Patent Publication Number: US-2023157798-A1

Title: Systems and methods for marking 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. 
     In current systems, clinicians order a number of orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets). In the example in which the orthodontic appliances are brackets, there is typically an identification scheme that allows the clinician to identify which bracket is which. For example, the brackets may be provided in a container that includes some sort of coding (e.g., numbering, lettering, etc.) included with the container. However, this coding is not integral to the container. Rather, application of the coding is a post-process event. As one example, the container can include a number of compartments and the appliances are placed in the compartments. The coding is then applied to the container to identify the appliance housed in each compartment. For example, a sticker can be applied to, or a code written by hand on, the container. There is significant risk of error because the coding is created and provided separately from the container. Accordingly, a need exists for better systems and methods of marking orthodontic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods pertaining to marking orthodontic devices. This description includes drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a carrier  100  for orthodontic appliances including various marking, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of a carrier  200  for orthodontic appliances including various markings, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of a carrier  300  housing orthodontic appliances  304  and including various markings, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of a portion of a carrier  400  housing orthodontic appliances  404  including various markings, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a top view of an orthodontic appliance  500  including a marking  504  and housed in a well  502 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a perspective view of an orthodontic appliance  500  including a marking  504  and housed in a well  502 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a block diagram of a system  600  for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart including example operations for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings, 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 devices including markings. In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base, wherein the base is additively manufactured as a single structure, the base comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells is configured to house one of the orthodontic appliances and a marking, wherein the marking is integral to the base, and wherein the marking identifies the orthodontic appliances housed in the plurality of wells. In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base, wherein the base is additively manufactured as a single structure, the base comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells is configured to house one of the orthodontic appliances and markings, wherein the markings are integral to the base, wherein each of the markings is associated with one of the plurality of wells, and wherein the markings identify positions of the orthodontic appliances. In some embodiments, a direct-bonded orthodontic appliance comprises a body, wherein the body includes one or more features and a bonding surface, wherein the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured, wherein the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance includes a marking, wherein the marking is integral to the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance, and wherein the marking is located on one or more of the body and the bonding surface. 
     As previously discussed, when clinicians order orthodontic appliances, the orthodontic appliances are typically provided to the clinicians in containers. The containers typically include compartments in which the orthodontic appliances are placed. To aid the clinician, some sort of coding may be provided to identify the orthodontic appliance placed in each compartment. Unfortunately, though the container may be designed specifically for use with orthodontic appliances, the container is not specific to a prescription or order of the orthodontic appliances. Further, though some sort of coding may be provided to aid in the identification of the orthodontic appliances, the orthodontic appliances typically include crude, if any, markings to aid in the identification of the orthodontic appliances. Accordingly, there exists significant opportunity for incorrect coding in the way of incorrect markings, incorrect placement of the orthodontic appliances, and unintended movement of the orthodontic appliances within the container. 
     The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein seek to minimize or eliminate these problems via orthodontic devices including markings that are integral to the orthodontic devices and specific to the orthodontic devices. In one embodiment, a carrier for orthodontic appliances includes a base that is additively manufactured and includes one or more markings that are integral to the base. In another embodiment, a direct-bonded orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured and includes one or markings that are integral to the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance. In a third embodiment, the carrier and orthodontic appliances can be additively manufactured as a single structure and one or more of the base and the orthodontic appliances can include markings. The discussion of  FIG.  1    provides an overview of an orthodontic device that includes a carrier and orthodontic appliances. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a carrier  100  for orthodontic appliances including various marking, according to some embodiments. The carrier  100  includes a base  110 . The base  110  is additively manufactured as a single structure. The base includes a plurality of wells  108 . The wells  108  are configured to house orthodontic appliances  106 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the base  110  and orthodontic appliances  106  are additively manufactured as a single structure. It should be noted that this is not required. For example, in some embodiments, the orthodontic appliances  106  may be manufactured separately from the base  110 , whether in an additive manufacturing manner or any other manufacturing technique. 
