JP2008049113A - Method and system for designing and producing dental prosthesis and appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for designing and producing dental prosthesis such as crown and bridge. <P>SOLUTION: In a dental service center 23 which provides a manufacture service to a dental clinic 22 and a dental lab 26 based on the 3D numeric model of a dentition obtained in the dental clinic 22, the service center is equipped with a manufacturing means of at least a part for the prosthesis and communication medium for exchanging the 3D numeric model between the dental clinic and the dental lab, and the manufacture of the dental prosthesis is also shared between the dental lab and the service center from the 3D numeric model. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to methods and systems for designing and manufacturing dental prostheses and appliances, and dental prostheses and appliances made thereby. In particular, the present invention includes a plurality of various work centers linked to a dental clinic, each for planning, designing and manufacturing at least parts of such prostheses and appliances. The present invention relates to a system in which a common 3D database is used.

  Dental treatment often begins with obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's teeth. The model may be a dentition physical model or a virtual 3D computer model. The model is used to help design dental treatment for the patient. After the treatment is designed, the model is used to design a dental prosthesis or appliance to be applied to the tooth to perform the treatment. Such prostheses and appliances include, for example, bridges, crowns, and orthodontic braces.

  In some cases, a concave cast of the dentition is obtained at a dental clinic where the patient is examined, the cast may include both arches, one arch or part of an arch. The casting is sent to a dental laboratory, where a convex material model of the dentition is made from the concave cast, which typically allows for plaster set. Depending on the injection of the plaster into the cast. The model is then used to determine dental treatment at the clinic, and a prosthesis or appliance for placement on the patient's teeth is designed or selected to perform the treatment. The appliance is made in a laboratory and then shipped to the clinic for placement on the patient's teeth.

  It is also known to obtain 3D virtual representations of teeth that are used to help devise dental treatments and / or to design dental appliances. The 3D computer model may be obtained at a dental clinic using an optical scanner to scan the tooth directly or to scan the tooth model. The computer model is then used at the clinic to design or select an appropriate dental prosthesis and / or appliance to perform the treatment. Instructions are then sent to a dental appliance laboratory to make the prosthesis or appliance, but the prosthesis or appliance is made in the laboratory and then shipped to the clinic.

  Alternatively, a concave cast of each jaw dentition is obtained at the dental clinic, which is routed to a dental appliance laboratory where a 3D convex model of the patient's teeth is created. The 3D model is then scanned in the laboratory to generate a virtual 3D model of the patient's teeth that is used to design a suitable dental prosthesis or appliance. The prosthesis or brace is made in the laboratory and then shipped to the clinic.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,086 to Rubert et al. Discloses a computer-based dental treatment planning method. A virtual 3D model of the patient's dentition is obtained, which is used to plan the dental treatment. The acquisition of the 3D model as well as treatment planning can be done at a dental clinic or a remote location such as a dental appliance laboratory with access to the virtual model of the dentition. In the latter situation, the proposed treatment plan is reviewed and modified or approved by the dentist before the necessary appliances are made in the laboratory. Sent to the clinic.
US Pat. No. 6,632,089 International Publication No. WO00 / 08415 Pamphlet US Pat. No. 6,099,314 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 10 / 623,707 International Publication No. WO04 / 008981 Pamphlet US Patent Application No. 60 / 459,624 International Publication No. WO2004 / 087000 Pamphlet U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 60 / 542,327, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A DENTAL PROSTHESIS

  The present invention provides systems and methods for the design and manufacture of dental prostheses, such as crowns and bridges. The system includes at least one dental clinic and at least one dental laboratory. The system also includes a dental service center, which is another entity for the dental laboratory. The service center either scans the tooth directly (typically optically) or scans the physical model of the tooth from data obtained from either a virtual 3D model of the patient's tooth ( virtual 3D model) {this is also referred to herein as “3D numerical model”, “numerical model”, “virtual model”, etc.} Although equipped, the process is at least initiated at the dental clinic. Alternatively, the dental lab may generate the virtual model. The service center is also equipped to use the computer model to design dental care and to select or design and manufacture dental prostheses, or at least parts thereof. The details of the necessary prosthesis are then sent to the clinic, and typically a portion of the prosthesis manufacture is handled at the service center. The dental lab is also equipped to design at least a part of the prosthesis, typically a coping, for example by first defining a termination line on the 3D model. Also good. Alternatively, the dental lab may provide the service center with a prescription for the latter designing the coping. The clinic then sends instructions to the dental laboratory and / or the service center, each of which has received and / or generated from either one of the dental clinic, dental laboratory, or from the service center. With the written instructions and data, it is equipped to make parts of the dental prosthesis, and the manufactured prosthesis is then shipped to the clinic.

