Shell-shaped dental appliance system

Abstract

One aspect of the present application provides a shell-like dental appliance system for use in an expansion or contraction consolidation period, comprising a series of successive shell-like dental appliances for successive wearing to a dental arch of a first jaw of a patient, each of the series of successive shell-like dental appliances being an integral shell forming a cavity to receive a plurality of teeth, the geometry of the cavity enables the series of successive shell-like dental appliances to progressively reposition the dental arch from a tooth layout at the beginning of an expansion or contraction consolidation period to a desired tooth layout at the end of the expansion or contraction consolidation period, the first dental jaw being an upper jaw or a lower jaw, the second dental jaw being a lower jaw or an upper jaw, in the arch expansion or arch contraction consolidation period, the first tooth jaw of the patient wears an arch expansion device or an arch contraction device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to a shell-shaped dental appliance system, and more particularly to a shell-shaped dental appliance system used during the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction. Background Art

[0002] Shell-shaped dental appliances based on polymer materials are becoming increasingly popular due to their aesthetic, convenience, and ease of cleaning.

[0003] The shell-shaped dental appliance is a one-piece shell that forms a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth, and the geometry of the cavity substantially matches the teeth in the corresponding arrangement. The shell-shaped dental appliance uses the rebound force generated by deformation to reposition the patient's teeth from the current tooth arrangement to the predetermined tooth arrangement.

[0004] Due to the material properties and structural morphology of the shell-shaped dental appliance, its arch expansion effect is relatively limited. Therefore, in clinical practice, traditional arch expanders are usually used for arch expansion. In order to avoid recurrence, after the arch expansion is completed, it is generally necessary to continue wearing the arch expander for about half a year. After the arch expansion results are stabilized, the arch expander is removed, and finally the shell-shaped dental appliance is used to reposition the patient's teeth to the desired tooth layout. However, in current clinical practice, the six-month wait for the arch expansion results to stabilize significantly prolongs the entire appliance cycle and significantly reduces the efficiency of orthodontic treatment.

[0005] In view of the above, it is necessary to provide a new dental correction system. Summary of the invention

[0006] One aspect of the present application provides a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in an expansion or retraction consolidation period, which includes a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for being successively worn on the dental arch of a patient's first jaw, each of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances being an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating a plurality of teeth, the geometry of the cavity enabling the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from a tooth layout at the beginning of the expansion or retraction consolidation period to a tooth layout desired to be achieved at the end of the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the first jaw being the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the patient's first jaw is wearing an expander or retractor.

[0007] In one embodiment, during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the expander or retractor is fixed to a plurality of teeth on both sides of the first jaw of the patient. In another embodiment, during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the expander or retractor is fixed to an anchor pin. In another embodiment, during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the expander or retractor is fixed to the shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0008] In some embodiments, the structure of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances allows the posture of the teeth fixing the expander or retractor to remain unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

[0009] In some embodiments, the inner side wall of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is provided with a plurality of openings near the gums to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander or retractor from blocking the wearing of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0010] In some embodiments, the number of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is determined based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0011] In some embodiments, during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the expander or retractor is used to maintain the width of the dental arch of the patient's first jaw after the expansion or retraction is completed, and the force applied to the patient's first jaw is insufficient to expand or retract the arch.

[0012] Another aspect of the present application provides an appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations, which comprises: a first-stage appliance, comprising only a first expander or retractor, for expanding or retracting a first jaw of a patient during an expansion or retraction period, wherein the first jaw is the maxilla or the mandible; and a second-stage appliance, comprising a second expander or retractor and a first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances, wherein the second expander or retractor is used to maintain the dental arch of the first jaw at the width after the expansion or retraction during an expansion or retraction consolidation period after the end of the expansion or retraction period, wherein the first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are used to be worn successively on the dental arch of the first jaw, each of which is an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating a plurality of teeth, wherein the geometry of the cavity enables the first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from the tooth layout at the beginning of the expansion or retraction consolidation period to the tooth layout desired to be achieved at the end of the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

[0013] In some embodiments, the braces system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations also includes a third-stage braces, which includes only a second group of a series of successive shell-shaped braces, which are used to be worn successively on the dental arch of the first jaw, each of which is an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth, the geometry of the cavity enabling the second group of a series of successive shell-shaped braces to gradually reposition the dental arch from the dental layout at the end of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period to the target dental layout of the orthodontic treatment.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first and second expanders or retractors are the same expander or retractor.

