U.S. patent application number 12/213418 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for method and system for assisting in applying an orthodontic treatment.
This patent application is currently assigned to CADENT LTD.. Invention is credited to Avi Kopelman, Baruch Nissenbaum, Eldad Taub.
Application Number | 20080261166 12/213418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27609876 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080261166 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kopelman; Avi ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
Method and system for assisting in applying an orthodontic
treatment
Abstract
A method and system for providing information for correct
placement of one or more brackets on one or more corresponding
teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme. A virtual
representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or
both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said teeth is
obtained, wherein the position and orientation of the brackets on
said teeth being designed so as to achieve a desired treatment
outcome. The virtual representation is processed to generate an
output data, the output data driving a display, such as a computer
monitor or a printed "hard-copy", to display an image of at least
one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed image having
three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at least one tooth
as viewed from a defined viewpoint. The invention can be applied to
the placement of brackets onto the buccal side of the teeth as well
as onto the lingual side of the teeth.
Inventors: |
Kopelman; Avi; (Ganei Tikva,
IL) ; Taub; Eldad; (Reut, IL) ; Nissenbaum;
Baruch; (Ramat Gan, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NATH & ASSOCIATES
112 South West Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
CADENT LTD.
Or Yehuda
IL
|
Family ID: |
27609876 |
Appl. No.: |
12/213418 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10797126 |
Mar 11, 2004 |
7393208 |
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12213418 |
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10059728 |
Jan 29, 2002 |
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10797126 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/24 |
International
Class: |
A61C 7/00 20060101
A61C007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing information for correct placement of one
or more brackets on corresponding one or more teeth, according to a
predetermined treatment scheme, the method comprising: obtaining a
virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of
one or both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said
teeth, the position and orientation of the brackets on said teeth
being designed so as to achieve a desired treatment outcome; and
processing said virtual representation to generate an output data,
the output data driving a display to display an image of at least
one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed image having
three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at least one tooth
as viewed from a defined viewpoint.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined viewpoint is a
preferred viewpoint, being a viewpoint corresponding to that from
which the at least one tooth is viewed when applying a bracket
thereon.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the output data drives the
display to display a set of images of the at least one tooth from
two or more preferred viewpoints.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the output data drives the
display to display a set of images of different teeth.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the different displayed teeth are
displayed in an order in which the teeth are attended to during
bracket placement procedure.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said display is a
computer monitor.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said display is a
printer.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of a virtual
representation comprises transmitting said representation from a
remote location.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining of a virtual
representation comprises receiving data representative of a
three-dimensional arrangement of teeth of at least one jaw and
processing said data to define position and orientation of brackets
on the teeth to achieve a desired treatment outcome.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data representative of a
three-dimensional arrangement of teeth of at least one jaw is
received from a remote location.
11. A system for providing information for correct placement of one
or more brackets on corresponding one or more teeth according to a
predetermined treatment scheme, the system comprising: a processor
module for obtaining a virtual representation of a
three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the
individual with brackets placed on said teeth, the position and
orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to
achieve a desired treatment outcome and for processing said virtual
representation to generate an output data, the output data adapted
to drive a display to display an image of at least one tooth with a
bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional
qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as viewed from a
defined viewpoint; and a display linked to said processor module
for displaying said image.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said display is a
computer monitor.
13. A system according to claim 11, wherein said display is a
printer.
14. A system according to claim 11, wherein the defined viewpoint
is a preferred viewpoint, using a viewpoint corresponding to that
from which the orthodontist views the at least one tooth when
applying a bracket thereon.
15. A system according to claim 11, wherein the displayed image
includes a set of images of the at least one tooth from, two or
more preferred viewpoints.
16. A system according to claim 11, wherein the displayed image
includes a set of images of different teeth.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the different displayed
teeth are displayed in an order in which the teeth are attended to
during bracket placement procedure.
