Geodigm Corporation

Other

Laser Design, Inc.

Michael Craig Marshall

Bruce Willard Hultgren

Timothy W Vadnais

Robert J Isaacson

Brian Paul Wallenfelt

James Todd Ledin

Mark Ervin Olsen

Donne Joseph Warden

Grant James Cermak

Minh Xuan Nguyen

Alan D Langerud

Minh Xuan Nhuyen

Kerry Glewwe

Charles M Schuster

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.

Dental prosthesis manufacturing aids

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.

Gum tissue guide, systems and methods of producing and utilizing the same

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.

Dental crowding analysis tool

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.

System and method for evaluating orthodontic treatment

Method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis

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.

Dental modeling system and method

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.

Dental occlusion analysis tool

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a system for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images. With the advances recently made computational systems, these computer based image systems may be used to permit end users to replace paper and physical models with electronic images. A mechanism to capture image representations of physical objects accurately and with sufficient resolution is provided in a form that is both inexpensive to operate while providing rapid turn-around for users. Second, a mechanism to visually display interaction between parts of an object is also provided. These features are expressly addressed for impressions of human teeth that are scanned to allow electronic images of the models of a patient's teeth to be represented and manipulated.

Method and apparatus for electronically generating a color dental occlusion map within electronic model images

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.

Scanning dental models

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.

Dental appliances

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.

Method and apparatus for combining 3D dental scans with other 3D data sets

Locating the physical placement location of a plurality of brackets on a patient's study cast includes obtaining an array of data points from a study cast and generating a virtual model of a dental impression from the array of scanned data points, Individual teeth from the dental impression can be manually severed or 'cut' and manually dragged from a start position to a finished position to determine a treatment plan. The orthodontist virtually marks the position on the virtual model where a physical bracket is desired. A marking device physically marks a physical model with the corresponding bracket locations. The physical model can serve as a template or guide to locate brackets for an indirect bonding style tray.

Method and apparatus using a scanned image for marking bracket locations

A sprue former of the type used to produce a casting mold includes a generally hollow body or a body having hollow sections. The body includes an inlet forming member and at least one first interface member. The inlet forming member is configured to provide an inlet cavity in the casting mold to enable casting material to enter the casting mold. The first interface members are configured to couple to casting patterns. The casting patterns represent items to be cast. The body can also includes a reservoir forming member and at least one connecting member coupling the reservoir forming member to the inlet forming member.

Growing community of inventors

Prior Lake, MN, United States of America

Michael Craig Marshall