Abstract: A system and method for orthodontic treatment staging are described. A method includes receiving patient data including patient treatment data and patient characteristic data. One or more stage movement values and corresponding stage force values are determined. Each stage force value is based on a target orthodontic force value that is based on one or more determinate points of PDL behavior data associated with at least a subset of the patient data. The PDL behavior data includes or is based on force measurement data points and corresponding displacement measurement data points having been measured in-vivo while applying a force to a particular tooth of a human or animal subject. The sum of the one or more stage movement values approximates a treatment movement value. The one or more stage movement values and corresponding stage force values are output as a treatment plan for treatment of a tooth of the patient.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for 3D scanning at least a part of a surface of an object is disclosed. The method includes recording, using an optical scanner comprising at least one camera, one or more test 2D images of the at least a part of the surface of the object; automatically identifying a first segment of a first level of interest within the test 2D images, the first segment imaging a region of interest on the at least a part of the surface of the object; identifying a first 3D volume comprising the region of interest of the at least a part of the surface of the object; selecting a first input defining a first resolution and/or a first coverage; and 3D scanning the at least a part of the surface of the object within the first 3D volume using the first input.

Abstract: System and method for developing a treatment plan for achieving a treatment goal including creating a virtual model of a dental patient's dentition; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual prosthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual orthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; iterating on the transforming steps until substantially achieving the treatment goal; and generating an orthodontic treatment plan and a prosthodontic treatment plan based upon the substantially achieved treatment goal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for superimposing a teeth data image onto a face image is provided. The apparatus for superimposing the teeth data image onto the face image includes a scanner for generating a teeth data image by scanning a teeth of a patient; a camera for obtaining a side face image by photographing a side face of the patient; and a control unit for extracting a feature point of the side face image, extracting a reference line of the side face based on the feature point, adjusting a size of the teeth data image according to a length of the reference line of the side face, and superimposing the teeth data image onto the side face image.

Abstract: A processing device receives one or more images of an intraoral cavity of a patient generated by measuring one or more characteristics of returning light, the returning light having been reflected off one or more surfaces within the intraoral cavity. The processing device subsequently receives an additional image of the intraoral cavity of the patient. The processing device compares the additional image to the one or more previously received images and determines, based on a result of the comparing, that a criterion is not satisfied. The processing device displays image data from at least one of a) the one or more images or b) the additional image. The processing device further displays one or more visual indicators, the one or more visual indicators comprising a warning indicator indicating a potential problem associated with the criterion not being satisfied.

Abstract: The present disclosure provide for methods of planning restorative procedures. Methods may involve identifying an initial position of a patient's teeth based on a digital representation of the patient's teeth, and determining one or more candidate orthodontic positions for the patient's teeth, wherein each of the one or more candidate orthodontic positions is a target position of the patient's teeth being considered. Methods may further involve virtually modeling a first restorative object at a first evaluated restorative object position on one of the patient's teeth, evaluating a first amount of tooth mass removal corresponding to the first restorative object based on the first evaluated restorative object position and one of the candidate orthodontic positions, and determining a final orthodontic position and a final restorative object position based on the first amount of tooth mass removal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses (including systems and devices) for modifying a three-dimensional (3D) model of a subject's oral cavity to determine individual components such as teeth, gingiva, tongue, palate, etc. In some implementations one or more automated machine learning agents may modify one or more subsets of 3D models of the subject's oral cavity using height map data to identify, segment and/or modify to mesh regions of a 3D model constructed from a plurality of 2D images of the subject's dental cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a target orthodontic force are provided. A method includes receiving patient data associated with a patient and including patient characteristic data and patient treatment data including one or both of a tooth type indicator and a tooth position indicator associated with a tooth of the patient to be corrected. Periodontal ligament (PDL) behavior data including or being based on force measurement data points and corresponding displacement measurement data points having been measured in-vivo while applying a force to a tooth of a human or animal subject and associated with at least a subset of the patient data is retrieved. A target orthodontic force value that is specific to the patient data is determined by inputting the PDL behavior data into an algorithm which determines the target orthodontic force based on the PDL behavior data and the target orthodontic force value is output.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for designing a restored smile are provided. One method includes receiving scan data of a patient's teeth, developing a digital model of the patient's teeth via a computing device, where the model represents the patient's teeth based upon the scan data, creating a dental treatment plan to restore one or more teeth from an initial condition to a successive condition, and wherein a final condition of the one or more is based on the one or more teeth having at least one planned additional restorative tooth structure provided therewith.

