The Orthodontic Appliance is indicated for the correction of tooth malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition. The Orthodontic Appliance moves the teeth by continuous gentle force.
Device Story
Orthodontic Appliance consists of series of clear, lightweight, thermoplastic (polyvinyl ester) aligners; replaces traditional wires/brackets. Clinician uses Clear Aligner Design Software to design 3D-printed treatment plan; manufacturer thermoforms aligners based on design. Used in dental clinic; clinician monitors progress. Patient wears aligners 20+ hours/day, removing only for eating/cleaning; each pair worn 2-3 weeks. Continuous gentle force moves teeth incrementally to final position. Benefits include improved dental alignment and aesthetic alternative to traditional braces.
Clinical Evidence
No clinical data. Substantial equivalence supported by non-clinical bench testing and established history of similar devices (product code NXC) cleared since 1998. Bench testing included appearance, surface characteristics, dimensions, pH, elasticity, water sorption, and solubility. Biocompatibility testing satisfied ISO 10993-3, -5, -10, and -11.
Technological Characteristics
Thermoplastic polymer (polyvinyl ester mixture) aligners; thermoformed. Non-sterile. Class II device. Biocompatible per ISO 10993. Operates via continuous mechanical force application. Software-facilitated design based on 3D patient data.
Indications for Use
Indicated for correction of tooth malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
An orthodontic plastic bracket is a plastic device intended to be bonded to a tooth to apply pressure to a tooth from a flexible orthodontic wire to alter its position.
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## Indications for Use
510(k) Number (if known) K181747
Device Name Orthodontic Appliance
Indications for Use (Describe)
The Orthodontic Appliance is indicated for the correction of tooth malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition. The Orthodontic Appliance moves the teeth by continuous gentle force.
| Type of Use (Select one or both, as applicable) | |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">×</span> Prescription Use (Part 21 CFR 801 Subpart D) | Over-The-Counter Use (21 CFR 801 Subpart C) |
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# 005 510 (k) Summary
This summary of 510(k) is being submitted in accordance with the requirements of 21 C.F.R. 807.92.
- 1. Date Summary Prepared: April 14, 2019
## 2. Submitter Information:
| Name | Shandong Huge Dental Material Corporation |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Address | No. 68 Shanhai Road, Donggang District, Rizhao City,<br>Shandong Province, 276800, P. R. China |
| Telephone | +86 633 2277285 |
| Fax | +86 633 2277298 |
| Contact | Ms. Maggie Zheng |
| E-mail | zhengxy@hugedent.com |
## 3. Device Name:
Trade name: Orthodontic Appliance
Common name: Aligner, Sequential
Classification name: Orthodontic plastic bracket
# 4. Substantially Equivalent Device:
| Company Name | Device Name | 510 (k) NO. | Substantially Equivalent<br>(SESE) Decision Date |
|----------------------------|-------------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| ClearPath Orthodontics Ltd | ClearPath Aligner | K162609 | 09/19/2016 |
No reference devices were used in this submission.
# 5. Description of Device:
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The Orthodontic Appliance is a series of clear, lightweight, plastic aligners that are used to replace traditional orthodontic wires and brackets for the alignment of maloccluded or misaligned teeth. This series of aligners moves the teeth gently, and in small increments, from their original to their final treated position for improved dental alignment. The product is made of a polymer thermoplastic material (polyvinyl ester mixture) by pressing.
The doctor-prescribed Orthodontic Appliance are provided non-sterile and are customized for each patient according to the 3D printed data designed by Clear Aligner Design Software. Shandong Huge Dental Material Corporation manufactures the Orthodontic Appliance by thermoforming commercially available thermoplastic material and send them to the clinician. The clinician confirms the fit of the aligners upon delivery to the patient and monitors the patient's progress throughout treatment. Depending on the patient need and the treatment plan, a series of aligners may be used. The duration of use for each pair of appliance is 2-3 weeks, wear the appliances for at least 20 hours every day and it is to be worn except during eating or cleaning of the oral cavity.
The type of Orthodontic Appliance is LX-A with various thickness so that the clinician can select suitable thickness based on patients' teeth micromaxillary deformity conditions. Different thickness are identical in chemical compositions, indications for use, functions, performance characteristics, operation principle and other aspects.
## 6. Intended for Use / including the indications for use:
The Orthodontic Appliance is indicated for the correction of tooth malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition. The Orthodontic Appliance moves the teeth by continuous gentle force.
#### 7. Mechanism of Action:
The mechanism of action is similar to the predicate device and supports a determination of substantial equivalence. Orthodontic tooth movement occurs through continuous gentle force applied to the teeth by the appliance based on a healthcare practitioner's prescription.