18. A system for providing information for correct placement of one
or more brackets on corresponding one or more teeth according to a
predetermined treatment scheme, the system comprising: a data input
module for acquiring and storage of data representative of a
three-dimensional teeth arrangement; a processor and a software
running in said processor for processing said data, to obtain a
virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of
one or both jaws of an individual (placed on said teeth); an image
generation module coupled to or running within said processor for
generating an output data adapted to drive a display to display an
image of at least one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed
image having three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at
least one tooth as used from a defined viewpoint; and a display
linked to said image generating module for displaying said
image.
19. A system according to claim 18, comprising: a database of
virtual brackets from which said software can import brackets for
combining with the teeth.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally in the field of
orthodontics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
computerized method and system for assisting an orthodontist in
applying orthodontic treatment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Orthodontic treatment has the object of aligning and
repositioning teeth for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
This is achieved by the use of a variety of orthodontic appliances
including, brackets, wires (arch wires), coil springs and elastics.
In combination, these appliances are fixed to teeth in such a
manner that orthodontic forces and moments cause the teeth to move
in the desired direction.
[0003] There are currently acceptable guidelines in orthodontics
which define the optimal dental and skeletal relations which,
should be the goal of orthodontic treatments. A summary of these
guidelines can be found in Straight Wire, the Concept and
Appliances, by Laurence F. Andrews, L.A. Well, Co., San Diego,
Calif., USA, 1989. These guidelines are based on both functional
and aesthetic considerations.
[0004] The outcome of orthodontic treatment is dependent, among
others, upon the accuracy of the positioning of the orthodontic
bracket. Brackets are selected and applied to the teeth in order to
achieve the results indicated by the treatment plan. However, if
the bracket is not precisely placed in its designated position,
this will cause the tooth, to move in a direction other than the
one desired, with the result that the desired outcome cannot be
obtained. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide orthodontists
with a tool to assist in applying an orthodontic treatment
according to a treatment plan designed accordingly, and
specifically, to assist in precisely placing brackets in their
respective positions as designated by the plan.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,772 in the name of the same applicant
describes a method and system for placement of orthodontic
appliances on teeth. In this patent, use is made of a small video
camera mounted on a device that applies the bracket onto the tooth.
By monitoring the view captured by the camera against an image of
an intended bracket position, the correct position may be
achieved.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a method and system for
providing information to assist in the correct placement of
brackets on teeth. In accordance with the invention, an image is
displayed on a screen, for example, a computer screen, which shows
a segment of the teeth, including at least one tooth, with brackets
placed thereon in a position in orientation in which the brackets
are to be attached to the teeth to achieve the desired treatment
result. The image of the teeth segment displayed in this manner has
three-dimensional ("3-D") qualities and resembles a view as viewed
by the orthodontist from a defined viewpoint. This viewpoint is
typically a preferred viewpoint and corresponds to that from which
the teeth are viewed when a bracket is applied thereon. At times
there may be a number of preferred viewpoints and in accordance
with some embodiments of the invention, a set of images of the same
teeth segment is displayed from two or more preferred viewpoints.
This set of images may be displayed either simultaneously or
sequentially. The term "three-dimensional qualities" should be
understood as pertaining to the display of an image that has
three-dimensional clues therein. For example, an image with 3-D
qualities may be an image displayed on a two-dimensional screen
with clues in the form of shading or a variety of other graphical,
means to give an impression as if the image is a 3-D image. It is
possible, also, to make the display as a virtual 3-D display which
can be viewed through the use of specific goggles (for example, 3-D
information may be color coded and by the use of appropriate
colored lenses, a 3-D virtual image is obtained).
[0007] In the following, the term "proper placement" will be used
to denote the position and orientation of a bracket on a tooth
which is designed (of believed) to achieve a desired treatment
outcome. A desired treatment outcome is one that yields optimal
dental and skeletal relationships acceptable in orthodontics. Thus,
a proper placement refers to a position and orientation of a
bracket which will yield, within the framework of real-life
treatment, a desired treatment outcome.
[0008] The basis for the displayed image is a virtual
representation of a 3-D teeth, arrangement with the brackets placed
on the teeth. The virtual representation is an ensemble of digital
data that can be stored in a computer readable medium and when read
by the computer, typically aided by dedicated software, can be used
to obtain spatial information on the teeth arrangement. It should,
however, be noted that the virtual representation need not be
presentable on a screen as such and it is at times sufficient for
it to exist within the virtual environment of the computer in a
manner that permits to generate output data that in turn drives the
display of an image of a segment of the tooth with a bracket placed
thereon.