Abstract: System and method for developing a treatment plan for achieving a treatment goal including creating a virtual model of a dental patient's dentition; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual prosthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; transforming the virtual model of the dentition using virtual orthodontics to facilitate achievement of the treatment goal; iterating on the transforming steps until substantially achieving the treatment goal; and generating an orthodontic treatment plan and a prosthodontic treatment plan based upon the substantially achieved treatment goal.

Abstract: A method for digitally designing a modified dental setup up on a digital 3D dental model representing at least a part of the jaws of a patient includes the steps of obtaining a pre-treatment digital 2D image of at least a part of the patient's teeth, obtaining a digital 3D representation of the at least a part of the patient's set of teeth, obtaining a proposed digital 2D image of a desired dental setup based on the pre-treatment digital 2D image, wherein at least one digital tooth modification has been provided, and transferring the at least one digital tooth modification from the proposed digital 2D image to the digital 3D representation. This provides a method where the practitioner with relative simple means can present the patient with a visualization of an expected outcome of a dental treatment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for generating an interdental filler model for a patient. Locations for ends of the interdental filler model may be determined. A curvature of the interdental filler model may be determined. A shape of the interdental filler model may be determined. A first arc may be determined for a first end of the interdental filler model and a second arc may be determined for a second end of the interdental filler model. A set of arcs may be interpolated between the first arc and the second arc. The set of arcs may be grounded on the patient's gingiva. The interdental filler model may be generated based on the set of arcs.

Abstract: A method and a system for manufacturing an orthodontic appliance are provided. The method comprises: receiving a 3D mesh including a plurality of inner vertices representative of an inner surface of the appliance; generating a reference plane positioned relative to the arch form 3D mesh according to a predetermined position; determining, based on the 3D mesh, for each one of the plurality of inner vertices, a respective distance to the reference plane, the respective distance being indicative of a thickness of the appliance after forming; generating, based on the respective distance, a plurality of outer vertices representative of an outer surface of the appliance; generating, based on the plurality of inner vertices and the plurality of outer vertices, an appliance 3D representation of the appliance including data indicative of the thickness of the appliance; causing the manufacturing of the appliance based on the appliance 3D representation.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of designing dental restorations and systems for performing the described methods are provided. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a virtual three dimensional representation of at least a portion of the patient's dentition that includes at least one preparation tooth, identifying a preparation margin on the virtual three dimensional representation, placing an arch form of a virtual tooth library in alignment with the virtual three dimensional representation, and proposing an initial restoration design based upon a tooth design obtained from the virtual tooth library.

Abstract: A method for increasing the velocity of at least one moving tooth along a jaw bone, the method including positioning an abrasive bur with a desired diameter between adjacent roots of the at least one tooth in the jaw bone, the abrasive bur being rotatable by a handheld device, rotating the abrasive bur with the handheld device, applying the rotating bur to penetrate the gingiva tissue covering the space between the adjacent roots of the at least one tooth in the jaw to remove a desired amount of gingival tissue and expose the underlying jaw bone, and contacting the bone with the rotating bur to abrasively vibrate the jaw bone adjacent to at least one tooth without drilling through the cortical bone.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable storage media for segmenting individual intra-oral measurements and registering said individual intraoral measurements to eliminate or reduce registration errors. An operator may use a dental camera to scan teeth and a trained deep neural network may automatically detect portions of the input images that can cause registration errors and reduce or eliminate the effect of these sources of registration errors.

Abstract: A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. A first number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the first shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw. The first number of bite adjustment structures can have a first shape and location specific to a first stage of the treatment plan. A second number of bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the second shell, extending therefrom and designed to interface with teeth of the second jaw. The second number of bite adjustment structures can have a second shape and location, different than the first shape and location, specific to a second stage of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system for decision management is described which enables a practitioner to collaborate on treatment options and outcomes. The practitioner may access a remote server through any number of electronic devices, e.g., smart phone, computer, tablet, personal digital assistant, etc. to conduct any number of searches for related treatments of interest, use of products during treatments, one or more particular doctors, condition of a patient at a starting point, resulting outcome from treatments, or any other number of conditions or features.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the shape of an orthodontic aligner worn by a patient. Acquisition of at least one two-dimensional image of teeth of the patient as “updated image.” At least one updated image as “aligner image,” at least partially representing the aligner in a service position. At least one updated image as “dentition image,” representing the teeth. If the dentition image is different from the aligner image, conversion of the dentition image so that it represents the teeth as seen under the acquisition conditions used during the acquisition of the aligner image. Determination, for each of a plurality of teeth represented on the dentition and aligner images, of interior and exterior tooth outlines representing the outline of the free end of the tooth on the dentition and aligner images. Comparison of the interior and exterior tooth outlines, followed by determination of at least one score according to the comparison.

