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Method and system for assisting in applying an orthodontic treatment

Method and system for assisting in applying an orthodontic treatment description/claims

The present invention is generally in the field of orthodontics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a computerized method and system for assisting an orthodontist in applying orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic treatment has the object of aligning and repositioning teeth for both functional and aesthetic purposes. This is achieved by the use of a variety of orthodontic appliances including, brackets, wires (arch wires), coil springs and elastics. In combination, these appliances are fixed to teeth in such a manner that orthodontic forces and moments cause the teeth to move in the desired direction.

There are currently acceptable guidelines in orthodontics which define the optimal dental and skeletal relations which, should be the goal of orthodontic treatments. A summary of these guidelines can be found in Straight Wire, the Concept and Appliances, by Laurence F. Andrews, L.A. Well, Co., San Diego, Calif., USA, 1989. These guidelines are based on both functional and aesthetic considerations.

The outcome of orthodontic treatment is dependent, among others, upon the accuracy of the positioning of the orthodontic bracket. Brackets are selected and applied to the teeth in order to achieve the results indicated by the treatment plan. However, if the bracket is not precisely placed in its designated position, this will cause the tooth, to move in a direction other than the one desired, with the result that the desired outcome cannot be obtained. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide orthodontists with a tool to assist in applying an orthodontic treatment according to a treatment plan designed accordingly, and specifically, to assist in precisely placing brackets in their respective positions as designated by the plan.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,772 in the name of the same applicant describes a method and system for placement of orthodontic appliances on teeth. In this patent, use is made of a small video camera mounted on a device that applies the bracket onto the tooth. By monitoring the view captured by the camera against an image of an intended bracket position, the correct position may be achieved.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing information to assist in the correct placement of brackets on teeth. In accordance with the invention, an image is displayed on a screen, for example, a computer screen, which shows a segment of the teeth, including at least one tooth, with brackets placed thereon in a position in orientation in which the brackets are to be attached to the teeth to achieve the desired treatment result. The image of the teeth segment displayed in this manner has three-dimensional (“3-D”) qualities and resembles a view as viewed by the orthodontist from a defined viewpoint. This viewpoint is typically a preferred viewpoint and corresponds to that from which the teeth are viewed when a bracket is applied thereon. At times there may be a number of preferred viewpoints and in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a set of images of the same teeth segment is displayed from two or more preferred viewpoints. This set of images may be displayed either simultaneously or sequentially. The term “three-dimensional qualities” should be understood as pertaining to the display of an image that has three-dimensional clues therein. For example, an image with 3-D qualities may be an image displayed on a two-dimensional screen with clues in the form of shading or a variety of other graphical, means to give an impression as if the image is a 3-D image. It is possible, also, to make the display as a virtual 3-D display which can be viewed through the use of specific goggles (for example, 3-D information may be color coded and by the use of appropriate colored lenses, a 3-D virtual image is obtained).

In the following, the term “proper placement” will be used to denote the position and orientation of a bracket on a tooth which is designed (of believed) to achieve a desired treatment outcome. A desired treatment outcome is one that yields optimal dental and skeletal relationships acceptable in orthodontics. Thus, a proper placement refers to a position and orientation of a bracket which will yield, within the framework of real-life treatment, a desired treatment outcome.

The basis for the displayed image is a virtual representation of a 3-D teeth, arrangement with the brackets placed on the teeth. The virtual representation is an ensemble of digital data that can be stored in a computer readable medium and when read by the computer, typically aided by dedicated software, can be used to obtain spatial information on the teeth arrangement. It should, however, be noted that the virtual representation need not be presentable on a screen as such and it is at times sufficient for it to exist within the virtual environment of the computer in a manner that permits to generate output data that in turn drives the display of an image of a segment of the tooth with a bracket placed thereon.

Said virtual representation can be obtained by acquiring data on a 3-D arrangement of the teeth, for example in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,853 in the name of the same applicant, and then processing the data by incorporating brackets and applying them virtually onto the teeth, in a manner that in a real-life treatment is regarded as proper placement to achieve a desired treatment outcome. A proper placement design may be made by a virtual orthodontic treatment carried out on a virtual 3-D teeth model, for example as described in U.S. applications Ser. Nos. 09/591,757 and 60/288,522 in the name of the same applicant, the content of which is incorporated hereby by reference. The purpose of such virtual treatment is to design the orthodontic treatment to achieve optimal results. For example, to achieve the goal of an orthodontic treatment according to the guidelines laid down in Straight Wire, the Concept and Appliances, by Laurence F. Andrews, L.A. Well, Co., San Diego, Calif., USA, 1989.

Alternatively, the virtual representation may be made by the orthodontist through combining the 3-D data of the spatial teeth arrangement with brackets using computer aided design techniques. The orthodontist may in this mariner virtually attach brackets to the teeth, determining the proper position based on his experience, and thus generate the virtual representation in this manner. As will be appreciated, the invention is not limited in any way to the manner in which the virtual representation of the teeth arrangement within the brackets is obtained.

The virtual representation after it is obtained is utilized to generate an output data which then drive the display to display an image of a segment of the teeth, with at least one tooth with the brackets placed thereon, which can then guide the proper placement of me bracket on the tooth.

According to one aspect the invention, there is thus provided a method for providing information for the correct placement of one or more brackets onto corresponding one or more teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme, the method comprising: obtaining a virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said teeth, the position and orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to achieve a desired treatment outcome; and processing said virtual representation to generate an output data, the output data driving a display to display an image of at least one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as viewed from a defined viewpoint.

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Patent Applications in related categories:

20090286196 - Treatment of teeth by aligners - A method for treating a subject's teeth. A target configuration for the subject's teeth is determined. Receiving features are produced on a dental base in response to the target configuration, the receiving features being configured to receive physical tooth models. The physical tooth models are assembled on the dental base ...


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Previous Patent Application:
Device for connecting orthodontic wire or arch with orthodontic brackets
Next Patent Application:
Systems for haptic design of dental restorations
Industry Class:
Dentistry

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