Root-based tooth moving sequencing

• US 20050208449A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Abolfathi, Amir, Beers, Andrew C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,241,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/24
• 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: A61F 5/56 Devices for preventing snoring by influencing the respiratory system by gas treatment A61M16/00
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for repositioning the teeth of a patient by providing a digital model of each tooth of the patient; determining one or more root parameters from the digital model; and digitally moving one or more tooth models and evaluating a treatment outcome based on one or more root movement clinical constraints.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:

providing a digital model of each tooth of the patient;

determining one or more root parameters from the digital model; and

digitally moving one or more tooth models and evaluating one or more treatment metrics based on one or more root movement clinical constraints.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a plurality of appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth, wherein the appliances comprise polymeric shells having cavities and wherein the cavities of successive shells have different geometries shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the clinical constraints comprise root movement clinical constraints.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a surface area for each tooth model.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first sum for surface areas for all tooth models to be moved on an arch;

determining a second sum for surface areas of all tooth models on the arch;

satisfying a predetermined area constraint while moving the tooth models.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising constraining the first sum to less than half of the second sum.

7. The method of claim 1, determining a volume for each tooth model.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first sum for volumes of all tooth models to be moved on an arch;

determining a second sum for volumes of all tooth models on the arch;

satisfying a predetermined volume constraint while moving the tooth models.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising constraining the first sum to less than half of the second sum.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the sequence of appliances includes a sequence of configurations of braces, the braces including brackets and archwires.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the sequence of appliances includes a sequence of polymeric shells manufactured by fitting polymeric sheets over positive models corresponding to the teeth of the patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence of appliances includes a sequence of polymeric shells manufactured by stereo lithography from digital models.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the clinical constraints include a maximum rate of displacement of a tooth, a maximum force on a tooth, and a desired end position of a tooth.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the maximum force is a linear force or a torsional force.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the maximum rate of displacement is a linear or a angular rate of displacement.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the clinical constraints include a maximum rate of displacement of a tooth.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the clinical constraints include a maximum rate of linear displacement of a tooth.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the clinical constraints include a maximum rate of rotational displacement of a tooth.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the last of the sequence of appliances is a positioner for finishing and maintaining teeth positions.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a surface area for a portion of the tooth model.

21. The method of claim 1, determining a volume for a portion of the tooth model.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first sum for root surface areas for all tooth models to be moved on an arch;

determining a second sum for root surface areas of all tooth models on the arch;

satisfying a predetermined area constraint while moving the tooth models.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising constraining the first sum to less than half of the second sum.

24. The method of claim 1, determining a root volume for each tooth model.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first sum for root volumes of all tooth models to be moved on an arch;

determining a second sum for root volumes of all tooth models on the arch;

satisfying a predetermined volume constraint while moving the tooth models.

26. The method of claim 1, determining a volume displaced by a portion of the tooth model.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a first sum for displaced volumes of all tooth models to be moved on an arch;

determining a second sum for root volumes of all tooth models on the arch;

satisfying a predetermined volume constraint while moving the tooth models.