Abstract: Orthodontic and/or dental treatment planning methods and apparatuses. In particular, described herein are methods of generating a plurality of potential treatment plan variations for the concurrent and interactive review of the treatment plan variations. Each variation may be optimized to best address the user's treatment goals, as well as approximating as closely as possible an ideal or target final position. Also described herein are orthodontic and/or dental treatment planning methods and apparatuses that allow a user to form, modify, and select a treatment plan from a plurality of different treatment plans, in real time.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for providing patient data useful for dental procedures, including scanning a dental structure of a patient when coupled to a geometric structure to provide a virtual model representative of the coupling and the dental structure, and relating the virtual model to a body reference of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.

Abstract: Non-sliding orthodontic appliances may include an archwire having male fasteners for locking in place with brackets in a non-sliding manner and interproximal loops for exerting forces on the brackets. Appropriate forces may be calculated according to vectors between initial and ideal tooth positions. The brackets may be transferred to a patient's teeth using indirect bonding trays which contain slots for holding and aligning each bracket. The trays may include integrated handles for facilitating handling, may be sectioned into smaller pieces for easier application, and/or may be labeled for facilitating proper registration. Superposition of a digital placement plan and clinical model after bonding may illustrate the accuracy of bracket placement. The archwire may comprise atraumatic ends to avoid patient discomfort. A color registration system can be used to facilitate the attachment of the archwire to the brackets. The archwire may be locked into place with the brackets using crimpable stops.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of designing a dental restoration at a display includes providing a virtual three dimensional representation of at least a portion of the patient's dental situation. The method includes displaying a virtual three dimensional dental restoration model in an alignment with the virtual three dimensional representation. The method also includes providing a design tool selectable to deform at least a portion of the three dimensional dental restoration model. The design tool, when selected, enables a line to be drawn on a surface of the three dimensional dental restoration model.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining an orthodontic treatment for a plurality of teeth of a subject are provided. The method comprises: receiving a 3D representation of a first tooth and a second tooth, adjacent thereto, of the subject, of a plurality of teeth of the subject; obtaining a tooth-gingiva segmentation loop; identifying an outer set of vertices positioned outside the tooth-gingiva segmentation loop and an inner set of vertices positioned inside the tooth-gingiva segmentation loop; determining a shortest path from the outer set of vertices to the inner set of vertices; generating, based on the shortest path, a first interdental loop indicative of an interdental boundary between the first tooth and the second tooth, the first interdental loop intersecting the tooth-gingiva segmentation loop; generating a boundary between the first tooth and the second tooth, the boundary including the tooth-gingiva segmentation loop and the first interdental loop.

Abstract: Systems and method for fabrication of dental appliances are provided. An example method includes receiving data identifying approximate locations of individual teeth in a three-dimensional digital dental model representing an impressioned position of a patient's dentition. The example method may also include generating component models corresponding to individual teeth for each of the identified approximate locations. The component models may be disposed at initial positions based on the impressioned position of the patient's dentition. The example method also includes determining target positions for the component models and generating a tooth-positioning appliance design based on the determined target positions for the component models. The method may also include causing a tooth-positioning appliance to be fabricated based on the tooth-positioning appliance design.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cutting and trimming dental molds and oral appliances by receiving a digital model of teeth, determining a cutting loop path and applying a drape wall to the cutting loop to generate a simplified tooth base in a dental mold having an inner arch curve and an outer arch curve. The oral appliance may be formed on the dental mold and a cutter may be applied using a sweeping motion across the inner and outer arch curves.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods, systems, and computer program products for digital orthodontic setup using a prescribed ideal arch form. The invention may include an imaging system, an orthodontic device production system, and an orthodontic treatment system interconnected by way of a network. The orthodontic treatment system may facilitate manipulating one or more reference teeth into a position by the dental practitioner. The orthodontic treatment system may further facilitate selection of an ideal unit-less arch form and scaling of the ideal unit-less arch form into a scaled ideal arch form to fit the reference teeth. After the selected ideal unit-less arch form is scaled to fit the reference teeth, the remaining teeth are positioned with respect to the scaled ideal arch form, either manually by a dental practitioner or automatically by an alignment algorithm.

