Method Of Positioning Or Aligning Teeth Patents (Class 433/24)
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Patent number: 10307119Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for obtaining a more effective 3D facial image for medical use. The present invention provides a medical imaging system includes a 2D surface image obtaining device including at least one camera for photographing a plurality of 2D facial images of an examinee, at different photography angles or ranges, a visual guidance configured to fix an examinee's line of vision, an X-ray radiography device for radiographing a 3D X-ray radiograph of the examinee's head, and an image synthesis unit for generating a 3D facial image by matching the plurality of 2D facial images with the 3D X-ray radiograph.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignees: VATECH Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyung Keun Lim, Jin Pyo Chun
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Patent number: 10307222Abstract: Orthodontic systems and related methods are disclosed for designing and providing improved or more effective tooth moving systems for eliciting a desired tooth movement and/or repositioning teeth into a desired arrangement. Methods and orthodontic systems of the invention include tooth attachments having improved or optimized parameters selected or modified for more optimal and/or effective application of forces for a desired/selected orthodontic movement. Attachments of the present invention can be customized to a particular patient (e.g., patient-customized), a particular movement, and/or a sub-group or sub-set of patients, and configured to engage an orthodontic tooth positioning appliance worn by a patient, where engagement between the attachment and orthodontic appliance results in application of a repositioning force or series/system of forces to the tooth having the attachment and will generally elicit a tooth movement.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Morton, Vadim Matov, Heng Cao, Ryan Kimura, Jihua Cheng, Bastien Pesenti
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Patent number: 10299891Abstract: A prescription management system is used by an orthodontic or dental lab and a plurality of prescribing users who send prescriptions for customized orthodontic or dental appliances to the lab. The prescriptions are stored in a database selectively accessible by the lab and plurality of prescribing users. A digital workspace is provided in the system in which the lab or prescribing users may create designs for the customized appliances. The designs of the appliances are stored in the database. A tracking record of fabrication of the appliances is stored in the database. A plurality of billings are simultaneously generated in response to the submissions and storage of the prescriptions, the designs of the customized appliances and the fabrication of the designed customized appliances.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: EasyRx, LLC.Inventors: Marc Lemchen, Jim Wright, Michael Wright, Todd Blankenbecler
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Patent number: 10292789Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Inventors: Martin G. Martz, Andrew S. Martz
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Patent number: 10285781Abstract: A normal vector or a curvature at each of a plurality of vertexes that are included in data relating to an oral cavity shape including a tooth crown shape of at least one tooth and define the oral cavity shape is acquired. Then, a vertex group that defines the tooth crown shape of the at least one tooth is extracted from the plurality of vertexes based on the acquired normal vectors or curvatures. Further, the extracted vertex group is outputted as tooth crown shape information that specifies a tooth crown portion in the oral cavity shape. Consequently, automatic construction of a database for a tooth crown shape can be implemented.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Toshihisa Fujiwara, Tatsukiyo Ishimura, Sadayoshi Hara, Ryosuke Ohtake, Masaru Suzuki
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Patent number: 10278793Abstract: A tray for use in bonding orthodontic appliances to selected teeth of a patient is disclosed. The tray includes an outer shell having wall sections extending over facial, lingual, and occlusal surfaces of the selected teeth to form a channel including tooth cavities having a configuration matching and arranged for receiving the selected teeth. A matrix is bonded to the inner surface of the outer shell and is contoured to complement the facial or lingual surface of the teeth. A stabilization member extends from the outer shell and includes an inside surface contoured to complement at least a portion of the facial surface of a tooth located adjacent the selected teeth. Orthodontic appliances are detachably connected to the matrix, wherein each appliance includes a base for bonding the appliance to a tooth.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Inventors: Roberto J. Carrillo Gonzalez, Roberto Carrillo Fuentevilla
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Patent number: 10265141Abstract: The present invention relates to orthodontic positioning appliances that represent teeth in desired positions and related systems and methods. An appliance can include teeth receiving cavities shaped to receive and apply a resilient positioning force to a patient's teeth. An appliance can include an outer component having a surface representing teeth in desired positions. An outer component can be integral with an appliance. An outer component can be separate and configured to couple with an appliance main body.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: David Mason, Eric Kuo
