Patents Assigned to Align Technology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230240810
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances with repositioning jaw elements. An example of a method can include moving at least one tooth with a dental appliance having a first shell configured to receive a plurality of teeth of a patient's upper dentition and separating an upper dentition of a patient from a lower dentition of the patient utilizing the dental appliance. The dental appliance may interface a first surface of a first repositioning jaw element of the first shell with a second surface of a second repositioning jaw element of a second shell of the dental appliance. The dental appliance separates occlusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth of the patient's upper dentition from occlusal surfaces of the plurality of teeth of the patient's lower dentition as the patient moves to a fully engaged sagittal jaw position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken WU, Eric E. KUO, Mitra DERAKHSHAN, Crystal TJHIA, Eric YAU, Allen R. BORONKAY, Chunhua LI
  • Patent number: 11714398
    Abstract: The example systems, methods, and/or computer-readable media described herein help with design of highly accurate models of un-erupted or partially erupted teeth and help fabricate of aligners for un-erupted or partially erupted teeth. Automated agents that use machine learning models to parametrically represent three-dimensional (3d) virtual representations of teeth as 3D descriptors in a 3D descriptor space are provided herein. In some implementations, the automated agents described herein provide instructions to fabricate aligners for at least partially un-erupted teeth using representative 3D descriptor(s) of a tooth type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Eric Cramer, Jeeyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 11712164
    Abstract: An intraoral scanner comprises a light source, a moveable opto-mechanical module, an axial actuator, and an image sensor. The light source is configured to generate light that is to be output onto an object external to the intraoral scanner. The moveable opto-mechanical module comprises integrated projection/imaging optics and an exit pupil, the projection/imaging optics having an optical axis, wherein the projection/imaging optics are entirely integrated into the moveable opto-mechanical module. The axial actuator is coupled to the projection/imaging optics and configured to move the moveable opto-mechanical module comprising an entirety of the projection/imaging optics in the optical axis to achieve a plurality of focus settings. The image sensor is configured to receive reflected light that has been reflected off of the object external to the intraoral scanner for the plurality of focus settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yossef Atiya, Tal Verker
  • Patent number: 11707344
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving segmentation of a digital model of a patient's dentition into component teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman A. Roschin, Evgenii Vladimirovich Karnygin, Sergey Grebenkin, Dmitry Guskov, Dmitrii Ischeykin, Ivan Potapenko, Denis Durdin, Roman Gudchenko, Vasily Paraketsov, Mikhail Gorodilov, Roman Solovyev, Alexey Vladykin, Alexander Beliaev, Alexander Vovchenko
  • Patent number: 11707238
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods generating a panoramic rendering of a subject's teeth. Methods and processes are provided to image the subject's teeth with a dental scan. Methods and processes are also provided to automatically 3D render the subject's teeth with the scan images. Methods and apparatuses are also provided to generate simulated panoramic views of the subject's dentition from various perspectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maayan Moshe, Shai Ayal, Jonathan Coslovsky, Adi Levin, Avraham Zulti, Shai Farkash
  • Publication number: 20230225832
    Abstract: A method for dental treatment may include receiving a plurality of images of a patient's dentition, identifying, from the plurality of images, individual teeth of the patient's dentition, detecting, from the plurality of images, one or more attachments on the patient's dentition, assigning, based on each of the plurality of images, each of the one or more attachments to one of the individual teeth in each image, and combining the assignments of each of the plurality of images for attachment detection results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. CRAMER, Chad Clayton BROWN, Guotu LI
  • Publication number: 20230225831
    Abstract: A method for dental treatment may include receiving a plurality of images of a patient, the plurality of images including the patient's dentition and an orthodontic appliance while the patient is wearing the orthodontic appliance, determining whether each of the plurality of images satisfy a plurality of detection criteria, segmenting the teeth in the images, segmenting the images to classify each pixel as being of the orthodontic appliance and the teeth, classifying the pixels of the image as being pixels belonging to a space between an aligner and a tooth, assigning the pixels belonging to a space to one or more of the teeth, determining a conversion between image-based spatial measurements to real-world spatial measurements by projecting a tooth from the treatment plan into a plane that corresponds to a plane of a corresponding tooth in the image, and determining a size of each of the one or more spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher E. CRAMER, Chad Clayton BROWN, Guotu LI
