Subdividing a digital dentition model
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for use in creating a digital model of a tooth in a patient'"'"'s dentition, the method comprising:
- (a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) data set representing the patient'"'"'s dentition;
(b) applying a computer-implemented test to the 3D data set to identify data elements that represent an interproximal margin between two teeth in the dentition, wherein applying the computer-implemented test includes;
identifying elements of the data set that represent the interproximal margin, andlabeling those data elements as belonging to the interproximal margin; and
(c) applying another computer-implemented test to select data elements that lie on one side of the interproximal margin for inclusion in the digital model of the tooth.
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Abstract
A computer or other digital circuitry is used to assist in the creation of a digital model of an individual component, such as a tooth or gum tissue, in a patient'"'"'s dentition. The computer receives a data set that forms a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the patient'"'"'s dentition, applies a test to the data set to identify data elements that represent portions of the individual component, and creates a digital model of the individual component based upon the identified data elements. Many implementations require the computer to identify data elements representing a 2D cross-section of the dentition lying in a 2D plane that is roughly parallel to or roughly perpendicular to the dentition'"'"'s occlusal plane. The computer analyzes the 2D cross-section to identify dentition features that represent boundaries between individual dentition components.
155 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for use in creating a digital model of a tooth in a patient'"'"'s dentition, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving a three-dimensional (3D) data set representing the patient'"'"'s dentition; (b) applying a computer-implemented test to the 3D data set to identify data elements that represent an interproximal margin between two teeth in the dentition, wherein applying the computer-implemented test includes; identifying elements of the data set that represent the interproximal margin, and labeling those data elements as belonging to the interproximal margin; and (c) applying another computer-implemented test to select data elements that lie on one side of the interproximal margin for inclusion in the digital model of the tooth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A computer-implemented method for use in creating a digital model of a tooth in a patient'"'"'s dentition, the method comprising:
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(a) receiving a 3D dataset representing at least a portion of the patient'"'"'s dentition, including at least a portion of a tooth and gum tissue surrounding the tooth; (b) applying a test to the 3D dataset to identify data elements lying on a gingival boundary that occurs where the tooth and the gum tissue meet, wherein applying the computer-implemented test includes; identifying elements of the data set that represent the gingival boundary, and labeling those data elements as belonging to the gingival boundary; and (c) applying a test to the data elements lying on the boundary to identify other data elements representing portions of the tooth, wherein applying the test to identify data elements on the gingival boundary includes creating a series of roughly parallel 2D planes, each intersecting the dentition roughly perpendicular to an occlusal plane of the dentition, and each including data elements that represent a cross-sectional surface of the dentition. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification