U.S. patent application number 16/236231 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-22 for tracking teeth movement correction.
The applicant listed for this patent is Align Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Viacheslav V. Korytov, Roman A. Roschin.
Application Number | 20190254779 16/236231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39716296 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190254779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Korytov; Viacheslav V. ; et
al. |
August 22, 2019 |
TRACKING TEETH MOVEMENT CORRECTION
Abstract
Embodiments are provided for tracking teeth movement correction.
One method embodiment includes using a set of positioning
appliances shaped to move teeth through a number of successive
stages of arrangements of an expected teeth arrangement model where
each stage corresponds to a particular positioning appliance,
mapping a current teeth position based upon positions of a number
of physical markers attached to a number of physical teeth,
comparing the positions of the number of physical markers with a
corresponding number of virtual markers positioned on a number of
virtual teeth of a stage in the expected teeth arrangement model,
determining whether midcourse correction is needed.
Inventors: |
Korytov; Viacheslav V.;
(Moscow, RU) ; Roschin; Roman A.; (Moscow,
RU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Align Technology, Inc. |
San Jose |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39716296 |
Appl. No.: |
16/236231 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15056617 |
Feb 29, 2016 |
10231801 |
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16236231 |
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13893661 |
May 14, 2013 |
9271809 |
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15056617 |
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13017913 |
Jan 31, 2011 |
8439673 |
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13893661 |
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11712074 |
Feb 28, 2007 |
7878804 |
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13017913 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 6/14 20130101; A61C
7/00 20130101; A61C 7/002 20130101; A61C 7/08 20130101; A61B 5/0088
20130101; G06F 19/00 20130101; G16H 50/50 20180101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 7/00 20060101
A61C007/00; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61B 6/14 20060101
A61B006/14; G16H 50/50 20060101 G16H050/50; A61C 7/08 20060101
A61C007/08 |
Claims
1. A method for tracking teeth movement, the method comprising:
receiving a virtual teeth model of physical teeth in an initial
tooth arrangement using a computing device; positioning at least
one virtual marker on at least one virtual tooth of the virtual
teeth model; generating a successive digital tooth arrangement for
the virtual teeth model using the computing device; providing
information for positioning at least one physical marker at a
location on at least one of the physical teeth corresponding to a
location of the at least one virtual marker on the at least one
virtual tooth; receiving an image of the at least one physical
marker after the physical teeth have moved to a successive physical
tooth arrangement using the computing device; matching the at least
one physical marker at the successive physical tooth arrangement
with the at least one virtual marker at the successive digital
tooth arrangement using computer-implemented computational geometry
calculations to verify that the successive physical tooth
arrangement follows the successive digital tooth arrangement using
the computing device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the virtual teeth model
includes receiving an image of the physical teeth in the initial
tooth arrangement including the at least one physical marker at the
location on the at least one of the physical teeth.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the virtual teeth model
includes receiving an image of the physical teeth in the initial
tooth arrangement without the at least one physical marker at the
location on the at least one of the physical teeth.
4. The method of claim 1, where the method includes determining a
positioning appliance suitable for restarting a treatment process
based upon the computer-implemented computational geometry
calculations in response to a determination that midcourse
correction is needed because the successive physical tooth
arrangement does not follow the successive digital tooth
arrangement.
5. A non-transitory computer readable medium, having instructions,
which when executed by a processor, cause a device to: receive a
virtual teeth model of physical teeth in an initial tooth
arrangement using a computing device; position at least one virtual
marker on at least one virtual tooth of the virtual teeth model;
generate a successive digital tooth arrangement for the virtual
teeth model using the computing device; provide information for
positioning at least one physical marker at a location on at least
one of the physical teeth corresponding to a location of the at
least one virtual marker on the at least one virtual tooth; receive
an image of the at least one physical marker after the physical
teeth have moved to a successive physical tooth arrangement using
the computing device; match the at least one physical marker at the
successive physical tooth arrangement with the at least one virtual
marker at the successive digital tooth arrangement using
computer-implemented computational geometry calculations to verify
that the successive physical tooth arrangement follows the
successive digital tooth arrangement using the computing
device.
