Computer-assisted creation of a custom tooth set-up using facial analysis

A method for automatic, or semi-automatic, planning of dental treatment for a patient comprising:

• (a) obtaining data about an area which is to be treated and data about a face of a patient;
• (b) performing a computer-assisted analysis of the data to determine properties of at least the face of the patient;
• (c) creating a modified tooth set-up using a set of stored rules which make use of the determined facial properties selected from aesthetic characteristics of the patient's face, measurements between facial features;
• aesthetic characteristics of the face which may be determined by the underlying jaw and teeth and aesthetic characteristics of the patient's teeth.

Apparatus for automatic, or semi-automatic, planning of dental treatment for a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• an input for receiving data about an area which is to be treated and data about a face of a patient;
• and
• a processor which is arranged to:
• perform a computer-assisted analysis of the data to determine properties of at least the face of the patient;
• create a modified tooth set-up using a set of stored rules which make use of the determined facial properties selected from aesthetic characteristics of the patient's face, measurements between facial features;
• aesthetic characteristics of the face which may be determined by the underlying jaw and teeth and aesthetic characteristics of the patient's teeth.