Abstract: A method for validating a preparation of at least one tooth in a prepared set of teeth for determining whether the prepared tooth is capable of accepting a dental restoration includes obtaining a virtual dental preparation guide configured for validating the preparation of the at least one tooth; obtaining a digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; visualizing the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; and validating from the visualization of the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth whether the prepared at least one tooth is shaped such that it can accept the dental restoration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of using a dynamic virtual articulator for simulating occlusion of teeth, when performing computer-aided designing of one or more dental restorations for a patient, where the method includes the steps of: providing the virtual articulator including a virtual three-dimensional model of the upper jaw and a virtual three-dimensional model of the lower jaw resembling the upper jaw and lower jaw, respectively, of the patient's mouth; providing movement of the virtual upper jaw and the virtual lower jaw relative to each other for simulating dynamic occlusion, whereby collisions between teeth in the virtual upper and virtual lower jaw occur; wherein the method further includes: providing that the teeth in the virtual upper jaw and virtual lower jaw are blocked from penetrating each other's virtual surfaces in the collisions.

Abstract: A 3D scanner system includes a scanning device capable of recording first and second data sets of a surface of an object when operating in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. A measurement unit is configured for measuring a distance from the scanning device to the surface. A control controls an operation of the scanning device based on the distance measured by the measurement unit, where the scanning device operates in the first configuration when the measured distance is within a first range of distances from the surface and the scanning device operates in the second configuration when the measured distance is within a second range of distances; and a data processor is configured to combine one or more first data sets and one or more second data sets to create a combined virtual 3D model of the object surface.

Abstract: A scanner includes a camera, a light source for generating a probe light incorporating a spatial pattern, an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the camera, a focus element within the optical system for varying a position of a focus plane of the spatial pattern on the object, unit for obtaining at least one image from said array of sensor elements, unit for evaluating a correlation measure at each focus plane position between at least one image pixel and a weight function, a processor for determining the in-focus position(s) of each of a plurality of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, or each of a plurality of groups of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, and transforming in-focus data into 3D real world coordinates.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and digital tools for deriving tooth condition information for a patient's teeth, for populating a digital dental chart with derived tooth condition information, and for generating an electronic data record containing such information.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method, a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth, wherein a digital 3D representation including shape data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined based on the texture data of the corresponding point of the digital 3D representation and on known texture values of one or more reference tooth shade values.

Abstract: A scanner includes a camera, a light source for generating a probe light incorporating a spatial pattern, an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the camera, a focus element within the optical system for varying a position of a focus plane of the spatial pattern on the object, unit for obtaining at least one image from said array of sensor elements, unit for evaluating a correlation measure at each focus plane position between at least one image pixel and a weight function, a processor for determining the in-focus position(s) of each of a plurality of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, or each of a plurality of groups of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, and transforming in-focus data into 3D real world coordinates.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for generating a digital data set for fabricating a physical dental bleaching tray useable to deliver an bleaching agent is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a three-dimensional digital representation of a patient’s dentition including teeth and gingiva; segmenting two or more teeth into individual tooth; identifying a facial surface of at least one of the segmented tooth; defining a facial surface portion including a surface area that is at least partly bound by a virtual boundary that is non- interfacing with the gingiva; generating a modified three-dimensional digital representation using the defined facial surface portion; and generating, based on the modified three-dimensional digital representation, the digital data set configured to be used in fabricating the physical dental bleaching tray.

Abstract: A drill guide assembly used to guide a drill into the jawbone of a patient during dental surgery includes at least one through going guide bore for guiding the drill, at least one attachment for securing a part of the drill guide assembly to the jaw of the patient during surgery, wherein the drill guide assembly includes a first part including the at least one first through going guide bore, the at least one first attachment and at least a first reference area for referring the first part to a first anatomical feature of the patient, a second part including a second reference area for referring the second part to a second anatomical feature of the patient, and a guiding structure for guiding the first part and the second into a desired configuration.