6. The medium of claim 5, where the computer-implemented
computational geometry calculations include computer-implemented
computational geometry calculations to detect a position of the at
least one physical marker on the image.
7. The medium of claim 5, where the computer-implemented
computational geometry calculations include computer-implemented
computational geometry calculations to match the at least one
physical marker with the virtual tooth model to obtain actual teeth
positions.
8. A system for tracking teeth movement, comprising: a processor;
and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes
instructions to: receive a virtual teeth model of physical teeth in
an initial tooth arrangement using a computing device; position at
least one virtual marker on at least one virtual tooth of the
virtual teeth model; generate a successive digital tooth
arrangement for the virtual teeth model using the computing device;
provide information for positioning at least one physical marker at
a location on at least one of the physical teeth corresponding to a
location of the at least one virtual marker on the at least one
virtual tooth; receive an image of the at least one physical marker
after the physical teeth have moved to a successive physical tooth
arrangement using the computing device; match the at least one
physical marker at the successive physical tooth arrangement with
the at least one virtual marker at the successive digital tooth
arrangement using computer-implemented computational geometry
calculations to verify that the successive physical tooth
arrangement follows the successive digital tooth arrangement using
the computing device.
9. The system of claim 8, where the at least one physical marker
comprises a point object.
10. The system of claim 9, where the at least one point object
comprises at least three point objects.
11. The system of claim 8, where the at least one physical marker
comprises a number of line objects.
12. The system of claim 8, where the at least one physical marker
comprises a number of point objects and at least one line
object.
13. The method of claim 8, where the at least one physical marker
comprises a number of shape objects.
14. The system of claim 8, where the image comprises at least one
X-ray image.
15. The system of claim 8, where the image comprises at least one
three dimensional image.
16. The system of claim 8, where the at least one physical marker
comprises a colorant.
17. The system of claim 16, where the colorant comprises a colorant
that changes color when the colorant interacts with a catalyst.
18. The system of claim 8, where at least one physical marker
comprises a physical marker formed from a material that is at least
temporarily visible within an X-ray spectral range.
19. The system of claim 8, where at least one physical marker
comprises a physical marker formed from a material that is at least
temporarily visible by an unaided human eye.
20. The system of claim 8, where at least one physical marker
comprises an appliance attachment to at least one of the physical
teeth.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/056,617, filed Feb. 29, 2016, which is a Continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/893,661, filed May 14, 2013, now U.S.
Pat. No. 9,271,809, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/017,913, filed Jan. 31, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,673,
which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/712,074,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,804, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure is related generally to the field of
orthodontics. More particularly, the present disclosure is related
to a dental model system which can be manipulated to model a series
of tooth configurations for a single patient throughout orthodontic
treatment.
[0003] Many orthodontic treatments involve repositioning misaligned
teeth and changing bite configurations for improved cosmetic
appearance and dental function. Repositioning can be accomplished,
for example, by applying controlled forces to one or more teeth
over a period of time.
[0004] Some orthodontic processes use positioning appliances for
realigning teeth. Such appliances may utilize a thin shell of
material having resilient properties, referred to as an "aligner"
that generally conforms to a patient's teeth but is slightly out of
alignment with the initial tooth configuration.
[0005] Placement of such an appliance over the teeth provides
controlled forces in specific locations to gradually move the teeth
into a new configuration. Repetition of this process with
successive appliances that provide progressive configurations
eventually move the teeth through a series of intermediate
arrangements to a final desired arrangement. An example of such a
system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,893.
[0006] Such systems generally rely on designing and fabricating
some, most, or all of the appliances, to be worn by the patient, at
the outset of treatment. In some processes the design of the
appliances relies on computer modeling of a series of successive
tooth arrangements and the individual appliances are designed to be
worn over the teeth and to reposition the teeth by using the
appliances in a serial order, progressing from a first appliance,
through each of the intermediate appliances, to the last
appliance.
[0007] The set of appliances that is designed and fabricated at the
outset of the treatment is typically planned to reposition the
teeth to a final desired arrangement. In some cases, the treatment
deviates from the planned process. Such deviations can arise from
for example, poor patient compliance, or other factors.
[0008] The deviations will usually become apparent when the next
appliance to be worn in the set of successive appliances does not
fit as expected or upon a checkup by the orthodontist where the
orthodontist notices that progress is not being made as planned.