     The base  110  includes a number of markings. In the example depicted in  FIG.  1   , the base includes an identifier marking  112 , a base marking  102 , and well markings  104 . Though the example depicted in  FIG.  1    includes the identifier marking  112 , the base marking  102 , and the well markings  104 , embodiments are not so limited. For example, the base  110  can include greater, or fewer, markings. Additionally, the markings can be located on any suitable portion of the orthodontic devices. The markings can include any suitable content, such as letters, numbers, symbols, etc. The markings can be of any suitable size based, for example, on the dimensions of the surfaces upon which the markings are located, readability preferences, etc. As one example and not intended to be limiting, the identifier marking  112  can comprise font that is between 0.030 inches and 0.090 inches, the base marking  102  can comprise font that is between 0.14 inches and 0.18 inches, and the well markings  104  can comprise font that is between 0.030 inches and 0.060 inches. It should be noted that these size ranges are provided as examples and markings of greater or smaller size can be used as desired. 
     The markings generally identify the orthodontic appliances  106  and/or positions of the orthodontic appliances  106 . As one example, the identifier marking  112  can identify the orthodontic appliances  106  by identifying a prescription with which the orthodontic appliances  106  are associated. In this example, the prescription is specific to the orthodontic appliances  106  included in the carrier  100  and therefore identifies the orthodontic appliances  106 . As another example, the identifier marking  112  can identify the orthodontic appliances  106  by identifying a database record in a database. In this example, a database includes data files. The data files are associated with different orthodontic appliances  106 , groupings of orthodontic appliances  106 , an orthodontic kit, etc. The data files are associated with database records (e.g., a database record identifies a specific data file). The data files can include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic appliances  106  and, in some cases, the carrier  100 . Because the data files include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic appliances  106 , the database record identifies the orthodontic appliances  106  included with the carrier  100 . In some embodiments, the identifier marking  112  can act as a Unique Device Identifier (UDI), or other identifying marking, as required by law in some jurisdictions. 
     The base marking  102  can identify the orthodontic appliances  106  included with the carrier  100  or positions of the orthodontic appliances  106 . The base marking  102  can identify the orthodontic appliances  106  by identifying a prescription with which the orthodontic appliances  106  are associated and/or a database record in a database. With respect to the positions of the orthodontic appliances  106 , the base marking  102  can identify a position within a patient&#39;s mouth for the orthodontic appliances  106 . The base marking  102  can identify the positions of the orthodontic appliances  106  in any suitable manner. Accordingly, the base marking  102  can include any suitable content, such as letters, numbers, symbols, etc. In one embodiment, and as depicted in  FIG.  1   , the base marking  102  identifies the positions of the orthodontic appliances  106  using Palmer Notation. 
     The well markings  104  identify positions for the orthodontic appliances  106 . In one embodiment, as depicted in  FIG.  1   , each of the well markings  104  is associated with one of the wells  108 . In such embodiments, each of the well markings  104  identifies a position for the orthodontic appliance  106  that is housed in the respective one of the wells  108 . The well markings  104  can identify the positions of the orthodontic appliances  106  in any suitable manner. Accordingly, the well markings  104  can include any suitable content, such as letters, numbers, symbols, colors, etc. Though each of the orthodontic appliances  106  included in  FIG.  1    is marked as having the same position, such is not required. For example, if the carrier  100  includes orthodontic appliances  106  for a single patient&#39;s mouth, at least some of the well markings  104  can identify a different position. 
     Regardless of the type of marking, the marking is integral to the base  110 . That is, the base  110 , including the marking, is additively manufactured as a single unit. For example, in one embodiment, the carrier  100  is additively manufactured  100  based on a data file. In such embodiments, the data file includes data to additively manufacture the marking during manufacture of the base  110 . The marking can be additively manufactured during the manufacture of the base  110  by applying additional material (e.g., for a raised marking) and/or failing to apply material (e.g., for an indented marking) during the manufacture of the base  110 . 
       FIG.  2    is a top view of a carrier  200  for orthodontic appliances including various markings, according to some embodiments. Like the carrier depicted in  FIG.  1   , the carrier  200  depicted in  FIG.  2    includes a base  204 . The base  204  includes wells  210  and a plurality of markings. The wells  210  are configured to house orthodontic appliances (as depicted in  FIG.  3   ). Accordingly, the wells  210  can take any suitable form. For example, the wells  210  can be recessed chambers within the base  204 , formed by walls or ridges of the base  204 , etc. The carrier  200  depicted in  FIG.  2    includes three types of markings: 1) an identifier marking  206 ; 2) a base marking  202 ; 3) and well markings  206 . The markings can identify the orthodontic appliances associated with the carrier and/or the positions of the orthodontic appliances. 
     The identifier marking  206  can identify the orthodontic appliances by identifying a prescription with which the orthodontic appliances are associated and/or a database record in a database storing data files. As one example, the identifier marking  206  can identify a prescription by naming the prescription (e.g., 20-3-3-MBT-18-NOHK-FORM3, where “MBT” names the prescription, or simply stating “MBT”), a code for the prescription, etc. As another example, the identifier marking  206  can include values associated with the orthodontic appliances contained within the carrier  200 . For example, the identifier marking  206  can indicate a type of orthodontic appliances as well as parameters for the orthodontic appliances (e.g., an M-D width, O-G height, a Tip angle, a Torque, an Offset, an Archwire Slot Width, an In/Out, etc. of the orthodontic appliances). Additionally, in some embodiments, the identifier marking  206  can include information that is not associated with values of the orthodontic appliances. For example, the identifier marking  206  can indicate a date upon which the data file was created, ordered and/or printed (e.g., a month, day, year, and/or time), a lot number, a revision number, etc. As one example, the identifier marking  206  depicted in  FIG.  2    is “20 UL3-22-P08-N07-P00-30-35-1-FORM3,” where each portion of the identifier marking  206  indicates a parameter of the orthodontic appliances as well as other values. In this example, each portion of the identifier marking is described in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Value 
                 Indication 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 20 
                 Model Year (e.g., 2020) 
               