In a preferred embodiment, communication between the clinic, laboratory and the service center is an electronic communication network such as the Internet, an intranet, a local access network, a public It is carried out on other suitable communication media such as a switched telephone network, a cable network, and the like.

At least a portion of the manufacture of the prosthesis is shared by the service center and one or more dental laboratories according to predetermined criteria. Further, at least one of the service center and the at least one dental lab is adapted to design the prosthesis based on a 3D numerical model of the dentition, the prosthesis being an internal The service center is adapted to provide a 3D model of the prosthesis (wherein Said Prostheses Comprises).
an inner surface and an outer surface, where to provide a 3D model of side prosthesis). The service center is adapted to manufacture at least a first portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model. In particular, the service center is adapted to produce at least an internal surface of the prosthesis, wherein the internal surface is installed on a target site contained within the dentition. Designed. The prosthesis typically includes at least one coping, and the aforesaid internal surface is the inner surface of the coping. At least one of the service centers and the at least one dental lab are adapted to design an external surface of the coping based on the 3D numerical model.

  Preferably, the service center includes a material removal machine for directly manufacturing the coping from a suitable coping material based on the design of the inner and outer surfaces of the coping. Alternatively, the material removal machine may be used to produce a material model of the coping from an appropriate wax material or the like based on the design of the inner and outer surfaces of the coping. The service center and / or at least one dental lab and / or external equipment means for making a concave cast of the material model and means for making the coping from the concave model using a suitable coping material ,have.

  At least one of the dental labs is adapted to produce at least a second portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model. The dental lab is adapted to produce at least the outer surface of the prosthesis, where the outer surface is relative to other teeth within the dentition adjacent to the prosthesis. It is designed to provide a suitable clearance for use. Furthermore, the outer surface is designed to provide a suitable occlusion with other teeth in the dentition relative to the prosthesis of the coping.

  The external portion of the prosthesis conforms to the process of adding at least one layer of material to a suitable coping and the surface of the layer conforms to a pre-determined geometry. As described above, it may be manufactured by a process having a process of subjecting to a material removal operation. A plurality of layers may be formed sequentially on the coping so that the last layer meets the outer surface required for the prosthesis.

Optionally, fabrication of each layer of the prosthesis or the layer (when the prosthesis has only one layer) may be performed using conventional methods. Such conventional methods are well known in the art, for example, making a layer of porcelain or any other suitable material layer by layer, starting with a first layer placed on the coping, The step of manually working these layers to fit within the intra-oral cavity in the space reserved for the prosthesis. To achieve this, a material {typically plaster or stone} model of at least a portion of the oral cavity is created, typically by the service center and based on a 3D virtual model of the tooth. This is sent to the dental lab.

  In addition or alternatively, the processing of the layer or layers may be at least partially automated, and at least one dental lab may include a material removal machine for removing material from the layer, and the material removal operation. Suitable scanning means for determining the topology of the layer previously. Also provided is a computer means for calculating machining paths for the material removal machine, where such paths are for the topology of the layer and the surface prior to the material removal operation. Based on the difference between the required topologies.

  The pre-determined parameters include dimensional accuracy for manufacturing the prosthetic part. In particular, when dimensional accuracy for the manufacture of a particular part is required to be about 40 micrometers or less than 40 micrometers, such as the inner surface of the coping, the part is Manufactured. Instead, when dimensional accuracy for a particular part is required to be within a value substantially greater than 40 micrometers, such as, for example, an external part of a crown, this part is manufactured by a dental lab. The

  In one particular application of the present invention, the intraoral cavity is scanned at a dental clinic and the virtual model data thus obtained is sent to a dental lab. The dental lab then defines a margin line (in the virtual model) of the preparation and designs the coping geometry. Instead, the virtual model (also) is sent to the service center along with an appropriate prescription from the dental lab, in which case the service center (in the virtual model) the margin of the preparation. A line is defined and the coping shape is designed. In any case, the coping shape is processed by the service center, which is then either directly based on the design, or indirectly, for example, via a lost wax process. And make a coping. The coping is sent to the dental lab along with the material convex model of the dentition or part thereof, including the preparation, where the technician there is porcelain or other One or more layers of a suitable material of the Sequentially added to the coping, forming the layer to create the prosthesis profile, and in the space where the prosthesis is left for it The complete prosthesis is prepared in a conventional manner by checking with the material model that fits in and provides the proper occlusion. The prosthesis is then sent to the dental clinic to be fitted to the patient.