When a subsequent appliance has a poor fit, it indicates that the
tooth arrangement has not progressed to the desired intermediate
stage and that the teeth are not ready for the next appliance.
[0009] When such deviations occur, the response has usually been to
restart the alignment process by creating new appliances based upon
the current positioning of the teeth. In order to accomplish this,
the location of the teeth has to be re-established and another set
of appliances are then planned and fabricated to bring the teeth
from the current intermediate arrangement to the desired final
arrangement, which is usually the same, or close to the same, as
the final arrangement that was the target of the original set of
appliances.
[0010] Restarting the process, however, can be inefficient and
wasteful. For example, in such instances, a number of additional
appliances have to be fashioned in order to start the process again
at a new (intermediate) starting point. Additionally, the remaining
appliances from the original set will usually be discarded, since
the treatment plan has been substantially redone, in many
instances.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a jaw of a subject together with an
example of an incremental position adjustment appliance suitable
for use with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a patient's jaw and provides a general
indication of how teeth may be moved by the methods and apparatuses
of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a single tooth from FIG. 2 and defines
how tooth movement distances can be determined.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides a system for analyzing the positions of
various physical teeth and in creating virtual models thereof that
can be used with embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] According to the present disclosure, systems and methods are
provided for tracking teeth movement correction and/or determining
a restart position within a number of stages of incrementally
moving teeth using a plurality of discrete appliances, where each
appliance successively moves one or more of the patient's teeth by
relatively small amounts. The tooth movements are those normally
associated with orthodontic treatment, including translation in the
three orthogonal directions relative to a vertical centerline,
rotation of the tooth centerline in two orthodontic directions
("root angulation" and "torque"), as well as rotation about the
centerline.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, systems according to the present
disclosure include a plurality of incremental position adjustment
appliances. The appliances are intended to affect incremental
repositioning of individual teeth in the jaw as described generally
above.
[0017] The methods of the present disclosure can employ any
positioners, retainers, and/or other removable appliances for
finishing and maintaining teeth positions in connection with
orthodontic treatment. The systems for use with embodiments of the
present disclosure provide a plurality of such appliances intended
to be worn by a patient successively in order to achieve the
gradual tooth repositioning as described herein.
[0018] An appliance 100 can, for example, be fabricated from a
polymeric shell having a cavity shaped to receive and resiliently
reposition teeth from one teeth arrangement to a successive teeth
arrangement. The polymeric shell may be designed to fit over a
number of, in many instances all teeth, present in the upper or
lower jaw 101.
[0019] In some situations, certain individual or small sets of the
teeth will be repositioned while others of the teeth will provide a
base or anchor region for holding the repositioning appliance in
place as it applies the resilient repositioning force against the
tooth or teeth to be repositioned. In complex cases, however, many
or most of the teeth will be repositioned at some point during the
treatment.
[0020] In such cases, one or more of the teeth which are moved can
also serve as a base or anchor region for holding the repositioning
appliance. Additionally, the gums and/or the palette can serve as
an anchor region, thus allowing all or nearly all of the teeth to
be repositioned at the same time. In some cases, however,
individual attachments (e.g., attachment 216 of the embodiment of
FIG. 2) may be affixed on one or more of the teeth with
corresponding receptacles or apertures in the appliance 100.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, a representative jaw 201 includes
sixteen teeth 202. The embodiments of the present disclosure are
intended to move one or more of these teeth from an initial tooth
arrangement to a final tooth arrangement.
[0022] To understand how the teeth may be moved, an arbitrary
centerline (CL) is drawn through one of the teeth 202. With
reference to this centerline (CL), the teeth may be moved in the
orthogonal directions represented by axes 204, 206, and 208 (where
204 is the centerline).
[0023] The centerline may be rotated about the axes 208 (root
angulation) and 204 (torque) as indicated by arrows 210 and 212,
respectively. In some embodiments, the tooth can be moved in the
six degrees of freedom as they are understood by those of skill in
the art. Of course, based upon the fact that a tooth is fixed in
tissue, the freedom to move a tooth in any direction is not
limitless.
