Dental modeling system and method
OwnerBruce W. HULTGREN, Michael C. Marshallinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for simulating tooth movement utilizes electronic modeling to represent the teeth. Instant centers of rotation are determined and projected paths of movement are plotted. The electronic model provides improved precision and provides a method for simulating movement in three dimensions. The movement from growth and/or correction is shown with the electronic model. The simulation provides for improved correction.
Claims21
A method of modeling tooth movement of a patient, comprising:
- creating a first virtual model of the patient's teeth;
- identifying a first reference point on a first virtual tooth of the model;
- identifying a second reference point on the patient's mandible;
- creating a second virtual model of the patient's teeth after a time period;
- tracking the movement of the first reference point from a first location to a second location over the time period;
- tracking the movement of the second reference point from a third location to a fourth location over the time period;
- extending a first segment between the first location and the second location;
- extending a second segment between the third location and the fourth location;
- projecting a first perpendicular bisector from the first segment;
- projecting a second perpendicular bisector from the second segment;
- determining an intersection of the first and second bisectors, defining a rotational axis;
- plotting an arc centered on the rotational axis along which the first reference point will travel.
(canceled)
A method of modeling a patient's tooth movement on linkage configurations, comprising:
- defining a ground point axis of rotation;
- adopting a first point on the patient's ramus as a first link pivot;
- adopting a second point on one of the patient's lower teeth as a second link pivot;
- tracing a first path of the first point pivoting about the axis of rotation, tracing a second path of rotation about the axis of rotation pivoting about the axis of rotation;
- moving the first point along the first path a first distance;
- applying a relative movement factor to the first distance to determine a second distance between the first point and the second point;
- moving the second point along the second path until the second point is the second distance from the first point to arrive at a predicted location.
A method of modeling tooth movement, comprising:
- creating a first virtual model of a tooth;
- creating a second virtual model of the tooth after a period of time;
- identifying a rotational axis of the tooth;
- projecting an arc along which the tooth will travel centered on the rotational axis.
-17. (canceled)
A method of modeling tooth movement, comprising:
- creating a virtual model of a patient's mouth;
- selecting an element for projecting movement;
- determining a first instant center of rotation associated with a first location on the element;
- determining a second instant center of rotation associated with a second location on the element;
- tracing a path of movement through the first location and centered on the first instant center of rotation;
- tracing a path of movement through the second location and centered on the second instant center of rotation;
- and
- tracing a path of movement for the element with the first location centered on the first instant center of rotation and the second location centered on the second instant center of rotation.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.