FI124246B - Dental computed tomography equipment - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION: DENTAL COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT

The invention relates to a dental computed tomography apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

10 The history of medical X-rays dates back roughly as far as the invention of X-rays. For more advanced imaging techniques, for example, in the field of dentistry, pan-frame X-ray imaging has begun to be developed over half a century ago. The development of digital imaging, particularly in the 1990s 15, has also brought digital X-ray equipment to the dental sector. The latest development in the dental field has seen the proliferation of tapered beam computed tomography equipment designed for 3D imaging of the dentition and other cranial region. Of the new opportunities they offer, 20 include applications related to implant placement and other treatment planning.

With the advent of cameras and computing power such as computers, it has become possible to produce virtual three-dimensional surface models of various surfaces. In the field of dentistry, facial surface models have been thought to be useful in, for example, dental orthodontics, where orthodontics can also have an effect on face shape. Such surface patterns are sometimes also accompanied by information on the texture of the surface, i.e., the texture / texture of the surface.

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Also known in the art are techniques for producing a virtual £ three-dimensional texture model without a separately produced three-dimensional shape of the surface; the need for separate equipment purchases for that particular imaging purpose. Purchasing a standalone device is a matter of utilizing face texture models in dental cvj 2, not only a cost but also a space issue, with each device always requiring some space in which it can be installed, stored and / or used. On the other hand, each individual imaging always takes a certain amount of time. In addition, in data processing, its own 5 challenges lie in arrangements that require the combination of image information acquired at different points in time, image information acquired by different imaging devices, and / or image information acquired from anatomy positioned in different ways to form the model.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a multifunctional dental computed tomography apparatus which enables to provide at least x-ray image information of the skull of the patient's skull for virtual 3D modeling of the patient's skull, computer tomography images including three-dimensional images of facial surface texture 20. Preferably, the apparatus is configured to enable the production of 3D images of skull and / or bones of the skull, as well as information on both the shape and surface texture of the soft tissue of the face at the same patient placement and imaging. More specifically, the essential features of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

The invention provides a novel solution for multiple modeling of anatomy of a patient's cranial region. Thanks to the invention, e.g. make use of the already existing imaging equipment pool and avoid the need to use g 30 prior art special arrangements, lowering the threshold for dental practitioners to take advantage of the capabilities of virtual 3D models.

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In the following, the invention and preferred embodiments thereof will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: δ C \ 1 3

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows one computer tomography apparatus according to the invention, the basic structure of which includes a support structure and an arm portion supporting the imaging device.

Figure 2 illustrates one image information receiving module suitable for use in the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates the direction of laser beams from the module of Figure 2 toward a patient positioned in the imaging station.

Figure 4 illustrates the principle of laser scanning for use in the apparatus of the invention.

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Figures 5a and 5b show signal paths from an X-ray detector and at least one color camera through a frame grabber to a computer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figures 6a-6c show examples of various virtual three-dimensional face models.

Figure 7 illustrates the principle of controlling certain functions of the apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows one computer tomography apparatus according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a vertical support structure (11) having a horizontally extending arm (12) supporting the patient support means and an arm portion (13) supporting the structure supporting the imaging means of the apparatus, the arm portion (14). The shaft portion (14) supporting the imaging means is arranged to be rotatable.

An x-ray source (15) and an x-ray imaging receiver (21) are disposed at a distance 35 from each other on the shaft portion (14) supporting the imaging means, which is disposed in the apparatus 00 relative to the patient support means (17). between the X-ray source (15) 4 and the X-ray image receiving means (21), such that the beam produced by the X-ray source (15) can be directed to travel through said imaging station (18) towards the X-ray image receiving means (21). The apparatus includes control means 5, of which Fig. 1 shows a control panel (16) arranged in a support structure (11) and associated mode selection means (19). In the apparatus of Figure 1, the X-ray image information receiving means (21) is arranged as part of the image information receiving module (20), which is provided via cable 10 in communication with the computer (30). The computer is provided with means for processing image information and a display (31) for displaying computer generated images.