[0024] In determining the current status of the teeth and how their
position compares to one or more of the available appliances during
the treatment process, in some embodiments, the current teeth
position can be mapped based upon positions of a number of physical
markers attached to a number of physical teeth. The physical
markers can be any suitable marker type and can be permanently or
temporarily fixed to one or more of the teeth to be analyzed.
[0025] Various examples of suitable physical markers are discussed
below in more detail with respect to FIG. 3. In some embodiments,
an attachment, or other dental component, can be used as a physical
marker. For example, in FIG. 2, the attachment 216, or parts
thereof (e.g., a corner, edge, etc), can be used a one or more
physical markers. In embodiments, where the current teeth are
mapped, the mapping process can be accomplished, for example, by
taking an image of at least one of the number of physical markers.
Any suitable image taking device can be utilized including two and
three dimensional imaging devices. In such embodiments, this
information can be analyzed by a computing device once the
information is input into the computing device.
[0026] This input can be accomplished by any suitable digital input
mechanism. Scanning the image or taking a digital image are such
suitable mechanisms for inputting the information.
[0027] In various embodiments, the positions of the number of
physical markers can be compared with a corresponding number of
virtual markers positioned on a number of virtual teeth of a stage
(i.e., visually illustrated as a virtual teeth model) in the
expected teeth arrangement model. For example, if the markers are
applied at the time that the expected teeth arrangement model is
created and the information about those original positions is kept,
then the current positions can be compared to the original
positions or to later positioning within the arrangement model.
[0028] In instances where the markers were not added when the model
was created, the markers can be applied to the teeth and then the
information can be compared to a virtual teeth model. This process
can be aided by creating virtual teeth markers to be used for
comparison.
[0029] In such embodiments, if the virtual and physical markers are
positioned in the same places on the one or more teeth being
analyzed, then the difference in position can be more precisely
accomplished, in some instances. For these virtual and/or physical
markers, positional information can be used to identify the
position of one or more teeth in the virtual model and/or the
physical teeth arrangement and can be used to determine which
appliance may be the best point to restart a treatment process.
[0030] As discussed above, an expected teeth model can also include
information about the set of positioning appliances that have been
fabricated for a particular patient and have been shaped to move
teeth through a number of successive stages of arrangements of an
expected teeth arrangement model where each stage corresponds to a
particular positioning appliance can be used. In such embodiments,
the information about the current teeth can be compared with the
information about the positioning appliances to determine whether
midcourse correction is needed. If it is determined that midcourse
correction is needed, then a determination of which particular
positioning appliance would be most suitable for restarting a
treatment process can be made based upon the comparison.
[0031] In some embodiments, a method for tracking teeth movement
correction can be accomplished by creating a virtual teeth model
that models a number of physical teeth as virtual teeth, such as on
a computing device. A virtual treatment process (e.g., an expected
teeth arrangement model) can be created that includes one or more
treatments having a number of orientations of the number of virtual
teeth. In many such embodiments, each treatment is provided by a
different appliance.
[0032] In various embodiments, a number of virtual markers can be
oriented on one or more of the number of virtual teeth in the
virtual teeth model. In some such embodiments, a corresponding
number of physical markers can be attached on the physical teeth
corresponding to the positions of the virtual markers on the
virtual teeth.
[0033] In this way, the virtual and physical markers can be
compared. To accomplish this comparison, in some embodiments, one
or more images (e.g., photos, X-rays, etc.) of at least one of the
number of physical reference markers can be taken.
[0034] In such embodiments, taking multiple images over a period of
time to identify a pattern of movement and comparing the positions
of the number of physical markers with a corresponding number of
virtual markers can be performed. This can be accomplished, for
example, by analyzing the multiple images taken and identifying
physical teeth positional information therefrom and then comparing
the physical teeth positional information against virtual teeth
positional information.
[0035] In some embodiments, the position of the physical markers on
the image can be detected. Such markers can be compared (e.g.,
matched) with the virtual teeth model to obtain actual teeth
positions relative to the virtual teeth model. In this way, a
determination can be made whether a particular appliance is
suitable for restarting the treatment process. This comparison can
also be useful in generally identifying where in the treatment
process a patient is.