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Patent number: 10262417Abstract: The tooth axis estimation program includes, extracting a plurality of points from inputted three-dimensional profile data, the plurality of points indicating a surface of three-dimensional profile data; calculating an arrangement relationship between a point group and a first profile corresponding to a first three-dimensional profile data of a tooth in accordance with moving and/or rotating at least one of the first profile and the point group, the arrangement relationship corresponding to minimum difference between the point group and the first profile, the point group being included in a region of the extracted plurality of points; and specifying a direction of a tooth included in the region in accordance with the calculated arrangement relationship.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Ryosuke Ohtake, Katsumi Umekawa, Tatsukiyo Ishimura
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Patent number: 10251726Abstract: A method for generating a dental preparation guide configured for validating the preparation of at least one tooth for a dental restoration. A tooth is virtually removed from a digital 3D representation of the patient's pre-prepared set of teeth to form a digital 3D representation of a remaining set of teeth. A virtual target dental restoration expressing a target shape of the dental restoration is obtained and a virtual validation surface for the dental preparation guide is created based on the virtual target dental restoration, where the validation surface is such that the preparation of the tooth can be validated by the dental preparation guide. A virtual preparation guide surface is created by combining the virtual validation surface and part of the surface of the digital 3D representation of the remaining set of teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: 3Shape A/SInventors: Rune Fisker, Nikolaj Deichmann
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Patent number: 10213280Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing an oral appliance, the method comprising the steps of: a) importing into a computer aided design (CAD) computer program a digitized data set obtained from a three-dimensional scan of a patient's dentition; b) preparing a three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition; c) subtracting the three-dimensional electronic model of the patient's dentition from an image of a solid block to obtain an appliance data set; and d) manufacturing a dental appliance in accordance with the appliance data set. Also disclosed are devices made by the above method, and methods of treating a condition, for example a sleep breathing disorder, by using a device made by the above method.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: ProSomnus Sleep Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sung Kim, David W. Kuhns, Leonard A. Liptak
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Patent number: 10204414Abstract: Systems and methods are described for identifying a sub-gingival surface of a tooth in volumetric imagery data. Shape data is received from a surface scanner and volumetric imagery data is received from a volumetric imaging device. The shape data of the super-gingival portion of a first tooth is registered with the volumetric imagery data of the super-gingival portion of the first tooth to obtain a registration result. At least one criterion is then determined for detecting a surface of the first tooth in the volumetric imagery data of the super-gingival or the sub-gingival portion using the registration result. The surface of the sub-gingival portion of the first tooth is detected in the volumetric imagery data using the at least one criterion.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Craig A. Andreiko, Robert F. Dillon, Bradley S. Carlson
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Patent number: 10188490Abstract: A device including a coded pattern for use in dental procedures is provided. Related methods and systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Avi Kopelman
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Patent number: 10179035Abstract: Direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners with torque, rotation, and full-control anchors are provided. In an implementation, an orthodontic system uses 3D-printed aligners to perform orthodontic treatment of teeth. Manufacturing the aligners by 3D-printing or additive manufacturing processes imparts novel geometries to the aligners for applying torque, rotation, and full 3D control forces to the teeth in novel ways. The 3D-printed aligners may contain multiple different plastic or metal materials with different orthodontic properties. In an implementation, divot anchors can be strategically applied to teeth to work in conjunction with a 3D-printed aligner fitted over the divot anchors and teeth. The divot anchors may include a depression, channel, groove, or notch providing an attachment point for the aligner to apply a force to the tooth through the divot anchor, such as a torque, rotational force, leverage, push, pull, or 3D control force.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Real 3D Polymers Group LLCInventors: Prasanna-Kumar Shivapuja, Dinesh Shah, Nidhi Shah, Sureshkumar Shah
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Patent number: 10172693Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Brandt, Rick M. Matty