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 series of a palatal expanders increasing width can be used to gradually expand a patient's palate. Each palatal expander may have a palatal region flanked by teeth regions. The palatal region can have a plurality of anchor-receiving features (e.g., anchor interfaces) that allow the palatal expander to be attached to temporary anchorage device anchors that have been implanted into the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: The current document is directed to methods and systems for monitoring a dental patient's progress during a course of treatment. A three-dimensional model of the expected positions of the patient's teeth can be projected, in time, from a three-dimensional model of the patient's teeth prepared prior to beginning the treatment. A digital camera is used to take one or more two-dimensional photographs of the patient's teeth, which are input to a monitoring system. The monitoring system determines virtual-camera parameters for each two-dimensional input image with respect to the time-projected three-dimensional model, uses the determined virtual-camera parameters to generate two-dimensional images from the three-dimensional model, and then compares each input photograph to the corresponding generated two-dimensional image in order to determine how closely the three-dimensional arrangement of the patient's teeth corresponds to the time-projected three-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems that are useful in design and fabrication of kinetic wire mechanisms or characters. The method includes a computational technique for the design of kinetic wire mechanisms tailored for fabrication on consumer-grade hardware such as a desktop CNC bending device. The method takes as input a skeletal animation of the mechanism to be fabricated and estimates, from the skeletal animation, a cable-driven and compliant wire structure, which matches user-selected keyframes. To enable localized deformations, the technique involves shaping the mechanism's body (i.e., the wire) into functional spring-like entities at a set of locations along the length of the mechanism's body.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to field of aesthetic dental technology, more particularly relates to a C/S architecture-based dental beautification AR smart assistance method and apparatus. Specifically, an auxiliary method for dental beautification may include obtaining information; processing the information and obtaining the results of information processing; and generating and displaying the beautification schemes according to the results of information processing. A terminal device for dental beautification, including a memory for storing computer program code and a processor for executing computer program code stored in the memory, is also disclosed. The dental beautification method and apparatus can provide the teeth reference effect after beautification in advance, such as providing reference pictures and videos.

Abstract: A method of correction of a three-dimensional digital model of an arch of a patient or “reference model.” The method includes the following steps: acquisition of at least one two-dimensional image of the arch, called updated image (Ia1;Ia2), in actual acquisition conditions; search, for each updated image, of virtual acquisition conditions providing a two-dimensional image of the reference model, which maximizes the fit with the updated image, or “reference image” (Ir1;Ir2); comparison of the reference image with the updated image to detect differences; and correction of the reference model to reduce said differences to get a corrected reference model.

Abstract: A method and system generate a scan model that is a mathematical model to simulate an imaging process performed by an x-ray imaging device that created a two-dimensional x-ray image of at least one tooth. The scan model uses an initial estimate of one or more parameters of the x-ray imaging device to simulate the imaging process on a three-dimensional model. The method and system generate the two-dimensional contour of the three-dimensional model based on the scan model that uses the initial estimate of the one or more parameters of the x-ray imaging device. The method and system adjust the two-dimensional contour to cause a first component of the two-dimensional contour to approximately align with a second component of the two-dimensional x-ray image. The method and system calibrate the scan model based on data obtained from adjusting the two-dimensional contour.

Abstract: A method may include: receiving an image of a mouth region of a patient's face; extracting teeth contours within the image of the mouth region of the patient's face; locating a mouth opening within the image of the mouth region of the patient's face; extracting the tooth contours from a 3D model of the patient's teeth; and aligning the tooth contours from the 3D model with the tooth contours of the teeth within the image of the mouth region of the patient's face.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable storage media for determining articulator parameters. A dentist may use a mobile device such as a smart phone to quickly and inexpensively visualize a 3D model of a patient's face and jaw, with a depth sensor being used to detect depth information. Articulator parameters may then be obtained to be used for treatment planning based on an analysis of the correct functioning of the patient's teeth.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, method, apparatus and system for receiving digital representations of the initial parameters of a dentition; simulating a first orthodontic treatment process on the digital representations of the initial parameters, displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, simulating a second orthodontic treatment process on the output results from the simulation of the first orthodontic treatment process, and displaying a set of output results from the simulation of the second orthodontic treatment process are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning at least one bracket element at a desired location proximate to at least one respective tooth of a subject include a support body supporting and integrally formed with at least one support arm. The support arm is arranged to locate a respective bracket element at a desired location with respect to a respective tooth. At least one locating element serves to locate the support body relative to at least one tooth of a subject.

Abstract: Methods for designing and fabrication of a series of apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”). In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for forming palatal expanders, including rapid palatal expanders, as well as series of palatal expanders formed as described herein and apparatuses for designing and fabricating them.

Abstract: Orthodontic devices such as aligners, palatal expanders, retainers, and dental implants can be used to adjust the position of teeth and to treat various dental irregularities. To help the clinician or doctor (i.e., orthodontist) design and plan the subject's treatment plan, a 3D digital model of the subject's teeth, dentition, and gingiva can be constructed from a 3D scan of the subject's mouth, teeth, dentition, and gingiva. The 3D model of the subject's teeth and dentition can be displayed graphically to the doctor on a display using a computing system with memory and software.