Figure 2 illustrates one image information receiving module (20) suitable for use in the apparatus of Figure 1. In the module, two color cameras (22) pointing towards the imaging station (18) are arranged horizontally on opposite sides of the x-ray detector (21). The module (20) is further provided with an imaging station (18) for illuminating preferably 20 white light sources (23) and two lasers (24). These lasers are disposed substantially in the center of the module (20), substantially adjacent to its top and bottom edges. The lasers (20) are arranged to emit and direct toward the imaging station (18) a narrow vertical planar beam that creates a laser pattern on the patient's face. Figure 3 shows how laser beams produced by the two lasers (24) shown in Figure 2 can be directed toward the imaging station (18) to cover the patient's face in a vertical direction without shadow areas.

The light sources (23) provided in the apparatus may also be provided to produce light or color light other than white. In turn, the color camera (22) may also be provided in the apparatus with more than two or only one, and the cameras or camera (22) may be provided. .

arrange to operate not only as a photography camera but also as a continuous £ 5 video camera. The patient's face pattern can also be produced by a light source other than a laser, and the color of this light pattern can also be arranged to be interchangeable, and with a laser

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when produced, it may have a color other than the traditional red, e.g. preferably specifically green.

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When the device (14) supporting the imaging means of the apparatus of Figure 1 is pivotable, one or more color cameras (22) provided in the image information receiving module (20) can take pictures of faces of a patient positioned in the imaging station (18). In this case, the laser pattern can also be made to sweep the patient's face. For example, using the arrangement of Figure 2 with the camera (22) and laser (24) spaced apart, a laser line can scan the face of a patient placed in the imaging position (18) while simultaneously taking facial images at an angle (less than 90 degrees) to the laser beam. in the direction of. The resulting image information can be used to produce a three-dimensional surface model of the shape of the patient's face, in more detail below. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hardware control system is provided with a control function for temporarily turning off the laser for a desired period of time during scanning, during which time color photographs of the patient's face can be taken without laser light and the resulting image information produces a texture pattern. On the other hand, in principle, it is also possible to operate in such a way that the laser is not turned off at all, but that the laser line is removed from the texture pattern to be generated by processing image information generated by imaging.

Figure 4 illustrates the principle of laser scanning for use in the apparatus of the invention. The formulas of the patient placed in the imaging station (18) are directed to a fan-shaped laser beam to form a vertical narrow laser pattern on the face, depicted from an angle of 0 to 90 degrees relative to the laser beam with a 2 g gauge camera (22). From the image taken by the camera (22), a laser line is identified in cm, each point x (x, y) on the laser line in the image being a projection cc of the laser line pointing to the patient's face by the camera sensor. When the position of the camera (22) relative to the imaging station (18) and the optical characteristics of the camera are known, the location P 'of the pixel (x, y) corresponding to each pixel (x, y) of the camera (22) the intersection of the beam passing through the point P 'and the plane T of the laser fan can be determined in a clear three-dimensional coordinate system. By solving

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6 le 3-dimensional space of point P in space. By moving the laser (24) and camera (22) from one side of the patient's face to another and taking pictures of the laser line at different locations on the face, a virtual three-dimensional model of the face surface can be produced.

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Figure 5a shows one of the signal paths used in the preferred embodiment of the invention from the image information receiving module (20) to the computer (30). The signal path of the image information detected by the color camera or cameras (22) and the X-ray detector (21) to the computer (30) may be arranged so that the resulting image information is transmitted to the computer (30) through the same single frame grabber. Preferably, the apparatus also provides a signal path between at least the motion control means of the X-ray imaging means and / or the X-ray source control means and the computer via the same Ethernet cable as the signal path from the camera to the computer. This can be accomplished, for example, by providing an ethernet HUB component or an ethernet switch component arranged in the hardware. Figure 5b shows another preferred embodiment for providing signal paths to the hardware if only one Ethernet cable between the imaging means and the computer is required.

