Patent Publication Number: US-11638627-B2

Title: Systems and methods for manufacturing orthodontic devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to orthodontics and, more specifically, the manufacture of orthodontic appliances. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Orthodontic clinicians seek to correct malocclusions by use of many different devices, such as braces, retainers, pallet expanders, positioners, etc. Braces, one of the most commonly used devices, include a number of orthodontic appliances such as brackets, archwires, and ligatures. The brackets are affixed to a patient&#39;s teeth and the archwire passes through slots in the brackets designed to receive the archwire. The ligatures secure the archwire within the slots. Because no two patients have identical malocclusions or facial geometries, the prescription for each patient&#39;s braces must be selected by the clinician. A prescription for braces typically includes specifically selected brackets, archwires, and ligatures. For example, a large practice may have an orthodontic bracket inventory costing over $50,000. Not only does this bracket inventory represent a large overhead for clinicians, it can prevent smaller practices from being able to do business. Consequently, a need exists for systems, methods, and apparatuses that minimize the need for clinicians to stock a large number of orthodontic appliances to treat patients. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods pertaining to orthodontic kits. This description includes drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an orthodontic kit  100  including a carrier  102 , orthodontic appliances  104 , and support structures  106 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a side elevation view of an orthodontic kit  200  including a carrier  208 , orthodontic appliances  202 , and support structures  206 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a top view of an orthodontic kit  200  including a carrier  208 , orthodontic appliances  202 , and support structures  206 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  302  connected to a base  304  via support structures  306 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a perspective vies of an orthodontic appliance  402 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a perspective view of a base  404 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  502  and a base  504 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  510  connected to a base  512  via support structures  514 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an orthodontic kit  600  oriented in a build plane  602 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  7    is a block diagram of a system  700  for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  8    is a flow chart including example operations for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to orthodontic kits. In some embodiments, an orthodontic kit comprises a carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to house a plurality of orthodontic appliances, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and a plurality of support structures, wherein the plurality of support structures includes groups of support structures, wherein each group of support structures connects one of the plurality of orthodontic appliances to the carrier, wherein the orthodontic kit is defined by a computer data file, wherein the computer data file includes data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit including the carrier, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and the plurality of support structures. 
     As previously discussed, because no two patients have identical dental or facial structures, many orthodontic appliances are specially designed or selected for each patient. While some orthodontic appliances are custom-molded for patients, such as clear aligners, other orthodontic appliances, such as brackets, come in a variety of prescriptions and are selected by the clinician based on the patient&#39;s dental and/or facial geometry. With regard to brackets, clinicians select from among the commercially available prescriptions to choose brackets for each of a patient&#39;s teeth. While the total number of commercially available brackets is quite large, a smaller subset of all brackets is used to treat the majority of patients. For example, though the total number of commercially available brackets numbers in the thousands, the majority of patients are treated using only about 20% of those brackets. Accordingly, orthodontic practices may try to keep all of these “common” brackets on hand so that patients can be analyzed and treated promptly (e.g., during the same day, week, etc.). While maintaining such a large inventory may be feasible for large practices, maintaining, or building, such an inventory may be cost prohibitive for small and/or new practices. Additionally, even if a practice is capable of maintaining such an inventory, it is likely not cost effective. 
     Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses that seek to minimize or overcome this problem by allowing clinicians to quickly and affordably manufacture orthodontic kits including orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, retainers, pallet expanders, etc.). In one embodiment, clinicians are provided with data files (e.g., computer-aided design files (CAD), such as .stl files). The clinicians then manufacture orthodontic kits based on the data files with additive manufacturing techniques. As one example, a clinician can select an orthodontic appliance that he or she would like to use to treat a patient. The system provides a data file associated with an orthodontic kit to the clinician. The orthodontic kit includes the orthodontic appliance. The clinician then, using a manufacturing device, manufactures the orthodontic kit in his or her office. This manufacturing-on-demand eliminates, or at least reduces, the number of orthodontic appliances that a clinician must have on hand to promptly treat patients. Not only does this allow clinicians to promptly treat patients, but it also reduces costs for the clinician and thus the patient. The discussion of  FIG.  1    provides an overview of such an orthodontic kit. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an orthodontic kit  100  including a carrier  102 , orthodontic appliances  104 , and support structures  106 , according to some embodiments. The carrier  102  is configured to house the orthodontic appliances  104 . The support structures  106  connect the orthodontic appliances  104  to the carrier  102 . The support structures  106  comprise groups of support structures  106 . Each group of support structures  106  connects one of the orthodontic appliances  104  to the carrier  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the orthodontic kit  100  is additively manufactured, such as by way of the techniques described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/875,618 titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE OF ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES filed on May 15, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example, the orthodontic kit  100  can be additively manufactured by a 3D printing process. In such embodiments, the orthodontic kit  100  is additively manufactured as a single unit (e.g., structure). Accordingly, the carrier  102 , orthodontic appliances  104 , and support structures  106  are additively manufactured as a single unit. Further, the orthodontic kit  100  can be defined by a computer data file (e.g., a CAD file, such as an .stl file). The computer data file includes all of the data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit  100 . That is, the computer data file includes all of the data necessary to additively manufacture the carrier  102 , the orthodontic appliances  104 , and the support structures  106 . In some embodiments, the orthodontic kit  100  can be additively manufactured without additively manufacturing anything in addition to the orthodontic kit  100 . For example, the orthodontic kit  100  can be additively manufactured without the need for additional supports, bases, etc. 
     The support structures  106  provide a structure upon which the orthodontic appliances  104  can be additively manufactured. In some embodiments, the support structures  106  are specific to the orthodontic appliances  104 . For example, different types of orthodontic appliances  104  may require different types of support structures  106  for the orthodontic appliances  104  to be additively manufactured correctly. In such embodiments, the groups of support structures  106  may have different types and the different types of groups of support structures  106  may be specific to different types of orthodontic appliances  104 . The type of the group of support structures  106  can be based on the dimensions of the orthodontic appliances  104 , features of the orthodontic appliances  104  (e.g., presence or lack of hooks), parameters of the orthodontic appliances  104  (e.g., a tip angle of a bracket), etc. For example, a bracket with a hook can be oriented parallel to the carrier  102  and include five support structures  106  (as depicted between  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B ), a bracket without any hooks can be oriented parallel to the carrier  102  and include four support structures  106  (as depicted in  FIG.  5 A ), and a molar tube can be oriented normal to the carrier  102  and include three support structures  106  (as depicted in  FIG.  5 B ). Further, the shape, placement, geometry, etc. of the support structures  106  can be tailored to the device associated with the support structures  106 . Because the data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit  100  includes the data necessary to additively manufacture the support structures  106 , the support structures can be designed as desired based on the orthodontic appliances  104 . For example, the support structures  106  can be designed such than no internal supports are necessary for the orthodontic appliances  104 . Additionally, as described in more detail with respect to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the support structures  106  can be designed such that the orthodontic appliances  104  are easily removable from the support structures  106 . 
     While the discussion of  FIG.  1    provides an overview of an orthodontic kit that can be additively manufactured, the discussion of  FIG.  2    provides additional information regarding such an orthodontic kit. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a side elevation view, and  FIG.  2 B  is a top view, of an orthodontic kit  200  including a carrier  208 , orthodontic appliances  202 , and support structures  206 , according to some embodiments. The orthodontic kit  200  includes a carrier  208 , orthodontic appliances  202 , and support structures  206 . In one embodiment, the orthodontic kit  200  is additively manufactured a single unit. That is, the carrier  208 , support structures  206 , and orthodontic appliances  202  are a single structure. In such embodiments, the orthodontic kit  200  can be defined by a computer data file. Though the orthodontic kit  200  is referred to as being defined by a computer data file, the computer data file can be a composite of multiple computer data files. For example, the carrier  208  may be common to multiple orthodontic kits  200 . In this example, a computer data file that defines the carrier  208  may be references in the computer data file that defines the orthodontic kit  200 . Additionally, in some embodiments, the orthodontic appliances  202  may be defined by computer data files specific to each orthodontic appliance  202 . For example, a bracket, pallet expander, etc. having a specific prescription or parameters may be defined by a computer data file. The computer data file that defines the orthodontic appliances  202  may also define the support structures  206  for the associated one of the orthodontic appliances  202 . In embodiments in which the computer data file that defines the orthodontic kit  200  includes multiple data files (e.g., a computer data file defining the carrier  208 , computer data files defining the orthodontic appliances  202 , and/or computer data files defining the support structures  206 ), the computer data file that defines the orthodontic kits  200  may be a composite of multiple computer data files. 
