Dental diagnosis apparatus and a method for using the same

• US 20030138752A1
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortho-Tain Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ortho-Tain Inc.
• Inventors: Bergersen, Earl O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,303,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/002 Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0006 Impression trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 9/0046 Data acquisition means or methods

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for providing a dental diagnosis and/or a dental appliance to a user by examining a portion of a mouth of the user. To this end, the apparatus, system and method may evaluate images whether digital, still, video, digital x-ray or the like, of the portion of the mouth to determine if a medical condition may be cured and/or corrected by a dental appliance stored within a machine and capable of being dispensed from the machine. In addition, the system may provide a wafer or tray which the user may position in his mouth to make an impression. The wafer or tray, or an image of the wafer or tray, may then be sent to an individual and/or a central processing unit. Also, a user may position a film within his mouth and transmit the film or an image of the film to an individual and/or a central processing unit.

Claims

1. A wafer for taking an impression of upper teeth and lower teeth of a mouth, the wafer comprising:

a form which fits inside the mouth wherein the form is made from a material capable of being bitten creating a deformation of the form wherein the deformation corresponds to the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth wherein the form retains the deformation following removal from the mouth.

2. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the form is flat in an area which contacts the upper teeth.

3. The wafer of claim 1 further comprising:

a wall extending from the form wherein the. wall contacts the upper teeth when the form is fitted inside the mouth.

4. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the deformation is shaped to correspond to each of the upper teeth of the mouth.

5. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the deformation is shaped to correspond to each of the lower teeth of the mouth.

6. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the wafer is constructed from a pressure-sensitive film.

7. The wafer of claim 1 wherein the wafer is constructed from a photo-sensitive film.

8. A method for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth and lower teeth of a mouth of. a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wafer which fits inside the mouth of the patient wherein the wafer is made from a material that may be deformed to create a deformation;

biting into the wafer with the mouth creating the deformation of the wafer wherein the deformation corresponds to the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth wherein the wafer retains the deformation following removal from the mouth; and

diagnosing the orthodontic condition of the mouth from the deformation on the wafer.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

providing an orthodontic appliance based on a diagnosis of the orthodontic condition of the mouth.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the diagnosis is performed in a remote location.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

pouring a material into the deformed wafer prior to diagnosis to obtain a model of the teeth of the user.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the wafer is sold to the patient.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the wafer is provided to the patient via direct mail.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

inserting a plane into the deformed wafer prior to diagnosis wherein the plane has a bed of pins wherein the bed of pins is perpendicularly attached to the plane and wherein the pins are individually attached to the plane to create a positive model of the teeth of the user.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the wafer is constructed from a pressure-sensitive film.

16. A method for diagnosing an orthodontic condition of upper teeth and lower teeth of a mouth, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a wafer which fits inside the mouth;

biting into the wafer with the mouth to create a deformation in the wafer wherein the deformation corresponds to the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the mouth; and

diagnosing the orthodontic condition of the upper teeth and the lower teeth at a location remote from where the deformation was created wherein the diagnosis is based on the deformation.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

transmitting an image of the deformed wafer to the remote location prior to diagnosis.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

pouring a material onto the wafer prior to diagnosis wherein the material conforms to the shape of the wafer and provides a model of the upper teeth and the lower teeth.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

providing a dental appliance based on the diagnosis.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

taking a depth-sensitive photograph of the wafer prior to diagnosis.

21. A method for providing a diagnosis of an orthodontic state of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an output device wherein the output device verbally communicates with the user;

providing a central processing unit programmed with data regarding orthodontic conditions wherein the central processing unit is operatively connected to the output device; and

verbally querying the user regarding the orthodontic state of the user via the output device wherein the user inputs information regarding the orthodontic state of the user in response to a verbal query generated by the output device.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

providing an input device; and

inputting a response from the user to a query from the central processing unit.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of:

transmitting the response to the central processing unit.