The means (31) provided in the computer (30) for processing image information obtained from a patient's face imaging station (18) comprises an algorithm for processing image information obtained from at least an x-ray detector (21) and processing image information obtained from a color camera or cameras (22). three-dimensional texture pattern. The texture model is produced by utilizing means included in the imaging means to form a facial surface model i cvj from laser line image information on the patient's face. Preferably, the imaging equipment includes means for producing designs which simultaneously display ≤5 in three-dimensional textures of the face and at least parts of the patient's 35 35 skull area teeth and / or bones o

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Fig. 6a shows one example of a three-dimensional face model implemented with the apparatus of the invention, in which information on bone and teeth of a patient's cranial region is integrated into the face texture model. Figure 6b in turn shows one example of a facial surface model produced by the apparatus of the invention described above, while Figure 6c shows 5 different projections of the model of Figure 6b produced only from laser line patterns on the patient's face. Comparison of Figures 6b and 6c illustrates how the face texture pattern produced by the apparatus of the invention differs from a pure face surface model.

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Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the principle according to which certain functions of the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment of the invention can be controlled. The figure assumes that the patient's face imaging will be performed - simultaneously with X-ray or self-imaging - by rotating the shaft portion (14) supporting the imaging means so that the image information receiving module (20) moves at least 180 degrees from side to side of the patient. 200 degrees. During this movement, the patient's face is illuminated by steadily pulsing the light sources (23) of the imaging receiving module (20), while the laser light is otherwise continuously on, but is occasionally turned off during scanning to obtain images of the patient's position on the imaging station (18). without laser pattern. The hardware functions are synchronized to include two to twenty-five episodes, during which the laser light is turned off during the first episodes and the face is captured as light pulse cycles with the patient's face illuminated, and the second cycle is followed by the laser light on the arm portion (14) supporting the imaging means is rotated along the patient's face and images of the face are taken during periods of selective light pulses without the patient's face being illuminated. When using two color cameras (22) according to an embodiment of the invention described above, in the mode of operation shown in Fig. 7, the control described above is implemented such that the first and second cameras (22) always take pictures during successive light pulses. The image information integrated by the cameras (22) is C \ | The information can always be read out during the light pulse cycles where the image information is not integrated.

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The diagram shown in Figure 7 thus illustrates one of the principles applicable to the invention. However, in order to prevent the patient in the imaging station from sensing the flicker of light due to the pulse 5 of the facial illumination, the illumination pulse frequency must be set to at least 50-60 Hz. Such a pulse would, precisely as shown in FIG. 6, result in a large amount of image information unnecessary for the practice of the invention. Thus, the principle described above can be applied, for example, so that during the periods described above, the first and second cameras do not take pictures during each light pulse, but only, for example, at an order of magnitude for each incremental pulse, which also leaves more time for reading. Thus, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for illuminating the patient's face are controlled to illuminate the patient's face in short pulses, preferably at least 50-60 Hz, the laser or lasers are directed to produce a laser pattern otherwise on the patient's face. wherein the laser pattern is not produced, and the color camera or cameras are controlled to take pictures in the first pulse stages, such as less than 10 cycles of laser-focused face illumination and illumination of the face by means of illuminating the patient's face; -25 created tools to illuminate the patient's face illuminate the face.

One practical way to implement the sequencing of imaging according to the practice described above involves implementing the first and last cycles of imaging means during motion in 30 steps during which the face is imaged without a laser line, which ic_j sequences are arranged for the entire duration of that motion. five at even intervals. Thus, according to an embodiment cc of such an invention, a total of £ 5 ten color photographs of a patient's face would be taken without laser light, and the angular velocity of motion of the imaging means 35 from side to side of the patient's face could be arranged such that during the four an order of magnitude 300 shots of a facial laser light line. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that, for example, laser photographic images need not be taken at even intervals and that the number and positions at which the laser line images are taken may vary, for example, according to the desired horizontal resolution of the texture. Also, face-to-face laser laser-5 photos do not need to be taken at even intervals, and their number and position can also be varied as needed to achieve appropriate seam positions and sufficient coverage to create a three-dimensional texture pattern of facial images taken from different directions.

