# US 11,896,456 B2 · Visual prosthetic and orthodontic treatment planning

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- Number: US 11,896,456 B2
- Document ID: US11896456B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/990,365
- Filed: 2022-11-18
- Published: 2023-03-23
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-26
- Assignees: Align Technology, Inc.
- Applicants: Align Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Avi Kopelman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896456B2

## CPC

- A61C 7/002: {Orthodontic computer assisted systems}
- A61B 34/00: Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
- A61B 34/10: Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
- A61C 1/082: {Positioning or guiding, e.g. of drills}
- A61C 9/0053: {Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam}
- A61C 13/0004: {Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses}
- A61B 2034/102: {Modelling of surgical devices, implants or prosthesis}
- A61B 2034/105: {Modelling of the patient, e.g. for ligaments or bones}
- G16H 50/50: for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

Systems and methods for improved visual prosthetic and orthodontic treatment planning are provided herein. In some aspects, a method for preparing a tooth of a patient is disclosed. The method may comprise building a model of a dentition of the patient including a model of the initial shape of tooth. The method may also include determining a final prepared shape of the tooth. In some aspects, the method may also include generating a treatment plan comprising a plurality of steps to modify the initial shape of the tooth to the final prepared shape of the tooth. The method may also include rendering visualizations for the plurality of steps of the treatment plan. The visualizations may depict the removal of tooth material to modify the initial shape of the tooth to the final prepared shape of the tooth.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for orthodontic treatment, the method comprising:
receiving data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generating a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determining, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
rendering a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed is determined based at least part on a thicknesses of enamel of adjacent teeth.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one step of interproximal reduction provides space for the movement and/or rotation of the one or more of the patient's teeth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one step of interproximal reduction comprises a first interproximal reduction and a second interproximal reduction, and wherein the first interproximal reduction and the second interproximal reduction occur at different steps of the treatment plan.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the data of the patient's teeth comprises at least one of an ultrasound, MRI, OCT, or x-ray images.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the visualization comprises highlighting the material to be removed according to a step of the treatment plan.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:
receiving updated data of the patient's teeth after removal of a portion of material according to a step of the treatment plan, the updated data comprising an updated shapes of the patient's teeth;
comparing the updated data with a model for the step of the treatment plan; and
indicating remaining material that should be removed according to the step of the treatment plan.

### Claim 7

A method for orthodontic treatment, the method comprising:
receiving data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generating a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determining, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
rendering a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises material of one of the patient's incisors.

### Claim 8

A method for orthodontic treatment, the method comprising:
receiving data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generating a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determining, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
rendering a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises an equal distribution of enamel removed from two adjacent teeth.

### Claim 9

A method for orthodontic treatment, the method comprising:
receiving data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generating a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determining, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
rendering a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises a weighted distribution of enamel removed from two adjacent teeth.

### Claim 10

A system for aiding in orthodontic treatment, the system comprising:
one or more processors and memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:
receive data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generate a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determine, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
render a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed is determined based at least part on a thicknesses of enamel of adjacent teeth.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one step of interproximal reduction provides space for the movement and/or rotation of the one or more of the patient's teeth.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one step of interproximal reduction comprises a first interproximal reduction and a second interproximal reduction, and wherein the first interproximal reduction and the second interproximal reduction occur at different steps of the treatment plan.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the data of the patient's teeth comprises at least one of an ultrasound, MRI, OCT, or x-ray images.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the visualization comprises highlighting the material to be removed according to a step of the treatment plan.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the one or more processors to further cause the system to:
receive updated data of the patient's teeth after removal of a portion of material according to a step of the treatment plan, the updated data comprising an updated shapes of the patient's teeth;
compare the updated data with a model for the step of the treatment plan; and
indicate remaining material that should be removed according to the step of the treatment plan.

### Claim 16

A system for aiding in orthodontic treatment, the system comprising:
one or more processors and memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:
receive data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generate a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determine, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
render a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises material of one of the patient's incisors.

### Claim 17

A system for aiding in orthodontic treatment, the system comprising:
one or more processors and memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:
receive data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generate a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determine, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
render a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises an equal distribution of enamel removed from two adjacent teeth.

### Claim 18

A system for aiding in orthodontic treatment, the system comprising:
one or more processors and memory, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to:
receive data of a patient's teeth, the data comprising initial shapes of the patient's teeth;
generate a treatment plan based at least in part on the data received, the treatment plan comprising: one or more orthodontic movement steps comprising movement and/or rotation of one or more of the patient's teeth, and a modification to at least one of the patient's teeth, wherein the modification comprises at least one step of interproximal reduction;
determine, for the modification, a shape adjustment from an initial shape of the at least one tooth to a final shape of the at least one tooth, wherein the shape adjustment comprises material removed from the at least one tooth; and
render a visualization for one or more steps of the treatment plan, the visualization indicating the shape adjustment from the initial shape of the at least one tooth to the final shape of the at least one tooth;
wherein the material removed comprises a weighted distribution of enamel removed from two adjacent teeth.