Full flexibility of communication between the clinic, laboratory and service center is provided, for example, allowing many different communications to take place between them, which are not limited to the following: And (i) scanned data of the intraoral cavity (from which the virtual model is generated) is sent from the dental clinic to the dental lab and / or service center;
(Ii) 3D numerical data (ie, the virtual model) of the intraoral cavity created by the dental lab or service center directly or indirectly from data transmitted to either location Transmitted to the dental clinic for use;
(Iii) wherever it was created, approved 3D numerical data of the oral cavity is transmitted to the dental lab and / or the service center;
(Iv) Provision of the margin line by the dental lab or the service center is sent to the dental clinic for approval;
(V) an approved margin line rule is sent from the dental clinic to the service center and / or dental lab;
(Vi) provision of the 3D coping shape by the dental lab or the service center is sent to the dental clinic for approval;
(Vii) an approved 3D coping shape and / or its approval is sent from the dental clinic to the service center and / or dental lab;
(Viii) the coping prescription is sent from the dental lab to the dental clinic for approval, and the approved prescription is sent to a dental lab and / or a service center.

  Here, “dental clinic” refers to the interface between the dental professional and the patient, and thus any substance that has an interaction between the dental patient and the dental professional. Includes physical entities, especially clinics. “Dental practitioner” typically refers to a dentist, doctor, prostheticist or orthodontic, but here a dental patient during the course of dental treatment Also includes all other caregivers that interact with. “Dental patient” typically refers to a person who requires dental services of a dental professional, where it refers to, for example, the oral cavity in the mouth with respect to that person for the purpose of doing the same or for conducting research Including any person who wants to create a 3D numerical model.

  The term “prosthesis” here refers to any restoration, and any onlay such as a crown or bridge, and anything such as a cap. Such inlays, and any other artificial partial or complete dentures.

  The terms virtual model, 3D numerical model, etc. are used interchangeably herein to refer to a computer simulation of the surface, including 3D topographic data that refers to the surface, such as the dental surface of a cavity in the mouth. used.

  In another aspect of the invention, systems and methods are provided for designing and fabricating dental appliances such as, for example, braces. The system includes at least one dental clinic and at least one dental laboratory. The system also includes a dental service center separate from the dental laboratory. The service center is equipped to generate a virtual 3D model of the patient's teeth from data obtained either by optically scanning the teeth directly or by scanning a material model of the teeth. And the process is initiated at least at the dental clinic. Alternatively, a dental lab may generate the virtual model. The service center is also equipped to design dental treatment and use the computer model to select, design and manufacture appliances for performing the treatment. Details of the treatment and necessary equipment may then be sent to the clinic. The clinic then sends instructions to a dental laboratory that is equipped to make at least a part of the dental appliance according to instructions received from either the dental clinic or the service center. It is then shipped to the clinic.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 for designing and fabricating dental appliances according to the present invention. The system 10 includes a dental service center 23, one or more dental clinics 22, and one or more dental labs 26. Dental Clinic 22 and Dental Lab 2
6 is indicated by a cloud at 24, for example, a communication means or network such as the Internet, or other suitable such as an intranet, local access network, public switched telephone network, cable network, satellite communication system, etc. They are linked to each other via a communication medium, each linked to the dental service center. Optionally, for example, when such a dental clinic or lab forms part of a common commercial entity, certain dental clinics 22 link to each other via the same or different ones of the communication media. And / or certain dental labs 26 can be linked together. Further optionally, such an interlinked dental clinic 22 and / or dental lab 26 may be another entity, such as a head clinic or main lab with a central database (not shown). (Head lab) may be further linked.

In accordance with the present invention, digital three-dimensional information W (FIG. 2) of the cavity or portion thereof in the patient's mouth is created by the system, and this information is then optimal, cost-effective.
Used by the dental lab 26 and / or the service center 23 to design and / or manufacture custom dental prostheses at and cost effective manners. Thus, obtaining a precise 3D representation of the intraoral cavity is the first step performed by the system. Typically, the 3D information is obtained at the clinic 22, but this information may alternatively be obtained by one of a dental lab 26 or a service center 23, as described herein.