               
                 99 
                 Product (e.g., 99 signifies twin brackets) 
               
               
                 UL3 
                 Tooth Position (e.g., Upper Left 3) 
               
               
                 22 
                 Archwire Slot Size (e.g., 0.022 Inches) 
               
               
                 P08 
                 Tip Angle (e.g., Positive 8 degrees) 
               
               
                 N07 
                 Torque Angle (e.g., Negative 7 degrees) 
               
               
                 P00 
                 Offset Angle (e.g., 0 degrees) 
               
               
                 30 
                 In/Out (e.g., 0.030 Inches) 
               
               
                 35 
                 Mesial-Distal (M-D) Width (e.g., 0.135 Inches) 
               
               
                  1 
                 Hook Designation (e.g., 0 = No Hook, 1 = Distal Hook, 2 = 
               
               
                   
                 Mesial Hook, 3 = Dual Hook) 
               
               
                 FORM3 
                 Printer Platform (e.g., FormLabs Form3) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It should be noted that the example identifier marking  206  provided in  FIG.  2    and described in Table 1 is but an example and variations exist. That is, the portions of the identifier marking  206  can take any desired values and include greater number of, or fewer, portions than described herein. In some embodiments, the identifier marking  206  can be configured to comply with local, regional, national, and/or international device marking laws and/or requirements, such as the requirements of the Unique Device Identification System of the United States Food and Drug Administration. 
     The base marking  202  can be used to identify the orthodontic appliances included with the carrier  200  and/or positions of the orthodontic appliances. The base marking  202  can identify the orthodontic appliances by identifying a prescription with which the orthodontic appliances are associated and/or a database record in a database. With respect to the positions of the orthodontic appliances, the base marking  202  can identify a position within a patient&#39;s mouth for the orthodontic appliances. The base marking  202  can identify the positions of the orthodontic appliances in any suitable manner. Accordingly, the base marking  202  can include any suitable content, such as letters, numbers, symbols, color, etc. In one embodiment, and as depicted in  FIG.  2   , the base marking  102  identifies the positions of the orthodontic appliances  106  using Palmer Notation. 
     The well markings  206  identify positions for the orthodontic appliances housed in the wells  210 . Each of the well markings  206  is associated with one of the wells  210 . Though the example depicted in  FIG.  2    includes the well markings  206  located within the wells  210 , embodiments are not so limited. For example, the well markings  206  can be located near the wells  210  (e.g., above the wells  210 , next to the wells  210 , below the wells  210 , etc.). However, the well markings  206  need not be located next to the wells  210  with which they are associated. For example, the well markings  206  can be included on a portion of the base  204  that is not adjacent to the wells  210  in a pattern that indicates with which well  210  each of the well markings  206  is associated. The well markings  206  can identify the positions of the orthodontic appliances in any suitable manner. Accordingly, the well markings  206  can include any suitable content, such as letters, numbers, symbols, color, etc. 
       FIG.  3    is a top view of a carrier  300  housing orthodontic appliances  304  and including various markings, according to some embodiments. The carrier  300  includes a base  306  and a number of markings. The markings are integral to the base and provide information related to orthodontic appliances  304  included with the carrier  300 . For example, the markings can include an identifier marking  310 , a base marking  302 , and well markings  306 . 
     While the discussion of  FIGS.  1 - 3    describes markings located on a base of a carrier for orthodontic appliances, the discussion of  FIGS.  4  and  5    describes markings located on orthodontic appliances. 
       FIG.  4    is an exploded view of a portion of a carrier  400  housing orthodontic appliances  404  including various markings, according to some embodiments. In one embodiment, the orthodontic appliances  404  are direct-bonded orthodontic appliances (e.g., brackets, buccal tubes, bondable buttons, bondable Class II correctors, bondable Class III correctors, etc.). The carrier  400  orthodontic appliances  404  are affixed to the carrier  400  via support structures  406 . In one embodiment, the orthodontic appliances  404  and the carrier  400  are additively manufactured as a single structure. Such an embodiment is further described in U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. ______ titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING ORTHODONTIC DEVICES filed on Sep. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, such is not required. In some embodiments, the orthodontic appliances  404  may be manufactured independently of the carrier  400  and later affixed or secured to the carrier  400 , or simply placed in wells of the carrier  400 . 
