Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080220395 | Design of Dental Appliances - Electronic models of components of dental appliances can be generated based on the outer surface of an electronic model of the dental appliance. The outer surface may be generated based on the dentition and anatomy of the patient. For example, automated processes may identify landmarks in the anatomy and define the outer surface based on the identified landmarks. Alternatively, the outer surface may be generated based on statistical data. A management system coordinates automated processes with interactive processes to facilitate collaboration of remotely located technicians and equipment in generating electronic models. | 09-11-2008 |
20080227050 | Bracket alignment devices and systems and methods of producing and utilizing the same - A method includes obtaining an electronic model image representing teeth of a patient; determining a desired bracket arrangement for one or more brackets on the teeth; designing an electronic model image of an alignment device based in part on the desired bracket arrangement; and fabricating the alignment device based on the electronic model image of the alignment device. The desired bracket arrangement includes a surface location, a tip orientation, and a torque orientation of each bracket. The alignment device defines at least one slot through which a bracket can be placed at a surface location and an orientation indicator to indicate a desired tip orientation and a desired torque orientation of each bracket. | 09-18-2008 |
20100145664 | DENTAL MODELING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for simulating tooth movement utilizes electronic modeling to represent the teeth. Instant centers of rotation are determined and projected paths of movement are plotted. The electronic model provides improved precision and provides a method for simulating movement in three dimensions. The movement from growth and/or correction is shown with the electronic model. The simulation provides for improved correction. | 06-10-2010 |
20100151405 | DESIGNING A BRACKET ALIGNMENT DEVICE - A method includes obtaining an electronic model image representing teeth of a patient; determining a desired bracket arrangement for one or more brackets on the teeth; designing an electronic model image of an alignment device based in part on the desired bracket arrangement; and fabricating the alignment device based on the electronic model image of the alignment device. The desired bracket arrangement includes a surface location, a tip orientation, and a torque orientation of each bracket. The alignment device defines at least one slot through which a bracket can be placed at a surface location and an orientation indicator to indicate a desired tip orientation and a desired torque orientation of each bracket. | 06-17-2010 |
20100169057 | DENTAL MODELING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for simulating tooth movement utilizes electronic modeling to represent the teeth. Instant centers of rotation are determined and projected paths of movement are plotted. The electronic model provides improved precision and provides a method for simulating movement in three dimensions. The movement from growth and/or correction is shown with the electronic model. The simulation provides for improved correction. | 07-01-2010 |
20130273491 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT - A system and method for evaluating dental treatment utilizes virtual models created from scanned plaster casts. Patient's teeth are directly scanned with a three dimensional scanner or plaster casts of the patient teeth following treatment are scanned for evaluation. A planned configuration based on a plaster cast prior to treatment is created and the desired position and the two models are compared so that the actual position of the teeth may be compared to the desired position after treatment. Superimposition of the virtual models provides accurate and precise measurement of variances between the two virtual models. Difficulties due to superimposing the models, which are of the entire arch and evaluations based on individual teeth are overcome by applying an iterative closest point algorithm to correct the position and provide a truer measurement for evaluation. Differences between a preferred position of a patient's teeth and actual position of a patient's teeth may be assigned a score and the score may be compared to other patients to rank the patient needs. | 10-17-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090142733 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A PRINTED MODEL IN MULTI-COMPONENT DENTAL APPLIANCES - Dental appliances including multiple components and a system and method for constructing the same are disclosed herein. The dental components are designed to fit together to form the dental appliance. The components of the dental appliance are electronically modeled, printed, and pressed sequentially, separately, or as a unitary piece. Forming the dental appliance from multiple components enables each component of the dental appliance to be formed from a different material, each material having different features associated with it. In various embodiments, different materials have different colors, textures, opacities, and transformation factors associated with them. Furthermore, each component can be formed from multiple components. In some other embodiments, a support structure is designed and constructed in order to minimize deformation of a dental component during fabrication of the component. | 06-04-2009 |
20090148816 | DESIGN OF DENTAL APPLIANCES - Electronic models of components of dental appliances can be generated based on the outer surface of an electronic model of the dental appliance. The outer surface may be generated based on the dentition and anatomy of the patient. For example, automated processes may identify landmarks in the anatomy and define the outer surface based on the identified landmarks. Alternatively, the outer surface may be generated based on statistical data. A management system coordinates automated processes with interactive processes to facilitate collaboration of remotely located technicians and equipment in generating electronic models. | 06-11-2009 |
