Intraoral scanning with surface differentiation

A method for generating a digital 3D representation of at least a part of an intraoral cavity, the method comprising:

• recording a view containing surface data representing at least a geometry of a surface point of the part of the intraoral cavity using a scanner;
• determining a score that is a measure of belief of a surface point belonging to one or more surface types using a machine learning algorithm in real time or nearly in real time while the view is being recorded, wherein the machine learning algorithm includes at least one score-finding algorithm that takes as input at least the geometry of the surface point;
• executing a stitching algorithm that performs stitching of the surface point to generate the digital 3D representation based on the determined score in real time or nearly in real time while the views is being recorded;
• and
• visualizing the 3D representation while the view is being recorded.

A scanner system for reconstructing a digital 3D representation of at least a part of an oral cavity, the scanner system comprising:

• a scanner configured for recording a view containing surface data representing at least a geometry of a surface point of the part of the intraoral cavity;
• a processing unit configured for:
• determining a score that is a measure of belief of a surface point belonging to one or more surface types using a machine learning algorithm in real time or nearly in real time while the view is being recorded, wherein the machine learning algorithm includes at least one score-finding algorithm that takes as input at least the geometry of the surface point;
• and
• executing a stitching algorithm that performs stitching of the surface point to generate the digital 3D representation based on the determined score in real time or nearly in real time while the view is being recorded;
• and
• a screen configured for visualizing the 3D representation while the view is being recorded.