Cadent, Inc.

3m Innovative Properties Company

Baruch Nissenbaum

Avi Kopelman

Eldad Taub

James D Hansen

Russell A Jordan

Joseph M Caruso

Patrick B Dufour

Leonid Rasovsky

A computer implemented method includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, providing bite alignment data representative of the spatial relationship between the upper dental arch and the lower dental arch of the patient, and aligning the upper and lower arch images relative to one another based on the bite alignment data until an aligned upper and lower arch image is attained. The aligned upper and lower arch images are moved towards each other until a first contact point is detected and at least one of the upper and lower arch images is moved relative to the other in one or more directions to a plurality of positions for determining optimal occlusion position of the lower and upper dental arches.

Methods for use in dental articulation

The present application is related to a method for marking an intended position on a surface where an orthodontic element is to be placed and fixed. The method includes: providing a marking device with a marking member for making a visible mark on a surface, the device having an image acquisition unit mounted thereon such that the marking member is in the field of view of the unit; manipulating the device so as to bring the member into proximity of the surface while continuously capturing an image of at least the surface or of the marking member, and of both once the surface and the marking member are proximal to one another; transmitting the image or a representation thereof to a display displaying the image or representation together with indicators providing guidance information on the intended position of the orthodontic element; fixing the position of the marking member on the surface according to the indicators, such that the marking member's position coincides with the intended position of the orthodontic element; and applying a mark on the surface at the position.

Placing an orthodontic element on a tooth surface

The invention provides a method and system for obtaining a three-dimensional representation of a patient's teeth arrangement. A three-dimensional physical teeth model is provided, having a surface relief corresponding to the patient's teeth arrangement. Computerized tomography (CT) is applied to the three-dimensional physical teeth model, to thereby acquire data of multiple slices of at least a portion of the teeth model. The data is analyzed to produce a virtual three-dimensional representation of the teeth model or a portion thereof.

Method and system for imaging a patient's teeth arrangement

A method for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

Method for comparing orthodontic element placement

A method and system for providing information for correct placement of one or more brackets on one or more corresponding teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme. A virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said teeth is obtained wherein the position and orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to achieve a desired treatment outcome. The virtual representation is processed to generate an output data, the output data driving a display, such as a computer monitor or a printed 'hard-copy', to display an image of at least one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as viewed from a defined viewpoint. The invention can be applied to the placement of brackets onto the buccal side of the teeth as well as onto the lingual side of the teeth.

Method and system for assisting in applying an orthodontic treatment

The present invention provides a virtual orthodontic treatment method, comprising, providing a virtual diagnostic setup model of teeth of at least one jaw of an individual, associating virtual orthodontic appliances with all teeth in the model to obtain a first composite model and repositioning teeth into an initial treatment state according to pre-defined appliances-dependent rules; in the initial treatment state, detaching one or more teeth from their corresponding one or more orthodontic appliances, repositioning one or more appliances, reassociating one or more appliances with the teeth, permitting the teeth to reposition according to the appliances-dependent rules to obtain an altered treatment state, yielding a better grade, according to one or more systems for grading an orthodontic model, as compared to the grade of initial treatment state.

Method and system for assessing the outcome of an orthodontic treatment

A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

A virtual orthodontic treatment method and a system thereof, the method comprising the following: providing a virtual diagnostic setup model of teeth of at least one jaw of an individual, associating each teeth in said model with its corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance to obtain a first composite model and repositioning teeth into an initial treatment state according to pre-defined appliances-dependent rules. In the initial treatment state, selecting one or more teeth and reassociating the teeth with their corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance by changing the position of the appliance corresponding to the selected tooth thereby causing repositioning of the teeth according to the appliance-dependence rules. An altered treatment state is obtained, yielding a better grade, according to one or more systems for grading an orthodontic model, as compared to the grade of the initial treatment state.

In a computer system that includes a Central Processing Unit and an associated input device, storage device and display device, a method for displaying on the display device a virtual three-dimensional (3D) dental model at desired preset views, for orthodontic use. The virtual 3D dental model is stored on the storage device and is indicative of a 3D structure of an individual's dental arches. The method includes the steps of providing a graphic user interface (GUI) that includes a graphic representation of the dental model and a plurality of graphic symbols each representative of a desired pre-set view of the dental model from a desired direction. Selecting through the input device graphic symbol from among the plurality of graphic symbols. Moving the dental model to a pre-set view which corresponds to the graphic symbol, whilst retaining the model in zoom.

Computer user interface for orthodontic use

A method for obtaining a dental occlusion map of a three-dimensional virtual computer model of teeth of upper and lower jaws of a mouth. The occlusion map indicates the distances between opposite regions on facing surfaces of opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth. The method includes the steps of determining the distances between opposite regions on opposite teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the mouth, and setting up a correspondence between the determined distances and regions on a mapping surface.

Method for obtaining a dental occlusion map

A method, system and device for positioning and fixing an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth are provided. The positioning of the element on a tooth is accomplished by: bringing the element into proximity of the tooth while continuously capturing an image of at least the tooth or of the element, and an image of both, once the tooth and the element are proximal to one another; transmitting the image or its representation to a display for displaying a real-life image of the captured image or representation together with indicators providing guidance information on intended position of the orthodontic element on the tooth's surface; positioning the element on a tooth's surface according to said indicators such that the element's position coincides with the intended position; and fixing the element onto the tooth.

A computer implemented method of creating a dental model for use in dental articulation includes providing a first set of digital data corresponding to an upper arch image of at least a portion of an upper dental arch of a patient, providing a second set of digital data corresponding to a lower arch image of at least a portion of a lower dental arch of the patient, and providing hinge axis data representative of the spatial orientation of at least one of the upper and lower dental arches relative to a condylar axis of the patient. A reference hinge axis is created relative to the upper and lower arch images based on the hinge axis data. Further, the method may include bite alignment data for use in aligning the lower and upper arch images. Yet further, the method may include providing data associated with condyle geometry of the patient, so as to provide limitations on the movement of at least the lower arch image when the arch images are displayed. Further, a wobbling technique may be used to determine an occlusal position of the lower and upper dental arches. Various computer implemented methods of dental articulation are also described. For example, such dental articulation methods may include moving at least one of the upper and lower arch images to simulate relative movement of one of the upper and lower dental arches of the patient, may include displaying another image with the upper and lower dental arches of the dental articulation model, and/or may include playing back recorded motion of a patient's mandible using the dental articulation model.

Growing community of inventors

Ramat Gan, Israel

Baruch Nissenbaum