[0015] In some embodiments, the expander or retractor is a plurality of teeth fixed to both sides of the first jaw of the patient.

[0016] In some embodiments, the structure of the first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances allows the posture of the teeth fixing the expander or retractor to remain unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the first series of shell-like dental appliances is provided with a plurality of openings near the gums to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander or retractor from blocking the wearing of the first series of shell-like dental appliances.

[0018] In some embodiments, the number of the first series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is determined based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of the first series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0019] In some embodiments, the width of the expander or retractor changes gradually during the expansion or retraction period, and remains substantially unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

[0020] Another aspect of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction, which includes: at the beginning of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period, obtaining a first three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch at that time; generating a first group of series of three-dimensional digital models based on the first three-dimensional digital model, each representing a first group of series of tooth layouts; determining the number N of correction steps completed during the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance; selecting the first N from the first group of series of three-dimensional digital models; and using the selected N series of three-dimensional digital models to control the device to manufacture corresponding N series of shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing the shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction also includes: using the selected N series of three-dimensional digital model control devices to manufacture N series of positive molds; and using a hot pressing film molding process to press films on the N series of positive molds to form the N series of shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first three-dimensional digital model is a three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch wearing an expander or a retractor.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method for manufacturing the shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction also includes: cutting openings at corresponding positions on both sides of the inner side walls of the N series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander or arch retraction device from blocking the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0024] In some embodiments, in the first series of successive three-dimensional digital models, the posture of the teeth that fix the expander or retractor remains unchanged.

[0025] In some embodiments, during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the patient's dental arch is equipped with an expander or retractor, which is used to maintain the width of the patient's dental arch after the expansion or retraction is completed, and the force applied to the patient's dental arch is not enough to expand or retract the arch.

[0026] Another aspect of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations, comprising: after the arch expansion or arch retraction period ends, obtaining a second three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch not wearing the expander or retractor; generating a second group of successive three-dimensional digital models based on the second three-dimensional digital model, each representing a second group of successive tooth layouts; and using the second group of successive three-dimensional digital models to control a device to manufacture a corresponding series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for gradually repositioning the patient's dental arch to the target tooth layout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other features of the present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions thereof. It should be understood that these drawings only illustrate several exemplary embodiments according to the present application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and similar reference numerals represent similar components.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance in one embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 2 The dental arch of a patient with an expander installed in the first stage of the orthodontic treatment method of the present application is schematically shown;

[0030] Figure 3 Schematically illustrating a dental arch wearing both an expander and a shell-shaped dental appliance at the second stage in one embodiment; and

[0031] Figure 4 The shell-shaped dental appliance used in the third stage is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following detailed description refers to the drawings that form a part of this specification. The illustrative embodiments mentioned in the specification and drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Under the enlightenment of the present application, those skilled in the art will understand that many other embodiments can be adopted, and various changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the subject matter and scope of protection of the present application. It should be understood that the various aspects of the present application described and illustrated herein can be arranged, replaced, combined, separated and designed according to many different configurations, and these different configurations are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] One aspect of the present application provides a shell-shaped dental appliance for use in the expansion consolidation period and a method for manufacturing the same. The shell-shaped dental appliance of the present application can reposition non-expander fixed teeth (teeth with fixed expanders) during the expansion consolidation period, making full use of the expansion consolidation period and effectively shortening the overall cycle of orthodontic treatment.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, when the arch expansion is basically in place, a three-dimensional digital model of the patient's teeth wearing the expander is obtained, and then a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances used in the arch expansion consolidation period are manufactured based on the three-dimensional digital model. When the arch expansion consolidation period is over and the expander is removed, a three-dimensional digital model of the patient's teeth without the expander is obtained again, and then a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are manufactured based on the three-dimensional digital model for use by the patient after the expander is removed.