  Preferably, each dental clinic 22 may provide 3D digital data of the intraoral cavity including the patient's dentition and associated anatomy, thus providing suitable equipment for scanning the patient's teeth. Have. Such equipment includes, for example, a hand-held scanner 31 used by the specialist to acquire the 3D data. Advantageously, an arrangement of light beams (as disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,077,097, manufactured under the name PROSTHCAD or whose contents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) Probes that determine the three-dimensional structure by confocal focusing of array of light beams may be used. The 3D data obtained by the probe is then stored in the appropriate storage before being sent over the communications network 24 to the dental service center 23 and / or dental lab 26 for further processing, as described below. It may be stored in a medium, for example, the memory of a computer workstation 32.

  Alternatively, each clinic 22 may have equipment for obtaining a concave casting of the patient's teeth. In this case, the concave cast or impression is taken from the patient's teeth in a manner known in the art, and this concave model 33 is shipped to one of the dental labs 26, The lab is equipped to prepare a convex cast 34 suitable for scanning from the concave model. The convex cast 34 may be scanned in the dental lab 26 by any known method in the art, including using the probe disclosed in US Pat. Good. The 3D data is then transmitted over the network 24 to the service center 23. Alternatively, the convex cast may be routed to the service center 23 by the dentistry 22 and scanned at the service center to obtain the 3D data. Instead, the service center 23 creates a convex model from the concave model 33 and scans there or sends it to the dental clinic 22 where it is scanned. Instead, the concave model 33 is scanned either at the dental laboratory 26 or at the service center 23.

Instead, the concave model 33 provided by the clinic 22 is sent to the service center 23, either directly by the clinic or indirectly via the dental lab 26, A composite convex-concave model may then be produced from the original concave model. The convex-concave model is then transferred to the assignee, for example, to obtain 3D digital data as disclosed in US Pat. May be processed.

Instead, the 3D digital data is applied directly to the patient's dentition, based on optical methods, direct contact, or any other suitable intra-oral scanning technique (based on any other means).
may be obtained in any other suitable manner, including scanning techniques). Alternatively, X-ray based, CT based, MRI based, or some other type of scanning of a convex and / or concave model of a patient or intraoral cavity may be used. The dimensional data may be combined with a complete dentition, or may be combined with a partial dentition, such as only a preparation in the mouth cavity.

  Once the 3D digital data is obtained, the next step is to design the dental prosthesis in question, its manufacture, and finally the placement of the appliance in the cavity in the patient's mouth. Continue.

  The design and manufacture of the appliance is performed in the dental laboratory 26 or the service center 23, respectively, or alternatively one or both of these activities may be shared between the laboratory and the service center, in each case The design and manufacture will be based on the original 3D data of the intraoral cavity previously obtained.

  The dental lab 26 has a laboratory or design or manufacturing entity that provides direct technical services to the dental clinic 22. Such services are also handed over to the assignee, and the contents of the termination lines are, for example, as disclosed in patent documents 4 and 5 which are incorporated herein in their entirety. This includes the process of scanning, manufacturing and analyzing the preparation in the cavity in the mouth for marking. Is the dental lab equipped to design one or all of the appliances and / or partially manufacture or assemble the same, especially when close tolerances are relatively insignificant? Or otherwise characterized as enabling it. On the other hand, the service center 23 is also equipped to design one part or the whole appliance and / or to manufacture and / or assemble the same in full or in part, but this is due to the narrow or tight tolerance It is particularly suitable for performing any of these activities that are important and / or difficult to achieve.

  The service center 23 is a different design and manufacturing entity than the dental lab 26 and is thus separate. However, the service center 23 is located in a different geographical zone than the dental clinic 26, eg, different countries, different cities in the same country, different neighborhoods in the same city, or in different buildings in the same neighborhood. They may also be housed in the same building, and in any case they retain different functions and capabilities as described herein.

  Typically, for any given prosthesis, the service center 23 will at least produce the prosthesis with a single dental lab according to predetermined criteria, as described in more detail herein. Share. Nevertheless, the production of a particular prosthesis is shared between the service center 23 and a number of dental labs 26 each contributing to a part of the production. The same applies to the design of the prosthesis, which is performed in the same or different dental lab 26 and is optionally shared with the service center 23.

