# US 12,594,143 B2 · Method for tracking, predicting, and proactively correcting malocclusion and related issues > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,594,143 B2 - Document ID: US12594143B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/492,306 - Filed: 2021-10-01 - Published: 2022-01-20 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-13 - Assignees: Align Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Align Technology, Inc. - Inventors: David Mason; Douglas Brandt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12594143B2 ## CPC - A61C 7/002: {Orthodontic computer assisted systems} - A61C 7/08: Mouthpiece-type retainers {or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch (arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085)} - G16H 50/50: for simulation or modelling of medical disorders - G16Z 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass - 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) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - G16Z: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Methods and systems for predicting a future dental or orthodontic condition(s) are provided. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for calculating a future position of an intraoral object of a patient's intraoral cavity is provided. The method can include receiving first and second digital data representative of an actual state of the intraoral cavity at first and second time points, evaluating a characteristic of an intraoral object based on the first and second digital data, predicting a future condition of the intraoral object at a third time point, and determining a treatment option to treat the future condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for fabricating a dental appliance based on a predicted future condition of an intraoral object in a patient's intraoral cavity, the method comprising: receiving first digital image data representative of an intraoral cavity of the patient at a first time point; receiving second digital image data representative of the intraoral cavity at a second time point; evaluating a characteristic of an intraoral object of the intraoral cavity of the patient at the first time point and the second time point based on the first digital image data and the second digital image data; predicting that a future condition of the intraoral object is expected to occur at a third time point, wherein the third time point occurs subsequent to the first time point and the second time point; wherein the future condition is predicted based at least in part on the characteristic evaluated, wherein the future condition is predicted prior to the occurrence of the future condition, and wherein the future condition is selected from tooth crowding, tooth spacing, an overbite, an overjet, an underbite, a crossbite, an open bite, a loss of one or more teeth, or any combination thereof; determining one or more treatment options to treat the future condition; fabricating, using a fabrication machine, a dental appliance configured to facilitate at least one of the one or more determined treatment options. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the intraoral object is one or more selected from a shape of the intraoral object, a size of the intraoral object, a color of the intraoral object, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the evaluating the characteristic of the intraoral object comprises determining a change of characteristic of the intraoral object over the first time point and the second time point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the change of characteristic comprises a velocity of the change of the characteristic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the evaluating the characteristic of the intraoral object comprises determining a movement trajectory of the intraoral object based on the change of characteristic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the movement trajectory is linear. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the future condition comprises an undesired dental or orthodontic condition that is predicted to occur at the third time point if the patient's intraoral cavity is left untreated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the future condition further comprises tooth collision. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first digital data is representative of an actual state of the intraoral cavity at the first time point. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second digital data is representative of an actual state of the intraoral cavity at the second time point. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first digital data and the second digital data comprise sub-surface data of the patient's intraoral cavity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a graphical representation of the intraoral object at the third time point on a user interface shown on a display. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a positional change of the intraoral object between the first time point and the second time point, based on the first digital data and second digital data; and evaluating whether the positional change exceeds a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined threshold is indicative of an undesirable dental or orthodontic condition. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving fourth digital image data representative of the intraoral cavity at a fourth time point different from the first and the second time points; and processing the first digital image data, second digital image data, and fourth digital image data to determine a change of characteristic of the intraoral object between the first time point, the second time point, and the fourth time point. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining a movement trajectory of the intraoral object based on a velocity of the intraoral object over the first, second, and fourth time points, wherein the movement trajectory is non-linear; and determining a future position of the intraoral object based on the non-linear movement trajectory. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the non-linear movement trajectory comprises one or more of a change in movement direction or a change in movement speed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising processing the first, second, and fourth data to determine a force vector associated with the intraoral object over the first, second and fourth time points. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein predicting that the future condition of the intraoral object is expected to occur at the third time point comprises extrapolating a rate of change of the characteristic to the third time point using linear or non-linear extrapolation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the intraoral object is one or more selected from a position of the intraoral object, an orientation of the intraoral object, or both. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first digital data and the second digital data comprise surface data of the patient's intraoral cavity. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a display of the one or more treatment options on a display unit and receiving an input comprising selecting a treatment option of the determined one or more treatment options.