[0035] Arch expansion mainly moves the teeth toward the lip and cheek sides and opens up the mid-palatal suture to expand the dental arch. During the process, the reconstruction of the jawbone, alveolar bone and other tissues takes a certain amount of time. Although a relatively stable arch expansion effect can be obtained within the physiological limit, there is still a certain tendency of relapse after arch expansion due to various physiological reasons, and it is easy to relapse after the arch expansion is completed. Therefore, after the arch expansion is basically in place, the patient needs to continue to wear the expander for a period of time to prevent recurrence. In clinical practice, it usually takes half a year to two years, and this period is called the arch expansion consolidation period. It can be understood that the force exerted by the expander on the teeth or jaw during the arch expansion consolidation period is much less than that during the arch expansion period.

[0036] In light of the present application, it can be understood that the shell-shaped dental appliance of the present application is also applicable to the case of arch retraction. The following only takes arch expansion as an example to explain in detail the shell-shaped dental appliance of the present application and its manufacturing method.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 , is a schematic flow chart of a method 100 for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance in one embodiment of the present application.

[0038] In 101 , a first three-dimensional digital model representing a patient's teeth with an expander fixture attached is acquired.

[0039] The expander fixing structure refers to the structure that fixes the expander to the patient's teeth. There are many types of expanders, and the expander fixing structures are also different.

[0040] In one embodiment, the first three-dimensional digital model may be a three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's complete dentition (maxillary dentition or mandibular dentition). In another embodiment, the first three-dimensional digital model may also be a three-dimensional digital model representing a partial dentition of the patient.

[0041] In one embodiment, the first three-dimensional digital model can be obtained by intraoral scanning. In another embodiment, the first three-dimensional digital model can be obtained by scanning an impression of a patient.

[0042] In 103, a series of successive three-dimensional digital models are generated based on the first three-dimensional digital model.

[0043] The series of successive three-dimensional digital models represent a series of successive tooth configurations that are desired to be achieved using a shell-shaped dental appliance during the expansion consolidation phase.

[0044] For orthodontic treatment using a shell-shaped dental appliance, the first three-dimensional digital model represents the initial tooth layout of the patient. Generating a series of successive three-dimensional digital models representing a series of successive tooth layouts based on the three-dimensional digital model representing the initial tooth layout is well known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] In one embodiment, for orthodontic treatment during the arch expansion consolidation period, only a shell-shaped dental appliance sufficient for wearing during the arch expansion consolidation period may be manufactured.

[0046] As known to those skilled in the art, shell-shaped dental appliances made of different materials may have different wearing periods. For example, the wearing period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance is generally 1 to 2 weeks. After the doctor determines the expansion consolidation period according to the patient's specific conditions, the doctor can determine how many successive shell-shaped dental appliances need to be made for the expansion consolidation period according to the length of the expansion consolidation period and the wearing period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance, that is, determine how many correction steps can be performed during the expansion consolidation period, and record the number of correction steps that can be completed during the expansion consolidation period as N.

[0047] Since teeth with arch expanders fixed to them are more difficult to move, it is preferred that these teeth remain stationary when designing a shell-shaped dental appliance for the consolidation phase of arch expansion.

[0048] For the convenience of design, in one embodiment, when designing a shell-shaped dental appliance for the expansion consolidation period, the teeth to which the expander is fixed can be kept stationary, and a three-dimensional digital model of the teeth representing a series of successive tooth layouts is generated based on the tooth layout at the beginning of the expansion consolidation period. Then, the first N three-dimensional digital models of the teeth are selected to make a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for the expansion consolidation period.

[0049] In 105, a series of shell-shaped dental appliances are manufactured by controlling a device using the series of successive three-dimensional digital models.

[0050] In one embodiment, a series of successive positive molds can be made using the series of successive three-dimensional digital model control devices (e.g., stereolithography devices), and then the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are formed by pressing films on these positive molds using a hot pressing film forming process. In order to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander (e.g., a steel wire or a force-applying rod, etc.) from blocking the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance, openings can be cut at corresponding positions on the inner side walls of both sides of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0051] In another embodiment, three-dimensional digital models representing a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances can be generated based on the series of successive three-dimensional digital models, and then they can be used to control a 3D printing device to manufacture a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

[0052] The series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances can gradually reposition the patient's teeth from the tooth configuration at the beginning of the arch expansion consolidation period to the tooth configuration desired to be achieved at the end of the arch expansion consolidation period.