[0036] This can be useful in comparing the movement of teeth. For
example, in some embodiments, periodic subsequent images can be
taken to obtain a sequence of physical teeth positions. Positional
information can be used with computer-implemented computational
geometry calculations to verify that a physical teeth movement
gained in a previous periodic image follows the virtual treatment
process.
[0037] This information can also be used to see whether a
previously fabricated appliance would be a useful starting point
for restarting the treatment process. For instance, if the virtual
model includes the virtual configurations of the teeth for each
appliance, the information can be compared with each particular
appliance until a suitable appliance, if any, is identified that
can be used to restart the treatment process.
[0038] In some embodiments, the positional information about an
actual appliance may have to be provided to the computing device
doing the calculations and comparisons. In such instances, the
information can be entered by an individual into the computing
device, provided in a file readable by the computing device, or can
be obtained through analysis of one or more images of the
appliance, similar to the methodology used above with respect to
obtaining positional information about the current teeth
locations.
[0039] For example, some embodiments can be designed to use
computer-implemented computational geometry calculations to detect
the position of the physical markers on an appliance or one or more
teeth on an image. In some embodiments, the positional information
can be obtained from the shape of the appliance or the shape of a
particular tooth or teeth.
[0040] In some applications, an advantage of using markers may be
that the amount of computing device processing power is less when
calculating the location of a number of markers rather than
portions of or the entire tooth, teeth, and/or appliance. In such
embodiments, the ability to use less processing power may allow a
patient or orthodontics office to use a computing device, such as a
desktop computing device or local server, to do such calculations.
Such ability may result in faster analysis and/or change of
treatment.
[0041] In another example embodiment, a method can include using a
set of positioning appliances shaped to move teeth through a number
of successive stages of arrangements of an expected teeth
arrangement model where each stage corresponds to a particular
positioning appliance. A corresponding number of physical markers
can be attached on a number of physical teeth as discussed herein,
where the positions of the physical markers on the physical teeth
correspond to the positions of the virtual markers on the virtual
teeth. Since the positions of the physical markers and virtual
markers correspond, the amounts of processing power used for
analysis may be less than when non-corresponding positions are
used.
[0042] One or more current teeth positions can be mapped based upon
positions of the number of physical markers attached to the number
of physical teeth. The positions of the number of physical markers
can be compared with a corresponding number of virtual markers
positioned on a number of virtual teeth of a stage in the expected
teeth arrangement model. With such comparison information, the
determination of whether or not midcourse correction is needed can
be made. And, if it is determined that midcourse correction is
needed, then a determination of which particular positioning
appliance would be most suitable for restarting a treatment process
can be made based upon the comparison.
[0043] In various embodiments, a computer readable medium can have
instructions for causing a device to perform a method. In such
embodiments, a computer readable medium can be any medium that can
store computer readable information thereon. Suitable examples
include optically or magnetically readable forms of media, among
others.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 3, the magnitude of any tooth movement
achieved by the methods and systems of the present disclosure can
be defined in terms of the linear translation of a point P 314 on a
tooth 302. Each point P.sub.i will undergo a cumulative translation
as that tooth is moved in any of the orthogonal or rotational
directions defined in FIG. 2.
[0045] That is, while the point will usually follow a non-linear
path, there will be a linear distance between any point in the
tooth when determined at any two times during the treatment. Thus,
an arbitrary point P.sub.1 may in fact undergo a true side-to-side
translation as indicated by arrow d.sub.1, while a second arbitrary
point P.sub.2 may travel along an arcuate path, resulting in a
final translation d.sub.2.
[0046] In various embodiments, the positions of virtual teeth and
physical teeth can be located and/or tracked based upon such
positional information, among other types of information. In some
embodiments, the points P in FIG. 3 can represent separate physical
or virtual markers provided as point objects, points within one or
more line objects, and/or points within one or more shape or symbol
objects.
[0047] As stated herein, the markers can be temporary or permanent
in various embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the
physical markers can be removed. This can be advantageous in some
situations. For example, the markers can be removed between the
taking of the periodic images.
[0048] In this manner, the patient does not have to have the
markers on their teeth except for short periods, such as when the
images are being taken. For such embodiments, any suitable type of
removable affixation mechanism can be used to place and remove the
markers (e.g., removable adhesives, removable marker materials,
marker materials that dissolve or change color, etc.)
