Shell-shaped dental appliance system

Abstract

Provided is a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or retraction, comprising a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances (205) configured for being successively worn on a dental arch (203) of a first dental jaw of a patient. Each of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances (205) is an integral shell with a cavity for accommodating a plurality of teeth, and the geometrical morphology of the cavity enables the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances (205) to gradually relocate the dental arch (203) from a tooth layout at the beginning of the arch expansion or retraction consolidation period to a desired tooth layout at the end of the arch expansion or retraction consolidation period. The first dental jaw is an upper jaw or a lower jaw, and an arch expander (201) or an arch retractor is worn on the first dental jaw of the patient in the consolidation period of arch expansion or retraction.

Description

Shell-shaped dental appliance system Technical Field

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

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

[0003] A shell-shaped dental appliance is a single-piece shell that forms a cavity to accommodate multiple teeth. The geometry of the cavity essentially matches the teeth in their respective configurations. Shell-shaped dental appliances utilize the rebound force generated by deformation to reposition the patient's teeth from their current configuration to a predetermined configuration.

[0004] Due to the material properties and structural form of the shell-shaped dental appliance, its arch expansion effect is relatively limited. Therefore, traditional arch expanders are usually used for arch expansion in clinical practice. 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 be stabilized significantly extends 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 during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, which includes a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances for being successively worn on the dental arch of the patient's first jaw. Each of the series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances is an integrated shell, forming a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth. The geometry of the cavity enables the series 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. The first jaw is the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, the patient's first jaw wears 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 patient's first jaw. 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 series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are configured such that the position of the teeth securing the expander or retractor remains 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 obstructing 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 not sufficient 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 includes: a first-stage appliance, including only a first expander or retractor, for expanding or retracting the patient's first jaw during the expansion or retraction period, the first jaw being the maxillary or mandibular; and a second-stage appliance, including a second expander or retractor and a first group of successive shell-shaped appliances, the second expander or retractor being used to maintain the dental arch of the first jaw at the width after the expansion or retraction period during the expansion or retraction consolidation period after the end of the expansion or retraction period, the first group of successive shell-shaped appliances being used to be worn on the dental arch of the first jaw successively, each of which is an integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth, the geometry of the cavity enabling the first group of successive shell-shaped 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 appliance system for orthodontic treatment including arch expansion or arch retraction operations also includes a third-stage appliance, which only includes a second group of series 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 integral shell forming a cavity for accommodating multiple teeth, and the geometry of the cavity enables the second group of series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances to gradually reposition the dental arch from the tooth layout at the end of the expansion or arch retraction consolidation period to the target tooth 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 series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances allows the position 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 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 obstructing the wearing of the first series of successive shell-shaped 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 gradually changes 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 for use during the expansion or retraction consolidation period, comprising: obtaining a first three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch at the beginning of the expansion or retraction consolidation period; generating a first set of a series of successive three-dimensional digital models based on the first three-dimensional digital model, each representing a first set of a series of successive tooth layouts; determining the number N of correction steps completed during the expansion or retraction consolidation period based on the length of the expansion or retraction consolidation period and the wearing period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance; selecting the first N from the first set of a series of successive three-dimensional digital models; and using the selected N series of successive three-dimensional digital models to control a device to manufacture corresponding N series of successive 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 further 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 forming process to press 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 with an expander or 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 further 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 retractor 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 to which the expander or retractor is fixed 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 sufficient 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 expansion or arch retraction period ends, obtaining a second three-dimensional digital model representing the patient's dental arch without wearing the expander or retractor; generating a second set of a series of successive three-dimensional digital models based on the second three-dimensional digital model, each representing a second set of a series of successive tooth layouts; and using the second set of a series 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 description thereof. It should be understood that these drawings only illustrate several exemplary embodiments of the present application and should not be considered to limit 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] FIG1 is a schematic flow chart of a method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance in one embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG2 schematically illustrates a patient's dental arch with an expander installed in the first stage of the orthodontic treatment method of the present application;

[0030] FIG3 schematically illustrates a dental arch with both an expander and a shell-shaped dental appliance worn at the second stage in one embodiment; and

[0031] FIG4 schematically shows the shell-shaped dental appliance used in the third stage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying 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 this application. In light of this 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 this 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, all of which are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] One aspect of the present application provides a shell-shaped dental appliance for 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 arch expansion is essentially complete, a 3D digital model of the patient's teeth wearing the expander is obtained, and then a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are fabricated based on this 3D digital model for use during the consolidation phase of the expansion. When the consolidation phase is complete and the expander is removed, a 3D digital model of the patient's teeth without the expander is re-obtained, and based on this 3D digital model, a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances are fabricated for use after the patient removes the expander.