     In some embodiments, the carrier  208  is structured geometrically to provide protection to the orthodontic appliances  202  housed within the carrier  208 . For example, the carrier  208  can include protrusions, indentations, etc. that decrease the likelihood of the orthodontic appliances  202  being damaged if the orthodontic kit  200  is, for example, dropped, jostled, struck by another object, etc. As but one example and as depicted in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the carrier  208  includes a raised rail  204 . As seen in  FIG.  2 A , the raised rail  204  extends above the orthodontic appliances  202 . In one embodiment, the raised rail  204  extends above the orthodontic appliances  202  in such a manner that if the orthodontic kit  200  is placed upside down (e.g., with the orthodontic appliances  202  facing a surface such as the floor or a table), the raised rail  204  and edge(s) of the carrier  208  contact the surface as opposed to the orthodontic appliances contacting the surface. Though the example depicted in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  includes only one raised rail  204 , embodiments are not so limited. For example, the carrier  208  can include multiple raised portions. Similarly, the carrier  208  can be designed with wells  210  that are below a surface of a portion of the carrier  208  such that the orthodontic appliances  202  are less likely to be damaged should the orthodontic kit  200  be mishandled. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the orthodontic kit  200  can include markings  212 , such as those described in more detail with respect to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 17/011,071 titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MARKING ORTHODONTIC DEVICES filed on Sep. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The markings  212  can be located on the carrier  208  and/or orthodontic appliances  202 . In one embodiment, markings  212  are integral to the orthodontic kit  200  (i.e., are manufactured as part of the orthodontic kit  200 ). In such embodiments, the data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit can include data to additively manufacture the markings  212 . The markings  212  can convey any desired information, such as a prescription associated with the orthodontic kit  200  and/or the orthodontic appliances, a database record in a database, positions of the orthodontic appliances, etc. 
     While the discussion of  FIGS.  1  and  2    describes an orthodontic kit, the discussion of  FIG.  3 - 5    provides additional detail regarding connection of orthodontic appliances to a carrier via support structures. The orthodontic appliances are secured to the carrier via the support structures. The shape, location, geometry, number, features, etc. of the support structures can vary based on the type of orthodontic appliance. There are several considerations for the support structures. First, in some embodiments, it is desirable for the support structures to provide adequate surface area such that the orthodontic appliance can be additively manufactured on top of the support structures. For example, if the support structures are too small (e.g., the surface area of the portion of the support structure upon which the orthodontic appliance is manufactured is too small), too few in number, not spaced appropriately, etc., the orthodontic appliance may not be dimensionally accurate (e.g., the material used to additively manufacture the orthodontic appliance may sag or otherwise be unable to maintain its integrity). Second, in some embodiments, it is desirable for the orthodontic appliance to be cleanly severable from the support structures such that no, or a controlled portion of, residue remains on the orthodontic appliance after the orthodontic appliance is severed from the support structures. Third, in some embodiments, it is desirable to place the support structures relative to the orthodontic appliance such that no internal supports are necessary for the additive manufacture of the orthodontic appliance.  FIGS.  3 - 5    depict various orthodontic appliances and example shapes, locations, geometries, numbers, and features of support structures. Additionally,  FIGS.  3 - 5    depict varying orientations of the orthodontic appliances with respect to the carrier. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  302  connected to a base  304  via support structures  306 , according to some embodiments. As depicted in  FIG.  3   , the orthodontic appliance  302  is a bracket. As previously discussed, the orthodontic appliance  302  includes a hook and, in this example, includes five associated support structures  306 . Though the example depicted in  FIG.  3    includes a bracket, embodiments are not so limited. That is, the orthodontic appliance  302  can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the orthodontic appliance  302 , the support structures  306 , and the base  304  are manufactured (e.g., printed) as a single unit (e.g., as part of an orthodontic kit). Though the base  304  is depicted in  FIG.  3    as a separate structure, embodiments are not so limited. For example, the base  304  can simply be a portion of a larger structure, such as a carrier, as descried with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 2   . 
