System and method for the design, creation and installation of implant-supported dental prostheses
AssigneeBenson Luther Hall
InventorsBenson Luther Hall, Walter Raleigh Beam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved system and method for the design, creation and installation of implant-supported dental prostheses is provided. A network accessible portal facilitates communication among a dental professional, a scanning center, a manufacturing center and others in the design and production of a dental drill guide and prosthesis, utilizing cone beam imaging, a rotatable 3-dimension representation of a patient's jaw, virtual placement of one or more implants and virtual testing prior to manufacture. Dental professionals may access the portal on a subscription or non-subscription basis.
Claims27
A computer-assisted method of creating a dental implant prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
- electronically scanning a target jaw area where a patient needs a tooth implant to create a three-dimensional digital representation of the target jaw area including representations of upper and lower jaws;
- using a computer, processing the digital representation of the target jaw area to create a digital simulation of a closed position of the jaws and electronically calculate boundaries of a space available for an implant prosthesis at an implant placement location when the jaws are closed;
- displaying the three-dimensional digital representation for an operator and
- receiving an electronic input from the operator selecting an implant placement location in response to the display of the digital representation;
- and
- electronically generating a three-dimensional digital model of the implant prosthesis based on the calculated boundaries and storing the digital model for use by an automated manufacturing system, whereby the automated manufacturing system is enabled to generate the implant prosthesis configured to fit the selected implant placement location according to the digital model.
A computer-assisted method of creating a dental implant prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
- electronically scanning a target jaw area where a patient needs a tooth implant to create a three-dimensional digital representation of the target jaw area including representations of upper and lower jaws;
- using a computer, processing the digital representation of the target jaw area to create a digital model of a closed position of the jaws and electronically calculate boundaries of a space available for an implant prosthesis at an implant placement location when the jaws are closed;
- electronically storing the digital model for use by an automated manufacturing system whereby the automated manufacturing system is enabled to generate the implant prosthesis configured according to the digital model.
A computer-assisted method of creating a dental implant drill guide, comprising the steps of:
- electronically receiving and storing digital data defining a three-dimensional digital representation of a target jaw area where a patient needs a tooth implant, the digital data based on a three-dimensional scan of the target jaw area and including representations of upper and lower jaws;
- electronically processing the digital data representing the target jaw area to create a digital model of a closed position of the jaws and electronically calculate boundaries of a space available for placement of an implant prosthesis when the jaws are closed;
- using the digital model, electronically generating a digital design for automated manufacturing of a custom drill guide corresponding to an implant placement;
- electronically storing the digital drill guide design for use by an automated manufacturing system whereby the automated manufacturing system is enabled to generate the custom drill guide according to the digital design.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.