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Patent number: 10166088Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed enabling an orthodontist or a user to create an unified three dimensional virtual craniofacial and dentition model of actual, as-is static and functional anatomy of a patient, from data representing facial bone structure; upper jaw and lower jaw; facial soft tissue; teeth including crowns and roots; information of the position of the roots relative to each other; and relative to the facial bone structure of the patient; obtained by scanning as-is anatomy of craniofacial and dentition structures of the patient with a volume scanning device; and data representing three dimensional virtual models of the patient's upper and lower gingiva, obtained from scanning the patient's upper and lower gingiva either (a) with a volume scanning device, or (a) with a surface scanning device. Such craniofacial and dentition models of the patient can be used in optimally planning treatment of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Ora Metrix, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Peer Sporbert, Phillip Getto, Markus Kaufmann, Charles L. Abraham
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Patent number: 10143536Abstract: A set of rules to design an orthodontic appliance for generating an aesthetic smile is maintained in a computational device, where the set of rules is associated with an application that executes in the computational device. At least one measured value is computed from one or more features extracted by processing dental information of a patient. The application generates a parameter to design an orthodontic appliance based on the at least one measured value and the set of rules for generating the aesthetic smile.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Ormco CorporationInventors: Craig A. Andreiko, David M. Sarver
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Patent number: 10136969Abstract: A method for denture restoration includes steps of generating sets of digital information of a mouth cavity of a person for providing firstly either an orientation appliance or a temporary restoration and subsequently a final restoration. The digital information is generated firstly from the mouth cavity alone and subsequently with the orientation appliance or the temporary restoration within the mouth cavity. The invention also relates to a system for performing this method, and to an orientation appliance and a prosthetic guide to be used in performing the method.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Inventors: Amir Juzbasic, Alireza Tavassoli
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Patent number: 10123853Abstract: Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a number of tooth apertures for the placement of teeth therein and a tab representing a position of a tooth that has not fully erupted and oriented to be received over the position of the tooth that has not fully erupted.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jon F. Moss, Rene M. Sterental
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Patent number: 10123852Abstract: The present disclosure provides computing device implemented methods, computing device readable medium, and molds for filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can include calculating an undercut area of a tooth relative to an axis of placement of part of a dental appliance over a number of teeth and a height of contour that is defined based on the axis of placement. Filling undercut areas of teeth relative to an axis of placement can also include filling in a part of the undercut area of the tooth with a virtual filler wherein the undercut is filled to within a threshold distance from the tooth that is defined relative to the axis of placement and the height of contour.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventor: Eric E. Kuo
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Patent number: 10121274Abstract: A medical image processing system that can accept commissions to perform 3D formation using a 3D forming apparatus includes a storage unit, a selection accepting unit, a part identifying unit, and a screen generating unit. The storage unit stores a medical image, and body part information representing a human body part in the medical image. The selection accepting unit accepts selection with regard to the medical image stored in the storage unit. The part identifying unit identifies the body part included in the medical image, using the body part information corresponding to the medical image regarding which the selection accepting unit has accepted selection. The screen generating unit generates a screen that can accept a commission to form a formed object of the body part identified by the part identifying unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akimichi Segawa, Kazuki Takahashi
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Patent number: 10111595Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking tooth positions, wherein an initial three-dimensional volume exposure (1) of teeth (2, 3, 4) to be checked is implemented, wherein the position and orientation of the teeth (2, 3, 4) to be checked are determined based on the initial volume exposure (1); wherein the teeth to be checked are natural teeth (2, 3, 4) comprised of tooth stumps (6, 7, 8) and tooth roots (9, 10, 11) and/or are artificial teeth comprised of artificial tooth stumps and implants; wherein the positional relationship and orientation of the tooth stumps (6, 7, 8) relative to the tooth roots (9, 10, 11) and/or to the implants are determined in particular.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GMBHInventors: Stefan Wundrak, Kai Lindenberg
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Patent number: 10076391Abstract: The present invention relates to method and system for bite registration using multiple bite registrations. In this method or system, when both the 3D teeth model of the upper jaw and the 3D teeth model of the lower jaw are successfully aligned with the bite surface, the bite surface with the 3D teeth models of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is displayed for further evaluation; the bite surfaces selected by the user are combined to generate a final bite registration. Using multiple bite surfaces for registration improves the accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Carestream Dental Technology Topco LimitedInventors: Yannick Glinec, Qinran Chen, Mo Yufeng
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Patent number: 10070943Abstract: A carrier for at least one fastening element (4) to be fabricated having an attachment area whereby the carrier is provided with a holding piece (3) for attachment in a receiving part of a finishing machine and whereby the carrier includes a carrier piece (2) for the fastening element (4) and the carrier piece (2) is embedded at least partially in the carrier piece (2) in a manner so that the attachment area (4b) of the fastening element (4) can be fabricated. A method for producing a fastening element (4) to be finished and to be attached to an individual surface whereby the contour of the attachment area is defined with the aid of data of the surface onto which the fastening element (4) is to be attached and whereby a pre-shaped, not yet individualized fastening element (4) is formed by removal of material to produce the specific contour.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.Inventor: Peter Fornoff
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Patent number: 10064704Abstract: A method of making customized orthodontic brackets. The method has steps of providing a plurality of customized orthodontic bracket precursors, providing one or more support structures, positioning the bracket precursors by means of the support structure(s) in a machining device and using the machining device to provide an archwire slot in each bracket precursor by material removal with the archwire slots aligned along a common path with each other. The invention helps minimizing efforts in the manufacturing and provides the brackets with a precise archwire slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ralf M. Paehl, Ralf Schlimper
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Patent number: 10052175Abstract: A magnetic removable orthodontic assembly for moving selected teeth of a patient includes metal engagement plates that are fixed in place in alignment with the selected teeth. A series of wire guides that contain magnets are contacted to the selected teeth by way of engagement with the teeth engagement plates. The engagement plates have first engagement members that engage complementary-shaped second engagement members on the wire guides in a removable fashion. The wire guides are mounted in a pattern to an archwire. The wire guides may be disengaged from their corresponding engagement plates so that the wearer of the appliance can remove and re-engage the device when necessary without having an orthodontist do it.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Inventor: Ruchir Ramesh Patel
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Patent number: 10045834Abstract: The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to a self ligating orthodontic bracket system that includes a rotatable member for securing an archwire within a slot of a bracket. Embodiments of the orthodontic bracket system disclosed herein include a bracket body containing the archwire slot as well as tie wings for attaching various orthodontic devices (e.g., elastomeric bands) to the bracket. The rotatable member is rotatable in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) relative to a body of the bracket for securing or locking the archwire within the slot, and for rotating in an opposite direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) relative to the bracket body for unsecuring or unlocking the archwire so that it is substantially unrestrained from exiting the slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: RMO, Inc.Inventor: Christophe Gualano
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Patent number: 10032271Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Guruprasad Somasundaram, Ravishankar Sivalingam, Evan J. Ribnick, Kevin S. Xu, Deepti Pachauri
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Patent number: 10028810Abstract: A method of capturing data from a patient's dentition with the steps of positioning a first optical sensor relative to patient's dentition, capturing the shape of a tooth in the patient's dentition, independent from capturing the shape, measuring a color at a location on the tooth, and providing a correlation between the location of the color and a coordinate in the captured shape. The invention helps providing a dental restoration at a relatively high optical, mechanical, and geometric quality.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Malte Korten, Helmar B. Mayr, Gallus Schechner, Gioacchino Raia
