Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a cephalometric tracing directly from a patient by directly generating digitized two- or three-dimensional data from the patient's head to define locations of preselected landmarks thereon from which diagnostic data points required for the cephalometric tracing are computer generated and connected so as to produce a cephalometric tracing. A video recording of the patient's head corresponding to the spatial orientation of the cephalometric tracing at the time of the generation of the data is made, reproduced in visible form to the same scale as the cephalometric tracing and superimposed on the tracing on a video monitor.

Abstract: A method for determining orthodontic bracket placement on a malocclused tooth to correct the malocclusion includes the steps of generating digital information which defines the shape and location of the malocclused tooth in the patient's jaw, from which digital information a mathematical model of the tooth and jaw is generated. The correct placement position of a bracket is then calculated from the digitized information. A standard bracket is thereafter modified, if desired, individually for the patient, in view of the patient's physical deviations from the statistical averages. The shape of a bracket positioning jig is calculated and formed. Another step is forming an archwire for the brackets. The method may be used on one or more teeth in the same dental arch, as well as for both dental arches with respect to malocclusion therebetween.