[0009] Said virtual representation can be obtained by acquiring
data on a 3-D arrangement of the teeth, for example in the manner
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,853 in the name of the same
applicant, and then processing the data by incorporating brackets
and applying them virtually onto the teeth, in a manner that in a
real-life treatment is regarded as proper placement to achieve a
desired treatment outcome. A proper placement design may be made by
a virtual orthodontic treatment carried out on a virtual 3-D teeth
model, for example as described in U.S. applications Ser. Nos.
09/591,757 and 60/288,522 in the name of the same applicant, the
content of which is incorporated hereby by reference. The purpose
of such virtual treatment is to design the orthodontic treatment to
achieve optimal results. For example, to achieve the goal of an
orthodontic treatment according to the guidelines laid down in
Straight Wire, the Concept and Appliances, by Laurence F. Andrews,
L.A. Well, Co., San Diego, Calif., USA, 1989.
[0010] Alternatively, the virtual representation may be made by the
orthodontist through combining the 3-D data of the spatial teeth
arrangement with brackets using computer aided design techniques.
The orthodontist may in this mariner virtually attach brackets to
the teeth, determining the proper position based on his experience,
and thus generate the virtual representation in this manner. As
will be appreciated, the invention is not limited in any way to the
manner in which the virtual representation of the teeth arrangement
within the brackets is obtained.
[0011] The virtual representation after it is obtained is utilized
to generate an output data which then drive the display to display
an image of a segment of the teeth, with at least one tooth with
the brackets placed thereon, which can then guide the proper
placement of me bracket on the tooth.
[0012] According to one aspect the invention, there is thus
provided a method for providing information for the correct
placement of one or more brackets onto corresponding one or more
teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme, the method
comprising: [0013] obtaining a virtual representation of a
three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the
individual with brackets placed on said teeth, the position and
orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to
achieve a desired treatment outcome; and [0014] processing said
virtual representation to generate an output data, the output data
driving a display to display an image of at least one tooth with a
bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional
qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as viewed from a
defined viewpoint.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a system for providing information for correct placement
of one or more brackets on corresponding one or more teeth
according to a predetermined treatment scheme, the system
comprising: [0016] a processor module for obtaining a virtual
representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or
both jaws of the individual with brackets placed on said teeth, the
position and orientation of the brackets on said teeth being
designed so as to achieve a desired treatment outcome and for
processing said virtual representation to generate an output data,
the output data adapted to drive a display to display an image of
at least one tooth with a bracket thereon, the displayed image
having three-dimensional qualities indicative of said at least one
tooth as viewed from a defined viewpoint; and [0017] a display
linked to said processor module for displaying said image.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a
system for providing information for the correct placement of one
or more brackets on corresponding one or more teeth according to a
predetermined treatment scheme, the system o comprising: [0019] a
data input module for acquiring and storage of data representative
of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement; [0020] a processor and
software running in said processor for processing said data, to
obtain a virtual representation of a three-dimensional teeth
arrangement of one or both jaws of an individual (placed on said
teeth); [0021] an image generation module coupled to or running
within said processor for generating an output data adapted to
drive a display to display an image of at least one tooth with a
bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional
qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as used from a
defined viewpoint; and [0022] a display owing to said image
generating module for displaying said image.
[0023] The term "predetermined treatment scheme" should be
understood as meaning the combination of bracket positioning, the
choice of arch wire as well as the choice of other orthodontic
appliances to be used in an orthodontic treatment to achieve a
desired outcome for orthodontic treatment.
[0024] In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the defined
viewpoint is a preferred viewpoint which--corresponds to that from
which the orthodontist views the at least one tooth viewed when
applying brackets thereon within the framework of the real-life
treatment. The display may provide two or more preferred viewpoints
which may be provided all at the same time or in succession.