The apparatus of the invention and its mode selection switch (19) may be arranged to allow x-rays and a patient's face to be taken either individually or in a preferred embodiment of the invention to be performed at the same imaging event, even simultaneously. Photographing the face from different directions simultaneously during X-ray imaging eliminates the need for separate imaging. avoiding the need to calibrate another imaging device and position the patient on that other device for separate face imaging. This saves effort and time when face imaging can be performed simultaneously with 20 X-rays. Also, if it is desired to integrate the image information obtained by different imaging modes, for example to be displayed in the same three-dimensional model, combining is then easier when the mapped anatomy has been in the same position in the coordinates of the same imaging device. The hardware enables the use of the la-25 servo to help visualize face shapes more accurately by moving the position of the laser line on the face, mapping the profiles produced by the laser line on the face, and calculating the face shape of these Tt profiles.

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cm 30 The invention has been described above mainly with reference to the accompanying figures, but not all the details of embodiments of the invention described above are necessary or necessary for the implementation of the invention. The number of color cameras used in the equipment can be more than two, and if the equipment enables the co § 35 camera to be positioned relative to the imaging position, one camera can already take pictures of the patient's face from different directions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is provided with a white light emitting illumination arrangement to illuminate the face of a patient 10, which is advantageous for imaging facial tones, but the invention may be conceivable without one or more white light sources integrated with the apparatus.

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According to the above embodiment, an image acquisition receiver module suitable for use in the apparatus may comprise an X-ray image receiver (21) arranged substantially in the center of the module and two lasers 10 (24) and substantially opposite ends of the module (20) 22), and first and second luminaire structures (23). Viewing the module (20) in the vertical direction, it may comprise an arrangement in which said lasers (24) are arranged substantially along the edges of the image information receiving module (20) and said lighting structures (23) to direct light toward the imaging station (18). above and below. However, the functionality of the invention for modeling at least a portion of the face is conceivably achievable by other types of arrangement, such as arrangement 20 using two light lines and only one camera.

The color camera included in the apparatus of the invention may be used for purposes other than those described above. The camera or cameras may also be arranged to function as a video camera, for example, to monitor and / or record the patient's facial expressions and possible movements before and / or during X-rays, with appropriate arrangements also in 3D. The color camera or cameras in the above-described embodiments are located on the shaft portion of the imaging means substantially adjacent to the X-ray detector, but the color camera or cameras can also be arranged, for example, within the proximity of the X-ray source. In general, it is preferable to place the color camera or cameras, as well as the included laser or lasers, in an apparatus structure that is already movable with respect to the imaging position for x-ray purposes of the apparatus.

The hardware included in the hardware need not be physically separate from the imaging equipment, but may also be integrated into the imaging equipment itself.

Apparatus X-ray imaging means enable computer tomography imaging, particularly in the art known in the dental field, of a radiographic imaging device, in which the trajectories of the shaft supporting the radiographic imaging means are typically arranged to allow rotation of to create a texur template. This feature of the imaging equipment makes it quite simple to perform a laser scanning of the face, since the x-ray imaging device already has the means for performing suitable movements for use in laser scanning. In many cases, laser scanning can significantly facilitate the detection of three-dimensional surface contours of a patient's face compared to using information obtained solely from face color photography. Here, for example, a preferred embodiment of the invention refers to an arrangement wherein said X-ray image receiving means (21) comprises a detector having an image receiving area dimension of at least an inch, said imaging means supporting structure (14) being arranged with respect to the moving virtual axis of rotation such that the X-ray source (15) and the X-ray image information receiving means (21) move on opposite sides of the imaging station (18), wherein the hardware control system comprises control routines 30 which control said imaging means rotating the imaging structure (14), an X-ray source (15), and X-ray image information receiving means (21) to provide image information;

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a means for processing (30) the X-ray imaging information receiver (21) to reconstruct the three-dimensional X-ray image, and, on the other hand, directing at least said color camera (22) to receive a patient positioned at the imaging station (18). color images during said pivoting movement, and wherein the imaging information processing means (30) operably provided with the apparatus is configured to form a three-dimensional model of a patient positioned on the imaging station (18) displayed on the display screen (31); at least part of the texture of the facial area of the poti-5 laa.