[0049] With regard to the types of items that can be used as
markers, in various embodiments, the marker can be an attachment or
piece of dental work (e.g., filling crown, etc.) that has been
applied to a tooth for other orthodontic purpose as, for example,
discussed above. In some embodiments, markers are applied that do
not serve another purpose may be provided. The markers, for
example, can be dental materials, such as dental fillers or
adhesives that are being used as markers and not for their typical
purpose. In some embodiments, one or more markers can be applied by
a type of writing instrument (e.g., a pen or pencil).
[0050] In some embodiments, a medically safe material can be used.
This can be advantageous in some instances, such as when a marker
is to be left in the patient for an extended period.
[0051] In various embodiments, markers can include a colorant that
is temporarily or permanently visible to the unaided human eye. For
example, in some embodiments, one or more physical markers can be
provided in the form of a colorant that changes color when the
colorant interacts with a catalyst. Such concepts are discussed in
more detail below.
[0052] Markers can be of any suitable shape. For example, one or
more lines (e.g., a line object) can be used which can indicate
movement when tracked over time. Symbols and/or shapes (e.g., a
shape object), such as a square, triangle, or other shape or symbol
can be used for similar purposes.
[0053] Further, one or more dots (i.e., point objects) can be used.
For example, the use of more than one point can allow for more
accurate positioning than a single point, in some instances. The
embodiment in FIG. 3, for instance, illustrates a number of points
that can be used as markers. In some embodiments, the use of three
or more point objects can be used which can allow for easier
triangulation of a position of one or more teeth.
[0054] Some markers can be placed in positions or sized such that
they are invisible or nearly invisible to the unaided human eye
unless the teeth are closely examined. For example, a number of
small dots may be nearly invisible except upon close
examination.
[0055] In some embodiments, the marker material may be visible
outside the visible range of the human eye. For instance, the
material can be radiopaque such that it is viewable in the X-ray
spectral range. Thus, in such embodiments, the material may be
invisible to the unaided human eye, but visible in the X-ray
spectral range.
[0056] Some materials may be visible when exposed to a catalyst.
For example, materials that change their visible nature when
exposed to chemicals, temperature, or different types of light
(e.g., ultraviolet, infrared, polarized, etc.) are such materials.
Such embodiments can be advantageous since the markers can be
viewable for purposes of imaging, but may be less visible or not
visible prior to and/or after imaging.
[0057] FIG. 4 provides a system for analyzing the positions of
various physical teeth and in creating virtual models thereof that
can be used with embodiments of the present disclosure. In the
system illustrated in FIG. 4, the system includes a computing
device 418 having a processor 420 and memory 422. The memory can
include various types of information including data 424 and
executable instructions 426 as discussed herein.
[0058] Additionally, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a
system can include a network interface 436. Such an interface can
allow for processing on another networked computing device or such
devices can be used to obtain information about the patient or
executable instructions for use with various embodiments provided
herein.
[0059] As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a system can
include one or more input and/or output interfaces 428. Such
interfaces can be used to connect the computing device with one or
more input or output devices. For example, in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 4, the system includes connectivity to a
scanning device 430, a camera dock 432, and a keyboard.
[0060] Such connectivity allows for the input of image information
(e.g., scanned images or digital pictures, etc.) or instructions
(e.g., input via keyboard) among other type of information.
Although some embodiments may be distributed among various
computing devices within one or more networks, such systems as
illustrated in FIG. 4 can be beneficial in allowing for the
capture, calculation, and analysis of the various information
discussed herein.
[0061] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same
techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.
This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or
variations of various embodiments of the disclosure.
[0062] It is to be understood that the use of the terms "a", "an",
"one or more", "a number of", or "at least one" are all to be
interpreted as meaning one or more of an item is present.
Additionally, it is to be understood that the above description has
been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one.
Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not
specifically described herein will be apparent to those of skill in
the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0063] The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure
includes any other applications in which the above structures and
methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of
the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended
claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
[0064] In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are
grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be
interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments of the
disclosure require more features than are expressly recited in each
claim.
[0065] Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject
matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed
embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into
the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate embodiment.
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