     The support structures  306  connect the orthodontic appliance  302  to the base  304  at a joint  308 . In one embodiment, the joint  308  has a double taper configuration. In the double taper configuration, both ends of the joint  308  taper to a section that is, for example, thinner than the rest of the support structure  306  or otherwise includes less material than the rest of the support structure  306 . The thinning of the support structure  306  at the joint  308  allows the orthodontic appliance  302  to be detached from the base  304  by a user via physical input. The geometry of the joint  308  focuses stress from physical manipulation of the orthodontic appliance  302  and/or base  304  at a desired location within the joint  308 . Accordingly, such joint  308  geometry allows for a clean fracture of the material at, or near, the joint  308 . In some embodiments, the orthodontic appliance  302  can be separated from the support structure  306  without leaving any excess material (e.g., residue) on the orthodontic appliance  302 . 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the locations, numbers, positions, etc. of the support structures  306  can be user-defined. For example, the user can select precise locations of the support structures  306  based on the geometry and/or features of the orthodontic appliance  302 . In such embodiments, the support structures  306  can be included in the data file for the orthodontic appliance bracket  302 . This provides the user with ability to locate the support structures  306  as desired to facilitate clean and/or easier separation of the orthodontic appliance  302  from the base  304 . 
       FIG.  4 A  is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  402  and  FIG.  4 B  is a perspective view of a base  404 , according to some embodiments. As depicted between  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the orthodontic appliance  402  is severable from the support structures  4006 , and thus the base  404  (e.g., the carrier). In the example provided in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the placement of the support structures  406  and the joints is such that nubs  408  remain on the orthodontic appliance  402  when the orthodontic appliance  402  is removed from the base  404 . 
       FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  502  and a base  504 . As previously discussed, the orthodontic appliance  502  is a bracket without hooks and, in this example, includes four support structures  506 .  FIG.  5 A  depicts the orthodontic appliance as having been removed from the base  504 . That is, in  FIG.  5 A , the orthodontic appliance  502  is no longer affixed to the base  504  via the support structures  506 . 
     The support structures  506  depicted in  FIG.  5 A  include a stepped configuration  508 . The stepped configuration  508 , in some embodiments, allows the orthodontic appliances  502  to be cleanly severed from the support structures  506 . For example, the orthodontic appliance  502  can be cleanly severed from the support structures  506  such that no, little, or a controlled amount of residue remains on the orthodontic appliances  502  once it has been removed from the support structures  506 . In one embodiment, the stepped configuration  508  is defined in a layer-by-layer manner in a data file with which the orthodontic appliance  502  is associated. In this manner, the degree to which each layer of the stepped-configuration  508 , the height of each layer of the stepped-configuration  508 , the length of the stepped configuration  508 , end dimension of the stepped configuration  508 , etc. can be user-defined as desired based on the specific orthodontic appliance  502  with which the support structures  506  are associated. 
       FIG.  5     5 B depicts an orthodontic appliance  510  affixed to a base  512  via support structures  514 . As previously discussed, the orthodontic appliance  510  is a molar tube and, in this example, includes three support structures  514 . Additionally, in this example, the orthodontic appliance  510  is oriented normal to the base  512  and thus the carrier (not pictured). Like the support structures in  FIG.  5 A , the support structures  514  depicted in  FIG.  5 B  include a stepped configuration  516 . 
     While the discussion of  FIGS.  1 - 5    provides additional information regarding an orthodontic kit and orthodontic appliances included with the orthodontic kit, the discussion of  FIGS.  6 - 8    provides additional detail regarding the manufacture of such an orthodontic kit. 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an orthodontic kit  600  oriented in a build plane  602 , according to some embodiments. As previously discussed, in some embodiments, the orthodontic kit  600  can be additively manufactured. Typically, when a product is additively manufactured, a user has control of the orientation and/or placement of the product in a build plane of the manufacturing device. As previously discussed, in some embodiments, the orthodontic kit  600  can be manufactured without manufacturing anything in addition to the orthodontic kit  600 . In some embodiments, this can be accomplished by including an orientation of the carrier  604  of the orthodontic kit  600  in the computer data file. For example, as depicted in  FIG.  5   , the orientation of the carrier  604  is normal to the build plane  602 . Such an orientation allows the orthodontic kits  600  to be additively manufactured without the need for the generation and/or manufacture of any additional supports external to the orthodontic kit  600 . In some embodiments, the computer data file can be protected such that a user is not able to manipulate the orthodontic kit  600  and/or the orientation of the orthodontic kit  600  in the build plane  602  to insure consistency and quality of the orthodontic kit  600 . 
     While the discussion of  FIG.  6    provides additional information regarding an orientation of an orthodontic kit during manufacture of the orthodontic kit, the discussion of  FIG.  7    provides additional detail regarding the manufacture of an orthodontic kit. 
