Abstract: The invention relates to a method for planning a bracket system (1) for the correction of malpositions of teeth (2), comprising a plurality of brackets (3) and an arch (4) wherein at least one platelet (6) per tooth is mounted on certain tooth surfaces (5) of the teeth to be corrected (2), a three-dimensional optical image (50) of the tooth region to be treated is created, the platelets (6) have registration elements (10) comprising registration points (11) and the registration points (11) have a characteristic form for registration in the three-dimensional optical image (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for designing a plurality of adjacent tooth restorations using CAD/CAM technology. In a first step, the virtual model of a first tooth restoration at the first border of the restoration site is designed. In a second step, the virtual model of the second tooth restoration adjacent to the first tooth restoration is designed, the second tooth restoration being adjusted to match the first tooth restoration. The virtual model of the first tooth restoration is adjusted in relation to the second tooth restoration in a third step, if required. This procedure is then repeated for all of the other tooth restorations in the restoration site.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for editing a virtual 3-D model (2) of teeth (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) positioned in a dental arch (9, 11) by means of a virtual tool (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 50). The tool (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 50) can be used on a first tooth (2.1, 2.3) of the 3-D model (2), whereby the corresponding application is carried out on a second mirrored tooth (2.2, 2.4), contralateral to the first tooth with respect to a plane of symmetry (12), that is, on the tooth on the other side of the plane of symmetry (12), which is positioned as a mirror image of the first tooth (2.1, 2.3) with respect to the plane of symmetry (12).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for removing an unwanted object from an image volume are provided. Volumetric data of an object of study is generated in a radiographic scan. Volumetric data of the unwanted object is obtained. The two sets of volumetric data are registered in a common coordinate system. The unwanted object is removed from the volumetric data of the object of study to create modified volumetric data of the object of study. Data from voxels surrounding the removed unwanted object may be used to populate voxels corresponding to the unwanted object with interpolated data. A plurality of forward projections are performed on the modified volumetric data of the object of study, and a tomogram with the unwanted object removed is constructed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a dental diagnostic image generation system of at least two modalities for generating three-dimensional image data by means of X-rays and at least one further beam of a different modality, wherein at least two three-dimensional image data of different modalities are generated and the at least two three-dimensional image data are merged by means of a multimodal registration, it is in particular provided that the image data generation of the at least two three-dimensional image data at an object to be imaged is carried out with markers which overlap during the at least two irradiations of different modalities, that the image data generation of at least one modality is carried out with a capture area limited in accordance with the markers, and that the at least two three-dimensional image data is spatially associated by means of multimodal registration on the basis of the markers captured in the three-dimensional image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a virtual dental image from a 3D volume (1) comprising volumetric image data. Firstly, a sub-volume (8, 12, 15, 18) of the 3D volume (1) is defined and then a virtual projection image (30, 41) is generated for said sub-volume (8, 12, 15, 18) from a specific X-ray imaging direction (11) by computation of the volumetric image data in said X-ray imaging direction (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for validating a drilling template for producing an implant-borne tooth replacement before performing an implant drilling. The drilling template produced is placed on dental structures of a jaw area that is to be provided with the tooth replacement. A measuring element is inserted into the drill guide of the drilling template, wherein the measuring element and at least one partial region of the dental structures not covered by the drilling template is measured using an optical three-dimensional measuring method.

Abstract: A dentists' preparation instrument (1) comprises a turbine (4) for driving a tool (3) using compressed air, and a rotor (6) that is arranged in a turbine compartment (5), rotates about a longitudinal axis (7), and has blades (11) extending to a face (13) of the rotor (6). The turbine compartment (5) has a discharge port (12) for the compressed air towards a returning air duct (8). Said discharge port (12) is disposed in such a way that both the face (13) of the rotor (6) and parts of the blades (11) sweep past the discharge port (12) as the rotor rotates about the longitudinal axis (7). For deceleration purposes, the rotor (6) has a deceleration contour (9) on the face (13), said deceleration contour being formed by projections (14), and the turbine compartment (5) has a deceleration contour chamber (15) inside which the deceleration contour (9) is accommodated. The discharge port (12) in part also extends across the deceleration contour chamber (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining at least one relevant single image, wherein a plurality of single optical images are generated during a continuous optical measurement (3) of a dental subject (1) to be recorded. During the optical measurement (3) an audio recording is generated by means of a microphone (4) and at least one speech sequence (12; 15; 28) spoken by a user (6) is recorded. The relevant single image (7; 8; 24) is then selected within a specified sequence duration between a start time (17, 18) and an end time of the speech sequence (12; 15; 28).

