Patent ID: 8738165

Claim:
A method of preparing a virtual dentition model comprising: obtaining a digital data file of the patient's oral structure, wherein the digital data file includes first data representing surfaces of the patient's teeth and second data representing a number of orthodontic appliances connected to certain areas of the patient's teeth adjacent the tooth surfaces; obtaining third data representing at least portions of the patient's tooth surfaces in the certain areas, wherein the third data represents the patient's oral structure at a time that is prior to the time of connecting the orthodontic appliances to the teeth, and wherein the first data represents the teeth in certain positions, and wherein the third data represents the patient's teeth in positions, at least some of which are different than the positions of the patient's teeth represented by the first data; and combining at least some of the first data with at least some of the third data to provide a virtual dentition model of the patient's teeth with at least a portion of the appliances omitted, wherein the virtual dentition model includes one or more surfaces that have the same or substantially the same configuration as the patient's tooth surfaces in the certain areas; and fabricating a dental retainer based at least in part on the virtual dentition model, wherein the act of fabricating the dental retainer is carried out before the time that the orthodontic appliances are removed from the patient's teeth.