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Patent number: 10016241Abstract: A method and system for planning a creation of a cement bore in a bone comprises obtaining a virtual model of a bone, the model of the bone including a proximal bone surface, a distal bone surface, and a depth profile between the proximal bone surface and the distal bone surface. A planned positioning of a first implant selected to be implanted in the proximal bone surface is obtained. An identity of at least one tool used to alter the proximal bone surface to receive the first implant in the planned positioning and obtaining geometry data for the at least one tool is obtained. A cement bore required in the bone using the geometry data of the at least one tool and the planned positioning of the first implant is generated. The virtual model of the bone with the cement bore indicative of a relation between the cement bore and the distal bone surface is output.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: ORTHOSOFT INC.Inventors: Karine Dupuis, William Van Kampen, Anselm Jakob Neurohr, Jean-Guillaume Abiven
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Patent number: 10004572Abstract: A processing device receives an intraoral image of a first intraoral site. The processing device selects a portion of the intraoral image that depicts a portion of the first intraoral site. The processing device locks at least the portion of the intraoral image. The processing device may then generate a model comprising the first intraoral site based at least in part on the locked intraoral image, wherein the portion of the intraoral image is used for a first region of the model, and wherein data from one or more additional intraoral images that also depict the portion of the first intraoral site is not used for the first region of the model.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Avi Kopelman, Michael Sabina
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Patent number: 9993315Abstract: The invention relates to a removable lingual-vestibular dental alignment device comprising an assembly of independent caps (12). The inner part of each cover (12) includes a fissure (14) for coupling to a fixing element (21, 24, and 27) adhered to the tooth (20) and outer elements (13) facilitating the passage of the dental arch (16) having a circular, square or rectangular section. The invention also relates to a method for the production of the caps (12) that includes scanning the mold of the denture and working on a virtual mold in order to include the corrective elements. The caps (12, 35) are produced after printing the result of the denture (9) with the different elements and subsequent stamping method or from the printing of a file corresponding to a virtual cap produced on the virtual denture (8) that includes the virtual cuboids (4) and virtual half-spheres (5).Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2013Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: GENIOVA TECHNOLOGIES S.L.Inventor: Santiago Jimenez Caraballo
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Patent number: 9998657Abstract: A support system for the manufacture of dental restorations is provided that includes a measurement device for determining the tooth data, such as the tooth color and color coordinates, and a data processing device including a camera for capturing a tooth image. The data processing device includes a reception module and the measurement device has a transmission module, for direct transmission of measured tooth data from the measurement device to the data processing device. The support system further includes an allocation module integrated into the data processing device for allocating the received tooth data to the tooth image, and a transmission module integrated into the data processing device for transmission of the tooth image inclusive of allocated tooth data to a data processing device of a dental laboratory.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: VITA ZAHNFABRIK H. RAUTER GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Wolfgang Rauh
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Patent number: 9978172Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording individual three-dimensional optical images (1) to form a global image (50) of a tooth situation comprising an upper jaw (2) and a lower jaw (3). A first 3D model (6) of a first subsection of the upper jaw and a second 3D model (8) of a second subsection of the lower jaw are produced from the individual images. Subsequently, a geometric positional relationship between the first 3D model (6) and the second 3D model (8) is determined, said positional relationship being determined by using a lateral image (20, 21, 22) and/or using a contact pattern (31, 32). Said lateral image (20, 21, 22) comprises an image area which comprises at least part of the first subsection of the upper jaw (2) and at least part of the second subsection of the lower jaw (3). Said contact pattern comprises several contact areas (31, 32) between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. Said contact pattern (30, 31, 32) is measured by means of an occlusion paper (29).Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.Inventors: Anders Adamson, Burkhard Lehner, Joost Sattler, Tom Bobach, Frank Thiel
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Patent number: 9949809Abstract: Non-customized dental treatment trays used to provide a desired treatment are formed from elastomeric silicone or silicone-like material. They may be molded from a two-part liquid silicone composition or a silicone-like TPE material (e.g., preferably SEBS and/or VERSAFLEX™ thermoplastic elastomer). The dental treatment trays possess high adaptability, flexibility, softness, and elastic elongation while also exhibiting resiliency in order to readily conform to the ridges, depressions and contours of a person's teeth during use. The trays possess a greater ability to adhere to a person's teeth compared to non-elastomeric thermoplastic materials. Due to their high adaptability and conformability, the non-customized dental trays behave like a semi-custom dental tray when placed over conformed to a person's teeth, particularly when used in combination with a sticky, viscous treatment composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Lewis, Scot N. Andersen, Dan E. Fischer
