Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of teeth

• US 6,254,385 B1
• Filed: 06/08/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: LJ Laboratories L.L.C.
• Inventors: Jung, Wayne D., Jung, Russell W., Loudermilk, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Application Number:
  US09/091,170
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 433/26, 433/29, 433/203.1, 433/116, 600/124, 600/125, 600/182, 600/477, 600/478, 356/371, 356/402, 356/405, 356/406, 356/407
• US Class Current: 433/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0233 Optical standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• 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 19/10 Supports for artificial teeth for transport or for comparison of the colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0278 Control or determination of height or angle information for sensors or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/50 using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/508 measuring the colour of teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/51 using colour filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/513 having fixed filter-detector pairs
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/52 using colour charts

Abstract

Methods for generating optical characteristics data of a dental object, including at least color characteristics, are disclosed. A probe is positioned in proximity to the dental object. The probe provides light to the object and receives light from the object, and the received light is coupled to a video camera, with the object positioned in the field of view of the camera. The optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the object and based on camera data corresponding to a color calibration standard generated with the color calibration standard in the field of view of the camera. The optical characteristics data may be stored in a record of a software database or used to prepare a second dental object.

Claims

1. A method, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to a dental object, wherein the probe provides light to the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to a video camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the object is positioned in the field of view of the camera;

generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics including at least color characteristics of the object, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the object and based on camera data corresponding to a color calibration standard generated with the color calibration standard in the field of view of the camera, wherein the color calibration standard includes one or more visible features, wherein the camera data corresponding to the color calibration standard include camera data from one or more regions of the color calibration standard that are a predetermined position with respect to the one or more visible features; and

storing the optical characteristics data in a record of a software database, wherein the software database includes a plurality of database records.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calibration standard and the object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the dental object.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the object are color adjusted.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for a plurality of dental objects to generate a plurality of optical characteristics database records.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the database records are associated with particular patients.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the database records store pictures of the dental objects.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for the dental object, wherein the database stores a historical record of the optical characteristics of the dental object.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a second dental object is produced based on the optical characteristics data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object comprises a denture.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object comprises a dental prosthesis.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object comprises a filling.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object comprises a tooth-colored filling.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object comprises a composite filling.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the second dental object is produced based on a porcelain recipe determined in accordance with the optical characteristics data.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics data are electronically transmitted to a remote location, wherein a second object is produced at the remote location based on the transmitted optical characteristics data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic transmission comprises a modem transmission.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the dental object.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the database includes date and time information associated with the optical characteristics data.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the software database stores sectoring information with the optical characteristics data.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the software database stores information corresponding to a pictorial representation of the dental object that includes sector grid lines.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the dental object is sectored into a plurality of sectors, wherein optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics are generated a plurality of times, including at least once for each of the plurality of sectors.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for a second object based on the optical characteristics data.

30. A method of producing a second dental object, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to a first dental object, wherein the probe provides light to the first dental object and receives light from the first dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a video camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the first dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera, wherein optical characteristics data including at least color data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the first dental object and based on camera data corresponding to a color calibration standard generated with the color calibration standard in the field of view of the camera, wherein the color calibration standard includes one or more visible features, wherein the camera data corresponding to the color calibration standard include camera data from one or more reunions of the color calibration standard that are a predetermined position with respect to the one or more visible features;

transmitting the optical characteristics data to a remote location;

receiving the optical characteristics data at the remote location; and

producing the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the calibration standard and the first dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the first dental object comprises a dental object of a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the first dental object.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are color adjusted.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a modem transmission.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a facsimile transmission.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the first dental object.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of generating second optical characteristics data by positioning a second probe in proximity to the second dental object.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of comparing the first optical characteristics data with the second optical characteristics data.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the second probe comprises a probe located at the remote location.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the second probe is the same probe that was positioned in proximity to the first dental object.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

44. The method of claim 30, wherein the probe is handheld.

45. The method of claim 30, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the first dental object.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

49. The method of claim 30, wherein the probe is positioned in proximity to the first dental object by relative movement of the probe with respect to the first dental object.

50. A method of determining the optical characteristics of a dental object, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to a video camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the object is positioned in the field of view of the camera; and

generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object including at least color characteristics, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the object and camera data corresponding to a color calibration standard generated with the color calibration standard in the field of view of the camera, wherein the color calibration standard includes one or more visible features, wherein the camera data corresponding to the color calibration standard include camera data from one or more regions of the color calibration standard that are a predetermined position with respect to the one or more visible features.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the calibration standard and the first dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the dental object.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are color adjusted.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for a plurality of dental objects to generate a plurality of optical characteristics database records.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the database records are associated with particular patients.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the database records store pictures of the dental objects.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for the dental object, wherein a database stores a historical record of the optical characteristics of the dental object.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein a second dental object is produced based on the optical characteristics data.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object comprises a denture.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object comprises a dental prosthesis.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object comprises a filling.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object comprises a tooth-colored filling.

65. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object comprises a composite filling.

