Method for comparing orthodontic element placement

• US 7,507,088 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Align Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cadent Incorporated
• Inventors: Nissenbaum, Baruch, Taub, Eldad, Kopelman, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; John J
• Application Number:
  US10/098,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20020168602A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,568 Days
• Field of Search: 433/3, 433/24, 433/29, 433/75
• 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 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 a surface and a proper position, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring the element, the surface or both, the element having been previously placed on the surface, by an image acquisition unit mounted on a positioning device that can position the element on a surface, the image acquisition unit transmits an image to a screen that displays said image;

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

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

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

4. A method according to claim 3, 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 2, comprising superimposing the virtual image with a real image captured by the image acquisition unit displayed on the screen.

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

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the element is held on by said device in a fixed, predetermined position while positioning said element on said surface.

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.