  • Patent number: 11701203
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for determining hook and or positioning feature placements during dental treatment planning. A patient's dentition may be scanned and/or segmented. A target tooth may be identified. Hook and or positioning feature placement may be determined based on satisfying manufacturing and clinical constraints. The hook or positioning features can be input into a dental treatment planning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Svetlana Makarenkova, Mikhail Yudashkin, Andrey Cherkas, Kristina Anikina, Viktor Sazhaev
  • Patent number: 11704876
    Abstract: A mobile computing device comprises an AR display, an image capture device that generates image data of a face of a viewer of the AR display, and a processing device. The processing device receives the image data; processes the image data to identify a position of a dental arch in the image data; determines a treatment outcome for the dental arch; generates a post-treatment image of the dental arch that shows the treatment outcome; generates updated image data comprising a superimposition of the post-treatment image of the dental arch over the received image data depicting the face of the viewer; and outputs the updated image data to the AR display, wherein the post-treatment image of the dental arch is superimposed over the dental arch in the received image data such that the post-treatment image is visible in the AR display rather than a true depiction of the dental arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Pokotilov, Anton Lapshin, Evgeniy Malashkin, Sergei Ozerov, Yury Slynko, Andrey Sergeevich Nekrasov, Leonid Vyacheslavovich Grechishnikov, Anna Orlova, Yingjie Li, Phillip Thomas Harris, Maurice K. Carrier
  • Publication number: 20230224446
    Abstract: A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Noam BABAYOFF
  • Patent number: 11690517
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preparation of orthodontics and prosthodontics. A method may include scanning a patient's teeth to form first 3D data of the patient's teeth including a removable element that obscures part of the dental surfaces of the patient's teeth and non-obscured tooth surfaces, removing the removable element form the patient's teeth so that the removable element no longer obscures the part of the dental surfaces of the patient's teeth, and scanning the previously obscured part of the dental surfaces of the patent's teeth and the non-obscured tooth surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Avi Kopelman
  • Patent number: 11690698
    Abstract: An orthodontic aligner includes a first plastic segment having a first shape that fits over a first portion of a dental arch of a patient, a second plastic segment having a second shape that fits over a second portion of the dental arch of the patient, and a connector that joins the first plastic segment to the second plastic segment. The connector is configured to be disposed along a lingual side of one or more additional teeth of the patient without exerting a clinically significant force on the one or more additional teeth. The connector spans a gap between the first plastic segment and the second plastic segment, the gap corresponding to the one or more additional teeth that are not to receive the clinically significant force. The connector includes a flexible material that will perform at least one of flex, move or change shape responsive to applied forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Webber, Jennifer C. Chen, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 11684453
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating attachment placement appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes directly fabricating an attachment placement appliance body including a support formed in a tooth-receiving cavity configured to receive a tooth. The method can include directly fabricating one or more coupling structures connected to the support, and directly fabricating an aligner attachment connected to the one or more coupling structures. The attachment placement appliance body can be configured to align the aligner attachment to a predetermined location on the tooth. The aligner attachment can be shaped to engage with an attachment well of a shell aligner and exert one or more forces on the tooth when the aligner attachment is coupled to the attachment well. The one or more coupling structures can be configured to release the aligner attachment with removal of the attachment placement appliance body from the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Boronkay
  • Patent number: 11678953