20090316966 | Method and apparatus for combining 3D dental scans with other 3D data sets - By matching a first data set including digital, three-dimensional, dental models with a second data set including digital, cranio-facial 3D medical scan records, missing or inaccurate portions of the cranio-facial 3D medical scan record can be improved. Example methods for matching the data sets include automatically positioning the dental model with respect to the 3D medical scan record and automatically eliminating common (i.e., overlapping) portions from one of the data sets. Two-dimensional images can be mapped onto images generated from either of the first and second data sets to enhance accuracy and/or photo-realism. | 12-24-2009 |
20100169056 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC MODEL IMAGES - A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a distributed computing system delivering and manipulating electronic model images to end users. One aspect of the present invention includes a method for providing electronic delivery of electronic model images. The method generates one or more electronic model images, a portion of the electronic model images being generated from scanned electronic data of a physical object, stores the electronic model images within computer readable memory of a server-based computing system, delivers the electronic model images to a remote client computer over a distributed communications network, manipulates the electronic model images upon the remote client computer, and performs analysis and a course of action using the manipulated electronic model images. The electronic model images comprise in part a polygonal mesh representation of the physical object. | 07-01-2010 |
20100217567 | SCANNING DENTAL MODELS - A system for generating an electronic model having a common coordinate system includes a scanning device; a first plate module; and a second plate module. Each of the plate modules is configured to separately couple to the scanning device. The plate modules also can be moveably coupled together using an articulation device. Each of the plate modules includes alignment structures (e.g., spheres) to facilitate determining a position and orientation of the plate modules within a coordinate system of the scanning device. | 08-26-2010 |
20110189625 | Dental Occlusion Analysis Tool - An electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a maxillary arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating a peak of a mesiobuccal cusp of a maxillary first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. In addition, an electronic 3D model of at least a portion of a mandibular arch of a patient is displayed. Inputs indicating relevant points on the mandibular first molar are received for both the patient's right and left sides. Side scores are generated for the patient's right and left sides based on the indicated points. A final occlusion score for the patient is displayed. The final occlusion score is based on the side score for the right side and the side score for the left side. | 08-04-2011 |
20110191075 | Dental Crowding Analysis Tool - An electronic three-dimensional (3D) model of a dental arch is displayed. An ideal arch is superimposed on the dental arch. The shape of the ideal arch is adjusted in response to adjustment input from a user. Furthermore, a tooth width is calculated for teeth in the dental arch. A crowding score is calculated based on a comparison of a length of the ideal arch and a tooth width total, the tooth width total based at least in part on a total of the tooth widths for the teeth. | 08-04-2011 |
20120276502 | DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF DENTURES - Manufacturing dentures for a patient includes preparing a dentition plan; designing dentures based on the dentition plan; and fabricating the dentures. To fabricate the dentures, one or more patterns of the dentures may be produced, tooth substitutes may be assembled on the pattern, and one or more denture bases may be cast around the tooth substitutes from the patterns. Alternatively, tooth substitutes may be installed on denture bases that are milled or otherwise fabricated. The roots of the tooth substitutes may be modified to better fit in the designed dentures. | 11-01-2012 |
20120291284 | Dental Prosthesis Manufacturing Aids - Dental prostheses may be manufactured based on electronic models of the prostheses. Manufacturing aids may be used to check manufacturing quality of the dental prosthesis and components thereof. For example, a jig may be used during and after the manufacture of the dental prostheses and systems and methods for using the same. A customized tooth die may be designed and fabricated to fit a dental prosthesis or components thereof in a jig for inspection. A customized jig may be designed and fabricated for inspecting a dental prosthesis or components thereof throughout the manufacturing process. | 11-22-2012 |
20130177864 | GUM TISSUE GUIDE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PRODUCING AND UTILIZING THE SAME - A method, device and system for modifying the gingival margin of a patient is disclosed. A method includes obtaining an electronic model of the dentition of a patient, determining an incision path along the gingival surface based on the electronic model, generating and fabricating a guide arrangement to assist in cutting the gingival surface of the patient, mounting the guide arrangement to the dentition of the patient, and cutting the gingival surface of the patient with the assistance of the guide arrangement. A guide arrangement includes a mounting portion and a template portion coupled to the mounting portion along the gingival surface of the guide arrangement and positioned to provide a desired incision path. A system includes a three dimensional scanner, a computer system and a fabricating device. | 07-11-2013 |
20150074993 | Dental Prosthesis Manufacturing Aids - Dental prostheses may be manufactured based on electronic models of the prostheses. Manufacturing aids may be used to check manufacturing quality of the dental prosthesis and components thereof. For example, a jig may be used during and after the manufacture of the dental prostheses and systems and methods for using the same. A customized tooth die may be designed and fabricated to fit a dental prosthesis or components thereof in a jig for inspection. A customized jig may be designed and fabricated for inspecting a dental prosthesis or components thereof throughout the manufacturing process. | 03-19-2015 |