Root-based tooth moving sequencing

• US 7,241,142 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner; Melba N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Werner; Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US10/805,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20050208449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 433/6, 433/18, 433/24, 433/213, 433/215
• 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 on an arch of the patient;

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

digitally moving one or more tooth models and limiting the tooth movement according to a constraint based on at least one tooth parameter, the tooth parameter comprising volume or surface area,

wherein the tooth parameter relates to the volume of the entire tooth model, the entire tooth model including the crown and root of the tooth, the method further comprising;

determining the volume of the entire tooth for each tooth model;

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

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

satisfying a predetermined volume-based movement constraint while moving the tooth models, the constraint being that a ratio of the first sum to the second sum not exceed a predetermined value.

2. A Computer implemented method for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:

providing a digital model of each tooth on an arch of the patient;

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

digitally moving one or more tooth models and limiting the tooth movement according to a constraint based on at least one tooth parameter, the tooth parameter comprising volume or surface area,

wherein the digital model of each tooth comprises a root model and wherein the tooth parameter relates to the volume of the root model, the method further comprising;

determining the volume for each tooth root model;

determining a first sum for volumes of all the root models to be removed on the arch;

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

satisfying a predetermined root volume-based movement constraint while moving the tooth models, the constraint being that a ratio of the first sum to the second sum not exceed a predetermined value.

3. A Computer implemented method for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:

providing a digital model of each tooth on an arch of the patient;

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

digitally moving one or more tooth models and limiting the tooth movement according to a constraint based on at least one tooth parameter, the tooth parameter comprising volume or surface area,

wherein the tooth parameter relates to the surface area of the entire tooth model, the entire tooth model including the crown and root of the tooth, the method further comprising;

determining the surface area of the entire tooth for each tooth model;

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

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

satisfying a predetermined surface area-based movement constraint while moving the tooth models, the constraint being that a ratio of the first sum to the second sum not exceed a predetermined value.

4. A Computer implemented method for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:

providing a digital model of each tooth on an arch of the patient;

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

digitally moving one or more tooth models and limiting the tooth movement according to a constraint based on at least one tooth parameter, the tooth parameter comprising volume or surface area,

wherein the digital model of each tooth comprises a root model and wherein the tooth parameter relates to the surface area of the root model, the method further comprising;

determining the root surface area for each root model;

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

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

satisfying a predetermined root surface area-based movement constraint while moving the tooth models, the constraint being that a ratio of the first sum to the second sum not exceed a predetermined value.

5. A Computer implemented method for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:

providing a digital model of each tooth on an arch of the patient;

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

digitally moving one or more tooth models and limiting the tooth movement according to a constraint based on at least one tooth parameter, the tooth parameter comprising volume or surface area,

wherein the digital model of each tooth comprises a root model and wherein the tooth parameter relates to the volume of the root model, the method further comprising;

determining the displaced root volume for each tooth model to be moved;

determining a first sum for displaced root volume of all root models to be moved on the arch;

determining a second sum for volume of all root models on the arch; and

satisfying a predetermined volume-based movement constraint while moving the tooth models, the constraint being that a ratio of the first sum to the second sum not exceed a predetermined value.