtual models, and trimmed physical models, can then be created utilizing data thus created. The virtual models and/or the physical models may be used in the design and manufacture of copings or of prostheses. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120035901 | AUTOMATED TREATMENT STAGING FOR TEETH - Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120028220 | PREVENTING INTERFERENCE BETWEEN TOOTH MODELS - Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120015314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VARYING ELASTIC MODULUS APPLIANCES - The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110270588 | INDIVIDUALIZED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT INDEX - Embodiments are provided for using an individualized orthodontic treatment index. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial virtual dental model from a first scan of a patient's dentition, modifying the initial virtual dental model to create a target virtual dental model according to a treatment goal, assigning a number of dental references to the target virtual dental model, receiving a treatment outcome virtual dental model from a second scan of the patient's dentition, mapping the number of dental references from the target virtual dental model to a treatment outcome virtual dental model, and calculating an individualized treatment index score for the treatment outcome virtual dental model according to one or more differences between the target virtual dental model and the treatment outcome virtual dental model based on the number of dental references. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269092 | REINFORCED ALIGNER HOOKS - Orthodontic positioning devices, and related methods and systems, are disclosed for use with one or more orthodontic elastic members. The disclosed devices are configured to couple with an orthodontic elastic member so as to react a force from the elastic member into the appliance to, for example, generate traction forces on the patient's teeth to produce a desired occlusion. A positioning device includes a patient removable tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hook configured to interface with an orthodontic elastic member. The hook can be configured to be offset from a surface of a tooth when the appliance is coupled with the patient's teeth and no elastic member is coupled with the tooth. The hook can be curved so that the hook is more retentive on the aligner. The hook can be reinforced so that the reinforcement resists deformation when the elastic is in place. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269091 | PATTERNED DENTAL POSITIONING APPLIANCE - Embodiments are provided for a patterned dental positioning appliance. One method embodiment includes receiving a dental mold of a patient's dentition, applying a pattern to a portion of the dental mold, and applying a material to the dental mold to form the removable dental positioning appliance that includes either the pattern on the portion of the dental mold or an inverse thereof. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110268326 | VIRTUAL CEPHALOMETRIC IMAGING - Virtual cephalometric imaging includes creating a first 3D virtual model and a second 3D virtual model of a patient's dentition. The first 3D virtual model is based on a first impression taken of the patient's dentition at a first time. The second 3D virtual model is based on a second impression taken of the patient's dentition at a second time. The first and the second 3D virtual models are correlated. A 2D image is generated including a first outline representing a position of at least one tooth of the patient's dentition according to the first 3D virtual model and a second outline representing a position of the at least one tooth according to the second 3D virtual model. Generating the 2D image includes positioning the first outline relative to the second outline according to the correlation of the first and the second 3D virtual models. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110213598 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPLETE TOOTH MODELING - A system and method for modeling of complete tooth, including root and crown, of a patient to facilitate orthodontic treatment are provided, wherein a generic tooth modeling is combined with a tooth crown modeling for a patient to yield a complete tooth modeling. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a generic tooth three-dimensional model for a particular tooth is morphed with a three-dimensional model of a patient's crown for the corresponding tooth to yield a complete three-dimensional model for that tooth. Such modeling techniques can be conducted with one or more computer-based systems, such as systems configured for storing patient data and generic tooth data, morphing such data and/or facilitating additional orthodontic treatment applications, through the use of one or more algorithms. Further adjustment of the complete tooth model for the tooth can also be provided through additional patient information, such as X-ray imaging, to address variations in root shape between a generic root and an actual root shape for a patient. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110184762 | CLINICIAN REVIEW OF AN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT PLAN AND APPLIANCE - A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110165533 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALTERNATING USE ORTHODONTIC ALIGNERS - Method and system for providing a first appliance configured for positioning substantially around one or more teeth during a first portion of a recurring time period to apply one of a first predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the first appliance formed of a first material, a second appliance configured for positioning substantially around the one or more teeth during a second portion of the recurring time period to apply one of a second predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the second appliance formed of a second material, where at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the recurring time period is repeated at least once such that at least one of the first appliance or the second appliance is positioned again substantially around the one or more teeth during the respective first or second portion of the recurring time period are provided | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110145015 | HEALTH-CARE E-COMMERCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A virtual health-care electronic commerce community includes a network to communicate information relating to the community; one or more patients coupled to the network; one or more treating professionals coupled to the network; and a server coupled to the network, the server storing data for each patient and performing patient data visualization in response to a user request. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110137626 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED CONSTRUCTION OF ORTHODONTIC REFERENCE OBJECTS - System and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects, such as the occlusal plane, arch form, and the local occlusal plane for a patient's teeth are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects comprises receiving three dimensional data for the teeth, setting an initial direction for a normal of the occlusal plane, determining tips for selected teeth, calculating a plane that matches the determined tip, and determining a new normal for the calculated plane. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110123944 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN ALIGNERS AND TEETH - A system and method for repositioning teeth in a patient jaw includes an attachment bonded to a tooth. The attachment has at least one force receiving component for receiving a force. A polymeric shell repositioning appliance is positioned over at least some of the teeth in the patient jaw. The polymeric shell has at least one force transmitting component for engaging the force receiving component to form a locus of engagement. The locus of engagement transmits the force and moves but is maintained as the tooth is repositioned. In specific embodiments the locus of engagement is maintained over a substantial range of motion. The force transmitted at the locus of engagement increases in response to the tooth lagging an intended position. A space between the positioned appliance and the tooth permits the tooth to move into an intended position. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123943 | TRACKING TEETH MOVEMENT CORRECTION - Embodiments are provided for tracking teeth movement correction. One method embodiment includes using a set of positioning appliances shaped to move teeth through a number of successive stages of arrangements of an expected teeth arrangement model where each stage corresponds to a particular positioning appliance, mapping a current teeth position based upon positions of a number of physical markers attached to a number of physical teeth, comparing the positions of the number of physical markers with a corresponding number of virtual markers positioned on a number of virtual teeth of a stage in the expected teeth arrangement model, determining whether midcourse correction is needed. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110123941 | TABBED DENTAL APPLIANCE - Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein and a tab representing a position of a tooth that has not fully erupted and oriented to be received over the position of the tooth that has not fully erupted. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110112804 | SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING FINAL POSITION OF TEETH - An apparatus and method define a fit of a set of upper and lower teeth of a patient by generating a computer representation of the teeth; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the teeth using one or more keys. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110104630 | GENERATING A DYNAMIC THREE-DIMENSIONAL OCCLUSOGRAM - Methods and systems for generating a three-dimensional occlusogram are disclosed. One method includes determining a virtual three dimensional (3D) mesh model object of at least one tooth of a patient and displaying the determined virtual 3D mesh model object of at least one tooth of a patient wherein the 3D mesh model object includes a plurality of data sets associated with a set of occlusal information for the at least one tooth of the patient. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110077768 | Activatable Dental Appliance - An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110076635 | Activatable Dental Appliance - An activatable dental appliance. A concave trough conforms to a plurality of teeth when placed over the plurality of teeth. A first force applying region is configured to apply a first force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth for repositioning the tooth. A second force applying region is configured to be selectively activated, wherein when selectively activated the second force applying region applies a force to at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20100239992 | DENTAL WIRE ATTACHMENT - 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. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100167225 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DENTAL VISUALIZATION - In particular embodiments, method, apparatus and system for receiving digital representations of the initial parameters of a dentition; simulating a first orthodontic treatment process on the digital representations of the initial parameters, displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, simulating a second orthodontic treatment process on the output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, and displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the second orthodontic treatment process are provided. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100159413 | UV AND CHEMICAL CURE BLOCKING DENTAL TEMPLATE - A dental template formed of an ultraviolet light-blocking or chemical cure inhibition material configured to restrict the curing of excess adhesive flash during the bonding of orthodontic devices to teeth. The dental template is configured to be positioned over a patient's teeth to guide placement of brackets on the teeth. The brackets are secured to the teeth using adhesive, which is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light or chemically cured. The dental template at least partially blocks ultraviolet light or restricts the chemical cure process from fully curing the adhesive underneath the template so that any exposed adhesive “flash” underneath the template can be easily cleaned after the template is removed from the teeth. The adhesive securing the brackets to the teeth can be fully cured after the “flash” is cleaned. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100159412 | REDUCED REGISTRATION BONDING TEMPLATE - A dental template for positioning an object on teeth of a patient and method for fabricating the same. The method includes creating a digital model of the patient's teeth, creating a simplified template model based on the digital model, and fabricating the dental template based on the simplified template model. The template model is simplified by removing certain features of the patient's tooth anatomy. The dental template can be located on a patient's teeth using four or fewer positioning teeth. