Abstract: A method for aligning digital 3D models of dental arch pairs, including a mandible and maxilla, to bring them into bite alignment. The method estimates representative planes for the mandible and maxilla 3D models and transforms the models such that the representative planes are each aligned with their respective coordinate systems and shown in a horizontal view. The method also transforms the models such that the mandible and maxilla are each aligned with a same coordinate system and shown in a front view. The digital 3D models are then brought into bite alignment such that the mandible is in occlusion with the maxilla or within a distance near to occlusion. The digital models of the bite-aligned arch pairs can also be transformed or rotated to be shown centered in a front view.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a device, system, method, and program able to easily measure retroreflective coefficients using a commercially available mobile terminal having an imaging unit. Resolution Means: A device is provided that has an imaging unit for capturing an image of a target object, an observation angle acquiring unit for acquiring an observation angle determined by a positional relationship between the imaging unit, a light source for emitting light for capture and the target object, an entrance angle acquiring unit for acquiring an entrance angle of light emitted for capture incident on the target object, a converting unit for converting image data of an image to a luminance value of the target object using capture information of the image, and a calculating unit for calculating a value of a retroreflective coefficient of the target object based on an illuminance value and the luminance value of the target object.

Abstract: A method for detecting tooth wear using digital 3D models of teeth taken at different times. The digital 3D models of teeth are segmented to identify individual teeth within the digital 3D model. The segmentation includes performing a first segmentation method that over segments at least some of the teeth within the model and a second segmentation method that classifies points within the model as being either on an interior of a tooth or on a boundary between teeth. The results of the first and second segmentation methods are combined to generate segmented digital 3D models. The segmented digital 3D models of teeth are compared to detect tooth wear by determining differences between the segmented models, where the differences relate to the same tooth to detect wear on the tooth over time.

Abstract: Methods for estimating and predicting tooth wear based upon a single 3D digital model of teeth. The 3D digital model is segmented to identify individual teeth within the model. A digital model of a tooth is selected from the segmented model, and its original shape is predicted. The digital model is compared with the predicted original shape to estimate wear areas. A mapping function based upon values relating to tooth wear can also be applied to the selected digital model to predict wear of the tooth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying synchronized views and animations of digital 3D models of a person's intra-oral structure such as teeth. Two digital 3D models obtained from scans at different times are displayed in side-by-side views and synchronized via registration of the two scans or corresponding models. A user's control input to one displayed model causes the same manipulation of both models since they are registered. The two digital 3D models can also be displayed in an animation mode where the first model slowly morphs into the second model to illustrate changes in the intra-oral structure over time.

Abstract: Methods for tracking gum line changes by comparing digital 3D models of teeth and gingiva taken at different times. The digital 3D models are segmented to digitally identify the teeth from the gingiva, and the segmented digital 3D models are compared to detect gum line changes by determining differences between them relating to the gum line. Gum line changes can also be estimated by comparing one of the digital 3D models with a 3D model having a predicted original location of the gum line. Gum line change maps can be displayed to show the gum line changes determined through the tracking or estimating of changes. The digital 3D models can also be displayed with periodontal measurements placed upon them.

Abstract: Methods for tracking gum line changes by comparing digital 3D models of teeth and gingiva taken at different times. The digital 3D models are segmented to digitally identify the teeth from the gingiva, and the segmented digital 3D models are compared to detect gum line changes by determining differences between them relating to the gum line. Gum line changes can also be estimated by comparing one of the digital 3D models with a 3D model having a predicted original location of the gum line. Gum line change maps can be displayed to show the gum line changes determined through the tracking or estimating of changes. The digital 3D models can also be displayed with periodontal measurements placed upon them.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving a digital note of a plurality of digital notes generated based on image data comprising a visual representation of a scene that includes a plurality of physical notes such that each of the plurality of digital notes respectively corresponds to a particular physical note of the plurality of physical notes, wherein each of the physical notes includes respective recognizable content. In this example, the method also includes receiving user input indicating a modification to one or more visual characteristics of the digital note. In this example, the method also includes editing, in response to the user input, the one or more visual characteristics of the digital note. In this example, the method also includes outputting, for display, a modified version of the digital note that includes the one or more visual characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and manipulating software notes representative of physical notes are described. A computing device includes a processor, an image collection module executable by the processor and configured to receive an input image of an environment having a plurality of overlapping physical notes, and an image processing engine executable by the processor and configured to process the input image with the computing device to identify the plurality of overlapping physical notes in the input image. The image processing engine determines a boundary of each note in the plurality of overlapping physical notes in the input image, and generates a plurality of digital notes corresponding to the determined boundary of each of the overlapping physical notes identified in the input image.

