Method and system for providing feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity

A computer implemented method for providing feedback data useful in at least one prosthodontic procedure associated with an intra-oral cavity, comprising:

• (a) providing to a computer device at least one numerical entity representing three-dimensional surface geometry of at least a part of the intra-oral cavity including at least one preparation, storing said at least one numerical entity in a computer readable medium and providing said at least one numerical entity to a processor;
• (b) using said processor to manipulate said entity to provide data related to each said at least one preparation, said data being of a type useful in at least a first prosthodontic procedure of said at least one prosthodontic procedure;
• (c) using said processor to determine at least one relationship between said data and said first prosthodontic procedure, including testing an adequacy of said data for performing said first prosthodontic procedure according to at least one predetermined parameter;
• and
• (d) further using said processor to generate feedback data representing said at least one relationship including feedback data representing said adequacy, wherein said data relates to a geometry of a finish line of said at least one preparation,
• wherein step (a) comprises the steps of:
• (i) scanning the part of said intra-oral cavity to provide a 3D numerical entity thereof;
• (ii) determining whether a definition of said 3D numerical entity is sufficient for enabling step (c) to be performed;
• (iii) if said definition is insufficient, advising a user to continue scanning a different part of said intra-oral cavity, and repeating step (ii) until said definition according to repeated step (ii) is sufficient, wherein step (v) is performed;
• (iv) if said definition is sufficient in step (ii), proceeding with step (v);
• and
• (v) advising the user that said definition is sufficient, and proceeding with steps (b) to (d),
• wherein in step (c) said adequacy of said data for performing said first prosthodontic procedure comprises determining whether said finish line data is sufficiently defined for enabling said first prosthodontic procedure to be carried out, including:
• (i) determining whether said data indicates that said finish line is defined continuously about a full periphery of the preparation, and if said finish line is not defined continuously, updating said at least one numerical entity in step (a) to ensure that said at least one numerical entity includes said data relating to said full periphery of the preparation and repeating steps (a) to (d);
• and
• (ii) determining from said data whether a geometry of the finish line is adequate to enable a prosthesis to be properly mounted to the at least one preparation, and if said geometry is not adequate, modifying the at least one preparation to obtain a modified finish line, and repeating steps (a) to (d).

A computer implemented method of providing feedback data useful in at least one prosthodontic procedure associated with an intra-oral cavity, comprising:

• (i) providing to a computer device at least one numerical entity representing three-dimensional surface geometry of at least a part of the intra-oral cavity, including at least one preparation, which has been previously modified by means of a first part of said at least one prosthodontic procedure, storing said at least one numerical entity in a computer readable medium and providing said at least one numerical entity to a processor;
• (ii) using said processor to manipulate said at least one numerical entity to provide data useful in at least a second part of said at least one prosthodontic procedure;
• and
• (iii) further using said processor to test adequacy of said data for performing said second part of said at least one prosthodontic procedure, including testing an adequacy of said data for performing said second part of said at least one prosthodontic procedure according to at least one predetermined parameter,
• wherein said processor generates feedback data representing said adequacy, including feedback data representing said adequacy,
• wherein said data relates to a geometry of a finish line of said at least one preparation,
• wherein, in step (c), said adequacy of said data for performing said first prosthodontic procedure comprises determining whether said finish line data is sufficiently defined for enabling said first prosthodontic procedure to be carried out, including:
• (i) determining whether said data indicates that said finish line is defined continuously about a full periphery of the preparation, and if said finish line is not defined continuously, updating said at least one numerical entity in step (a) to ensure that said at least one numerical entity includes said data relating to said full periphery of the preparation and repeating steps (a) to (d);
• and
• (ii) determining from said data whether a geometry of the finish line is adequate to enable a prosthesis to be properly mounted to the at least one preparation, and if said geometry is not adequate, modifying the at least on preparation to obtain a modified finish line, and repeating steps (a) to (d).