Devices, systems, and computer-implemented methods for dental attachment templates

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods, devices, systems, and computer-implemented methods for forming and placing attachments for use with dental appliances, and more particularly to the design, manufacture, and use of three-dimensionally printed attachment templates for use with orthodontic devices. Dental attachment templates include a cavity with one or more openings for injecting and bonding attachment material directly on a patient's tooth, which allow accurate placement of the attachments while providing the dental practitioner flexibility during the attachment forming process. Digital dental attachment template model techniques can be used to accurately place the cavity and opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming an attachment template, comprising:
 placing an attachment on a crown surface of a tooth of a digital dental model;   creating a digital attachment template from the digital dental model including the attachment on the crown surface of the tooth of the digital dental model, wherein the attachment forms a cavity on an inner side of the digital attachment template;   creating one or more holes in the digital attachment template that are configured to provide access for a flowable attachment material into the cavity; and   three-dimensional printing the attachment template based on the digital attachment template.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating the one or more holes comprises forming a window that is shaped to define an area of light cast onto the flowable attachment material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the one or more holes ranges from about 1 square millimeters (mm 2 ) to about 4 mm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating the one or more holes comprises forming an injection hole for the flowable attachment material to be injected into the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising forming a vent hole that allows excess uncured attachment material or air to flow out of the cavity during the injecting. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating the one or more holes in the digital attachment template includes placing a cut shape on the digital attachment template and subtracting the cut shape from the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cut shape contacts the attachment to create the one or more holes when the cut shape is subtracted from the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cut shape overlaps with the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating the one or more holes includes placing cut shapes on the digital attachment template and subtracting the cut shapes from the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating the one or more holes comprising creating multiple holes by:
 placing one or more cut shapes on the digital attachment template; and   subtracting the one or more cut shapes from the digital attachment template to form the multiple holes.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital dental model is based on a scan of a patient's dentition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment includes an undercut region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment has a symmetric shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment has a non-symmetric shape. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming an attachment template, comprising:
 placing an attachment on a crown surface of a tooth of a digital dental model;   creating a digital attachment template from the digital dental model including the attachment on the crown surface of the tooth of the digital dental model, wherein the attachment includes an undercut region and forms a cavity on an inner side of the digital attachment template;   creating one or more holes in the digital attachment template, the one or more holes shaped to provide access for a flowable attachment material into the cavity; and   forming the attachment template based on the digital attachment template.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the attachment template comprises three-dimensional printing the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein creating the digital attachment template includes forming a frangible structure that is arranged to break away a portion of the attachment template. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the attachment template comprises three-dimensional printing the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the attachment template comprises three-dimensional printing the digital attachment template. 
     
     
         20 . A method of forming an attachment template, comprising:
 placing an attachment on a crown surface of a tooth of a digital dental model;   creating a digital attachment template from the digital dental model including the attachment on the crown surface of the tooth of the digital dental model, wherein the attachment includes an undercut region and forms a cavity on an inner side of the digital attachment template;   creating one or more holes in the digital attachment template is configured to provide access for a flowable attachment material into the cavity; and   three-dimensional printing the attachment template based on the digital attachment template.