       FIG.  7    is a block diagram of a system  700  for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits, according to some embodiments. The system  700  includes a control circuit  702 , a database  704 , a user device  710 , and a manufacturing device  718 . One or more of the control circuit  702 , the database  704 , the user device  710 , and the manufacturing device  718  are communicatively coupled via a network  708 . The network  708  can include a local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet. Accordingly, the network  708  can include wired and/or wireless links. 
     The user device  710  can be any suitable type of computing device (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.). The user device  710  includes a display device  712 . The display device  712  is configured to present a catalogue to a user. The catalogue includes orthodontic devices that the user can obtain via the system  700 . For example, the catalogue can include all orthodontic devices that the user can purchase and/or manufacture via the manufacturing device  718 . The user interacts with the catalogue via a user input device  714 . The user can interact with the catalogue by navigating the catalogue, making selections from the catalogue, modifying orthodontic appliances included in the catalogue, etc. Accordingly, the user input device  714  can be of any suitable type, such as a mouse, keyboard, trackpad, touchscreen, etc. The user device  710  also includes a communications radio  716 . The communications radio  716  transmits and receives information for the user device  710 . For example, in the case of a smartphone, the communications radio  716  can be a cellular radio operating in accordance with the 4G LTE standard. Once a user has made a selection of an orthodontic device, the user device  710  (e.g., an orthodontic appliance, multiple orthodontic appliances, and orthodontic kit, etc.), via the communications radio  716  and the network  708 , transmits an indication of the selection to the control circuit  702 . 
     The control circuit  702  can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired hardware platform (including but not limited to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (which is an integrated circuit that is customized by design for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like) or can comprise a partially or wholly-programmable hardware platform (including but not limited to microcontrollers, microprocessors, and the like). These architectural options for such structures are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. The control circuit  702  is configured (for example, by using corresponding programming as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein. 
     By one optional approach the control circuit  702  operably couples to a memory. The memory may be integral to the control circuit  702  or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the control circuit  702  as desired. This memory can also be local with respect to the control circuit  702  (where, for example, both share a common circuit board, chassis, power supply, and/or housing) or can be partially or wholly remote with respect to the control circuit  702  (where, for example, the memory is physically located in another facility, metropolitan area, or even country as compared to the control circuit  702 ). 
     This memory can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit  702 , cause the control circuit  702  to behave as described herein. As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). 
     The control circuit may be remote from the user device  710  and/or the manufacturing device  718 . For example, the user device  710  and the manufacturing device  718  may be located in a clinician&#39;s office (e.g., the user&#39;s office) whereas the control circuit  702 , and possibly the database  704 , are cloud-based. The control circuit  702  generally operates to retrieve data files  706  based on the user&#39;s selection of orthodontic appliances. The control circuit  702  retrieves the data files  706  from the database  704 . The database  704  is configured to store the data files  706 . The data files  706  are associated with orthodontic devices. The data files  706  are, for example, CAD files from which the orthodontic devices can be manufactured. The orthodontic device can include a carrier and/or orthodontic appliances (i.e., an orthodontic kit). Accordingly, the data files include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic devices. The control circuit  702  receives the indication of the orthodontic device and retrieves a data file based on the indication of the orthodontic device. 
     It should be noted that the indication of the orthodontic device may include more than one orthodontic device. For example, the indication of the orthodontic device can include multiple orthodontic appliances, such as full set of brackets for a patient, a set of orthodontic appliances that can be used with multiple patients, a carrier, an orthodontic kit, etc. Accordingly, the data file can be a file including instructions and/or specifications for multiple orthodontic devices. For example, the data file may include multiple data files and/or multiple specifications for a number of brackets. 
     After retrieving the data file, the control circuit  702  transmits the data file. In some embodiments, the control circuit  702  encrypts or otherwise protects the data file before transmission. The control circuit  702  can encrypt or otherwise protect the data file before transmission to prevent those other than the user from accessing the data file. Additionally, in some embodiments, the control circuit  702  can encrypt or otherwise protect the data file to control the user&#39;s access to the data file. For example, in some embodiments, the system is set up such that user&#39;s pay on a per manufacture or per print basis. That is, the user does not purchase, and may not later have access to, the data file. Rather, the user purchases access to print or otherwise manufacture an orthodontic appliance based on the data file once (or other specified number of times). 
