Aligners with elastics and associated systems

Abstract

Aligners and associated systems are provided. In some embodiments, an aligner includes a three-dimensionally (3D) printed shell. The 3D printed shell can include an interior surface having a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's dentition from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement, and an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface. The aligner can also include one or more elastic regions directly fabricated on the 3D printed shell. When the aligner is worn on the patient's dentition, the aligner can apply one or more forces onto the patient's dentition via the one or more elastic regions to affect repositioning of the patient's dentition from the first arrangement toward the second arrangement.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An aligner comprising:
 a three-dimensionally (3D) printed shell comprising:
 an interior surface comprising a plurality of tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's dentition from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement, and 
 an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface; and 
   one or more elastic regions directly fabricated on the 3D printed shell,   wherein, when the aligner is worn on the patient's dentition, the aligner applies one or more forces onto the patient's dentition via the one or more elastic regions to affect repositioning of the patient's dentition from the first arrangement toward the second arrangement.   
     
     
         3 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are integral to the 3D printed shell. 
     
     
         4 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D printed shell comprises a polymeric body. 
     
     
         5 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the aligner has at least one heterogeneous property attributable to the one or more elastic regions directly fabricated on the 3D printed shell. 
     
     
         6 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the aligner is one of a series of aligners configured to implement a treatment plan to move the patient's dentition from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more elastic regions comprise one or more elastic coatings. 
     
     
         8 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are disposed on one or more of an interproximal region of the aligner, a lingual region of the aligner, or an occlusal region of the aligner. 
     
     
         9 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are disposed on one or more of an interproximal region of the exterior surface, a lingual region of the exterior surface, or an occlusal region of the exterior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The aligner of  claim 2 , wherein the 3D printed shell comprises a first stiffness, and the one or more elastic regions comprise a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a first aligner comprising:
 a three-dimensionally (3D) printed shell comprising:
 an interior surface comprising a plurality of first tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition a patient's dentition from a first arrangement toward a second arrangement, and 
 an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface, and 
 
 one or more elastic regions directly fabricated on the 3D printed shell, 
 wherein, when the aligner is worn on the patient's dentition, the first aligner applies one or more forces onto the patient's dentition via the one or more elastic regions to affect repositioning of the patient's dentition from the first arrangement toward the second arrangement; and 
   a second aligner comprising a plurality of second tooth-receiving cavities shaped to reposition the patient's dentition from the second arrangement toward a third arrangement.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are integral to the 3D printed shell. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the 3D printed shell comprises a polymeric body. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first aligner has at least one heterogeneous property attributable to the one or more elastic regions directly fabricated on the 3D printed shell. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second aligners are part of a series of aligners configured to implement a treatment plan to move the patient's dentition from an initial arrangement toward a target arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more elastic regions comprise one or more elastic coatings. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are disposed on one or more of an interproximal region of the first aligner, a lingual region of the first aligner, or an occlusal region of the first aligner. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more elastic regions are disposed on one or more of an interproximal region of the exterior surface, a lingual region of the exterior surface, or an occlusal region of the exterior surface. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the 3D printed shell comprises a first stiffness, and the one or more elastic regions comprise a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second aligner comprises:
 a second 3D printed shell comprising the plurality of second tooth-receiving cavities, and   one or more second elastic regions directly fabricated on the second 3D printed shell.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a 3D printed retainer shaped to retain the patient's dentition at a target arrangement.