Placing an orthodontic element on a tooth surface

• US 20020168602A1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cadent Ltd (Align Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taub, Eldad, Kopelman, Avi, Nissenbaum, Baruch
• Granted Patent: US 7,507,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/146 Positioning or placement of brackets; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/004 Means or methods for taking digitized impressions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0046 Data acquisition means or methods

Abstract

A method for for comparing between an orthodontic element'"'"'s actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position comprise monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays the image and displaying information on the screen regarding proper position of the element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position is disclosed.

Further disclosed is a system and device for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth.

Claims

1. A method for comparing between an orthodontic element'"'"'s actual position on the surface of a tooth and a proper position, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring the element, the tooth or both once the element and the tooth are proximal to one another by an image acquisition unit which transmits an image to a screen that displays said image;

(b) displaying information on said screen regarding proper position of said element in a manner allowing to compare between the actual and the proper position.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the information regarding the proper position of the element comprises a virtual image of the tooth.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the virtual image comprises lines tracing boundaries of the tooth.

4. A method according to claim 2, comprising superimposing the virtual image with a real image captured by the image acquisition unit displayed on the screen.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said element is an orthodontic bracket.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition unit is mounted on the positioning device.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the element is held on by said device in a fixed, predetermined position.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the position of the element is such so that the element appears in the center of the image displayed on the screen.

9. A system for positioning of an orthodontic element or a marking device having a marking member for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising:

an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the tooth or of said element, and an image of both once the tooth and said element are proximal to one another;

an image grabber coupled to said image acquisition unit for receiving the image captured by the image acquisition unit and transmitting an image or a representation thereof to a display unit; and

a display unit, coupled to the image grabber, for displaying said image or representation.

10. A system according to claim 9, comprising a module coupled to the display unit, for displaying markings providing guidance information on the tooth'"'"'s surface, superimposed on said image or representation.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said markings constitute of a virtual image of either at least one tooth, the orthodontic element or both.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said virtual image comprises a boundary'"'"'s representation.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the element and the image acquisition unit are mutually fixed such that said element appears in a predetermined spot of the image captured by the image acquisition unit.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the marking member and the image acquisition unit are mutually fixed such that said member appears in a predetermined spot of the image captured by the image acquisition unit.

13. A positioning device for positioning an element on the surface of a tooth, comprising:

a gripping member for holding the element and releasing it once it is fixed on the tooth surface; and

an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the element held on the gripping member and of its surrounding.

15. A marking device for marking a position for subsequent placement of an orthodontic element on a surface of a tooth, comprising:

a marking member held on said marking device in a manner allowing to mark said position on a tooth surface; and

an image acquisition unit for capturing an image of the marking device and of its surrounding.