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## 8. Technological Characteristics:
Treatment of tooth malocclusions via a series of plastic appliances that incrementally moves the teeth to a desired final position is the technological principle for both the subject device and the predicate device. A comparison of technological characteristics between the subject device and the predicate device has been performed. The results of this comparison demonstrate that the indications for use, design, technological characteristics, mechanism of action, performance, materials and biocompatibility are substantially equivalent.
| Table 3: Device Comparison Table | | | | |
|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|
| Comparison Items | Subject Device | Predicate Device | | |
| Device Name | Orthodontic Appliance | ClearPath Aligner | | |
| 510 (k) Number | To be determined | K162609 | | |
| Regulation Number | 21 C.F.R. 872.5470 | 21 C.F.R. 872.5470 | | |
| Product Code | NXC | NXC | | |
| Classifications | Class II | Class II | | |
| Indications for use | The Orthodontic Appliance is indicated<br>for the correction of tooth malocclusion<br>in patients with permanent dentition.<br>The Orthodontic Appliance moves the<br>teeth by continuous gentle force. | The ClearPath Aligner is a series of<br>clear, lightweight, plastic appliances<br>indicated for the correction of dental<br>malocclusion in patients with<br>permanent dentition (i.e. all second<br>molars). The ClearPath Aligner is<br>intended to position teeth by way of<br>continuous gentle force. | | |
| Material | Thermoplastic material | Thermoplastic material | | |
| Mechanism of Action | Continuous gentle force applied to teeth<br>to achieve movement. | Continuous gentle force applied to teeth<br>to achieve movement. | | |
| Manufacturing method | Thermoforming. | Thermoforming. | | |
| Conditions of Use | The duration of use for each pair of<br>appliance is 2-3 weeks, wear the<br>appliances for at least 20 hours every<br>day and it is to be worn except during<br>eating or cleaning of the oral cavity. | The duration of use for each pair of<br>appliance is 2-3 weeks, wear the<br>appliances for at least 20 hours every<br>day and it is to be worn except during<br>eating or cleaning of the oral cavity. | | |
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Shandong Huge Dental Material Corporation www.hugedental.com T / +86 633 2277285 F / +86 633 2277298
No.68 Shanhai Road, Donggang District, Rizhao Shandong Province, 276800, P.R.China
| Table 3: Device Comparison Table | | |
|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Comparison Items | Subject Device | Predicate Device |
| Device Name | Orthodontic Appliance | ClearPath Aligner |
| 510 (k) Number | To be determined | K162609 |
| The treatment plan varies by individual<br>patient prescription. | The treatment plan varies by individual<br>patient prescription. | The treatment plan varies by individual<br>patient prescription. |
| Biocompatibility | Biocompatible | Biocompatible |
| Sterility | Non-sterile | Non-sterile |
| Anatomical Site | Used by dentist or orthodontist on<br>teeth for dental patients. | Used by dentist or orthodontist on teeth<br>for dental patients. |
#### 9. Summary of Non-Clinical Performance Testing:
There is no international/industrial standards regarding the performance of this product. The performance testing for the subject device was performed and showed that the subject device meets all internal final inspection standard, while the physical and mechanical properties as well as the biocompability of the thermoplastic materials used to fabricate the aligners have previously been demonstrated by the manufacturer of the base materials.
The test items include appearance and surface characteristics, dimensions, pH value, elasticity variable, volume weight, water sorption, solubility. Meanwhile, the comparative testing was conducted between the proposed and the predicate device to determine substantial equivalence.
#### 10. Summary of Biocompatibility:
The thermoplastic material used for fabrication of the aligners is commonly used in many dental appliances, which has a long history of safe and biocompatible use for this purpose. And there is sufficient information from the predicate device to demonstrate that this product provide reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness. The formulation of the subject device does not contain any new or non-conventional chemicals compared to the legally marketed predicate device.
Biocompatibility tests were performed to satisfied the ISO 10993 standards. The test results of
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the tests met the requirements of the study protocols, the tests including Cytotoxicity (ISO 10993-5), Skin Sensitization (ISO 10993-10), Intracutaneous Reactivity (ISO 10993-10), Subchronic systemic toxicity (ISO 10993-11) and Genotoxicity (ISO 10993-3).
#### 11. Summary of Clinical Performance Data:
The performance of Orthodontic Appliance in the clinical environment has been well established since the first such devices were cleared by the FDA in 1998 under product code NXC. Therefore, there was no clinical testing required to support Orthodontic Appliance, as the indications for use is equivalent to the predicate device.
The substantial equivalence of the subject device to the ClearPath Aligner is supported by the non-clinical testing that was performed, along with other supporting documentation, and presented in this submission.