Abstract: A 3D dental camera for recording surface structures of an object by means of triangulation. The camera includes a light source for producing an illumination beam, means for focusing the illumination beam onto the surface of the object, an image sensor for recording a monitoring beam that is the illumination beam reflected by the surface of the object, and means for focusing the monitoring beam onto the image sensor. The light source is subdivided into a plurality of regions that can be independently regulated in terms of light intensity, such that a light center of the illumination beam changes in at least two switching modes of the light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank for the production of a dental shaped body, wherein the blank has a corpus (2) of tooth restoration material, from which the shaped part to be fabricated is carved by means of a tool (4) by removal of material. The blank has coding means (1) formed on part of the surface (6) of the blank corpus (2), which coding means (1) has at least one structure (8, 9) for identification of the blank. The coding means (1) consists of a plurality of panels (5.1) at the level of the surface (6) of the corpus (2) and a plurality of panels (5.2, 5.3) incorporating a flat structure (8, 9) at a level (h1, h2) which is distinguishable from at least the level of the surface (6) of the corpus (2). The invention further relates to a method for identifying a blank with the aid of coding means (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a reference object (3) and a method for checking a measuring system (1), wherein a plurality of three-dimensional recordings (4, 8) of a reference object are recorded from different recording directions (5) by means of the measuring system (1). The reference object (3) has a closed shape, wherein each of the three-dimensional recordings (4) is registered with at least the preceding recording (4). In the case of a faulty calibration and/or in the case of a faulty registration, the individual recordings (4, 8) are deformed compared to the actual shape of the reference object (3), so that the deformation continues when assembling the individual three-dimensional recordings (4) to form an overall recording (54) and the generated overall recording (54) deviates in its dimensions from the dimensions of the reference object (3) as a result thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an overall image of an object from a plurality of images. Each image includes three-dimensional data and color data and is segmented based on the color data to identify a first region with hard tissue and a second region with soft tissue. For each image, first and second weighting factors may be assigned. Points in the second region with a larger distance to a corresponding proximate part of the first region may have a smaller second weighting factor than a point with a smaller distance to a corresponding proximate part of the first region. The second weighting factor may be variable, with its value dependent upon a value of a first area section corresponding to the first region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser handpiece 1, an exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, and a control unit 70 therefor. The laser handpiece 1 comprises a optical waveguide 35, which is connected to a light coupling site in a base member 21 and in which the application element 10 for laser light is exchangeably attached to the base member 21. The base member 21 is mounted in a sleeve-type grip 3 for axial displacement therein. The light guide 10 can be wound around a control device 70 which has an annular gap 73 for this purpose and a lower housing part 75 which is offset from an upper housing part 74. An exchangeable fiber-optic insert 10, 27 acting as an application element is provided with a sleeve 80 serving as protection during transportation and as an assembling tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an objective (4) and to a method for designing said objective (4) for a dental camera (1), the objective (4) comprising at least two lenses (9, 10, 20, 21) and the dental camera (1) comprising a light source (3) and an image sensor (7). An illuminating beam emitted by the light source (3) is focused by the objective (4), imaged on an object (8) to be measured, and reflected by the object (8) to be measured to form a monitoring beam (12). The monitoring beam (12) passes through the objective (4) and is directed toward the image sensor (7), the illuminating beam (11) being partially reflected by surfaces (9?, 9?, 9?, 10?, 10?, 20?, 20?, 21?, 21?) of the lenses (9, 10, 20, 21) to form reflected beams (17.1 to 17.8). The objective (4) comprises means (27) for tilting each lens (9, 10, 20, 21) relatively to the illuminating beam (11) such that the optical axis (9?? 10??, 15.1, 15.

Abstract: A method for producing a dental drilling template from a blank comprising a pilot borehole and a contact surface using a fabricating device and a virtual 3D drilling template model of the drilling template, said virtual 3D drilling template model comprising a virtual pilot borehole extending along a pilot borehole axis and a virtual contact surface. The method comprises virtually disposing said virtual 3D drilling template model within a 3D blank model of the blank to machine the drilling template from the blank in accordance with the shape and position of said virtual 3D drilling template model within said 3D blank model and applying a mark at a penetration point relevant to said pilot borehole axis on an external surface of said 3D blank model.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an x-ray image (1) of an object (2) by means of an x-ray device (3). An x-ray source (4) and an x-ray detector (5) are moved about an object (2) during an at least partial circulation (8, 9), and the x-ray beams (10) which are generated by the x-ray source (4) and pass through the object (2) are detected from multiple different directions by means of the x-ray detector (5). In the process, at least one optical camera (13, 14) captures the object (2) during the circulation, wherein an optical image (15, 17) is produced. The optical camera (13, 14) has a rigidly defined position relative to the x-ray source (4) and/or the x-ray detector (5). The optical image (15, 17) is then used to determine a movement trajectory of the object (2) relative to the x-ray source (4) and/or the x-ray detector (5).

Abstract: A method is proposed for creating a virtual articulator for a jaw and the associated dentition having the following steps: image a virtual model of the teeth of the maxilla (140); image a virtual model of the teeth of the mandible (130); buccal imaging of the position and orientation of the teeth (130, 140) of the maxilla and mandible in the closed-bite position; buccal imaging of the position and orientation of the teeth (130, 140) of the maxilla and mandible in a slightly open position; computational determination of the position of the condylar articulation axis (150) relative to the teeth (130, 140) of the mandible and/or maxilla from the imaged positions and orientations; and a virtual articulator can thereby be created without having to possess special knowledge, e.g. of the dimensions of a specific mechanical articulator or any adapter elements, or their arrangement.

Abstract: A device for positioning a patient within an image volume of a cone-beam tomography system. The device includes a volume indicator adapted to indicate at least a front boundary of the image volume and having a horizontal indicator for horizontal alignment. The device also includes a head clamp adapted to position at least a portion of the head of the patient within the front boundary of the image volume indicated by the volume indicator.

Abstract: A blank for manufacturing molded dental components includes a blank body that includes tooth repairing material. A molded dental component is manufactured by removing portions of the tooth repairing material using a tool. The blank is encoded with at least one structure as a carrier of information regarding properties of the blank body. The at least one structure is arranged such that at least one of a position, dimensions, or a type of structure can be determined by sensing or measuring the blank. In this context, the position, the dimensions, or the type of the structure are embodied such that a value acquired during a determination of the above corresponds to information about a property of the blank body.