Systems and processes for forming anatomical features in dentures
AssigneeGlobal Dental Science, LLC
InventorsTimothy C. Thompson, Scott C. Keating, Andrzej J. Jakson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The system of a preferred embodiment uses a process whereby a true replication of the patient's jaw structure is created in a digital three dimensional model. This true replication is then used to precisely locate and/or copy the anatomical landmarks of the patient for use in fabricating a denture base for use in a denture for the individual patient. This system is able to create a denture with precisely located features corresponding to the anatomical landmarks of the patient with little manual intervention.
Claims18
A computer-implemented method for creating anatomical features in a denture, the method comprising:
- creating a digital three dimensional model of the mouth and jaw structure of a patient;
- identifying anatomical landmarks of the patient on the digital model of the mouth and jaw structure of the patient comprising at least a rugae of a soft tissue of the patient;
- creating a digital model of a denture base that includes the identified anatomical landmarks,
- wherein the creating a digital model of a denture base comprises:
- copying the rugae of the soft tissue on the tissue side of the denture base and mimicking the rugae on the teeth side of the denture base to create a true rugae;
- and
- at least one of accentuating or diminishing the true rugae to improve the speech and comfort of the patient;
- and
- fabricating a denture base that corresponds to the digital model of the denture base.
A computer-implemented method for creating anatomical features in a denture, the method comprising:
- creating a digital three dimensional model of the mouth and jaw structure of a patient;
- identifying anatomical landmarks of the patient on the digital model of the mouth and jaw structure of the patient comprising at least:
- a rugae of a soft tissue of the patient;
- and
- areas for thinning on the digital model;
- and
- creating a digital model of a denture base that includes the identified anatomical landmarks' the step of creating a digital model of a denture base including selectively thinning the denture base on the digital model;
- and
- fabricating a denture base that corresponds to the digital model of the denture base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.