  The dental lab 26 is typically located in the same locality with the clinic 22 it serves and the two are either geographically remote. Thus, the dental lab 26 and the clinic 22 it serves may both be located in the same building or complex, or in different parts of the same city, or in different cities or countries. However, the dental lab 26 of the present invention typically has an established working relationship with the clinic 22 and thus generally tends to be in the same city.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the dental appliance to be manufactured is a prosthesis such as a crown. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, such a crown, generally referred to as 100, is very precisely defined within the cavity 200 in the patient's mouth to match the preparation 80 and the end line 84, respectively, It has an inner surface 120 and a lower edge 130 that need to be manufactured. Such a crown typically has a cap 110 and a coping 125.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the communication network 24 may also include a clinic 22 and / or a dental lab when, for example, a dental professional at the clinic 22 interacts with the dental lab 26 to finalize the prescription for the service center 23. 26 to the service center 23 and / or between the clinic 22 and the dental lab 26. The prescription includes which of the patient's teeth should be restored, the material to be used for the restoration (eg, shoulder shape and material, metal or ceramic shoulder of the prosthesis). Clinic to specify whether to be provided for lingal and buccal parts of the procedure, etc.}, color of required recovery, comments on margin line (termination line), etc. Includes instructions from 22 dentists and / or from the dental lab 26.

  The term “preparation” refers to the remaining stamp of the tooth that is to be replaced by the crown and on which the crown is to ride, but also in such a position or the crown Including artificial remnant roots or other devices that are implanted in the cavity in the mouth at a location that is optimal for implanting.

  The cap 110 formed of multiple layers 115 should preferably have a natural-looking appearance, so that the collar and surface characteristics of the cap 110 are those of the other teeth of the cavity 200 in the mouth, especially The crown 100 needs to match those near the site to be implanted therein. Further, the dimensions of the cap should be such that the crown fits between adjacent teeth 210, 220 and provides proper occlusion with the facing jaw teeth 230. Manufacturing tolerances for the cap 110 are not as tight as those for the inner surface 120 and may be on the order of about 80 micrometers, which is within the capabilities of most normal dental laboratories 26 currently providing such services to the clinic 22. is there.

The coping 125 is made of metal, ceramic, or other very strong material and is designed to carry the mechanical load of the crown 100 associated with normal operation of the teeth. The inner surface 120 and the lower edge 130 of the coping 125 must closely match the underpreparation 80 and the termination line 84, and provide a satisfactory insertion path for the crown 100. Typically, the fitting tolerance for the inner surface 120 and lower edge 130 should be in the order of about 40 micrometers or less, which is more demanding than for the cap 110. If the dimensional accuracy is not kept at this tolerance level, there is a risk of infection of the rest of the teeth, and the infection is between the crown and the preparation, in particular the lower edge 130. And through the gap between the terminal line 84. Furthermore, if such tolerances are not met, the life of the prosthesis is severely reduced. Prior art dental labs design and manufacture copings, but such narrow tolerances are typically not achievable by most normal dental labs currently providing such services to clinics. is there. Thus, the design and manufacture of the inner surface 120 and the lower edge 130 is advantageously carried out according to the present invention by the service center 23 having the equipment and expertise to do so. By concentrating such specialized and precise work from a number of clinics 22, the service center 23 performs such work in a more cost effective and efficient manner and generally more precisely than the dental lab 26. Can be executed.