#### 12. Software Verification and Validation Testing
Software verification and validation testing were conducted on the software that facilitates ordering and processing of the Orthodontic Appliance to support that the device is as safe and effective as the predicates. Documentation was provided as recommended by FDA's Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff, "Guidance for the Content of Premarket Submissions for Software Contained in Medical Devices". The software for this device was considered as a "moderate" level of concern.
#### 13. Summary of Substantial Equivalence
The subject device, Orthodontic Appliance, has substantially equivalent Indications for Use as the identified predicate device. While the verbiage of the Indications of Use of the subject device is minor different than the declared predicate device; however, these minor differences are not of significance and do not alter the intended therapeutic use of the device as compared to the predicate device.
The conclusions drawn from the data included in this submission, demonstrates that the subject
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device, Orthodontic Appliance, is substantially equivalent to the predicate device in indications for use, design, technological characteristics, mechanism of action, performance, materials and biocompatibility.
## 14. Photo of the device
Image /page/6/Picture/5 description: The image shows a clear plastic dental aligner on a black reflective surface. The aligner is designed to fit over the teeth and is used to straighten them over time. The aligner is transparent, which makes it less noticeable than traditional braces. The reflection of the aligner on the black surface creates a mirror image, enhancing the visual appeal of the photograph.
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April 18, 2019
Shandong Huge Dental Material Corporation Maggie Zheng Regulatory Affairs Manager No. 68 Shanhai Road, Donggang District Rizhao City, Shandong Province 276800 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Re: K181747
Trade/Device Name: Orthodontic Appliance Regulation Number: 21 CFR 872.5470 Regulation Name: Orthodontic Plastic Bracket Regulatory Class: Class II Product Code: NXC Dated: March 6, 2019 Received: March 11, 2019
#### Dear Maggie Zheng:
We have reviewed your Section 510(k) premarket notification of intent to market the device referenced above and have determined the device is substantially equivalent (for the indications for use stated in the enclosure) to legally marketed predicate devices marketed in interstate commerce prior to May 28, 1976, the enactment date of the Medical Device Amendments, or to devices that have been reclassified in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) that do not require approval of a premarket approval application (PMA). You may, therefore, market the device, subject to the general controls provisions of the Act. Although this letter refers to your product as a device, please be aware that some cleared products may instead be combination products. The 510(k) Premarket Notification Database located at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm identifies combination product submissions. The general controls provisions of the Act include requirements for annual registration, listing of devices, good manufacturing practice, labeling, and prohibitions against misbranding and adulteration. Please note: CDRH does not evaluate information related to contract liability warranties. We remind you, however, that device labeling must be truthful and not misleading.
If your device is classified (see above) into either class II (Special Controls) or class III (PMA), it may be subject to additional controls. Existing major regulations affecting your device can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Parts 800 to 898. In addition, FDA may publish further announcements concerning your device in the Federal Register.
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Please be advised that FDA's issuance of a substantial equivalence determination does not mean that FDA has made a determination that your device complies with other requirements of the Act or any Federal statutes and regulations administered by other Federal agencies. You must comply with all the Act's requirements, including, but not limited to: registration and listing (21 CFR Part 807); labeling (21 CFR Part 801); medical device reporting of medical device-related adverse events) (21 CFR 803) for devices or postmarketing safety reporting (21 CFR 4, Subpart B) for combination products (see https://www.fda.gov/CombinationProducts/GuidanceRegulatoryInformation/ucm597488.html; good manufacturing practice requirements as set forth in the quality systems (QS) regulation (21 CFR Part 820) for devices or current good manufacturing practices (21 CFR 4, Subpart A) for combination products; and, if applicable, the electronic product radiation control provisions (Sections 531-542 of the Act); 21 CFR 1000-1050.
Also, please note the regulation entitled, "Misbranding by reference to premarket notification" (21 CFR Part 807.97). For questions regarding the reporting of adverse events under the MDR regulation (21 CFR Part 803), please go to http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ReportaProblem/default.htm.
For comprehensive regulatory information about mediation-emitting products, including information about labeling regulations, please see Device Advice (https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/) and CDRH Learn (http://www.fda.gov/Training/CDRHLearn). Additionally, you may contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) to ask a question about a specific regulatory topic. See the DICE website (http://www.fda.gov/DICE) for more information or contact DICE by email (DICE@fda.hhs.gov) or phone (1-800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100).
Sincerely,
for Tina Kiang, Ph.D. Acting Director Division of Anesthesiology, General Hospital, Respiratory, Infection Control, and Dental Devices Office of Device Evaluation Center for Devices and Radiological Health
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1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
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Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
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Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
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5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
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With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
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Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
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Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.