Abstract: A method of producing a retention piece having a guidance package configured to provide a desired movement profile including: obtaining data descriptive of mandibular and maxillary arches, an index position of the mandibular arch at a maximum closure position, and a temporomandibular joint of a recipient; specifying an appropriate guidance package based on the desired movement profile; positioning a retention piece comprising at least a portion of the specified guidance package about virtual representations of at least one of the mandibular and maxillary arches within a virtual articulator; modeling relative movement of the virtual representations of the mandibular and maxillary arches within the virtual articulator; and generating data that can be used by a computer aided machining (CAM) process to create at least one physical retention piece comprising the specified guidance package configured to provide the desired movement profile.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a processing device receives a 3D image of a face of a person. The processing device identifies a first plurality of visible landmarks and a second plurality of visible landmarks on the face from the 3D image, wherein the second plurality of visible landmarks are associated with soft facial tissues. The processing device determines a post-treatment arrangement of the first plurality of visible landmarks based on a first mapping between a current dentition of the person and a post-treatment dentition of the person. The processing device determines, based on applying the post-treatment arrangement of the first plurality of visible landmarks to a second mapping between the first plurality of visible landmarks and the second plurality of visible landmarks, a post-treatment shape of the soft facial tissues. The processing device generates a modified version of the 3D image, wherein the soft facial tissues have the post-treatment shape in the modified version of the 3D image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting an interactive user interface that visually marks locations within a radiograph of one or more dental pathologies, anatomies, anomalies or other conditions determined by automated image analysis of the radiograph by a number of different machine learning models. Annotation data generated by the machine learning models may be obtained, and one or more visual bounding shapes generated based on the annotation data. A user interface may present at least a portion of the radiograph's image data, along with display of the visual bounding shapes appearing to be overlaid over the at least a portion of the image data to visually mark the presence and location of a given pathology or other condition.

Abstract: Method for visualizing a tooth situation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a virtual depiction of an orthodontic treatment of a patient is disclosed herein. The computer-implemented method may involve gathering a three-dimensional (3D) model modeling the patient's dentition at a specific treatment stage of an orthodontic treatment plan. An image of the patient's face and dentition may be gathered. A first set of reference points modeled on the 3D model of the patient's dentition and a second set of reference points represented on the dentition of the image of the patient may be received. The image of the patient's dentition may be projected into a 3D space to create a projected 3D model of the image of the patient's dentition. Based on a comparison of the first reference points and projections of the second set of reference points, a modified image of the patient may be constructed and/or modeled.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for numerically simulating orthodontic effect of an orthodontic appliance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for designing an augmented-reality effect may include displaying a virtual object in a 3D space of a user interface comprising a first and second display areas, wherein the virtual object is displayed from a first perspective in the first display area and displayed from a second perspective in the second display area, the second perspective being different from the first perspective, receiving, via the user interface, instructions to adjust the virtual object, adjusting the virtual object according to the instructions, and displaying the adjusted virtual object in the 3D space of the user interface, wherein the adjusted virtual object is displayed from the first perspective in the first display area and displayed from the second perspective in the second display area.

Abstract: In a system of manufacturing an orthodontic wire, a method for manufacturing the orthodontic wire using the system, and an orthodontic wire bending machine for performing the system, the system includes a teeth data obtaining part, a simulating part, a calculating part and a wire manufacturing part. The teeth data obtaining part obtains present teeth data of a patient. The simulating part generates final teeth data. The calculating part compares a predetermined threshold to a compared value between the present teeth data of the patient and the final teeth data. The wire manufacturing part selectively manufactures a wire for an orthodontic process or a wire for a dentition maintenance process based on a compared result of the calculating part.

Abstract: Various embodiments of orthodontic appliances are disclosed to dispose a patient's lower dentition (2) and upper dentition (2) in Class I occlusion. A representative appliance (180) includes an occlusal ridge (182) that extends over the mesio-lingual cusp and the mesio-buccal cusp of a lower first molar (14a) on one side of the patient's dentition (2), and includes another occlusal ridge (182) that extends over the mesio-lingual cusp and the mesio-buccal cusp of a lower first molar (14b) on the other side of the patient's dentition (2). Such an appliance (180) addresses a Class II malocclusion by encouraging or facilitating movement of the mandible in a mesial or anterior direction such that each such occlusal ridge (182) ends up being disposed between a corresponding upper first molar (32a, 32b) and a corresponding second bicuspid (30a, 30b).