  Referring specifically to FIG. 4, the service center 23 has suitable hardware, such as a server 300, which is prescription as well as 3D data for the oral cavity 200 from the clinic 22 or the dental lab 26. Are suitably programmed to receive the data, and possibly the data and the prescription may be provided from a different one of the clinic 22 or dental lab 26. Instead, the data W is sent from the server 300 or another computer of the service center 23 adapted to provide 3D data from a concave-convex model of the cavity, as described above. Or provided by some other means. The server 300 has suitable software that allows the 3D data corresponding to the outer surface 82 and the termination line 84 of the preparation to be separated from the rest of the 3D data W of the intraoral cavity 200, which is an automated method. It may be done at. Alternatively, this selection of data may be done interactively by a specialized personel. Thus, the server 300 optionally includes at least one monitor or other display means for displaying the 3D data as an operable image 320, wherein the means includes a mouse 330, keyboard, voice recognition means. Or, by some other suitable user interface, the attendant may, in his / her opinion, select a demarcation point on the image that corresponds to the termination line. These points may be marked on the display means 310 with the help of a cursor 335 or other icon. The server 300 also includes suitable software that defines the inner surface 120 according to predetermined parameters. These parameters are the shape of the outer surface 82 and termination line 84 of the preparation 80, between the coping to contain the adhesive or cement used to provide the bond between the two and the preparation. Consider the required spacing and also the insertion path shape, which is a function of the topology of the adjacent teeth 210, 220 as well as the preparation 80. The server 300 also has suitable software that automatically or interactively provides the external shape of the coping 125, thus providing a complete geometric representation of the coping or 3D data C digitally. The outer surface 126 of the coping 125 may be defined in any number of ways. Typically, at least a majority of the outer surface 126 is displaced a uniform amount from the inner surface 120 to provide an approximately constant thickness therethrough. However, the thickness of the coping may vary for a number of reasons. For example, the crown 100 provides stronger coping in some parts, reflecting the expected activity that engages like molars, incisors, canines, etc. It is necessary in some cases to do. The preparation also has a relatively small space left for the coping 125 in some areas, while the other preparation has a wider gap between the coping and the next tooth. May be. The wider this gap, the thicker the coping, while it allows sufficient material for the cap 110 to be provided. When the cap 110 is cemented or bonded onto the coping using an adhesive, the gap between the lower edge of the coping and the cap is more than the other parts between the coping and the cap. It is desirable to provide many adhesives. Accordingly, the outer surface 126 may be somewhat recessed near the lower edge 130, and thus the coping may be thinner here. The additional adhesive that may be provided in the recesses relieves some mechanical stress from the lower edge of the cap 110, which is typically the weakest part of the structure, thus reducing the life of the crown 100. extend.

The server 300 is further adapted to provide machining instructions to a suitable material removal machine 400 based on the geometric 3D data C of the coping 125. Alternatively, the server 300 transmits the 3D data C to another computer (not shown) that provides the machining instructions to the machine 400. The service center 23 further includes a manufacturing center 500 suitable for manufacturing a massive replica corresponding to the 3D data C. Optionally, the manufacturing center 500 includes the machine 400 adapted to make a coping 125 directly from a suitable hard material using the processing instructions. Any suitable processing tool adapted for material removal may be used, such as a mechanical tool such as, for example, a drill, for example a laser drill or a cutter.
Laser tools such as cutters, for example, ultrasonic tools such as ultrasonic cutters, and the like may be included. The machining paths and material removal characteristics of such tools can typically be finely controlled by a control computer included in the machine 400 or operatively linked. . Thus, the coping may be manufactured directly by machine 400, for example, from a crown material such as metal.

  Preferably, the coping is transferred indirectly to the assignee, for example indirectly in the manner described in US Pat. Nos. 6,037,097, the patent applications of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It should be manufactured. In essence, the material model of the coping is processed from an appropriate wax or similar material by a material removal process using an appropriate processing tool and the machine 400, where the processing is computer controlled, the Based on 3D data C. The wax model is then included in the manufacturing center 500 or alternatively transferred to a casting facility 600 provided by a source outside the service center 23, for example, including the dental lab 26. And, typically, a lost-wax process creates a concave mold of the wax model. The mold is then poured by pouring molten metal into the mold and allowing the metal to solidify or by spraying ceramic powder into it and sintering the ceramic powder to form a solid It is used to form the coping 125 either by heating the powder until it forms an integral unit, or by another suitable method. The mold is then removed, thereby providing a coping 125, which is dimensionally faithful to the 3D data C with high dimensional accuracy, typically within 40 micrometers.

  The wax-based method of making the coping 125 has several advantages over the direct material removal method, for example, less wear and failure is experienced by the processing tool, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, when a direct contact tool such as a mechanical tool is used, the deformation of the tool is unlikely to occur, and thus the nominal dimensions of the coping 125 (ie, when making a coping directly from metal or other hard material). Only small deviations from 3D data C) occur.

Once the coping 125 is manufactured, the cap 110 is joined to it if manufactured separately. Instead and typically, the cap 110 is manufactured already joined to the coping, as will become more apparent herein. In either case, the outer surface 111 of the cap 110 needs to be defined first. The outer surface 111 is
(A) a suitable clearance between the crown 100 and adjacent teeth 210, 211 when the crown is secured over a corresponding preparation in the intraoral cavity 200; and (b) the crown 100 is It is intended to provide a proper occlusion between the crown 100 and the opposing jaw teeth 230 when secured on a corresponding preparation in the intraoral cavity 200.

