Align Technology, Inc.
METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING AND INSPECTING ORTHODONTIC ALIGNERS

Abstract:

A method includes manufacturing an orthodontic aligner and assessing a quality of the orthodontic aligner. Assessing the quality of the orthodontic aligner comprises receiving a digital representation of the orthodontic aligner, and analyzing the digital representation of the orthodontic aligner to identify a quality-related property of the orthodontic aligner. The analyzing comprises comparing the digital representation of the orthodontic aligner with data based on a digital model associated with the orthodontic aligner and calculating one or more difference between a feature determined from the data and a feature of the digital representation of the orthodontic aligner. Assessing the quality of the orthodontic aligner further includes determining, based on the quality-related property, that the orthodontic aligner comprises a possible manufacturing flaw, and classifying the orthodontic aligner as requiring further inspection by a technician based on determining that the orthodontic aligner comprises the possible manufacturing flaw.