[0025] In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the output
data is selected to drive the display, to display a set of images
of different teeth, either simultaneously or sequentially. For
example, the different displayed teeth may be displayed in the same
order in which the teeth are treated during the bracket placement
procedure.
[0026] In accordance with one embodiment, the virtual,
representation data is transmitted from a remote location. For
example, the orthodontic clinic may be connected to a central
location which transmits to the clinic already the virtual
representation which can then be applied immediately by the
orthodontist at the clinic for implementing a treatment scheme
decided upon in the central location. By another embodiment, the
virtual representation is still generated by the system by
combining the data that represents a three-dimensional arrangement
of teeth with the data on proper bracket positioning.
[0027] The above mentioned embodiments can be applied to the
placement of brackets onto the buccal side of the teeth (i.e. the
traditional brackets called "labial brackets") as well as onto the
lingual side of the teeth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be
described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a 3-D image section of a virtual representation
of the teeth with brackets placed thereon, with the brackets
positioned at the proper position to achieve a desired treatment
outcome.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an image of a segment of teeth, with one tooth
centered (circled) at an undefined viewpoint.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows the same tooth at another defined
viewpoint.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a 3-D representation of a teeth arrangement of
an individual prior to orthodontic treatment.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows the teeth of the same individual after the step
of virtual orthodontic treatment showing the final outcome of the
treatment (which in this case is a desired outcome of the
treatment).
[0035] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a block diagram of the virtual
orthodontic treatment.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows an interface that permits the orthodontist to
select the teeth to be imaged on the display.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a block diagram explaining the manner of utilizing
the system of the invention.
[0038] FIGS. 10 and 11 show two embodiments of systems in
accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Reference is first being made to FIG. 1 showing, by way of a
block diagram, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Data on a 3-D teeth . arrangement of the patient 100 is
obtained together with data 110 on available orthodontic appliances
as well as on the rules to be applied in order to obtain a desired
outcome. This information is then processed, for example by
following the virtual orthodontic procedure as described U.S.
applications Ser. Nos. 09/591,757 and 60/288,522, the contents of
which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as generally
outlined with reference to FIG. 7A and 7B below. In this matter,
the 3-D virtual representation of the teeth with brackets placed
thereon, with the brackets having a position and orientation to
achieve a desired treatment outcome is obtained at 130. From this
representation, a series of output data 140 is obtained, each such
output data defining a certain teeth segment including at least one
tooth with a bracket placed thereon (with the bracket being
properly positioned) from a defined viewpoint, in order to view a
certain teeth segment from a variety of different viewpoints,
corresponding to a number of output data generated. The output data
140 can then derive a display, in ways known, per se, to yield a
3-D image of teeth with brackets which can then guide the
orthodontist for proper positioning of the brackets on the
patient's teeth.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows an example of a 3-D representation of teeth
with brackets which is the kind of data represented by block 130 in
FIG. 1. As indicated above, this representation is presented herein
in the form of an image but, as can be appreciated by the artisan,
this 3-D representation does not need to be represented in the form
of an image and it is at times sufficient for it to exist virtually
within the virtual environment of the computer.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows an example of a 3-D image of teeth with
brackets as viewed from one defined viewpoint, as represented in
FIG. 1 by block 150. FIG. 4 shows the same tooth from a different
viewpoint. FIG. 3 shows a 3-D image as seen from a frontal
viewpoint, while FIG. 4 is a viewpoint--as seen by the orthodontist
when placing the bracket on the tooth.
[0042] FIGS. 5 and 6 show images representing different stages of
the process described in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a representation of the
3-D arrangement of teeth as inputted to the method (block 100 of
FIG. 1) while FIG. 6 shows the same teeth after virtual treatment
processes. By maintaining the brackets on the teeth and then
allowing the teeth (in a virtual sense) to avert back to their
original position as seen in FIG. 5, an image such as that shown in
FIG. 2 and thereafter the 3-D image of FIGS. 3 and 4 can thus be
obtained.