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100151404 | TOOTH MOVEMENT MEASUREMENT BY AUTOMATIC IMPRESSION MATCHING - The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes receiving a tracking model, performing a matching step between individual teeth in a plan model and the tracking model, comparing the tracking model with the plan model, and detecting one or more positional differences. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100138025 | ORTHODONTIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING PARAMETRIC ATTACHMENTS - Orthodontic systems and related methods are disclosed for designing and providing improved or more effective tooth moving systems for eliciting a desired tooth movement and/or repositioning teeth into a desired arrangement. Methods and orthodontic systems of the invention include tooth attachments having improved or optimized parameters selected or modified for more optimal and/or effective application of forces for a desired/selected orthodontic movement. Attachments of the present invention can be customized to a particular patient (e.g., patient-customized), a particular movement, and/or a sub-group or sub-set of patients, and configured to engage an orthodontic tooth positioning appliance worn by a patient, where engagement between the attachment and orthodontic appliance results in application of a repositioning force or series/system of forces to the tooth having the attachment and will generally elicit a tooth movement. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100129763 | SEQUENTIAL SPORTS GUARD - The present invention provides protective repositioning appliances, accommodating mouth guards, and covering guards that protect an orthodontic patient against impact-induced injuries, as well as related systems and methods. A protective appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and reposition a patient's teeth and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. An accommodating mouth guard can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to accommodate a patient's teeth from a first arrangement to a second arrangement and can include an occlusal portion having an impact-absorbing compliance. A covering guard can include a guard segment that covers at least a portion of an appliance. The combination of a guard segment and an appliance can provide an occlusal compliance that absorbs impacts. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100129762 | DENTAL APPLIANCE WITH SIMULATED TEETH AND METHOD FOR MAKING - The present invention relates to orthodontic positioning appliances that represent teeth in desired positions and related systems and methods. An appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. An appliance can include an outer component having a surface representing teeth in desired positions. An outer component can be integral with an appliance. An outer component can be separate and configured to couple with an appliance main body. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100106518 | System And Method For Providing Optimized Patient Referrals - In particular embodiments, method, apparatus and system for generating a doctor profile based on one or more parameters associated with the doctor treatment information, generating a patient dental profile based at least in part on a weighting of a plurality of orthodontic-related treatment parameters, and providing one or more doctor referrals based on the generated doctor profile and the generated orthodontic patient profile are provided. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100092907 | Method And System For Deriving A Common Coordinate System For Virtual Orthodontic Brackets - Method and apparatus including obtaining digital representations of two or more dental appliances, determining a common base coordinate parameter for the two or more dental appliances, orientating the respective digital representations of the two or more dental appliances in accordance with the common base coordinate parameter, aligning the digital representations of the two or more dental appliances based on one or more characteristics associated with each of the two or more dental appliances, and storing the digital representations of the two or more dental appliances oriented to based on the common base coordinate parameter are disclosed. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100086890 | DENTAL POSITIONING APPLIANCE HAVING METALLIC PORTION - 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 metallic mesh material. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100055635 | SHAPE ENGINEERED ALIGNER - AUTO SHAPING - The present invention relates to orthodontic positioning appliances and related methods. An appliance in accordance with the present invention has teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. At least one of the cavities of the appliance includes a portion shaped to compensate for non-elastic deformation due to use of the appliance. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100036682 | TREATMENT ANALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A dental treatment planning system includes an input form to receive one or more dental patient inputs; and an engine adapted to receive the dental patient data from the input form and validating the dental patient data in a predetermined sequence. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100009308 | Visualizing and Manipulating Digital Models for Dental Treatment - Methods and apparatus for visualizing and manipulating three-dimensional digital dental models and related methods and apparatus for dental treatments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for visualizing and manipulating a three-dimensional digital dental model may comprise viewing the three-dimensional digital dental model and using hand gestures to instruct a computer to manipulate one or more teeth in the digital dental model. In other aspects, a dental treatment method may comprise viewing a three-dimensional digital model, using hand gestures, a conventional keyboard, and/or a conventional mouse to instruct a computer to manipulate one or more teeth in the digital model to generate a three-dimensional digital model of a modified arrangement of the subject's teeth, and fabricating one or more dental aligners configured to reposition the subject's teeth into the modified arrangement. Viewing may comprise stereoscopically viewing a digital dental model. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090292556 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING PATIENT REFERRALS - Practitioners are certified to perform a medical procedure, such as an orthodontic procedure. Certified practitioners are maintained in a referral directory and classified within tiers based on criteria such as the number of procedures that they have performed. Inquiries are solicited from prospective patients, and referral lists are provided to those patients who request them. The referral lists are obtained from the referral directory with doctors from higher tiers who have performed more procedures receiving preferential inclusion on the referral lists. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090246726 | RECONSTRUCTION OF NON-VISIBLE PART OF TOOTH - A computer-implemented method for modeling a complete tooth of a patient to facilitate dental and/or orthodontic treatment. The method includes generating a first set of digital data representing a clinical crown; generating a second set of digital data representing a plurality of digital tooth models of a particular tooth type each having a first parameterization; processing the second set of digital data to obtain a third set of digital data representing an average tooth model of the particular tooth type having a second parameterization which is less than the first parameterization; fitting the third set of digital data to the first set of digital data to create a set of digital data representing an interim tooth model; and morphing the set of digital data representing the interim tooth model to substantially mimic the anatomical shape of the clinical crown of the first set of digital data. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090191503 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING DENTAL ALIGNER GEOMETRY - Method and system for establishing an initial position of a tooth, determining a target position of the tooth in a treatment plan, calculating a movement vector associated with the tooth movement from the initial position to the target position, determining a plurality of components corresponding to the movement vector, and determining a corresponding one or more positions of a respective one or more attachment devices relative to a surface plane of the tooth such that the one or more attachment devices engages with a dental appliance are provided. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090191502 | ORTHODONTIC REPOSITIONING APPLIANCES HAVING IMPROVED GEOMETRY, METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The present invention provides methods and systems including orthodontic tooth positioning appliances. An exemplary appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped such that, when worn by a patient, repositioning the patient's teeth from a first arrangement toward a subsequent or target arrangement. Appliances can include a cavity having one or more shaped features or protrusions shaped and/or positioned so as to apply a desired force to a patient's tooth received in the cavity and move the tooth along a desired path or direction. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090148809 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED DENTAL GEOMETRY REPRESENTATION - A digital data set representing a pre-scanned tooth geometry, including generic crown data, is merged with data representing a scanned patient tooth crown image, which lacks sufficient data to completely represent a complete tooth crown. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090132455 | AUTOMATED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CASE MATCHING ASSESSMENT BASED ON GEOMETRICAL EVALUATION OF STAGES IN TREATMENT PLAN - Methods and systems for characterizing a dentition of a patient including receiving an initial dentition of a patient, generating an initial profile representing the initial dentition of the patient, identifying an initial malocclusion from the initial profile, comparing at least a portion of the initial profile with one or more reference profiles of reference dentitions, wherein said one or more reference profiles includes a reference malocclusion substantially similar to the initial malocclusion, and calculating a value for the closeness of the initial profile and the reference profile are provided. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090117507 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DENTAL APPLIANCE COMPLIANCE INDICATION - An apparatus for monitoring orthodontic treatment compliance includes an appliance adapted to be worn over one or more teeth; and a compliance indicator mounted on the appliance to indicate compliance. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090061382 | TOOTH MOVEMENT TRACKING SYSTEM - A method for determining movement of a tooth model from a first position to a second position, comprising: marking one or more points on the tooth model at the first position using a laser; capturing a first image of the tooth model at the first position; identifying first locations of the points on the tooth model in the first image; capturing a second image of the tooth model at the second position; identifying second locations of the points on the tooth model in the second image; and determining a difference in the first locations of the points on the tooth model in the first image and the second locations of the points on the tooth model in the second image. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090053669 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CASTING PHYSICAL TOOTH MODEL - A casting chamber for casting a physical tooth model representing a patient's tooth includes a chamber body and a lid. The chamber body includes a cavity adapted to hold a negative impression of the patient's tooth and to receive a cast material, wherein the negative impression and the chamber body are registered by a registration unit. The chamber lid is configured to seal the cast material in the casting chamber to permit the casting material to solidify in the casting chamber to form a physical tooth model representing the patient's tooth. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20080316209 | Image-Based Viewing System - Systems and methods are disclosed for visualizing changes in a three dimensional (3D) model by receiving an initial 3D model; determining a target 3D model; and generating one or more intermediate 3D models by morphing one or more of the 3D models. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080306724 | TREATMENT PLANNING AND PROGRESS TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention provides systems and methods of managing planning and delivery of an orthodontic treatment using planning tools, treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated, as well as tools and methods for tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080305453 | TREATMENT PROGRESS TRACKING AND RECALIBRATION - The present invention relates to systems and methods of developing and tracking delivery and patient progression through an orthodontic treatment plan. One method includes identifying deviations from an orthodontic treatment plan, including receiving a digital representation of an actual arrangement of a patient's teeth after an orthodontic treatment plan has begun for the patient and prior to completion of the orthodontic treatment plan. The method further includes comparing the actual arrangement to a pre-determined planned arrangement to determine if the actual arrangement substantially deviates from the planned arrangement, the comparing comprising matching teeth from a previously segmented model to a surface of an unsegmented representation of the actual arrangement; and calculating one or more positional differences between the actual and planned arrangements of at least some of the corresponding teeth. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080305452 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT - The present invention provides systems and methods of managing delivery of an orthodontic treatment plan using treatment guidelines, instructions and appointment planning tools customized to the individual patient being treated. A method includes, e.g., generating a treatment plan for a patient, generating a customized set of treatment guidelines, providing the set of customized treatment guidelines to the practitioner; and providing a set of orthodontic appliances to the practitioner. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080299507 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ALTERNATING USE ORTHODONTIC ALIGNERS - Method and system for providing a first appliance configured for positioning substantially around one or more teeth during a first portion of a recurring time period to apply one of a first predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the first appliance formed of a first material, a second appliance configured for positioning substantially around the one or more teeth during a second portion of the recurring time period to apply one of a second predetermined force or a predetermined tooth movement on the one or more teeth, the second appliance formed of a second material, where at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the recurring time period is repeated at least once such that at least one of the first appliance or the second appliance is positioned again substantially around the one or more teeth during the respective first or second portion of the recurring time period are provided | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080288289 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - Method and system for providing generating an orthodontic treatment data package, generating a patient identifier associated with the orthodontic treatment data package, transmitting the generated orthodontic treatment data package to a remote site, encoding the patient identifier and disposing the encoded patient identifier on a housing of an orthodontic treatment container are provided. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080280259 | Methods for Producing Non-Interfering Tooth Models - A method produces a physical dental arch model having at least two physical tooth models. The method includes detecting the interference between two physical tooth models. If interference is detected between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model, the positions and orientations of at least one physical tooth model is modified to prevent interference between the first physical tooth model and the second physical tooth model. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080280258 | Preventing Interference Between Tooth Models - Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080280246 | Accurately Predicting and Preventing Interference Between Tooth Models - Systems and methods for preventing interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model includes digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions, interpolating the meshes of points to produce interpolated surfaces to represent the boundaries of the two physical tooth models, wherein the interpolated surfaces representing the boundaries of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes specifying a straight line running through the overlapping portion and intersecting the two interpolated surfaces representing the boundaries of the two physical tooth models and calculating the length of the straight line in the overlapping portion to quantify the interference between the two physical tooth models. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080274441 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTING A PHYSICAL DENTAL ARCH MODEL - A method produces a physical dental arch model based on a three-dimensional (3D) digital dental arch model. The method includes smoothening the digital dental arch model to make the digital dental arch model suitable for CNC based manufacturing, segmenting the digital dental arch model into at least two manufacturable digital components, producing manufacturable physical components using Computer Numerical Control (CNC) based manufacturing in accordance with the manufacturable digital components, and assembling the manufacturable physical components to form the physical dental arch model. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080268400 | Dental appliance reinforcement - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for dental appliance reinforcement are provided. One dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein wherein the number of tooth apertures include an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a reinforcement rib positioned along the exterior surface. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080248443 | Clinician review of an orthodontic treatment plan and appliance - A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080215176 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AUTOMATED HIGH SCALE FABRICATION OF CUSTOM ITEMS - Method and system for providing volume manufacturing of customizable items including receiving a data package including a plurality of manufacturing parameters, each of the plurality of manufacturing parameters associated with a unique item, verifying the received data package, and implementing a manufacturing process associated with the received data package is provided. | 09-04-2008 |
