284 results about "Orthodontics treatment" patented technology

An interactive, software-based treatment planning method to correct a malocclusion is described. The method can be performed on an orthodontic workstation in a clinic or at a remote location such as a lab or precision appliance manufacturing center. The workstation stores a virtual three-dimensional model of the dentition of a patient and patient records. The virtual model is manipulated by the user to define a target situation for the patient, including a target archform and individual tooth positions in the archform. Parameters for an orthodontic appliance, such as the location of orthodontic brackets and resulting shape of an orthodontic archwire, are obtained from the simulation of tooth movement to the target situation and the placement position of virtual brackets. The treatment planning can also be executed remotely by a precision appliance service center having access to the virtual model of the dentition. In the latter situation, the proposed treatment plan is sent to the clinic for review, and modification or approval by the orthodontist. The method is suitable for other orthodontic appliance systems, including removable appliances such as transparent aligning trays.< / PTEXT>

A scanning system includes a hand-held scanning device that generates two-dimensional images of a pattern reflected off an object. The system also includes a memory and processing unit. The memory stores a calibration table for the scanner and received scanned bitmap images. The processing unit generates three-dimensional information as to a scanned object. The scanning can be performed without knowledge or even precise control of the position of the object relative to the scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible. For example, the scanner is simply swept over the surface of the object by hand. Three-dimensional information of the object is obtained from the captured images using a calibration table for the scanner. A method of calibration of the scanner in X, Y and Z directions is also described. The scanner can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical and industrial purposes. The illustrated embodiment is in-vivo scanning of human teeth for purposes of orthodontic treatment planning and diagnosis.

The present invention relates to an orthodontic retainer to be fitted to an orthodontically treated dentition in order to fix the teeth in their orthodontic treatment state. In particular, the present invention relates to an orthodontic retainer that achieves, for example, improvement of strength of the retainer, improvement of wearing comfort and esthetics, reduction in cost, and improvement of a function as the retainer.

A method and workstation for evaluation of an orthodontic treatment plan for a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and / or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools by which the user can create a proposed treatment plan (proposed position of the teeth at the end of treatment) in three dimensions. The workstation also provides tools for evaluation of the proposed treatment plan.

The invention relates to planning orthodontic treatment for a patient, including surgery, using biological constrains such as those arising from bone, soft tissue, and roots of patient's teeth. The invention disclosed herein provides capability to vary the movement ratio between the teeth and bone and soft tissue through treatment simulation to assess the risk factor associated with a particular treatment plan. The invention further provides capability to monitor results of the treatment to determine the actual movement ratio between the teeth and bone and soft tissue and update the database. Additionally, a method and apparatus are disclosed enabling an orthodontist or a user to create an unified three dimensional virtual craniofacial and dentition model of actual, as-is static and functional anatomy of a patient, from data representing facial bone structure; upper jaw and lower jaw; facial soft tissue; teeth including crowns and roots; information of the position of the roots relative to each other; and relative to the facial bone structure of the patient; obtained by scanning as-is anatomy of craniofacial and dentition structures of the patient with a volume scanning device; and data representing three dimensional virtual models of the patient's upper and lower gingiva, obtained from scanning the patient's upper and lower gingiva either (a) with a volume scanning device, or (a) with a surface scanning device. Such craniofacial and dentition models of the patient can be used in optimally planning treatment of a patient.

A patient's dentition is analysed to determine an orthodontic treatment plan by simulating an intervention in advance. 3D imaging techniques and computer technology are used to simulate and predict tooth movement as a function of the chosen treatment, i.e. a specific orthodontic appliance. In this way treatment options can be compared and the most optimal (shortest treatment time, lowest forces . . . ) treatment for each individual patient can be selected. Sub-steps of the tooth movement are not predefined but computed based on a simulation of orthodontic elements and wire as they would be used in the orthodontic treatment of the patient. This means that the sub-steps are calculated based on the relationship between the applied loads and the tooth movement; only one of both parameters can be chosen freely. Thus, either the tooth load is specified and applied in order to calculate the resulting tooth movement or vice versa the tooth movement is specified and applied in order to calculate the tooth load that should be applied. Moreover, the current invention allows predicting the time at which brackets and / or archwire should be changed, and comparing different treatment options with respect to tooth loading and duration.