[0035] Arch expansion mainly involves moving the teeth toward the labial and buccal sides and opening up the mid-palatal suture to expand the dental arch. During this 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 physiological limits, there is still a certain tendency for relapse after arch expansion due to various physiological reasons, and relapse is easy after the arch expansion is completed. Therefore, after the arch expansion is basically in place, the patient needs to continue wearing the expander for a period of time to prevent recurrence. In clinical practice, it generally takes six months 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 this application, it can be understood that the shell-shaped dental appliance of this application is also applicable to the case of arch contraction. The following is a detailed description of the shell-shaped dental appliance of this application and its manufacturing method, taking arch expansion as an example.

[0037] Please refer to FIG1 , which is a schematic flow chart of a method 100 for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance in one embodiment of the present application.

[0038] At 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 the 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 the 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 patient's initial tooth configuration. Generating a series of successive three-dimensional digital models representing a series of successive tooth configurations based on the three-dimensional digital model representing the initial tooth configuration is well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein.

[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 is known to those skilled in the art, shell-shaped dental appliances made of different materials may have different wear periods. For example, the wear period of a single shell-shaped dental appliance is generally 1 to 2 weeks. Once the doctor has determined the expansion consolidation period based on the patient's specific circumstances, the doctor can then determine how many successive shell-shaped dental appliances should be produced for the expansion consolidation period based on the length of the expansion consolidation period and the wear period of the single shell-shaped dental appliance. This determines the number of treatment steps that can be performed during the expansion consolidation period, and the number of treatment steps that can be completed during the expansion consolidation period is recorded as N.

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

[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 using the series of successive three-dimensional digital models to control a device.

[0050] In one embodiment, a series of successive positive molds can be produced using a device controlling the series of successive three-dimensional digital models (e.g., a stereolithography device). Subsequently, a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances can be formed by laminating these positive molds using a hot pressing process. To prevent the force-applying structure of the expander (e.g., a wire or force-applying rod) from obstructing the wearing of the shell-shaped dental appliance, openings can be cut at corresponding locations on the inner sidewalls 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 produce 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 dental configuration at the beginning of the arch expansion and consolidation period to the dental configuration desired to be achieved at the end of the arch expansion and consolidation period.

[0053] There are three main ways to fix an 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 method of the shell-shaped dental appliance used in the expansion consolidation period is slightly different. The above production method of the shell-shaped dental appliance is 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 arch is expanded using the expander, without any other movement of the patient's teeth.

[0056] Please refer to FIG. 2 , which schematically illustrates 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 expander on the dental arch is greatly reduced, and the second stage, the arch expansion consolidation stage, begins. During this stage, the expander is continued to be worn to consolidate the arch expansion effect, while the shell-shaped dental appliance of the present application is used to reposition the teeth that are not fixed with the expander.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 3, which schematically shows a dental arch 203 wearing both an expander 201 and a shell-shaped dental appliance 205 in the second stage of 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 teeth 2031 to prevent the force-applying structure of the expander 201 (for example, 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 with the expander 201 fixed thereto and can be 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 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 arch 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. Then, based on it, a series of successive three-dimensional digital models are generated, each 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, this series of three-dimensional digital models is used to produce a series of successive shell-shaped dental appliances, which are used 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 appliance used in this stage is a traditional shell-shaped dental appliance, and its general structure and manufacturing method are known to ordinary technicians, so they will not be described in detail.

[0061] Please refer to FIG4 , which schematically illustrates 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 readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The scope and subject matter of this application are determined solely by the appended claims.

[0063] Similarly, various diagrams may illustrate exemplary architectures or other configurations of the disclosed methods and systems that aid in understanding the features and functionality 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 using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Furthermore, for flow charts, functional descriptions, and method claims, the order of blocks presented herein should not limit various embodiments to being implemented in the same order to perform the described functionality, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0064] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms and phrases used herein and their variations should be interpreted as open ended rather than 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 intending or requiring a narrowing of the context in which such broad terms may not be used.

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 for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 1, 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.

3. The shell-shaped dental appliance system used in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction as claimed in claim 2, 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, 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, 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, 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, comprising: 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 according to claim 7, 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 according to claim 7, 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 according to claim 9, 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 according to claim 10, 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 according to claim 10, 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 according to claim 7, 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 according to claim 7, 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, comprising: 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 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. The method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 15, 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. The method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 15, 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. The method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 17, 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. The method for manufacturing a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 17, 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 a shell-shaped dental appliance system for use in the consolidation period of arch expansion or arch retraction according to claim 15, characterized in that: 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. 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, 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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