Abstract: A method of creating a dental restoration is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a first 3D model of at least a portion of a first dental item including a margin curve, attaching the first dental item to the patient's existing dental structure within the oral cavity, obtaining a second 3D model of at least the first dental item while the first dental item is attached to the patient's existing dental structure, producing a third 3D model of at least the first dental item by aligning the first 3D model to the second 3D model, identifying the margin curve on the third 3D model, producing a fourth 3D model of a virtual dental item using the identified margin curve of the third 3D model, producing a second dental item from the fourth 3D model, and attaching the second dental item to the first dental item.

Abstract: A method of producing a crown for a custom implant abutment is carried out as follows. The method begins by preparing a patient's existing dental structures, viz., positioning a dental implant in the patient's mouth. Using a scanner device and associated modeling software, a first 3D model is obtained of a sufficiently large portion of an implant abutment to be attached to the implant. This scan is performed extra-orally. Preferably, the sufficiently large portion is that portion of the abutment bounded by a margin curve. After the implant abutment is attached to the implant (intra-orally), the scanner is used to obtain a second 3D model of the implant abutment attached to the implant (i.e., an intra-oral scan). Using the modeling software, the first 3D model is then aligned to the second 3D model. Thereafter, a boundary curve on the first 3D model is identified. Using the boundary curve to trim the first 3D model, the system then produces a third 3D model.

Abstract: A target positioning tool for use during the scanning of a dental preparation enables an operator to ensure that the preparation is always properly positioned. In one embodiment, the tool comprises an outer circle and a pair of arcs that are positioned back-to-back. The arcs enable the operator to correctly align the scan to the preparation or with a preparation margin. Preferably, the size of the circle is constant and remains so as the view moves in and out on the display screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for scanning a plurality of teeth and gums in a patient's mouth. The system includes a mouthpiece, a camera that fits in the mouthpiece, and an electronic storage medium. The camera can move in an arc within the mouthpiece to preferably scan the entire mouth of the patient and is preferably connected to or includes a CD, DVD, a computer hard drive, or electronic diskette to save the image for later use. The image can then be compared to a patient's prior image or compared to a dental standard to determine the patient's dental health and cosmetic characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for scanning a plurality of teeth and gums in a patient's mouth. The system includes a mouthpiece, a camera that fits in the mouthpiece, and an electronic storage medium. The camera can move in an arc within the mouthpiece to preferably scan the entire mouth of the patient and is preferably connected to or includes a CD, DVD, a computer hard drive, or electronic diskette to save the image for later use. The image can then be compared to a patient's prior image or compared to a dental standard to determine the patient's dental health and cosmetic characteristics.