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US 9,844,420 B2Granted
System and method for positioning three-dimensional brackets on teeth
AssigneeAlign Technology, Inc.
InventorKa Man Cheang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and methods for positioning 3D virtual brackets on teeth for the precise positioning of conventional brackets and wire. Various reference features may be calculated for the teeth and used to calculate a position for the virtual bracket. Reference features that are calculated include curve of Spee, Andrew's plane, and a facial axis of the clinical crown for the teeth.
Claims20
A computer-implemented method for positioning a virtual bracket on a patient's tooth, the method comprising:
- receiving, using a computer, a digital data set representing a patient's teeth;
- generating, on a display, a graphical representation of a reference surface passing through a crown of each of the patient's teeth, the reference surface defined at least in part by one or more of a curve of Spee or an Andrew's plane corresponding to the digital data set, wherein the graphical representation is manipulable on the display by a user so as to modify the reference surface;
- and
- determining, using the computer, an initial position for the virtual bracket on the patient's tooth, wherein the virtual bracket is aligned with the graphical representation of the reference surface generated on the display.
1 more element
A system for positioning a virtual bracket on a patient's tooth, the system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- memory comprising program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to:
- receive a digital data set representing a patient's teeth;
- generate, on a display, a graphical representation of a reference surface passing through a crown of each of the patient's teeth, the reference surface defined at least in part by one or more of a curve of Spee or an Andrew's plane corresponding to the digital data set, wherein the graphical representation is manipulable on the display by a user so as to modify the reference surface;
- and
- determine an initial position for the virtual bracket on the patient's tooth, wherein the virtual bracket is aligned with the graphical representation of the reference surface generated on the display.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.