     The orthodontic appliances  404  include a body  410  and a bonding surface  414 . The body  410  includes one or more features, such a tiewings  412 , archwire slots, hooks, etc. The bonding surface  414  is the portion of the orthodontic appliance  404  that faces a patient&#39;s tooth. The orthodontic appliances  404  include markings. The markings can be located in any suitable location of the orthodontic appliances  404  (i.e., any location on the body  410  and/or bonding surface  414  of the orthodontic appliance  404 ). For example, the markings can be located on the tiewings  412  (i.e., tiewing makings  408 ), a facial surface, hook surface, etc. of the body  410 . Additionally, or alternatively, the markings can be located on the bonding surface  414  (i.e., bonding surface markings), as depicted in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . The orthodontic appliances  404  depicted in  FIG.  4    include the tiewing markings  408 . The tiewing markings  408  can be located on any suitable tiewing of the body  410 . For example, as depicted in  FIG.  4   , the tiewing markings are located on the distal tiewings  412 . The markings can be of any suitable size based, for example, on the dimensions of the surfaces upon which the markings are located, readability preferences, etc. 
     The markings can convey any desired information and can be comprised of any suitable features (e.g., letters, numbers, symbols, colors, etc.). For example, the markings can identify the orthodontic appliances  404  based on a type of orthodontic appliances  404  as well as parameters for the orthodontic appliances  404  (e.g., an M-D width, O-G height, a Tip angle, a Torque, an Offset, an Archwire Slot Width, an In/Out, etc. of the orthodontic appliances  404 ). Additionally, or alternatively, the markings can identify positions for the orthodontic appliances  404 . For example, the markings can indicate locations in a patient&#39;s mouth for the orthodontic appliances  404  (e.g., upper or lower jaw, tooth number, a side of the patient&#39;s mouth, etc.). In the example provided in  FIG.  4   , the tiewing markings  408  specify “U3,” signifying that the location of the orthodontic appliances is for the third tooth of the upper jaw. As previously discussed, the tiewing markings  408  depicted in  FIG.  4    are located on the distal tiewings  412 . Such positioning (i.e., on the distal tiewings  412 ) can be used to signify the side of the patient&#39;s mouth for which the orthodontic appliance is intended. 
     As previously discussed, the orthodontic appliances  404  are additively manufactured. The markings are integral to the orthodontic appliances  404 . For example, the markings can be manufactured during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliances  404 . In one embodiment, the orthodontic appliances  404  are additively manufactured based on a data file. In such embodiments, the data file includes data to additively manufacture the markings during manufacture of the orthodontic appliances  404 . The markings can be additively manufactured during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliances  404  by applying additional material (e.g., for a raised marking) and/or failing to apply material (e.g., for an indented marking) during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliances  404 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are top and perspective views, respectively, of an orthodontic appliance  500  including a marking  504  and housed in a well  502 , according to some embodiments. The orthodontic appliance  500  includes a body and a bonding surface  506 . The orthodontic appliance includes a bonding surface marking  504 . The bonding surface marking  504  is located on the bonding surface  506  of the orthodontic appliance  500 . 
     The bonding surface marking  504  can convey any desired information and can be comprised of any suitable features (e.g., letters, numbers, symbols, colors, etc.). For example, the bonding surface marking  504  can identify the orthodontic appliance  500  based on a type of orthodontic appliance  500  as well as parameters for the orthodontic appliance  500  (e.g., an M-D width, O-G height, a Tip angle, a Torque, an Offset, an Archwire Slot Width, an In/Out, etc. of the orthodontic appliance  500 ). Additionally, or alternatively, the bonding surface marking  504  can identify positions for the orthodontic appliance  500 . For example, the bonding surface marking can indicate a location in a patient&#39;s mouth for the orthodontic appliance  500  (e.g., upper or lower jaw, tooth number, a side of the patient&#39;s mouth, etc.). In the example provided in  FIG.  5   , the bonding surface marking  504  includes Palmer Notation signifying that the location of the orthodontic appliances is for the third tooth of the upper jaw of the left side of the patient&#39;s mouth. 