Modeling a complete tooth of a patient to facilitate dental and / or orthodontic treatment includes generating a first set of digital data representing a clinical crown; generating a second set of digital data representing a plurality of digital tooth models of a particular tooth type each having a first parameterization; processing the second set of digital data to obtain a third set of digital data representing an average tooth model of the particular tooth type having a second parameterization which is less than the first parameterization; fitting the third set of digital data to the first set of digital data to create a set of digital data representing an interim tooth model; and morphing the set of digital data representing the interim tooth model to substantially mimic the anatomical shape of the clinical crown of the first set of digital data.

Method and apparatus for registering an object of known predetermined geometry to scanned three dimensional data such that the object's location may be verified. Such a known object may comprise a less than ideal three-dimensional (3-D) digital object such as a tooth, a dental appliance (e.g., as a tooth bracket model) or other like object, including portions thereof. Knowledge of such an object's location is generally helpful in planning orthodontic treatment, particularly where the location of the object needs to be determined or confirmed or where incomplete or poor scan data is obtained. Aspects of the present invention provide methods of effectively verifying dental appliance location and displaying appliance locations using a computer and three-dimensional models of teeth.

A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and / or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement. When the adjustments are complete, the user selects or identifies a finalized proposed treatment plan for treating the patient.

Disclosed is an orthodontic appliance for straightening misaligned teeth. The orthodontic appliance is made of a shape memory polymer, and is formed in a cap-shaped tray capable of covering the maxillary or mandibular teeth. An original shape of the tray-type orthodontic appliance made of the shape memory polymer is identical to that of perfectly aligned teeth obtained after orthodontic treatment, and a temporarily formed shape of the tray-type orthodontic appliance is identical to that of the teeth alignment of a patient before orthodontic treatment. The tray-type orthodontic appliance is restored to the original shape memorized at a temperature above a specified glass transition temperature. The orthodontic appliance can be easily manufactured to perform orthodontic treatment, also providing appealing esthetics, in which the orthodontic appliance can be colored to be identical to a tooth with inexpensive manufacturing cost.

Computer-implemented methods to plan, display and evaluate orthodontic treatment plans. A plurality of teeth in a representation on a computer display may be moved simultaneously in accordance with a mathematically defined pattern. Software tools available to generate the treatment path may include adjusting the smile teeth, moving teeth along a curve fit to points in the mandible, individually moving a tooth, cross sectioning to check for interference and simulations of occlusal points, highlighting teeth that have moved from their original position, making notations on the teeth, and generating and saving animation sequences of before and after treatment tooth positions.

Methods and apparatus for orthodontic treatment planning that involve determining an initial position of an orthodontic structure, determining an altered position, and generating response surface data using a mathematical relationship between the positions. The mathematical relationship may be defined by a number of parameters useful for determining one or more of the stress, strain, force, and moment associated with movement of the orthodontic structure. The mathematical relationship between the initial position and the altered position may be defined using a finite element analysis, empirically determined, or using other computational methodologies such as a finite difference methodology. The mathematical relationship may also be defined using an analytical methodology, such as elasticity and / or plasticity methodologies. Response surface data may be generated as a teaching aid, treatment planning aid, table, or other useful form, which may be useful, for example, for designing an orthodontic appliance, verifying an orthodontic prescription, and / or planning the prescription.

