Virtual joint motion model for dental processing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for determining whether a tooth is properly shaped and oriented to avoid hindering another tooth using virtual articulation movement. The method includes a) receiving, by a computing device, data indicative of a virtual dentition of a patient's oral cavity, the data indicative of the virtual dentition including data indicative of at least one of a virtual mandibular arch representing a mandibular arch of the patient or a virtual maxillary arch representing a maxillary arch of the patient; b) receiving data indicative of selected points on the virtual dentition of the oral cavity; and c) determining a tangent vector indicative of the direction of movement of the selected point, and determining, based on the determined tangent vector, whether the orientation of the teeth of the virtual dentition or the shape of the teeth is properly shaped and oriented, where the tangent vector is based on the axis of rotation of the virtual mandibular arch.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to dental treatment planning using virtual joint motion. Background technique [0002] Digital dentistry is a growing trend as more and more dentists use digital impression systems. These systems use intraoral scanning cameras or scan traditional physical impressions and associated processing systems to generate digital three-dimensional (3D) models of the patient's teeth (eg, the patient's maxillary and mandibular arches). The digital 3D model can then be used to make a physical model for a restorative or orthodontic treatment plan. [0003] An orthodontist or dentist can use a physical model of the patient's teeth to determine how to reorient and / or reshape the patient's teeth so that the teeth fit together when the patient's mouth is closed. Typically, physical models are cast in artificial stone from physical impressions. Pure occlusal alignment is accomplished using a wax bite plate or one-piece impression materia...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Facebows and articulators are expensive, and there can be disputes between clinics and laboratories over who owns them and when they are returned to their rightful owners after use

It is also difficult to see and identify contact points on the tooth surfaces when testing occlusion with such devices as the model teeth are completely opaque and obscure certain contacts from view

Additionally, it is difficult to measure distance, angle, orientation, area, and change over time without using a computer to manipulate the 3D digital scan data

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