     As previously discussed, the orthodontic appliance  500  is additively manufactured. The bonding surface marking  504  is integral to the orthodontic appliance  500 . For example, the bonding surface marking  504  can be manufactured during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliance  500 . In one embodiment, the orthodontic appliance  500  is additively manufactured based on a data file. In such embodiments, the data file includes data to additively manufacture the bonding surface marking  504  during manufacture of the orthodontic appliance  500 . The bonding surface marking  504  can be additively manufactured during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliance  500  by applying additional material (e.g., for a raised marking) and/or failing to apply material (e.g., for an indented marking) during the manufacture of the orthodontic appliance  500 . 
     While the discussion of  FIGS.  4  and  5    provides additional detail regarding markings located on orthodontic appliances, the discussion of  FIGS.  6  and  7    provides additional information regarding the additive manufacture of orthodontic devices (e.g., carriers for orthodontic appliances, orthodontic appliances, orthodontic appliance kits, etc.), as described in more detail 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. 
       FIG.  6    is a block diagram of a system  600  for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings, according to some embodiments. The system  600  includes a control circuit  602 , a database  604 , a user device  610 , and a manufacturing device  618 . One or more of the control circuit  602 , the database  604 , the user device  610 , and the manufacturing device  618  are communicatively coupled via a network  608 . The network  608  can include a local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet. Accordingly, the network  608  can include wired and/or wireless links. 
     The user device  610  can be any suitable type of computing device (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.). The user device  610  includes a display device  612 . The display device  612  is configured to present a catalogue to a user. The catalogue includes orthodontic devices that the user can obtain via the system  600 . For example, the catalogue can include all orthodontic devices that the user can purchase and/or manufacture via the manufacturing device  618 . The user interacts with the catalogue via a user input device  614 . 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  614  can be of any suitable type, such as a mouse, keyboard, trackpad, touchscreen, etc. The user device  610  also includes a communications radio  616 . The communications radio  616  transmits and receives information for the user device  610 . For example, in the case of a smartphone, the communications radio  616  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  610 , via the communications radio  616  and the network  608 , transmits an indication of the selection to the control circuit  602 . 
     The control circuit  602  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  602  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  602  operably couples to a memory. The memory may be integral to the control circuit  602  or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the control circuit  602  as desired. This memory can also be local with respect to the control circuit  602  (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  602  (where, for example, the memory is physically located in another facility, metropolitan area, or even country as compared to the control circuit  602 ). 
     This memory can serve, for example, to non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by the control circuit  602 , cause the control circuit  602  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  610  and/or the manufacturing device  618 . For example, the user device  610  and the manufacturing device  618  may be located in a clinician&#39;s office (e.g., the user&#39;s office) whereas the control circuit  602 , and possibly the database  604 , are cloud-based. The control circuit  602  generally operates to retrieve data files  606  based on the user&#39;s selection of orthodontic appliances. The control circuit  602  retrieves the data files  606  from the database  604 . The database  604  is configured to store the data files  606 . The data files  606  are associated with orthodontic devices. The data files  606  are, for example, CAD files from which the orthodontic devices can be manufactured. The orthodontic device can include a carrier and/or orthodontic appliances. Accordingly, the data files include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic devices including any desired markings, as described herein. The control circuit  602  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  602  transmits the data file. In some embodiments, the control circuit  602  encrypts or otherwise protects the data file before transmission. The control circuit  602  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  602  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  602  transmits the data file to the user device  610 , the manufacturing device  618 , 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  602  transmits the data file directly to the manufacturing device  618 . Because the data file is not transmitted to the user device  610 , the data file may not be easily accessible by the user device  610 . Further, if an entity that controls the control circuit  602  controls the manufacturing device  618 , access may to files received by the manufacturing device  618  may be further limited. In some embodiments, the control circuit  602  transmits the data files to the user device  610 . In such embodiments, the user device  610  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  618 . 