At least, the outer surface 111 of the cap 110 provides certain critical linear dimensions that fit at least one of the target width or height of the site or location on the jaw on which the crown is fitted. It is like. The target width includes the mesiodistal size of the tooth that is replaced by the crown, and between the crown and adjacent teeth when the crown is secured on the corresponding preparation in the oral cavity. May be provided to provide a suitable clearance. The target height provides proper occlusion with the “working side” of the tooth and is relative to the crown when the crown is secured over a corresponding preparation in the cavity in the mouth. May be defined to avoid interfering contact with the jaw teeth.

  An external shape for the outer surface 111 may be chosen, and this can be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, if the original tooth that the crown is replacing is still available and its outer surface is satisfactory, the tooth may be scanned to obtain 3D data of the surface. If necessary, this 3D data can be considered as a starting point and the final shape of the outer surface 111 can be manipulated as required by the engineer or other user designing the surface 111. Can be obtained. Alternatively, if the patient has a reasonably healthy tooth on the adjacent quadrant on the same jaw but at a location corresponding to where the crown 110 is fitted, the 3D data of the surface of this tooth Is obtained. Optionally, the tooth is described here to obtain its 3D spatial coordinates if this data is not already available from the 3D data of the intraoral cavity 200 stored in the server 300. May be scanned as well. Alternatively, a suitable profile for the surface 111 may be selected and obtained from a library 235 having a plurality of crown and tooth outer surface shapes or a 3D spatial profile of the profile. If necessary, the relative dimensions and shape of the surface 111 may be adjusted by a technician to better match other teeth in the jaw. The selected surface is then within a control volume where the required target dimension of surface 111 defines the maximum dimension of the cap, as required to fit the space available within the oral cavity 200. Is adjusted in any suitable manner, manually, automatically, interactively or in some other way. In particular, the control volume is selected to provide an appropriate gap between the crown and adjacent teeth and an appropriate occlusion with the opposing teeth when the crown is properly secured on the preparation. .

  The design of the outer surface 111 may be performed at the service center 23 or dental laboratory 26. If the latter, and if a library of 3D spatial profiles of multiple crowns and tooth external shapes or profiles is used, then the dental lab 26 will be connected to the service center 23 via the communication network 24. Library 235 can be used. Instead, the dental lab 26 has a suitable display 302 and a user interface 303 such as a mouse and / or keyboard, and is operative to a local server 301 or other computer as illustrated in FIG. You may have your lab's own digital library 135 of 3D spatial profiles of multiple crown and tooth exterior shapes or profiles connected to the lab. The local server 301 is in communication with the server 300 of the service center 23 and the computer 32 of the dental clinic 22 via the network 24 in any case.

Optionally, and by predetermined criteria, details, including the shape and dimensions of each of the intermediate layers 115, can also be chosen and determined, for example, as deemed to provide a specific or desirable visual effect. . Thus, for example, it may be determined to provide an outer layer that is made of opaque porcelain so that in some bands the intermediate layer appears more reflective in others, but with varying thickness. Similarly, the intermediate layer is made of a suitable porcelain having the desired color, and the depth of this layer can also be varied to provide various hue colors. For example, where the depth of layer 115 is greater, layer 115 appears slightly brighter than where the layer is shallower. This aspect of the cap design may be performed by the service center 23 or dental lab 26.

  Once the design of the cap 110 is complete, the next step, the step of manufacturing the cap 110, begins. As described above, there are at least two methods of manufacturing the cap 110: a method in which a separate item is then joined to the coping 125, and a method with the coping 125.

  In the first method, the inner surface of the cap 110 needs to be defined and the design can be, for example, the shape of the outer surface 126 of the coping 125, the adhesive or cement used to provide the bond between the two. Consider a number of parameters, such as the spacing required between the cap 110 and the coping 125 to accommodate the. If this method is adopted, the shape of the outer surface 126 of the coping is designed to provide a suitable insertion path shape for the cap 110 that is not only a function of the outer surface 126 but also the adjacent teeth 210,220. Is preferred. Thus, if necessary, a broken cap may be replaced on a coping 125 that has already been cemented onto the preparation 80, and it is not necessary to remove the coping 125 from the preparation 80, thus. Avoid possible damage to the preparation. Since the 3D data of the cap 110 is known internally and externally, a replacement cap can be manufactured without having to rescan the cavity in the mouth. Instead, if the entire crown 100 should be replaced, the preparation area needs to be rescanned because its shape has changed as a result of removal of the coping 125.