[0043] FIGS. 7A and 7B show, by way of a block diagram, a scheme of
orthodontic treatment which can be used to generate the virtual
representation Of the teeth with the bracket (represented by block
120 in FIG. 1). For a more general description, reference is made
to U.S. application Ser. No. 60/288,522.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 7A which shows a flow diagram
10 showing the manner in which, teeth are positioned and fixed onto
arch wires. According to diagram 10, the process begins with
selecting the type of wire to be used in the virtual treatment. The
selection of the wire (12) may either be achieved automatically by
the system or selected by the user (14). The automatic selection is
based in principal on minimal teeth movement in the jaw. A wire is
selected for both the mandible and the maxilla (16). Typically, the
wires for the mandible and maxilla are selected based on the
profile, size etc., of the wire.
[0045] In addition, brackets are selected from brackets catalog 18.
The brackets selected (20) may be further manipulated by changing
their torque, angulations and/or vertical positioning on to the
wire (22).
[0046] The outcome of the above procedure is an arch wire set with
brackets which are fixed with the respective teeth, the teeth being
optimally arranged according to orthodontic criteria (28). At
times, movement of the first molar teeth by the system of the
invention may result in a distilization of the mandibular molar
teeth (mandible distalization (30)) to a greater extent than that
allowed in real life treatment according to real life treatment
considerations. Accordingly, after the translocation of teeth as
described above, the system verifies whether the mandibular
distilization performed would be allowed in real life
considerations and if in the negative, the result displayed on the
display screen will show the user that the procedure performed
would not be feasible in real life orthodontic treatment The user
will then know that the orthodontic treatment plan he selected
should be changed, e.g. by selecting a different wire, different
brackets, performing other, if any, manipulations on the teeth,
etc.
[0047] The resulting arrangement of the teeth may further be
processed by applying a vertical repositioning of the teeth (34),
and if necessary, by further crowding the teeth as already
performed (step (ii) above). The result obtained for one arch, i.e.
the maxillary arch or the mandibular arch, is then used for the
determination of the inter arch relationship.
[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 7B which shows the steps for
determining the inter arch relationship. In particular, FIG. 7B
shows flow diagrams 50, 52, 54 and 70 describing the steps for
obtaining vertical and horizontal alignments of the mandible and
maxilla.
[0049] Flow diagram 50 describes vertical alignment of the mandible
and the maxilla. Accordingly, the mandibular arch is first aligned
with the mandibular jaw by their central point (an average distance
between the central incisors) to fall onto the mid palatal plane
(52). The maxillary arch fixed onto the maxillary jaw is then
vertically aligned onto the mandibular jaw in the manner as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,853 the contents of which is
incorporated herein by reference (54).
[0050] Flow diagrams 52 and 54 show the horizontal alignment
between the maxilla and mandible. Flow diagram 52 shows alignment
of the maxilla according to fixed mandible parameters, while flow
diagram 54 shows the alignment of the mandible according to the
maxilla.
[0051] The following description refers to alignment of the maxilla
according to the fixed mandibular. However, it should be understood
that the same steps apply in flow diagram 54, for alignment of the
mandible according to the fixed maxilla jaw (muatis mutandis).
[0052] For determining the inter arch relationship, first the
parameters of the mandibular jaw are provided, with which the
mandibular arch is aligned by determining their center
antheroposterior point (lower center point A-P(56)). Then,
occlusion of the mandibular first molar with the maxillary first
molar is dictated by the features of Class (I) type of occlusion
(58). If necessary, i.e. when the outcome., obtained and displayed
on the display screen is not the desired outcome or when the user
decides it is required to change the Class type, he may change the
class by which the mandibular first molar and the maxillary first
molar interlock, until reaching the desired outcome (60).
[0053] At times, the horizontal alignment performed will result in
a mandibular distilization which is greater than that acceptable in
real life orthodontic treatment. As a result, the procedure
according to the invention is carried out according to flow diagram
70. This flow diagram shows that when desired or required, while
each arch is positioned onto their respective jaw by defining their
center antheroposterior point, the steps of interlocking the molar
teeth according to standard orthodontic guidelines is not
performed.