66. The method of claim 60, wherein the second dental object is produced based on a porcelain recipe determined in accordance with the optical characteristics data.

67. The method of claim 50, wherein the optical characteristics data are electronically transmitted to a remote location, wherein a second object is produced at the remote location based on the transmitted optical characteristics data.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the electronic transmission comprises a modem transmission.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the dental object.

70. The method of claim 50, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

74. The method of claim 50, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the database includes date and time information associated with the optical characteristics data.

75. The method of claim 50, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the dental object is sectored into a plurality of sectors, wherein optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics are generated a plurality of times, including at least once for each of the plurality of sectors.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the software database stores sectoring information with the optical characteristics data.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the software database stores information corresponding to a pictorial representation of the dental object that includes sector grid lines.

78. The method of claim 50, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for a second object based on the optical characteristics data.

79. A method, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to a dental object, wherein the probe provides light to the dental object and receives light from the dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera;

generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the dental object, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the dental object and based on camera data corresponding to a calibration standard, wherein the calibration standard and the dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera; and

storing the optical characteristics data in a record of a software database, wherein the software database includes a plurality of database records.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the dental object.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are color adjusted.

84. The method of claim 79, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for a plurality of dental objects to generate a plurality of optical characteristics database records.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the database records are associated with particular patients.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein the database records store pictures of the dental objects.

87. The method of claim 79, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for the dental object, wherein the database stores a historical record of the optical characteristics of the dental object.

88. The method of claim 79, wherein a second dental object is produced based on the optical characteristics data.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object comprises a denture.

90. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object comprises a dental prosthesis.

91. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object comprises a filling.

92. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object comprises a tooth-colored filling.

93. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object comprises a composite filling.

94. The method of claim 88, wherein the second dental object is produced based on a porcelain recipe determined in accordance with the optical characteristics data.

95. The method of claim 79, wherein the optical characteristics data are electronically transmitted to a remote location, wherein a second dental object is produced at the remote location based on the transmitted optical characteristics data.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the electronic transmission comprises a modern transmission.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the dental object.

98. The method of claim 79, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

102. The method of claim 79, wherein the database includes date and time information associated with the optical characteristics data.

103. The method of claim 79, wherein the dental object is sectored into a plurality of sectors, wherein optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics are generated a plurality of times, including at least once for each of the plurality of sectors.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the software database stores sectoring information with the optical characteristics data.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the software database stores information corresponding to a pictorial representation of the dental object that includes sector grid lines.

106. The method of claim 79, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for a second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

107. A method of producing a second dental object, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to a first dental object, wherein the probe provides light to the object aid receives light from the first dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the first dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the first dental object and based on camera data corresponding to a calibration standard, wherein the calibration standard and the object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera;

transmitting the optical characteristics data to a remote location;

receiving the optical characteristics data at the remote location; and

producing the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein the first dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the first dental object.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

110. The method of claim 107, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are color adjusted.

112. The method of claim 107, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a modem transmission.

113. The method of claim 107, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a facsimile transmission.

114. The method of claim 107, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the first dental object.

115. The method of claim 107, further comprising the step of generating second optical characteristics data by positioning a second probe in proximity to the second dental object.

116. The method of claim 115, further comprising the step of comparing the first optical characteristics data with the second optical characteristics data.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein the second probe comprises a probe located at the remote location.

118. The method of claim 115, wherein the second probe is the same probe that was positioned in proximity to the first dental object.

119. The method of claim 107, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

120. The method of claim 107, wherein the probe is handheld.

121. The method of claim 107, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

123. The method of claim 121, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the first dental object.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

125. The method of claim 107, wherein the probe is positioned in proximity to the first dental object by relative movement of the probe with respect to the first dental object.

201. The method of claims 79, 107, 126, 154 or 173, wherein the camera comprises an intraoral camera.

202. The method of claims 79, 107, 126, 154 or 173, wherein the camera comprises a video camera.

126. A method of determining the optical characteristics of a dental object, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to the object, wherein the probe provides light to the dental object and receives light from the dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera; and

generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the dental object, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the dental object and camera data corresponding to a calibration standard, wherein the calibration standard and the dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein the dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the dental object.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

129. The method of claim 126, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are color adjusted.

131. The method of claim 126, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for a plurality of dental objects to generate a plurality of optical characteristics database records.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein the database records are associated with particular patients.

133. The method of claim 131, wherein the database records store pictures of the dental objects.

134. The method of claim 131, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for the dental object, wherein a database stores a historical record of the optical characteristics of the dental object.

135. The method of claim 126, wherein a second dental object is produced based on the optical characteristics data.

136. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object comprises a denture.

137. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object comprises a dental prosthesis.

138. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object comprises a filling.

139. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object comprises a tooth-colored filling.

140. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object comprises a composite filling.

141. The method of claim 135, wherein the second dental object is produced based on a porcelain recipe determined in accordance with the optical characteristics data.

142. The method of claim 126, wherein the optical characteristics data are electronically transmitted to a remote location, wherein a second object is produced at the remote location based on the transmitted optical characteristics data.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein the electronic transmission comprises a modem transmission.