[0053] There are three main ways to fix the expander. The first is to fix it to the teeth, the second is to fix it to the anchor pins, and the third is to fix it to the shell-shaped dental appliance. For different expander fixation methods, the production methods of the shell-shaped dental appliance used in the expansion consolidation period are slightly different. The above production methods of the shell-shaped dental appliance are suitable for the case where the expander is fixed to the teeth. For the latter two cases, there is no need to consider the obstruction of the expander to the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance.

[0054] Another aspect of the present application provides an orthodontic treatment plan including an arch expansion operation, which includes three stages.

[0055] In the first stage, only the patient's dental arches are expanded using the expander, without any other movement of the patient's teeth.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 2 , schematically shows a dental arch 203 of a patient with an expander 201 installed in the first stage, wherein the expander is fixedly installed on four teeth 2031 on both sides of the dental arch 203.

[0057] When the arch expansion is basically in place, the force exerted by the arch expander on the dental arch is greatly reduced, and the second stage, namely the arch expansion consolidation stage, begins. In this stage, the arch expander is continued to be worn to consolidate the arch expansion effect, and the shell-shaped dental appliance of the present application is used to reposition the teeth of the non-fixed arch expander.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 3 , schematically showing a dental arch 203 wearing both an expander 201 and a shell-shaped dental appliance 205 in the second stage in an embodiment, wherein openings 2051 (close to the gums) are provided on both sides of the inner wall of the shell-shaped dental appliance 205 at the connection between the expander 201 and the tooth 2031 to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander 201 (e.g., a steel wire or a force-applying rod, etc.) from blocking the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance 205, so that the shell-shaped dental appliance 205 can be worn on the dental arch 203 fixed with the expander 201 and removed from the dental arch 203.

[0059] Since the shell-shaped dental appliance worn in the second stage is used to reposition the teeth between the two ends of the expander, in yet another embodiment, the shell-shaped dental appliance worn in the second stage may only cover a section of the dental arch between the two ends of the expander.

[0060] When the expansion consolidation period (i.e., the second stage) is over, the expander 201 can be removed and the third stage of orthodontic treatment can begin. First, a three-dimensional digital model representing the current tooth layout is obtained, and then a series of successive three-dimensional digital models are generated based on it, respectively representing a series of successive tooth layouts from the current tooth layout to the target tooth layout (i.e., the tooth layout that orthodontic treatment hopes to achieve). Finally, a series of successive shell-shaped dental braces are made using this series of three-dimensional digital models to gradually reposition the patient's teeth from the current tooth layout to the target tooth layout. Since the patient does not wear an expander in the third stage, the shell-shaped dental braces used in this stage are traditional shell-shaped dental braces, and their general structure and manufacturing method are known to ordinary technicians, so they will not be repeated.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 4 , schematically showing a conventional shell-shaped dental appliance 207 used in the third stage.

[0062] Although various aspects and embodiments of the present application are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present application. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes. The scope and subject matter of the present application are determined solely by the appended claims.

[0063] Likewise, various diagrams may illustrate exemplary architectures or other configurations of the disclosed methods and systems that aid in understanding the features and functions that may be included in the disclosed methods and systems. The claimed content is not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, and the desired features may be implemented with various alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, for flow charts, functional descriptions, and method claims, the order of blocks presented herein should not be limited to various embodiments that are implemented in the same order to perform the described functions, unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context.

[0064] Unless otherwise expressly noted, the terms and phrases used herein and their variations should be interpreted as open ended, not restrictive. In some instances, the appearance of broad words and phrases such as "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to", or other similar terms should not be understood as an intent or need to indicate a narrowing of the example where such broad terms may not be present.

Claims

1. A shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in an expansion or retraction consolidation period, comprising a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for being successively worn on the dental arch of a patient's first dental jaw, each of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances being an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating a plurality of teeth, the geometry of the cavity enabling the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from a tooth arrangement at the beginning of the expansion or retraction consolidation period to a tooth arrangement desired to be achieved at the end of the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the first dental jaw being the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the patient's first dental jaw is worn with an expander or retractor.

2. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 1, It is characterized in that The arch expander or arch retractor is a plurality of teeth fixed to both sides of the first jaw of the patient.

3. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 2, It is characterized in that The structure of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances allows the posture of the teeth fixing the expander or retractor to remain unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

4. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 2, It is characterized in that The inner side wall of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is provided with a plurality of openings near the gums to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander or retractor from blocking the wearing of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

5. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 1, It is characterized in that The number of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is determined based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

6. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 1, It is characterized in that During the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the expander or retractor is used to maintain the width of the dental arch of the patient's first jaw after the expansion or retraction is completed, and the force applied to the patient's first jaw is not enough to expand or retract the arch.

7. An appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations, which include: The first stage appliance includes only a first expander or retractor, which is used to expand or retract the first jaw of the patient during the expansion or retraction period, wherein the first jaw is the maxilla or the mandible; as well as The second-stage orthodontic appliance includes a second expander or retractor and a first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances. The second expander or retractor is used to maintain the width of the dental arch of the first jaw after the expansion or retraction during the expansion or retraction consolidation period after the end of the expansion or retraction period. The first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are used to be worn on the dental arch of the first jaw successively, each of which is an integrated shell to form a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth. The geometry of the cavity enables the first group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from the tooth layout at the beginning of the expansion or retraction consolidation period to the tooth layout desired to be achieved at the end of the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

8. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 7, It is characterized in that It also includes a third-stage braces, which includes only a second group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances, which are used to be worn successively on the dental arch of the first dental jaw, each of which is an integrated shell to form a cavity to accommodate multiple teeth, and the geometry of the cavity enables the second group of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from the tooth layout at the end of the expansion or retraction consolidation period to the target tooth layout of the dental orthodontic treatment.

9. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The first and second expanders or retractors are the same expander or retractor.

10. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The arch expander or arch retractor is fixed to a plurality of teeth on both sides of the first jaw of the patient.

11. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The structure of the first series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances allows the posture of the teeth fixing the expander or retractor to remain unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

12. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The inner side wall of the first series of shell-shaped dental appliances is provided with a plurality of openings near the gums to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander or retractor from blocking the wearing of the first series of shell-shaped dental appliances.

13. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The number of the first series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is determined based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of the first series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances.

14. The appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operation according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The width of the expander or retractor changes gradually during the expansion or retraction period, and remains substantially unchanged during the expansion or retraction consolidation period.

15. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction, which include: At the beginning of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period, a first three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch at that time is obtained; generating a first series of successive three-dimensional digital models based on the first three-dimensional digital model, each representing a first series of successive tooth layouts; Based on the length of the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance, the number of correction steps N completed during the arch expansion or arch retraction consolidation period is determined; Selecting the first N three-dimensional digital models from the first series of successive three-dimensional digital models; and The selected N series of three-dimensional digital models are used to control the device to produce corresponding N series of shell-shaped dental appliances.

16. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 15, It is characterized in that It also includes: Using the selected N series of three-dimensional digital model control devices to make N series of positive molds; and The N series of shell-shaped dental appliances are formed by pressing films on the N series of positive molds using a hot pressing film forming process.

17. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 15, It is characterized in that The first three-dimensional digital model is a three-dimensional digital model representing the dental arch of the patient wearing an expander or a retractor.

18. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 17, It is characterized in that It also includes: cutting openings at corresponding positions on both sides of the inner side walls of the N series of shell-shaped dental appliances to prevent the force application structure of the expander or retractor from blocking the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance.

19. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 17, It is characterized in that In the first series of three-dimensional digital models, the posture of the teeth fixing the expander or retractor remains unchanged.

20. The method for manufacturing the shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 15, It is characterized in that During the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the patient's dental arch wears an expander or retractor, which is used to maintain the width of the patient's dental arch after the expansion or retraction is completed. The force applied to the patient's dental arch is not enough to expand or retract the arch.

21. A method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations, It is characterized in that It includes: After the expansion or retraction period as claimed in claim 6 is over, obtaining a second three-dimensional digital model of the dental arch of the patient without wearing the expander or retractor; generating a second series of successive three-dimensional digital models based on the second three-dimensional digital model, each representing a second series of successive tooth layouts; as well as The second set of successive three-dimensional digital models is used to control the device to produce a corresponding series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for gradually repositioning the patient's dental arch to a target tooth configuration.

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