System and method for developing a treatment plan for achieving a treatment goal including creating a virtual model of a dental patient's dentition; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual prosthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual orthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; iterating on the transforming steps until substantially achieving the treatment goal; and generating an orthodontic treatment plan and a prosthodontic treatment plan based upon the substantially achieved treatment goal

An orthodontic workstation stores a library of virtual three-dimensional brackets in a memory. Each of the virtual brackets has a unique three-dimensional configuration and prescription. Typically, the library of bracket comprises a library of commercially available, off-the-shelf brackets. The workstation further includes an interactive treatment planning program that permits a user to move teeth from a virtual model of the dentition to a proposed set-up. In one possible embodiment, the treatment planning program provides the ability to display a virtual bracket placed on a virtual tooth and change the prescription or configuration of the virtual bracket. The treatment program automatically compares the modified prescription with the prescription information of the virtual brackets in the library and selects a bracket from the library that most closely matches the virtual bracket displayed on the tooth. Thus, the user does not have to use customized brackets. Any deviation in tooth position resulting from a discrepancy between the off-the-shelf bracket and the user-defined bracket can be corrected for by changing the position of the bracket on the tooth or by changing the shape of the archwire.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, system and method for modeling and application of interproximal reduction (IPR) of teeth to facilitate orthodontic treatment is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a system and method for modeling and application of IPR are configured within a treatment methodology that initially determines whether stripping is needed for two neighboring teeth. If stripping is necessary, the exemplary method for modeling and application of IPR is conducted. In an exemplary embodiment, a stripping plane or other surface is constructed to determine the amount and region of stripping for two neighboring teeth, in other words, the volume to be removed between two neighboring teeth. After stripping of the tooth, the tooth geometry can be reconstructed to enable application of the IPR tooth model, such as enabling the clinician to utilize the IPR tooth model for teeth movement planning.

An indirect bonding tray for use in applying and bonding orthodontic appliances to a patient's teeth is made by providing a replica of the patient's dentition including replicas of the patient's teeth. A guide is provided on each replica tooth in a location corresponding to the ultimate intended location of the orthodontic appliance on the patient's teeth. Each guide has a receptacle for receiving an orthodontic appliance, and serves to ensure that the respective orthodontic appliance is placed in its proper, intended position on the replica tooth. A tray is then formed over the replica teeth and the appliances for subsequent use in bonding the appliances to the patient's teeth.

Use of computer technology for image-assisted risk assessment / evaluation of proposed dental treatments is described, in particular a method and apparatus for determining the impact of a proposed dental modification on the temporomandibular joint(s), e.g. to obtain information relating to that impact. Use of a virtual articulator is described to determine the impact of a proposed dental modification on the temporomandibular joint(s). This dental modification includes, but is not limited to, the replacement of one or more teeth by artificial teeth, the replacement of one or more parts of a tooth by a prosthetic reconstruction such as a dental crown or veneer, the rearrangement of one or more existing teeth (orthodontic treatment), the distraction of one or both jaws in order to reposition the teeth (orthognatic treatment) and / or modifications of the occlusal surfaces of the teeth.

A system for revising a set of teeth including a bracket for revising a set of teeth and a bracket positioning jig is provided. The bracket positioning jig includes a cap at the lower portion of which a groove contacting tooth is formed, and which has a throughhole to lengthy direction on the upper portion of a cap body, and a connector one side of which has a fixed protrusion which is detachably inserted into and fixed to the throughhole of the cap, and the other side of which is bent toward the lower end of the body and has a coupler which is combined on a slot of an orthodontics treatment bracket for revising a set of teeth. An individual prescription value which is the most appropriate for an individual patient is given to the bracket positioning jig on a computer program to thus manufacture a desired jig, so that a non-prescription bracket as well as a bracket having a given prescription value can be used.

An integrated system is described in which digital image data of a patient, obtained from a variety of image sources, including CT scanner, X-Ray, 2D or 3D scanners and color photographs, are combined into a common coordinate system to create a virtual three-dimensional patient model. Software tools are provided for manipulating the virtual patient model to simulation changes in position or orientation of craniofacial structures (e.g., jaw or teeth) and simulate their affect on the appearance of the patient. The simulation (which may be pure simulations or may be so-called “morphing” type simulations) enables a comprehensive approach to planning treatment for the patient. In one embodiment, the treatment may encompass orthodontic treatment. Similarly, surgical treatment plans can be created. Data is extracted from the virtual patient model or simulations thereof for purposes of manufacture of customized therapeutic devices for any component of the craniofacial structures, e.g., orthodontic appliances.