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first intraoral scan data comprising a first depiction of a dental site comprising a preparation tooth; generating a virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of the dental site using the first intraoral scan data; processing at least one of the first intraoral scan data or data from the virtual 3D model to identify a margin line of the preparation tooth, wherein at least a portion of the margin line is unclear; outputting instructions to generate second intraoral scan data of the dental site depicting the portion of the margin line that is unclear; receiving the second intraoral scan data; and updating the virtual 3D model of the dental site using the second intraoral scan data, wherein the portion of the margin line that was unclear in the virtual 3D model is replaced with information from the second intraoral scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Michael Sabina
  • Patent number: 11678956
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
  • Patent number: 11678954
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable media, and systems for adjustment of tooth position in a virtual dental model. Virtual dental modeling can include detecting space and/or collision between posterior teeth of an upper jaw and posterior teeth of a lower jaw in a virtual dental model that has been set in a preliminary target position. An energy function can be defined including the space and/or collision, tooth root movement, and align points. Weights can be assigned for each variable in the energy function. A position of the posterior teeth of the upper jaw and the posterior teeth of the lower jaw can be adjusted in six degrees of freedom to minimize the energy function. The detection, definition, assignment, and adjustment can be repeated until the energy function converges. The weights can be adjusted to reduce the space and/or collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuming Wu, Vadim Matov, Artem Borovinskih, Rene M. Sterental, Pavel Agapov, Anton Spiridonov, Anatoliy Boltunov
  • Publication number: 20230181289
    Abstract: Embedded sensors and onboard or off-board processing in an aligner case can detect aligner material and/or quality. Material detection can be used for counterfeit detection, or to trigger material specific events. Quality detection can include detection of common aligner failures or defects. A case for a dental appliance may include a tray for supporting the dental appliance, a cover coupled to the tray, and at least one sensor to detect a deformation of the dental appliance. A case for a dental appliance may include a tray for housing the dental appliance, a cover coupled to the tray, and at least one sensor configured to detect a change in material of the dental appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jun SATO, Bruce CAM, Yaser SHANJANI
  • Patent number: 11672631
    Abstract: A method comprises obtaining reference data about a 3D calibration object, the reference data comprising known coordinates for a plurality of points on the object, and obtaining measurement data comprising measurements for the plurality of points on the object, the measurement data having been generated based on scanning of the object by an uncalibrated intraoral scanner. The method comprises comparing the measurement data to the reference data to determine differences therebetween and applying the determined differences between the measurement data and the reference data for the plurality of points to a function to generate a compensation model that compensates for one or more inaccuracies of the intraoral scanner. The compensation model is then stored, wherein the compensation model causes the intraoral scanner to be a calibrated intraoral scanner and is usable to correct measurement errors of the intraoral scanner caused by the one or more inaccuracies of the intraoral scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
  • Patent number: 11672629
    Abstract: A method may include: receiving facial image of the patient that depicts the patient's teeth; receiving a 3D model of the patient's teeth; determining color palette of the depiction of the patient's teeth; coding 3D model of the patient's teeth based on attributes of the 3D model; providing the 3D model, the color palette, and the coded 3D model to a neural network; processing the 3D model, the color palette, and the coded 3D model by the neural network to generate a processed image of the patient's teeth; simulating specular highlights on the processed image of the patient's teeth; and inserting the processed image of the patient's teeth into a mouth opening of the facial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Yurievich Chekh, Samuel Blanco, Vladislav Andreevich Miryaha, Boris Aleksandrovich Vysokanov, Chad Clayton Brown, Christopher E. Cramer
  • Patent number: RE49541
    Abstract: A computer-based prosthodontic method is provided, for enabling a dental practitioner to define a finish line of a dental prosthesis of at least one tooth to be fitted over a tooth preparation. The method comprises the following steps: providing a three-dimensional (3D) digital data relating to the patient's dentition, the 3D data includes data representative of the surface topology of the preparation and its surroundings; generating first finish line data representative of at least a portion of the finish line and superimposing an image of the finish line on an image of the dentition; obtaining second finish line data determined on the basis of input received from a dental practitioner; and using the second finish line data to update the first finish line data and superimposing the updated data on the dentition image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Eldad Taub