Method and system for hybrid mesh segmentation

A computer-implemented method for generating a digital model of intraoral features, the method comprising:

• generating a 3-D digital mesh model of the patient's dentition from a plurality of structured light images;
• performing automatic tooth segmentation on the obtained 3-D mesh model;
• displaying automated segmentation results and recording a set of one or more automatically segmented teeth in response to a first operator instruction;
• accepting at least a second operator instruction related to an interactive segmentation of other teeth not in the recorded set;
• performing the interactive segmentation of the other teeth not in the recorded set and recording one or more interactively segmented teeth in the set;
• and
• displaying, storing, or transmitting recorded segmentation results from the set.

An apparatus for intraoral imaging comprising:

• a structured light imaging camera that is configured to acquire a 3-D mesh model of a patient's dentition;
• and
• a computer processor in signal communication with the imaging camera and with a display and that is programmed with instructions for:
• executing a first segmentation procedure on the obtained 3-D mesh model to generate a plurality of segmented teeth from the obtained 3-D mesh model;
• recording at least one of the plurality of segmented teeth to remove at least one segmented tooth from the 3-D mesh model to form a modified 3-D mesh model;
• repeating, until the plurality of segmented teeth are recorded, a sequence of:
• (i) selecting a modified segmentation procedure;
• (ii) executing the modified segmentation procedure on the modified 3-D mesh model;
• and
• (iii) recording at least one of the one or more segmented teeth and removing the recorded at least one tooth from the modified 3-D mesh model;
• and
• displaying the plurality of recorded segmented teeth from the modified 3-D mesh model.