     Dependent upon the embodiment, the control circuit  702  transmits the data file to the user device  710 , the manufacturing device  718 , and/or a third-party device (e.g., a laboratory capable of manufacturing the orthodontic appliance for the user). To whom, or to what device, the data file is transmitted may also aid in achieving access control. For example, in one embodiment, the control circuit  702  transmits the data file directly to the manufacturing device  718 . Because the data file is not transmitted to the user device  710 , the data file may not be easily accessible by the user device  710 . Further, if an entity that controls the control circuit  702  controls the manufacturing device  718 , access may to files received by the manufacturing device  718  may be further limited. In some embodiments, the control circuit  702  transmits the data files to the user device  710 . In such embodiments, the user device  710  transmits, via the communications radio (e.g., over a universal serial bus (USB) connection, wireless connection based on the 802.11 standard, etc.), the data files to the manufacturing device  718 . 
     The manufacturing device  718  additively manufacturers the orthodontic device(s) based on the data file. The manufacturing device  718  can be of any suitable type, such as a 3D printer. The manufacturing device  718  can be local to, or remote from, one or more of the control circuit  702  and the user device  710 . For example, in one embodiment, the user device  710  and the manufacturing device  718  are located in the user&#39;s office (i.e., the user device  710  and the manufacturing device  718  are local to one another). Alternatively, the manufacturing device  718  may be located in a laboratory or some other facility that manufactures orthodontic devices for the user. 
     While the discussion of  FIG.  7    provides additional detail regarding a system for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits, the discussion of  FIG.  8    provides additional detail regarding a process for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits. 
       FIG.  8    is a flow chart including example operations for additively manufacturing orthodontic kits, according to some embodiments. The flow begins at block  802 . 
     At block  802 , data files are stored. For example, a database can store the data files. The database can be of any suitable type and store the data files in any suitable manner. For example, the database can be a relational database, a NoSQL database, etc. The data files include the data necessary to additively manufacture orthodontic kits. The flow continues at block  804 . 
     At block  804 , a data file is received. For example, the data file can be received from the database by a user device, control circuit, and/or third-party device. The flow continues at block  806 . 
     At block  806 , the orthodontic kit is additively manufactured. For example, a manufacturing device can additively manufacture the orthodontic kit. The manufacturing device manufactures the orthodontic kit based on the data file. In one embodiment, the manufacturing device manufactures the orthodontic kit my additively manufacturing a carrier, support structures, and orthodontic appliances as a single unit. 
     In some embodiments, an orthodontic kit comprises a carrier, wherein the carrier is configured to house a plurality of orthodontic appliances, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and a plurality of support structures, wherein the plurality of support structures includes groups of support structures, wherein each group of support structures connects one of the plurality of orthodontic appliances to the carrier, wherein the orthodontic kit is defined by a computer data file, wherein the computer data file includes data necessary to additively manufacture the orthodontic kit including the carrier, the plurality of orthodontic appliances, and the plurality of support structures. 
     In some embodiments, a system for manufacturing orthodontic kits comprises a database, wherein the database is configured to store a plurality of computer data files, wherein each of the computer data files includes data necessary to additively manufacture an orthodontic kit, wherein each of the orthodontic kits includes a carrier, a plurality of support structures, and a plurality of orthodontic appliances, wherein the plurality of support structures includes groups of support structures, and wherein each group of support structures connects one of the plurality of orthodontic appliances to the carrier, and a manufacturing device, wherein the manufacturing device is configured to receive, via a network, one of the plurality of date files, and additively manufacture, based on the one of the plurality of computer data files, one of the orthodontic kits, wherein the one of the orthodontic kits is associated with the one of the plurality of computer data files. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus and a corresponding method performed by the apparatus comprises storing, in a database, a plurality of computer data files, wherein each of the computer data files includes data necessary to additively manufacture an orthodontic kit, wherein each of the orthodontic kits includes a carrier, a plurality of support structures, and a plurality of orthodontic appliances, wherein the plurality of support structures includes groups of support structures, and wherein each group of support structures connects one of the orthodontic appliances to the carrier, receiving, via a network by a manufacturing device, one of the plurality of computer data files, and additively manufacturing, based on the one of the plurality of computer data files, one of the orthodontic kits, wherein the one of the orthodontic kits is associated with the one of the plurality of computer data files. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.