144. The method of claim 142, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the dental object.

145. The method of claim 126, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

146. The method of claim 145, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

147. The method of claim 145, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.

148. The method of claim 147, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

149. The method of claim 126, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the database includes date and time information associated with the optical characteristics data.

150. The method of claim 126, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the dental object is sectored into a plurality of sectors, wherein optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics are generated a plurality of times, including at least once for each of the plurality of sectors.

151. The method of claim 150, wherein the software database stores sectoring information with the optical characteristics data.

152. The method of claim 150, wherein the software database stores information corresponding to a pictorial representation of the tooth that includes sector grid lines.

153. The method of claim 126, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for a second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

154. A method of producing a second dental object, comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe in proximity to a first dental object, wherein the probe provides light to the first dental object and receives light from the first dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the first dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the first dental object and based on camera data corresponding to a calibration standard;

transmitting the optical characteristics data to a remote location;

receiving the optical characteristics data at the remote location; and

producing the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for the second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.

155. The method of claim 154, wherein the calibration standard and the first dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

156. The method of claim 154, wherein the first dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the first dental object.

157. The method of claim 156, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

158. The method of claim 154, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

159. The method of claim 158, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the first dental object are color adjusted.

160. The method of claim 154, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a modem transmission.

161. The method of claim 154, wherein the transmission and receipt of the optical characteristics data comprises a facsimile transmission.

162. The method of claim 154, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the first dental object.

163. The method of claim 154, further comprising the step of generating second optical characteristics data by positioning a second probe in proximity to the second dental object.

164. The method of claim 163, further comprising the step of comparing the first optical characteristics data with the second optical characteristics data.

165. The method of claim 163, wherein the second probe comprises a probe located at the remote location.

166. The method of claim 163, wherein the second probe is the same probe that was positioned in proximity to the first dental object.

167. The method of claim 154, wherein the probe is handhold.

168. The method of claim 154, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

169. The method of claim 168, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

170. The method of claim 168, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the first dental object.

171. The method of claim 170, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

172. The method of claim 154, wherein the probe is positioned in proximity to the firs dental object by relative movement of the probe with respect to the first dental object.

173. A method of determining the optical characteristics of a dental object, comprising the steps of:

providing light to the dental object and receiving light from the dental object, wherein the received light is coupled to a camera, wherein the camera has a field of view, wherein the dental object is positioned in the field of view of the camera; and

generating optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics of the dental object, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated based on camera data corresponding to the dental object and camera data corresponding to a calibration standard, wherein the calibration standard and the dental object are simultaneously in the field of view of the camera.

174. The method of claim 173, wherein the dental object corresponds to a patient, wherein the calibration standard is located near the dental object.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein the calibration standard is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

176. The method of claim 173, wherein data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are adjusted based on data from the camera corresponding to the calibration standard.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the data from the camera corresponding to the dental object are color adjusted.

178. The method of claim 173, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for a plurality of dental objects to generate a plurality of optical characteristics database records.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein the database records are associated with particular patients.

180. The method of claim 178, wherein the database records store pictures of the dental objects.

181. The method of claim 178, wherein the optical characteristics data are generated a plurality of times for the dental object, wherein a database stores a historical record of the optical characteristics of the dental object.

182. The method of claim 173, wherein a second dental object is produced based on the optical characteristics data.

183. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object comprises a denture.

184. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object comprises a dental prosthesis.

185. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object comprises a filling.

186. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object comprises a tooth-colored filling.

187. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object comprises a composite filling.

188. The method of claim 182, wherein the second dental object is produced based on a porcelain recipe determined in accordance with the optical characteristics data.

189. The method of claim 173, wherein the optical characteristics data are electronically transmitted to a remote location, wherein a second object is produced at the remote location based on the transmitted optical characteristics data.

190. The method of claim 189, wherein the electronic transmission comprises a modem transmission.

191. The method of claim 189, wherein the electronic transmission includes a transmission of a picture of the dental object.

192. The method of claim 173, wherein the light is provided and received via a probe, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.

193. The method of claim 192, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.

194. The method of claim 192, wherein the removable cover element is positioned on the probe prior to positioning of the probe in proximity to the dental object.

195. The method of claim 194, wherein the removable cover element is sterilized prior to being positioned on the probe.

196. The method of claim 173, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the database includes date and time information associated with the optical characteristics data.

197. The method of claim 173, wherein the optical characteristics data are stored in a database, wherein the dental object is sectored into a plurality of sectors, wherein optical characteristics data indicative of the optical characteristics are generated a plurality of times, including at least once for each of the plurality of sectors.

198. The method of claim 197, wherein the software database stores sectoring information with the optical characteristics data.

199. The method of claim 197, wherein the software database stores information corresponding to a pictorial representation of the dental object that includes sector grid lines.

200. The method of claim 173, wherein a material mixing unit receives the optical characteristics data, wherein the material mixing unit prepares constituent materials for a second dental object based on the optical characteristics data.