[0054] The user is provided with a graphic user interface window
such as window 200 of FIG. 8, on a display such as a computer
screen. The graphic user interface window 200 displays `DEFINE`
option 210, which enables the user to define the tool's operational
characteristics, shown in FIG. 9 as step 300. In step 300, the user
is able to select the order in which the images of the different
teeth will appear, according to his personal preference and
professional practice. The user will be able to select among
several optional sequences such as: (1) upper jaw first, from left
side to the right; (2) upper jaw first, from the middle to the
right and then from the middle to the left, and so on. The user
also will be able to select the view from which the visual data
will be displayed. Typically, the user will be offered to select
frontal viewpoint or a viewpoint from the side of the viewpoint as
seen by the o orthodontist when placing the bracket on the tooth.
According to the last-mentioned option, different teeth will be
viewed from different angles with, respect to a fixed reference
line. The user is also able to select an option to view the
designated position of the bracket from a presentation from one
viewpoint followed by a presentation of the same tooth from another
view. The user might also choose to s view simultaneously both
images by utilizing split Windows (not shown). Additionally, the
user will be able to select views from additional angles.
[0055] The user might carry out step 300 only once, as a preset
step, or may choose to redefine the operation characteristics on
each operation of the tool. Nevertheless, the operational
characteristics of the tool can be predefined without offering the
user the possibility of personal customization.
[0056] Back to FIGS. 8 and 9: At step 310, the user selects a
tooth, typically by pushing the `NEXT` button 240 or by marking a
specific tooth from teeth display 250. Then at step 320, the user
is provided with an image of the selected teeth as shown in FIGS.
3-4. Upon turning to the next tooth, the user repeats steps 310 and
320 and the image of die next tooth is presented according to the
preset order defined at step 300, until the last tooth is viewed.
At any time the user can manually change the order of the viewed
teeth, by selecting `NEXT` button 240, `PREVIOUS` . button 230 or
by using teeth display 250 of FIG. 8. Also shown in FIG. 8 is the
`PRINT` button 220, which enables the user to print a set of images
as shown in FIGS. 3-4 from different views and in a desired order,
as described above. (The `PRINT` option obviously requires the
system to be connected to a printer).
[0057] The above mentioned embodiments can be applied to the
placement of brackets onto the buccal side of the teeth (i.e. the
traditional brackets called "labial brackets") as well as onto the
lingual side of the teeth.
[0058] FIG. 10 show a system 400 in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention, for providing information for the correct
placement of one or more brackets on corresponding one or more
teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme. System 400 is
connectable to a processing device 410 (which is not a part of the
invention) to provide 3-D teeth data. System 400 comprises a
processor module 420 for obtaining a virtual representation of a
three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or both jaws of the
individual with brackets placed on said teeth, the position and
orientation of the brackets on said teeth being designed so as to
achieve a desired treatment outcome and for processing said virtual
representation to generate output data, the output data adapted to
drive a display to display an image of at least one tooth with a
bracket thereon, the displayed image having three-dimensional
qualities indicative of said at least one tooth as viewed from a
defined viewpoint. System 400 also comprises a display 430 linked
to said processor module for displaying said image.
[0059] FIG. 11 shows a system 500 in accordance with another
embodiment of the invention, for providing information for correct
placement of one or more brackets on one or more corresponding
teeth according to a predetermined treatment scheme. System 500 is
connected to a processing device 510 and comprises a data input
module 520 for acquiring and storing data representative of a
three-dimensional teeth arrangement. System 500 also comprises a
processor and software running in said processor 530, coupled to
module 520 for processing said data, and memory 525 for storing a
database of virtual brackets from which said software can import
brackets for combining with the teeth, to obtain a virtual
representation of a three-dimensional teeth arrangement of one or
both jaws of an individual (placed on said teeth). An image
generation module 540 coupled to or running within said processor
for generating an output data adapted to drive a display to display
an image of at least one tooth with a bracket thereon, the
displayed image having three-dimensional qualities indicative of
said at least one tooth as used from a defined viewpoint, and
connectable to a display 550 linked to. said image generating
module for displaying said image. The systems 400 and 500 are also
connectable to a printer (not shown), and thus can provide the user
with a set of printed images according to the invention ("hard
copy") to assist in placing the brackets in their proper
position.
* * * * *