     The manufacturing device  618  additively manufacturers the orthodontic device(s) based on the data file. The manufacturing device  618  can be of any suitable type, such as a 3D printer. The manufacturing device  618  can be local to, or remote from, one or more of the control circuit  602  and the user device  610 . For example, in one embodiment, the user device  610  and the manufacturing device  618  are located in the user&#39;s office (i.e., the user device  610  and the manufacturing device  618  are local to one another). Alternatively, the manufacturing device  618  may be located in a laboratory or some other facility that manufactures orthodontic devices for the user. 
     While the discussion of  FIG.  6    provides additional detail regarding a system for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings, the discussion of  FIG.  7    provides additional detail regarding a process for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings. 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart including example operations for additively manufacturing orthodontic devices including markings, according to some embodiments. The flow begins at block  702 . 
     At block  702 , a data file is received. For example, the data file can be received from a database by a user device, control circuit, and/or third-party device. The database is configured to store the data files. The data files are associated with orthodontic devices. For example, the data file can be associated with an orthodontic kit (e.g., a carrier, orthodontic appliances included with the carrier, and support structures that secure the orthodontic appliances to the carrier), an orthodontic carrier, orthodontic appliances, etc. The data files include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic devices including any desired markings. Because the data files include data to additively manufacture the orthodontic devices including any desired markings, the markings are integral to the orthodontic devices (i.e., the markings are created during manufacture of the orthodontic device). The markings generally identify the orthodontic devices (e.g., the total orthodontic device, orthodontic appliances, etc.) and/or positions of the orthodontic appliances. For example, in the case of an orthodontic kit or set of orthodontic appliances, the marking(s) can identify a prescription of the orthodontic kit, the specific orthodontic appliances in the orthodontic kit, a database record in the database, etc. As another example, the marking(s) can identify a position(s) of the orthodontic. A position for the orthodontic appliance is a location in a patient&#39;s mouth for an orthodontic appliance. The flow continues at block  704 . 
     At block  704 , the orthodontic device including the marking(s) is additively manufactured. The orthodontic device can me additively manufactured using any suitable means. Because the orthodontic device including the marking(s) is additively manufactured, the marking(s) is integral to the orthodontic device. For example, the marking(s) is created by applying additional material, or preventing the application of additional material, during manufacture of the orthodontic device. 
     In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base, wherein the base is additively manufactured as a single structure, the base comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells is configured to house one of the orthodontic appliances and a marking, wherein the marking is integral to the base, and wherein the marking identifies the orthodontic appliances housed in the plurality of wells. 
     In some embodiments, a carrier for orthodontic appliances comprises a base, wherein the base is additively manufactured as a single structure, the base comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells is configured to house one of the orthodontic appliances and markings, wherein the markings are integral to the base, wherein each of the markings is associated with one of the plurality of wells, and wherein the markings identify positions of the orthodontic appliances. 
     In some embodiments, a direct-bonded orthodontic appliance comprises a body, wherein the body includes one or more features and a bonding surface, wherein the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance is additively manufactured, wherein the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance includes a marking, wherein the marking is integral to the direct-bonded orthodontic appliance, and wherein the marking is located on one or more of the body and the bonding surface. 
     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.