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Patent number: 9943382Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Huafeng Wen
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Patent number: 9939999Abstract: A method for treating a subject's teeth. A target configuration for the subject's teeth is determined. Receiving features are produced on a dental base in response to the target configuration, the receiving features being configured to receive physical tooth models. The physical tooth models are assembled on the dental base to form a physical arch model. A dental aligner is produced using the physical arch model to move the subject's teeth to the target configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Huafeng Wen, Frank Zhenhuan Liu
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Patent number: 9937018Abstract: A removable, thin-shell tooth positioning appliance having a plurality of tooth-clasping elements for removably engaging attachments bonded onto selected teeth, with flexible curved interconnecting elements connecting the tooth-clasping elements on nearby teeth.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Inventors: Martin G. Martz, Andrew S. Martz
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Patent number: 9931189Abstract: Veterinary devices with a light source and antimicrobial solution includes a solution retainer adapted to retain an antimicrobial solution against an animal; a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the antimicrobial solution in the solution retainer; and a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Dabney Patents, L.L.C.Inventor: Paul Dabney
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Patent number: 9934360Abstract: Presented herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media for dental data planning. In various embodiments, an operator of the system can design a dental data plan, have it checked, and see various aspects of the plan on the display. The plan may be designed in the abstract and that abstract plan can be checked for compliance with material and product constraints. Also from that abstract plan, a list of necessary scanning tasks may be produced and displayed. In some embodiments, plans for multiple patients can be designed and the scanning for those patients may commence before all of the patients are completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Biocad Medical, inc.Inventors: Jean-Philippe Lajoie, David Giasson
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Patent number: 9925020Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of indirect positioning of orthodontic brackets wherein a positive tooth model is utilized which comprises a model tooth, a mock bracket and a place holder for the mock bracket. The positive tooth model can be used for making a transfer tray for accommodating and transferring a bracket onto a tooth of a patient, wherein said transfer tray comprises a form-fitting cavity for the distal portion of the bracket. Further provided are transfer trays and positive tooth models for use in said method.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Inventor: Yong-Min Jo
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Patent number: 9904999Abstract: Systems and methods are described for identifying a sub-gingival surface of a tooth in volumetric imagery data. Shape data is received from a surface scanner and volumetric imagery data is received from a volumetric imaging device. The shape data of the super-gingival portion of a first tooth is registered with the volumetric imagery data of the super-gingival portion of the first tooth to obtain a registration result. At least one criterion is then determined for detecting a surface of the first tooth in the volumetric imagery data of the super-gingival or the sub-gingival portion using the registration result. The surface of the sub-gingival portion of the first tooth is detected in the volumetric imagery data using the at least one criterion.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: ORMCO CORPORATIONInventors: Craig A. Andreiko, Robert F. Dillon, Bradley S. Carlson
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Patent number: 9888983Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed enabling an orthodontist or a user to create an unified three dimensional virtual craniofacial and dentition model of actual, as-is static and functional anatomy of a patient, from data representing facial bone structure; upper jaw and lower jaw; facial soft tissue; teeth including crowns and roots; information of the position of the roots relative to each other; and relative to the facial bone structure of the patient; obtained by scanning as-is anatomy of craniofacial and dentition structures of the patient with a volume scanning device; and data representing three dimensional virtual models of the patient's upper and lower gingiva, obtained from scanning the patient's upper and lower gingiva either (a) with a volume scanning device, or (a) with a surface scanning device. Such craniofacial and dentition models of the patient can be used in optimally planning treatment of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: OraMetrix, IncInventors: Rohit Sachdeva, Peer Sporbert, Phillip Getto, Markus Kaufmann, Charles L. Abraham
