Methods and systems for forming dental attachment formation apparatuses

A method of forming a dental attachment formation apparatus, the method comprising:

• receiving a virtual model of a patient's dentition prior to an orthodontic treatment or at an intermediate stage of the orthodontic treatment;
• creating a virtual dental attachment formation apparatus based on the virtual model of the patient's dentition, wherein the virtual dental attachment formation apparatus includes:
• a body having a surface shaped to conform to contours of the virtual model of the patient's dentition;
• a well in the body, wherein the well is shaped to receive a dental attachment;
• and
• a light path directed through the body to the well;
• manufacturing, via rapid prototyping or direct fabrication, a physical dental attachment formation apparatus based on the virtual dental attachment formation apparatus, the physical dental attachment formation apparatus including a body, well, and light path corresponding to the body, well, and light path of the virtual dental attachment formation apparatus, at least a portion of the body of the physical dental attachment formation apparatus being made of a light transmissive material, wherein the physical dental attachment formation apparatus further comprises an opaque portion arranged to keep light from illuminating another portion of the body other than the well;
• and
• coupling a light source to the body of the physical dental attachment formation apparatus so that light from the light source is directed towards the well of the physical dental attachment formation apparatus through the light path of the physical dental attachment formation apparatus.