Orthodontic brackets and appliances, and methods of making and using orthodontic brackets. The orthodontic bracket may include a molded identification marking comprising at least one alphanumeric character disposed on a visible surface. A kit of self-ligating orthodontic brackets may be provided that includes individual brackets of different archwire slot widths for attachment to anterior and posterior teeth during a corrective orthodontic treatment. An appliance or auxiliary may be provided that includes a spring-loaded latch operative to secure the appliance to an orthodontic bracket.

A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and / or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement. When the adjustments are complete, the user selects or identifies a finalized proposed treatment plan for treating the patient.

A scanning system includes a hand-held scanning device that generates two-dimensional images of a pattern reflected off an object. The system also includes a memory and processing unit. The memory stores a calibration table for the scanner and received scanned bitmap images. The processing unit generates three-dimensional information as to a scanned object.The scanning can be performed without knowledge or even precise control of the position of the object relative to the scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible. For example, the scanner is simply swept over the surface of the object by hand. Three-dimensional information of the object is obtained from the captured images using a calibration table for the scanner. A method of calibration of the scanner in X, Y and Z directions is also described. The scanner can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical and industrial purposes. The illustrated embodiment is in-vivo scanning of human teeth for purposes of orthodontic treatment planning and diagnosis.

A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which the teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.

The present invention discloses orthodontic treatment planning which enables designing the desired smile line with the help of a computer workstation.A new lip trace feature enables cutting out the portion of a photograph corresponding to the area inside the lips. The 3D model of the teeth is then completely visible when overlaid with the facial photograph.One can use this feature to superimpose the patient photo over the 3-D model of the teeth to see how much intrusion or extrusion is needed to design the smile line.Three dimensional model of dentition obtained by scanning of teeth along with the patient's two dimensional facial photograph is used to design the desired smile line for the patient by means of software instructions in the workstation.

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.

Computer-implemented methods to plan, display and evaluate orthodontic treatment plans. A plurality of teeth in a representation on a computer display may be moved simultaneously in accordance with a mathematically defined pattern. Software tools available to generate the treatment path may include adjusting the smile teeth, moving teeth along a curve fit to points in the mandible, individually moving a tooth, cross sectioning to check for interference and simulations of occlusal points, highlighting teeth that have moved from their original position, making notations on the teeth, and generating and saving animation sequences of before and after treatment tooth positions.

A comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool that can provide multiple treatment plan options based on a single initial tooth data set. A user can use the treatment planning tool to select a treatment plan based on factors, including cost, treatment duration, treatment complexity, and material or feature selection. Tooth arrangements at different treatment stages can be compared. In some cases, a tooth arrangement at one treatment stage can be superimposed over a tooth arrangement at a different treatment stage or over a tooth arrangement from a different treatment plan.

The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for producing dental molds, each having portions representing a patient's oral soft tissue and a desired tooth configuration. These molds are designed for use in the fabrication of appliances used in orthodontic treatment, particularly, elastic repositioning appliances. However, they may also be used in the fabrication of traditional appliances, such as retainers and positioners, used, for example in the final or finishing stages of an otherwise conventional treatment. The dental molds are comprised of a mold or relief of the patient's soft tissue, such as a palate, facial gingival tissue and / or lingual gingival tissue, and a separate or separable mold or relief of the patient's dental arch having teeth in a desired tooth configuration. Since, the tooth configuration will change as a patient progresses through orthodontic treatment, the relief of the dental arch will be fabricated separately from the relief of the oral soft tissue. Typically, the dental arch relief will be fabricated using rapid prototyping methods. The soft tissue relief may also be fabricated using rapid prototyping, however it may also be fabricated using traditional mold making methods, i.e., casting with plaster or other mold making materials. In either case, the resulting dental mold with be comprised of a “split-mold” having fixedly or removably joined arch and soft tissue reliefs.

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.