System and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorsVadim Matov, Fuming Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects, such as the occlusal plane, arch form, and the local occlusal plane for a patient's teeth are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic construction of orthodontic reference objects comprises receiving three dimensional data for the teeth, setting an initial direction for a normal of the occlusal plane, determining tips for selected teeth, calculating a plane that matches the determined tip, and determining a new normal for the calculated plane.
Claims15
A computer-implemented method for automatic construction of occlusal planes for a patient's teeth, comprising:
- a) receiving three dimensional data for a patient's teeth;
- b) setting an initial direction for determining a tip of more than one tooth, the initial direction being a vertical axis of a selected one of the patient's teeth between a top of the selected one of the patient's teeth and a root of the selected one of the patient's teeth in the patient's gums;
- c) determining a tip, based on the initial direction, for each of a first molar and a central incisor of a lower jaw of the patient's teeth;
- d) calculating an occlusal plane that best fits the determined tips;
- e) determining a normal for the calculated occlusal plane;
- f) determining a new tip, based on the normal, for each of the first molar and the central incisor of the lower jaw of the patient's teeth;
- and
- g) calculating a new occlusal plane that best fits the determined new tips;
- wherein steps (a)-(g) are performed by a computer.
A computerized system for automatic construction of occlusal planes for a patient's teeth, the computerized system comprising:
- a microprocessor comprising a plurality of algorithms;
- a memory device;
- and wherein the computerized system is configured for:
- a) receiving three dimensional data for a patient's teeth;
- b) setting an initial direction for determining a tip of more than one tooth, the initial direction being a vertical axis of a selected one of the patient's teeth between a top of the selected one of the patient's teeth and a root of the selected one of the patient's teeth in the patient's gums;
- c) determining a tip, based on the initial direction, for each of a first molar and a central incisor of a lower jaw of the patient's teeth;
- d) calculating an occlusal plane that best fits the determined tips;
- e) determining a normal for the calculated occlusal plane;
- f) determining a new tip, based on the normal, for each of the first molar and the central incisor of the lower jaw of the patient's teeth;
- and
- g) calculating a new occlusal plane that best fits the determined new tips.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.