Abstract: Embodiments are provided for digital dental modeling. One method embodiment includes receiving a three-dimensional data set including a first jaw and a second jaw of a three-dimensional digital dental model and receiving a two-dimensional data set corresponding to at least a portion of the first jaw and the second jaw. The method includes mapping two-dimensional data of the two-dimensional data set to the three-dimensional digital dental model by transforming a coordinate system of the two-dimensional data to a coordinate system of the three-dimensional data set. The method includes positioning the first jaw with respect to the second jaw based on the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set. The method includes using at least a portion of the two-dimensional data mapped to the three-dimensional data set as a target of movement of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw in the three-dimensional digital dental model.

Abstract: In embodiments, a first 3D model of a patient's teeth based on first intraoral scan data taken at a first time is processed to recognize the teeth in the first 3D model. A second 3D model of the patient's teeth based on second intraoral scan data taken at a second time is processed to recognize the teeth in the second 3D model. The first 3D model is compared to the second 3D model and a plurality of AOIs in the second virtual 3D model representative of at least one of tooth wear, tooth breakage, tooth movement, gingival recession or gingival swelling are determined based on the comparison. The teeth recognized in the first 3D model are compared to the teeth recognized in the second 3D model, and one or more AOIs in the second virtual 3D model representative of tooth wear or tooth breakage are determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.

Abstract: Embodiments for determining a dental treatment difficulty are described herein. One method embodiment includes receiving an initial and subsequent position of each of a first tooth and a second tooth and calculating a change in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can also include projecting the changes in position of each of the first tooth and the second tooth onto a reference line and calculating a change in position on the reference line for the first tooth and the second tooth. The method embodiment can further include determining the dental treatment difficulty based on the changes in position on the reference line.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scanning an intraoral cavity of a patient provide capturing one or more viewfinder images of the intraoral cavity and scanning the intraoral cavity with an intraoral scanner to generate one or more topography scans of the intraoral cavity. The one or more topography scans may correspond to the one or more viewfinder images. The methods and systems further provide capturing a viewfinder image of a portion of the intraoral cavity, the viewfinder image overlapping with the one or more viewfinder images. An area of overlap of the viewfinder image with the one or more viewfinder images can be determined. One or more indicators of the area of overlap can be displayed on one or more locations of a display in order to provide guidance for positioning a field of view of the intraoral scanner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating a model of a subject's teeth. Described herein are intraoral scanning methods and apparatuses for generating a three-dimensional model of a subject's intraoral region (e.g., teeth) including both surface features and internal features. These methods and apparatuses may be used for identifying and evaluating lesions, caries and cracks in the teeth. Any of these methods and apparatuses may use minimum scattering coefficients and/or segmentation to form a volumetric model of the teeth.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to adding customized cut line information to a shell that is to be formed over mold of a dental arch. In one embodiment, a cut line is determined for the shell. A processing device determines one or more markings for the shell that will mark the cut line. The processing device determines one or more features to add to the mold over which the shell will be formed that will cause the shell to have the one or more markings. The processing device generates a digital model of the mold, the digital model comprising the one or more features, wherein the digital model is usable to manufacture the mold having the one or more features.

Abstract: Detection of placement of dental aligners in patient mouth on teeth for indication of wearing compliance. Described herein are apparatuses and methods for detecting wearing, including compliance. In some variations these apparatuses and methods may include a sensor configured to detect deflection of the one or more deflectable structures. In some variations, these apparatuses and methods may include a proximity sensor coupled to the appliance shell and configured to generate sensor data when in proximity with intraoral tissue.

Abstract: A system comprises a scanner, an augmented reality (AR) display and a computing device. The scanner generates intraoral images of a dental arch and the AR display generates additional image data representative of a view from a wearer of the AR display. The computing device receives the intraoral images from the intraoral scanner, generates a virtual three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the dental arch from the intraoral images, receives the additional image data from the AR display, determines, from the additional image data, a region of the view that is outside of the dental arch, generates a visual overlay comprising the virtual three-dimensional model, and sends the visual overlay to the AR display. The AR display displays the visual overlay such that the virtual three-dimensional model is shown in the region of the view that is outside of the dental arch.

Abstract: A digital data set representing a pre-scanned tooth geometry, including generic crown data, is merged with data representing a scanned patient tooth crown image, which lacks sufficient data to completely represent a complete tooth crown.

Abstract: Method and system for providing an orthodontic profile indexing and treatment plan including comparing an initial patient condition in each of a plurality of dentition categories with one or more reference conditions in each of the plurality of dentition categories, wherein each of the one or more reference conditions has a corresponding representation, selecting at least one reference condition in one or more of the plurality of dentition categories, where each selected reference condition is similar to the initial patient condition in a same dentition category, and generating a patient identifier based on the corresponding representations of each selected reference condition is provided.

Abstract: A scanner includes a lens assembly comprising a lens having a lens axis and a positioning system to adjust a focal plane of the lens assembly. The positioning system includes an outer element, an inner element that houses the lens assembly, and a linear-motion bearing that couples the inner element to the outer element. The linear-motion bearing includes a first element coupling and a second element coupling. The linear-motion bearing provides a single degree of translational movement of the inner element along the lens axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a series of dental aligners. These methods generally include coordination of a dental aligner laboratory coordinating early in the pre-approval process for financing the dental aligner series, a third party financing service, and/or a dental practitioner (e.g., dentist, orthodontist, etc.).

Abstract: A plastic shell such as an orthodontic aligner has an interior shape that substantially conforms to a current or future dental arch of a patient. The plastic shell includes a hollow feature comprising a cavity. The plastic shell additionally includes an object inserted into the cavity, wherein the object provides structural strength to the plastic shell at a location of the hollow feature and does not interfere with a fit of the plastic shell onto the dental arch of the patient.

Abstract: Systems for generating in-focus color images are provided. Related methods and devices are also provided.

Abstract: A digital dental tray system is described including a dental tray shaped to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth and a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) optical imaging elements attached to the dental tray. Each of the 3D optical imaging elements comprises a structured light projector to project a light pattern onto one or more teeth of the plurality of teeth and a camera to capture an image of the one or more teeth.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.

Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a shell having a number of cavities to receive one or more teeth, each cavity having an inner surface. Fewer than all cavities are scaled-up in size by a first selected percentage over one or more dimensions of a corresponding tooth surface to provide a uniform space between the cavity inner surface and the corresponding tooth surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for 3D imaging to measure the shape of orthodontic aligners, teeth, and other oral structures simultaneously, in-vivo or in-vitro. These methods and apparatuses may be used to determine contact locations of aligners with teeth and/or teeth with other teeth with very high precision, including determining the size of gaps where they are not in contact. These measurements may be used design, modify or replace an aligner and/or to verify aligner fit. 3D models of the whole aligner and teeth may be generated.

Abstract: A method includes determining, from a first image, a first region comprising teeth, wherein the first region comprises a first set of pixel locations. A first parametric function is generated based on intensities at the first set of pixel locations. Image data comprising new contours of the mouth is received, wherein one or more of the teeth have a different position in the image data than in the first image. A second region comprising the teeth is determined from the image data, wherein the second region comprises a second set of pixel locations for the teeth. A new image is then generated based on the image data and the first parametric function, wherein a shape of the teeth is based on the image data and a color of the teeth is based on applying the first parametric function to the second set of pixel locations for the teeth.