Abstract: Methods for aligning a digital 3D model of teeth represented by a 3D mesh to a desired orientation within a 3D coordinate system. The method includes receiving the 3D mesh in random alignment and changing an orientation of the 3D mesh to align the digital 3D model of teeth with a desired axis in the 3D coordinate system. The methods can also detect a gum line in the digital 3D model to remove the gingiva from the model.

Abstract: Reconstructed surface meshes can be generated based on a plurality of received surface meshes. Each surface mesh can include vertices and faces representing an object. The received surface meshes can be assigned to one of a plurality of groups, and a region of interest of each surface mesh within each group can be aligned. The reconstructed surface meshes can be generated based on the aligned regions of interest for each group.

Abstract: Methods for aligning a digital 3D model of teeth represented by a 3D mesh to a desired orientation within a 3D coordinate system. The method includes receiving the 3D mesh in random alignment and changing an orientation of the 3D mesh to align the digital 3D model of teeth with a desired axis in the 3D coordinate system. The methods can also detect a gum line in the digital 3D model to remove the gingiva from the model.

Abstract: Methods for tracking gum line changes by comparing digital 3D models of teeth and gingiva taken at different times. The digital 3D models are segmented to digitally identify the teeth from the gingiva, and the segmented digital 3D models are compared to detect gum line changes by determining differences between them relating to the gum line. Gum line changes can also be estimated by comparing one of the digital 3D models with a 3D model having a predicted original location of the gum line. Gum line change maps can be displayed to show the gum line changes determined through the tracking or estimating of changes. The digital 3D models can also be displayed with periodontal measurements placed upon them.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a computing device configured to display visual representations of digital notes and one or more group images representing one or more groups on a user interface, where each group may include one or more digital notes. The computing device is further configured to receive one or more user inputs via the user interface and change the compositions of the groups based on the received user inputs.

Abstract: A method for aligning digital 3D models of dental arch pairs, including a mandible and maxilla, to bring them into bite alignment. The method estimates representative planes for the mandible and maxilla 3D models and transforms the models such that the representative planes are each aligned with their respective coordinate systems and shown in a horizontal view. The method also transforms the models such that the mandible and maxilla are each aligned with a same coordinate system and shown in a front view. The digital 3D models are then brought into bite alignment such that the mandible is in occlusion with the maxilla or within a distance near to occlusion. The digital models of the bite-aligned arch pairs can also be transformed or rotated to be shown centered in a front view.

Abstract: A mobile device comprises a sensor to produce image data containing a visual representation of a plurality of physical notes, each of the physical notes comprising separate physical objects, a processor, and at least one module. The module can process the image data to determine boundaries for each of the plurality of physical notes and to determine, based on the boundaries, one or more characteristics for each of the physical notes. The module can also create a digital note representative of each of the plurality of physical notes, apply a set of rules to identify any of the rules that specify criteria satisfied by one or more characteristics of the physical notes, and for each of the identified rules, perform one or more actions specified by the rule to each of the digital notes for which the characteristics of the physical notes satisfies the criteria specified by the rule.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing or identifying tooth types using digital 3D models of teeth. The methods include receiving a segmented digital 3D model of teeth and selecting a digital 3D model of a tooth from the segmented digital 3D model. An aggregation of the plurality of distinct features of the tooth is computed to generate a single feature describing the digital 3D model of the tooth. A type of the tooth is identified based upon the aggregation, which can include comparing the aggregation with features corresponding with known tooth types. The methods also include identifying a type of tooth, without segmenting it from an arch, based upon tooth widths and a location of the tooth within the arch.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing or identifying tooth types using digital 3D models of teeth. The methods include receiving a segmented digital 3D model of teeth and selecting a digital 3D model of a tooth from the segmented digital 3D model. An aggregation of the plurality of distinct features of the tooth is computed to generate a single feature describing the digital 3D model of the tooth. A type of the tooth is identified based upon the aggregation, which can include comparing the aggregation with features corresponding with known tooth types. The methods also include identifying a type of tooth, without segmenting it from an arch, based upon tooth widths and a location of the tooth within the arch.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a computing device configured to display visual representations of digital notes and one or more group images representing one or more groups on a user interface, where each group may include one or more digital notes. The computing device is further configured to receive one or more user inputs via the user interface and change the compositions of the groups based on the received user inputs.

Abstract: Methods for estimating and predicting tooth wear based upon a single 3D digital model of teeth. The 3D digital model is segmented to identify individual teeth within the model. A digital model of a tooth is selected from the segmented model, and its original shape is predicted. The digital model is compared with the predicted original shape to estimate wear areas. A mapping function based upon values relating to tooth wear can also be applied to the selected digital model to predict wear of the tooth.