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Patent number: 9888982Abstract: Provided is a device for generating data on a clear aligner, which is equipped with a module for generating the data on the clear aligner, which generates 3D data relating to the clear aligner, the module including; a first module that receives data on a current dental state from a scanning apparatus that scans patient's teeth; a second module that generates 3D data on a state of the patient's teeth and of the vicinity of the patient's teeth based on data that results from the scanning a third module that generates data relating to a 3D clear aligner with a predetermined thickness; and a fourth module that processes the data relating to the 3D clear aligner in such a manner that at least one of a shape and a feature of the 3D clear aligner is changed.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Inventor: Jinkyun Lee
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Patent number: 9877812Abstract: In embodiment of the invention provides a method of producing a dental splint comprising the steps of: obtaining a set of 3D surface data, the 3D surface data representing a surface of a patient's oral situation, obtaining a support structure model describing a dental splint configured to fit to a portion of the surface of the patient's oral situation, modifying an apical edge of the support structure model in dependence on the 3D surface data, producing the dental splint in dependence on the modified support structure model.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AGInventors: Veerle Wouters, Wouter Mollemans, Filip Schutyser, Pascal Kunz
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Patent number: 9872743Abstract: Provided are a clear aligner set and an orthodontic treatment method considering resilience of a human body. The clear aligner set may include at least one first clear aligner, having a first restoring force to apply a first pressing force to teeth during a first period, and primarily wearable by an orthodontic patient, at least one second clear aligner, having a second restoring force greater than the first restoring force to apply a second pressing force greater than the first pressing force to the teeth during a second period, and secondarily wearable by the orthodontic patient, and at least one third clear aligner, having a third restoring force greater than the second restoring force to apply a third pressing force greater than the second pressing force to the teeth during a third period, and tertiarily wearable by the orthodontic patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: eClear International Co., Ltd.Inventor: Taeweon Kim
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Patent number: 9861457Abstract: A method for planning, visualizing, and/or optimizing dental restoration on the pre-prepared teeth of a patient. The method includes obtaining 3D digital models of the pre-prepared teeth and the prepared teeth, and aligning these 3D models. A CAD model of a dental restoration for the prepared teeth is designed based on the 3D digital model of the pre-prepared teeth.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: 3SHAPE A/SInventors: Rune Fisker, Karl-Josef Hollenbeck, Sune Jørgensen, Tais Clausen
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Patent number: 9861454Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for temporomandibular joint-related corrections of tooth position, taking into account a variant of the registration or construction of the bite predetermined by the user. The invention is characterized in that a base module extending at least on the occlusion-bearing part of one side of the jaw is supported in an intermaxillary manner and has cavities formed by a setup technique to accommodate teeth, by means of which the tension forces necessary for tooth movements can act on the teeth, in that the base module has a three-dimensionally defined jaw support designed in accordance with specifications of the user, and in that the jaw support is formed by bite blocks and/or interceptors which have cavities filled with a filling material of predeterminable elasticity.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Inventor: Gernot Heine
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Patent number: 9861451Abstract: Disclosed is a non-invasive method of realignment of maloccluded teeth of a patient suffering from a periodontal and/or an orthognathic condition that includes application of flexible aligners to induce the movement of the maloccluded teeth toward a realigned position along an ideal arch.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Inventor: Elliot Davis
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Patent number: 9855701Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices, systems and methods for repositioning teeth from an initial tooth arrangement to a final tooth arrangement. Repositioning is accomplished with a system comprising a series of polymeric shell appliances configured to receive the teeth and incrementally reposition individual teeth in a series of successive steps. The individual appliances may be formed from layers having different stiffnesses (elastic moduluses), and the stiffnesses of successive appliances may be different, or both.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Loc X. Phan, Muhammad Chishti, Ross J. Miller, H. Robert Vandenberg, Eric Kuo
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Patent number: 9844419Abstract: Various features are provided for a custom orthodontic appliance manufacturing or designing system. These include features for inputting of data of patient anatomy and practitioner decisions, features for interactively or automatically manipulating data to arrive at applicant characteristics, and features for affecting design or manufacture of the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Ormco CorporationInventor: Craig A. Andreiko