Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: A positioning appliance adapted to facilitate an orthodontics procedure in which a bracket or other orthodontic component is placed at a desired site on the surface of a tooth and affixed thereto. The appliance comprises a hand-held tubular wand that has a protective sleeve section and a camera section telescoped in the sleeve section. A window is mounted at the front end of the sleeve section and a finger projecting therefrom is adapted to hold the bracket at a position abutting the tooth surface. A camera is housed in the camera section to capture through the window an image of the bracket on the surface of the tooth. One or more light sources are housed in the camera section, for irradiating the bracket and the tooth surface with light detectable by the camera. Additional one or more light sources are housed in the camera section and are capable of irradiates light at a wavelength that can cure an adhesive used for affixing the bracket or other orthodontic component to the surface of a tooth.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (t2) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: A virtual orthodontic treatment method and a system thereof, the method comprising the following: providing a virtual diagnostic setup model of teeth of at least one jaw of an individual, associating each teeth in said model with its corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance to obtain a first composite model and repositioning teeth into an initial treatment state according to pre-defined appliances-dependent rules. In the initial treatment state, selecting one or more teeth and reassociating the teeth with their corresponding virtual orthodontic appliance by changing the position of the appliance corresponding to the selected tooth thereby causing repositioning of the teeth according to the appliance-dependence rules. An altered treatment state is obtained, yielding a better grade, according to one or more systems for grading an orthodontic model, as compared to the grade of the initial treatment state.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for confocal imaging of a non-flat specimen comprising a coherent light source for producing a light beam, imaging optics adapted to focus the light beam into at least one spot on a surface of a specimen, and a detector adapted to receive and detect light reflected from the specimen surface. The imaging optics comprise at least one optical component located so that the light reflected from the specimen surface passes therethrough on its way to the detector. The optical component is movable so as to move the at least one spot, within a range of movement, to a number of distinct locations in a plane perpendicular to the apparatus' optical axis, within the detector's integration time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer game, which, when operating on a computer enables a user, via a user's interface, to perform one or more tasks within a virtual environment, the virtual environment comprising a virtual three dimensional dental image of at least one tooth and the tasks performed by the user leading to the improvement of a certain virtual condition associated with said at least one tooth. The three dimensional dental image employed in the computer game is preferably based on or derived from a real life dental environment. The invention further relates to a storage medium for storing data representation of the above computer game and to a method of playing the computer game of the present invention using a computer.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.

Abstract: A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

Abstract: An image processing method for use in dentistry or orthodontic is provided. Two images of teeth, one being a two-dimensional image and one a three-dimensional image are combined in a manner to allow the use of information obtained from one to the other. In order to combine the two images a set of basic landmarks is defined in one, identified in the other and then the two images are registered.

Abstract: A method and system for providing information for correct placement of one or more brackets on one or more corresponding teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme. A virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said teeth is obtained wherein the position and orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to achieve a desired treatment outcome. The virtual representation is processed to generate an output data, the output data driving a display, such as a computer monitor or a printed “hard-copy”, 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. The invention can be applied to the placement of brackets onto the buccal side of the teeth as well as onto the lingual side of the teeth.

Abstract: A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.

Abstract: A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element's actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed. Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.