| Method and apparatus for communicating tooth characteristics and tooth restoration produced thereby -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for communicating tooth characteristics and tooth restoration produced therebyRelated Patent Categories: Dentistry, Apparatus, Tooth Selection GuideMethod and apparatus for communicating tooth characteristics and tooth restoration produced thereby description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084027, Method and apparatus for communicating tooth characteristics and tooth restoration produced thereby. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/156,968, filed 28 May 2002 (the '968 application), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,459 B2, issued 4 Oct. 2005 (the '459 patent). The '968 application and the '459 patent are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to the communication between dentists, dental auxiliaries, and laboratory technicians of specific idiosyncrasies in tooth appearance to be replicated in the fabrication of porcelain or ceramic restorations. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Traditional methods of assigning features or characterizations in tooth appearance for the purpose of accurate and consistent communication of the appearances from a dentist or dental auxiliary to a laboratory require a significant input of information for a life-like output in a final restoration of a patient's tooth. The dentist who provides greater detail in the nature and intensity of desired tooth characteristics is much more likely to have a positive result than the dentist who provides a less specific description. Likewise, the laboratory technician who is able to reference more detailed information has a much higher potential to achieve a positive result than one who is provided limited information. While traditional methods may sometimes be successful, there are many variables that can complicate the process, resulting in inadequate or misinterpreted communication, which in turn lead to greater time demands for treatment. [0006] Features relevant to tooth appearance can be communicated from the dental office to the dental ceramist through several different means. For instance, the dentist or dental auxiliary may create a diagrammatic illustration depicting various specific features of tooth appearance including narratives. Tooth appearance may be communicated to the dental ceramist using photographic technology, such as a 35 mm color print or a digital photo image transmitted electronically. Alternatively, the ceramist may examine the patient directly while simultaneously creating his or her own schematic or recording tooth appearance using photographic technology for later reference. Prescribing particular features and fabricating restorations to fulfill these requirements is performed on an individual basis requiring one or a combination of the aforementioned methods of communication for each patient. [0007] While current techniques may allow for successful replication of particular features relevant to tooth appearance, significant limitations exist leading to increased time and equipment costs, as well as error that is introduced through the subjectivity of interpretation and multiple steps in communicating the desired results. For instance, the ability to adequately identify and describe features of tooth appearance varies among dentists and dental auxiliaries depending upon motivation, experience, and skills. When using photography, multiple variables are introduced that may compromise dependability, for example, method of display, exposure, subject framing, film processing, and loss of feature contrast or detail due to flash illumination coupled with the fact that certain features are difficult to consistently capture photographically. The use of photography also requires additional expenses in equipment, film, and film processing. The use of photographs, diagrams, and narratives provided to the ceramist are subjectively interpreted and susceptible to error when changing contexts from one case to the next. [0008] Presently there is no industry standardization in the categorization and encoding of features in tooth appearance that allow for accurate descriptions of the degree or intensity of features in tooth appearance. Esthetic dentistry, by its very nature, is a very visual endeavor wherein all parties are trying to translate a visual impression of what they see and what they would like to see in a completed dental restoration into words. There is a need for a process of accurately matching a restoration to natural definition that is less difficult, time consuming, and expensive than traditional methods when considering varying degrees in motivation and abilities of a dentist and a laboratory technician. An improved process would reduce or eliminate the inability to achieve an acceptable and anticipated result and the subsequent need to re-make restorations. An improved process would also reduce patient frustration and treatment time, as well as uncompensated costs to the dentist and technician in time, effort, and materials. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the tooth restoration process by inexpensively creating a level of standardization in the communication of specific idiosyncrasies in tooth appearance to be replicated in the fabrication of porcelain and/or ceramic restorations by significantly reducing the amount of subjectivity associated with such communications. The invention provides a communication tool for reference by the dentist and dental laboratory in order to fabricate life-like restorations. Repetitive use of the invention may also enable the dentist and laboratory to provide consistent and predictable results. Additionally, the present invention significantly reduces the amount of expertise required to facilitate communications between dentists, dental auxiliaries, and ceramists and further facilitates such communications in a more consistent and objective manner. [0010] In one embodiment, the present invention depicts, categorizes, and encodes specific features of tooth appearance in a communication tool to enable documentation of the features. The array of features depicted may be sufficiently inclusive so as to command applicability to tooth characterizations or features which any patient may present. Categories representing features of tooth appearance are presented with specific illustrations of variation within each category. Illustrations representing variations in degree and intensity of particular features are also provided. Specific features diagnosed are transcribed on an accompanying laboratory prescription and sent to the dental laboratory where the restoration may be fabricated. The laboratory technician or ceramist may refer to the same pictorial display in fabricating the porcelain or ceramic portions of the restoration that have been delineated on the laboratory prescription to accurately create the prescribed presentation of the final restoration. [0011] Basing communication on pictorial images eliminates the need for complex diagrams or narratives, and fixed presentation of the images reduces the negative impact of metamerism (i.e., the change in appearance caused by different lighting conditions). Thus, the error and potential error in current formats and methods of communicating features may be minimized or eliminated. Additionally, the dentist sets all technical parameters and directs the laboratory technician to stay within the parameters in order to support accountability of the technician in following direction of the dentist. The content and format of the images support recognition of individual features because, with repetitive use, the user is trained to recognize these features both singly and in composite. Therefore, the invention is conducive to use by dental auxiliaries who may have less knowledge, training, or experience in the field by improving the communication of these less skilled practitioners. [0012] The images presented in the present invention may be a singularity on an unchanging template. Composite representations of multiple specific features in context may also be presented as a secondary reference. Displaying single features on a constant template eliminates visual distractions inherent with changing contexts. Displaying both single features and composite images provides for immediate reference to verify the accuracy of selected features. In either case, the dimensions of the gingival tissue framing the tooth and the dimensions of the tooth template may remain constant. Representative slides based on clinical observations may be converted to a digital format and specific features may be digitally separated from the original image and applied to the respective template. All features depicted in the present invention thus may be true representations of natural phenomenon. In some cases, further digital manipulation of an image may be used to heighten or enhance the respective feature in order to maintain its natural appearance. The images may be sufficiently large to enable deciphering of detail while not demanding extraordinary perceptual interpolation or extrapolation by the user for accuracy. [0013] When using the present invention while examining a patient in order to select specific features that occur in tooth appearance, a dentist or dental auxiliary may first select a category of feature. The dentist or dental auxiliary will then compare the images displayed for the selected category to the patient's tooth. The dentist or dental auxiliary will then document the code for the image that most closely depicts the actual features on the tooth on a prescription form. If the images are displayed, for example, in a booklet, diagnosed features may be transcribed on a laboratory prescription form that is consistent with the booklet itself. The lab technician or ceramist will then use the codes documented on the prescription form to cross reference to identical images displayed using the present invention in the laboratory in order to fabricate a porcelain and/or ceramic restoration of the patient's tooth. [0014] The invention may also utilize semi-transparent overlays of various images displaying specific selected features of tooth appearance in order to construct a composite image of the tooth. However, when overlaying layers, for example, of acetate, one must be sure that a lifelike image is attainable. In addition to semi-transparent overlays, the invention may utilize a video display to present composite images of the tooth for reference by the dentist or technician, for example, through the use of image morphing software on a computer. When using video displays, care must be exercised to make sure the consistency of the images is not compromised by such equipment variables as monitor calibration. [0015] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] This patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. [0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front isometric views of a communication tool of the present invention in a booklet form. [0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single page of a communication tool of the present invention in a booklet form. [0019] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a diagnosis form for use with a communication tool of the present invention in a booklet form. [0020] FIGS. 3B-3E depict exemplary restoration recipes. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for communicating tooth characteristics and tooth restoration produced thereby... 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