Abstract: A method for validating a preparation of at least one tooth in a prepared set of teeth for determining whether the prepared tooth is capable of accepting a dental restoration includes obtaining a virtual dental preparation guide configured for validating the preparation of the at least one tooth; obtaining a digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; visualizing the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; and validating from the visualization of the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth whether the prepared at least one tooth is shaped such that it can accept the dental restoration.

Abstract: A scanner includes a camera, a light source for generating a probe light incorporating a spatial pattern, an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the camera, a focus element within the optical system for varying a position of a focus plane of the spatial pattern on the object, unit for obtaining at least one image from said array of sensor elements, unit for evaluating a correlation measure at each focus plane position between at least one image pixel and a weight function, a processor for determining the in-focus position(s) of each of a plurality of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, or each of a plurality of groups of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, and transforming in-focus data into 3D real world coordinates.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing a model of a superstructure joining a denture and a corresponding dental arch, the method includes the steps of obtaining a first 3D representation of at least a part of a preliminary model of the denture, obtaining a second 3D representation of at least a part of the dental arch comprising dental implants, and generating a model of a superstructure based on the first 3D representation, the second 3D representation, dental implant positions and dental implant orientations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the relative arrangement of patient's jaws in a bite position when the patient's occlusion is not defined by natural teeth alone, where the method includes a step of obtaining a digital 3D representation including both surface data relating to dental tissue in one of the patient's jaws and surface data relating to a scan appliance arranged in relation to the jaw, where the scan appliance is configured for at least partly defining the patient's occlusion.

Abstract: A method for validating a preparation of at least one tooth in a prepared set of teeth for determining whether the prepared tooth is capable of accepting a dental restoration includes obtaining a virtual dental preparation guide configured for validating the preparation of the at least one tooth; obtaining a digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; visualizing the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth; and validating from the visualization of the virtual dental preparation guide together with the digital 3D representation of the prepared set of teeth whether the prepared at least one tooth is shaped such that it can accept the dental restoration.

Abstract: A method, user interface and system for detecting and monitoring development of a dental condition. In particular, detecting and monitoring such a development by comparing digital 3D representations of the patient's set of teeth recorded at a first and a second point in time. For example, determining tooth movement for at least one tooth between the first and second point in time based on derived distances.

Abstract: A scanner includes a camera, a light source for generating a probe light incorporating a spatial pattern, an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the camera, a focus element within the optical system for varying a position of a focus plane of the spatial pattern on the object, unit for obtaining at least one image from said array of sensor elements, unit for evaluating a correlation measure at each focus plane position between at least one image pixel and a weight function, a processor for determining the in-focus position(s) of each of a plurality of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, or each of a plurality of groups of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, and transforming in-focus data into 3D real world coordinates.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method, a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth, wherein a digital 3D representation including shape data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined based on the texture data of the corresponding point of the digital 3D representation and on known texture values of one or more reference tooth shade values.

Abstract: A scanner includes a camera, a light source for generating a probe light incorporating a spatial pattern, an optical system for transmitting the probe light towards the object and for transmitting at least a part of the light returned from the object to the camera, a focus element within the optical system for varying a position of a focus plane of the spatial pattern on the object, unit for obtaining at least one image from said array of sensor elements, unit for evaluating a correlation measure at each focus plane position between at least one image pixel and a weight function, a processor for determining the in-focus position(s) of each of a plurality of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, or each of a plurality of groups of image pixels for a range of focus plane positions, and transforming in-focus data into 3D real world coordinates.

Abstract: Disclosed in a method, a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth, wherein a digital 3D representation including shape data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined based on the texture data of the corresponding point of the digital 3D representation and on known texture values of one or more reference tooth shade values.

Abstract: A method of aligning two 3D digital representations of at least a part of each of the upper and lower jaw of a patient, the method including segmenting the 3D digital representations to determine the shape and position of each of the patient's teeth in each of the 3D digital representations; and using a set of known anatomical concepts to constrain the fit of the two 3D digital representations to get a preliminary fit.