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How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

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Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#81

Post by themafia »

greedo wrote: post #18
afavour wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did Invisalign a few years ago. Manufacturing the retainers is surely only a small part of the puzzle. They used a specialized sort of 3D camera on a stick to get an incredibly accurate model of my mouth, any open source solution would need an equivalent. And you’d also need open source code from somewhere to work out which teeth need to move where and at what stage in the treatment.

They also use this camera system when creating implants. After the implant post was installed, they scan your mouth to determine the optimum shape for your crown (that goes on the post).

Even with just regular crowns. I've had a few root canals as I've gotten older. They scanned the old tooth, brought into 3d modelling software, modified it for purpose, checked it's resulting fit against neighboring teeth, and then sent it to a mill right in the office and had it glued into my head in less than a hour.

My doctor knows I'm into this so he always does it right next to me and turns the PC monitor so I can watch the entire process. The software is so simple almost anyone could use it. Generating a medically correct result is obviously where all the skill lies.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#82

Post by malfist »

nntwozz wrote: post #76
LurkandComment wrote: post #65

1) Currently on invisign - mould 24 of 42 2) For 5k (Cdn) - I get 42 moulds, a method used to scan and submit my progress for each mould duration, feedback and advice from a dentist, a scan test to see who they fit 3) Considering the cost of braces and the flexibility these allow (as long as you are disciplined in wearing them) it's well worth it 4) My teeth were really misaligned. At 42 I just decided to do it so I…

I've had good smile all my life but now at 41 I've started to feel a tightness between my teeth. Lo and behold I read that as we age the jaws shrink which makes the teeth crowd together. I'm going for a free mouth scan in a couple weeks.

Wouldn't be such a big deal if we didn't keep all our teeth, but we do now. The migration forward as we age, plus wisdom teeth are evolutionary holdovers.

Fun fact, I have one fully grown in wisdom tooth. The rest are still there, but never moved. My dentist is always after me to get all of them removed, telling me that they won't fill a cavity on the grown in one

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#83

Post by markphip »

Insanity wrote: post #78
Oarch wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Best of luck! I completed mine 2 years ago and have to say it was 100% worth the patience.

My SO is now using it. I’m waiting for her impressions to decide if I want to do so. The dentist told me I’d only need it for like 3-4 months, minor corrections. But it seems like such a hassle. Always having to remove it before eating anywhere, no coffee, and gotta make sure I’d always travel with the next set of aligners etc. Glad it worked well for you though!

I am nearing the end, depending on the refinements. The first two weeks I was regretting it, but adjusted quickly. Honestly for me the issue was more that I did not like the way my teeth feel with the trays out (and the rough field of the aligners on the teeth). The eating was not that big of a deal. I have a travel toothbrush and case I keep with me. It has been pretty easy.

Still looking forward to getting the stuff off my teeth.

I needed 15 trays so just 30 weeks. Not that bad.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#84

Post by orthoxerox »

CaliforniaKarl wrote: post #33
porridgeraisin wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depends on diet. If you keep them on soft food young, the jaw muscles don't get stimulated enough to grow so that the teeth that are coming out sit properly. Misalignment and opportunity for decay ensues. If you give them decently hard food early on in life you solve most problems. After that it can still happen but there's less chance.

How early on in life?

When they grow molars to chew with. Give them whole carrots to snack on.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#85

Post by Projectiboga »

ivan_gammel wrote: post #8
hattmall wrote: post #2

So shouldn't this really be something that could be opened sourced. I think I've seen a few write ups of people that did their own, but seems like a highly functional implementation could be democratized.

It is definitely not that simple for a number of reasons. Yes, aligners and retainers in theory may be printed on some commercially available hardware. At your own risk, because you will be printing a medical device and you will need: 1. A treatment plan: simulated movement of teeth at every step, taking into account all forces. That’s specialized software or external lab service. 2. Precision. You put too much press…

Yes just the safe to be in the mouth and for it to handle significant pressure from teeth biting changes this from simple 3D filliment to something much more involved during the design and regulatory processes.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#86

Post by ajcp »

nntwozz wrote: post #76
LurkandComment wrote: post #65

1) Currently on invisign - mould 24 of 42 2) For 5k (Cdn) - I get 42 moulds, a method used to scan and submit my progress for each mould duration, feedback and advice from a dentist, a scan test to see who they fit 3) Considering the cost of braces and the flexibility these allow (as long as you are disciplined in wearing them) it's well worth it 4) My teeth were really misaligned. At 42 I just decided to do it so I…

I've had good smile all my life but now at 41 I've started to feel a tightness between my teeth. Lo and behold I read that as we age the jaws shrink which makes the teeth crowd together. I'm going for a free mouth scan in a couple weeks.

And conversely having all of your teeth, and straight ones at that, help prevent jaw wasting.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#87

Post by emeril »

tombert wrote: post #28

Tangential, but I have sleep apnea. Fortunately I have it mild enough to get away with a mouthpiece instead of a CPAP (which is good anyway because I also have bruxism). The mouthpiece works great and I would recommend everyone get tested for sleep apnea if your insurance covers it, but I have to admit that paying for it bothered me. Even with insurance covering some of it, it cost me about $600. I know that there's…

fwiw, if your sleep apnea is when you're on your back, consider somnopose/torena and put your phone is a running vest like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D24X29WQ

life changing for me

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#88

Post by wiseowise »

infinitewars wrote: post #64
leopld wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, the 12 billion dollar company must be doing something that no one needs.

If you look at places in the world where there are no dentists... their teeth are excellent. Anecdotally, our three boys all were told they MUST have braces (each for different reasons). We did this for exactly none of them. And their teeth came out perfect by adulthood.

> If you look at places in the world where there are no dentists... their teeth are excellent.

What the fuck are you on.

> Anecdotally, our three boys all were told they MUST have braces (each for different reasons). We did this for exactly none of them. And their teeth came out perfect by adulthood.

Give me your address so I can take my bum parents, put you together, and slap your bitch ass with my crooked teeth.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#89

Post by rkomorn »

missedthecue wrote: post #69
infinitewars wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you look at places in the world where there are no dentists... their teeth are excellent. Anecdotally, our three boys all were told they MUST have braces (each for different reasons). We did this for exactly none of them. And their teeth came out perfect by adulthood.

My childhood teeth were perfect until I became a young adult and my wisdom teeth came in. My Ortho assured me that I had space and I didn't need them removed. I never had my wisdom teeth taken out, but they did shift all my naturally straight teeth and some became crooked. I'm looking into Invisalign to correct this because it does cause self confidence issues and I want to have my toothy smile back.

I suggest asking your (ortho)dentist if you'll need braces anyway to correct your bite.

Re: How Invisalign became the biggest user of 3D printers

#90

Post by darkpicnic »

Insanity wrote: post #78
Oarch wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Best of luck! I completed mine 2 years ago and have to say it was 100% worth the patience.

My SO is now using it. I’m waiting for her impressions to decide if I want to do so. The dentist told me I’d only need it for like 3-4 months, minor corrections. But it seems like such a hassle. Always having to remove it before eating anywhere, no coffee, and gotta make sure I’d always travel with the next set of aligners etc. Glad it worked well for you though!

Just do what I did: ignore your orthodontist and wear them only at night, smashing them into your mouth like some kind of idiotic brute. 4 years later, great teeth!
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