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Claims (24)

A dental computed tomography apparatus, comprising: 5. a support structure (11,13) for supporting a rotatable arrangement (14) supporting the imaging means, at least one imaging station (18) for positioning the patient for imaging, wherein the imaging means 10 comprises at least x-rays; and means for receiving (21) X-ray imaging information arranged in the apparatus relative to said imaging station (18) such that the X-ray source (15) and X-ray imaging information receiving means (21) are positioned on opposite sides of the imaging station (18) 15) the beam to be produced is orientable to pass through said imaging station (18) towards said means for receiving X-ray image information (21), a control system for controlling the functions of the apparatus, and means operatively communicating therewith for processing the information detected by the X-ray image receiver (21), characterized in that the device comprises means for photographing (22) the face of a patient positioned at said imaging station (18) and / or producing a moving image of the face; the means comprising at least one color camera (22) whose position relative to said imaging station is adapted to be changed and / or at least two color cameras arranged to depict the face of a patient positioned at the polio base station (18) in different directions, ) or other illumination arrangement arranged on the face of a patient positioned at different locations in the ic-oriented pattern at the imaging station (18) such that at least a portion of said illumination arrangement illuminates the patient's face at least slightly upwards and one at least slightly oblique, and operative means 35 for providing at least one color camera (22) with light pattern information directed to the face of a patient positioned in the imaging station (18) and means for forming said virtual three-dimensional surface pattern at different locations on the sea 22) a virtual three-dimensional texture of the patient's face formed to combine facial image information with said patient's facial surface model. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means for forming a virtual model comprising said X-ray imaging information of at least a portion of the skull and / or dentition of the patient's cranial region in an integrated X-ray image information model. 10 Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the apparatus control system comprises means for performing x-ray imaging and patient face imaging simultaneously and / or as a combined imaging during one imaging event, and / or the apparatus control system comprises selection means for x-ray imaging and patient face imaging. to perform the imaging, either in at least one of the above ways, or to perform at least one of the abovementioned descriptions as a separate representation. 20 Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least one illumination structure (23) for illuminating the face of a patient positioned at the imaging station (18). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one illuminator structure (23) and / or at least one color camera (22) is arranged in the apparatus such that the patient's face can be illuminated and imaged in different directions with the patient positioned an x-ray imaging station (18). i c \ j Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said means for illuminating a patient's face (23) are arranged to comprise a light structure directing light 35 towards the face of a patient arranged in an imaging station (18) substantially with said at least one color camera. (22) above and below. c \ j Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said means for illuminating a patient's face (23) and at least one color camera (22) are arranged in close proximity to said X-ray image information receiver (21). 5 Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least two color cameras (22) and are arranged to be horizontally spaced. 10 Apparatus according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the apparatus control system comprises means for controlling said means to illuminate (23) the patient's face to produce white light, pulse white light and / or to produce light of different colors. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least two color cameras (22) provided with an illuminator structure (23) which guides 20 light towards the face of a patient positioned in the imaging station (18) from above and below, the at least two color cameras (22) and the luminaire structures (23) disposed therewith arranged horizontally spaced apart on opposite sides of said X-ray image receiver (21). Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that said means for illuminating the face of the patient (23) and at least one color camera (22) are arranged in connection with said structure (14) supporting the die-casting means. 0 C \ 1 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said imaging means support structure r-v. (14) is arranged to be pivotable with respect to the virtual vertical axis passing through the patient base station (18), o δ Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the structures, components and control means associated with the X-ray imaging of the apparatus are arranged to enable dental panoramic imaging, dental computed tomography imaging and / or dental cone beam computed tomography imaging. 5 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said imaging device supporting structure (14) is arranged to be rotated with respect to the imaging station (18) by at least 180 degrees and an apparatus control system to control said at least one color camera (22) to take at least two color photographs. a face of a patient positioned in the imaging station (18) within said angular region. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the information detected by said X-ray image receiver (21) and at least one color camera (22) is arranged to be fed to the same single frame grabber, and / or a cable from the imaging device to physically separate means for processing the image information (30). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said means for forming a surface model of a patient's face include at least one laser or other light source (24) illuminating the face of a patient positioned on a narrow vertical photographic imaging station (18). disposed in said imaging support structure (14), and that said imaging support structure (14) and said imaging station (18) are arranged to be movable relative to one another such that dj 30 is substantially extensively orientated at different cp points of the patient facial area, x Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the apparatus comprises two lasers or a corresponding photo-generating light source (24) arranged substantially on the same vertical virtual axis, arranged in relation to the imaging station (24). 18) such that the upper laser illuminates the patient's face at least slightly upwards and the lower one at least slightly downwards. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that said imaging support bearing structure (14) is provided with an image information receiving module (20) housing at least a portion of the means: an x-ray image information receiver (21), at least one color camera. (22), means for illuminating the face (23) and means for producing a laser or other pattern 10 (24). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that said imaging device supporting structure (14) is arranged to be pivotable with respect to the imaging station (18), said pattern moving according to the movement of said imaging device supporting structure (14) and said at least one color camera (22) tens or hundreds of photographs from different directions within said range of motion of the imaging support structure (14). 20 Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, viewed horizontally, an image information receiving module (20), substantially in the center thereof, is provided with an x-ray image information receiver (21) and two lasers or the like (24) and 20) first and second color cameras (22) are provided at opposite ends, first and second luminaire structures (23) on the one hand, and that, when viewed in the vertical direction, said lasers or the like c / j 30 (24) positioned (20) substantially along its edges, and said luminaire structures (23) for directing light toward the imaging station (18) from above and below said color cameras (22). h- co § 35 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the apparatus control system comprises a control routine which controls the imaging device supporting structure (14) to rotate relative to the imaging station (18), during which: to illuminate (23) the illuminated face of the patient positioned in the imaging station (18) in short 5 pulses, preferably at least 50 Hz, the laser, lasers or the like (24) is directed to produce a photographic pattern on the patient otherwise otherwise but with the imaging means rotating there are moments when a photographic pattern is not produced and 10 - color cameras or cameras (22) are guided to take pictures in the first stages of face-facing and means for illuminating the patient's face (23) and in the second stages of is not directed laser light and wherein means for illuminating the patient's face (23) illuminate the face. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that said imaging device supporting structure (14) is arranged to rotate with respect to the imaging station (18) by at least 180 degrees, and according to said control routine, there are short periods, such as less than 10, wherein the patient's face is not directed at laser light and wherein the color camera or cameras (22) are guided to take pictures in steps whereby means for illuminating the patient's face produce a pulse of light. 25 Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that said x-ray image receiving means (21) comprises a detector having an image information receiving area of at least centimeters in size, said strap supporting structure (14) being vertically pivotable. , with respect to the virtual rotary axis passing through the stationary imaging station (18), such that the x-ray radiation source (15) and the x-ray image information receiving means rv. (21) moving on opposite sides of the imaging station (18), the cu § 35 apparatus control system comprises a control routine which, on the one hand, controls the rotation, X-ray source (51) and X-ray image receiving means (14) wherein said means for processing (30) the information detected by the X-ray image information receiver (21) can reconstruct a three-dimensional X-ray image, and on the other hand directing at least said color camera (22) to image the patient's face positioned in the imaging position (18) said imaging means (30) being arranged to form a three-dimensional model of a patient positioned on the imaging station (18), which can be displayed on the display screen (31), in which at least a portion of the patient's skull is visible bones 10 and / or teeth and at least a portion of the texture of the patient's facial area. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the apparatus comprises means for producing and directing a green laser or other light beam towards the face of the patient positioned towards the imaging station to form a substantially vertical narrow light line on the face. τ | · δ CM CM O CM X and CL N- CO o o o δ CM