  The next step is to combine the 3D data of the inner surface of the cap 110 and the 3D data of the outer surface 111 of the cap 110 to provide a complete 3D digital model M of the cap. The 3D model M may be designed by the dental lab 26 or the service center 23 itself using the original 3D information W of the intraoral cavity 200, in particular, the 3D model of the coping 125 previously created. Good. When this activity is performed in the dental laboratory 26, the corresponding design software in the server 300 is accessed by the laboratory technician via the communication network 24. Alternatively, the design software may be included in the computer 301 of the dental lab 26, and the necessary data including the 3D data C of the coping 110 is obtained from the service center 23 via the communication network 24. May be. The 3D model M is then preferably converted to a processing instruction E for the machine 400, for example, by the computer 301, preferably instead of the server 300. Thereafter, the cap 110 may be manufactured in any one of a number of ways.

  For example, the machine 400 may be adapted to make the cap 110 directly from a suitable durable material using a processing instruction based on the model M. With respect to the coping 125, it is suitable for material removal and has, inter alia, a mechanical tool such as a drill, for example a laser tool such as a laser drill or cutter, for example an ultrasonic tool such as an ultrasonic cutter, etc. Any suitable processing tool may be used. Preferably, the processing path and material removal characteristics of such tools can be finely controlled by a control computer typically operatively connected to or included in the machine 400.

Alternatively, the cap 110 may be manufactured indirectly using a lost wax process similar to that described here for coping and described in US Pat. Thus, the material model of the cap is processed from a suitable wax or similar material by a material removal process using a suitable processing tool and the machine 400. The wax model may then be the same or different casting equipment 600 that is included in the manufacturing center 500 or provided instead by a source outside the service center 23, including for example the dental lab 26. And a concave mold of the wax model is made, typically by a lost wax process. The mold is then poured by pouring molten metal into the mold and allowing the metal to solidify or by injecting ceramic powder into it, which is sintered by the solid unit Is used to form the cap 110 either by heating to form or by any other suitable means. The mold is then removed, thereby providing a cap 110, which is dimensionally accurate to the 3D model M with high dimensional accuracy, typically within about 40 micrometers or less.

  If it is necessary to manufacture the cap 110 with a plurality of layers of different materials, for example to provide a natural-looking appearance that matches other teeth of the patient, this is done as follows. Also good. Initially, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the 3D model M may be used to design the outer shape of the outer surface 116 of each intermediate layer. The 3D model T, each corresponding to one intermediate layer 115 and of course including the final layer 118, is typically converted to a material removal instruction P by the server 300 or alternatively by the computer 301. The instructions can be performed by a suitable material removal machine, such as machine 400, for example. The innermost layer 117, ie, the layer to be placed directly on the coping 125, is then the same as that described above for the entire cap 110, either by a direct material removal method or, if necessary, modified. Similarly, it is produced by an indirect method such as a lost wax process. This stage of manufacture is preferably performed at the service center 23 because it requires high dimensional accuracy. If an indirect method is used, at least the wax model is manufactured at the service center 23 for the same reason. A continuous material layer 115 up to the final layer 118 is then applied to the inner layer 117 in a manner known in the art, but each layer has its outer surface 116 matched to the design shape, ie, the 3D data T. Subject to material removal operation. The dimensional accuracy of the surface 116 can be less than 80 micrometers, and that of the outer surface 111 of the cap 110, ie, the final layer 118, is preferably about 80 micrometers, thus removing material for the intermediate and final layers. The operation is advantageously performed in the dental laboratory 26.

  In the second method, the cap 110 is made already joined to the coping 125, i.e. starts with a workpiece having the coping 125. In essence, a layer of a suitable crown material is applied to the coping 125 in a manner known in the art and this layer is then required, for example, in a manual manner, or alternatively as is well known in the art. To a material removal operation that provides the desired profile for the outer surface 111 in a computer controlled manner similar to that described above for, for example, a separate cap.

  Thus, in this embodiment, material is applied directly to the coping 125, so there is no need to define the inner surface for the cap 110, and it automatically takes the appropriate shape on the outer surface of the coping, thus High dimensional accuracy during the coping 125 is automatically achieved.

  If the cap 110 is desired to produce a crown having a plurality of layers 115, including the final layer 118, an appropriate crown material for each layer is added to the previously finished layer, and then the outer surface of the cap 110 is 111, processed or otherwise subjected to a manual or computer-aided material removal operation to provide the necessary profiles for each outer surface 116 of the layer, including 111 .

When the crown is made in the conventional manner in the dental lab 26 and includes one or more layers of material formed on the coping produced by the service center 23, the outer surface of each layer is precisely within the virtual model. There is less need to be prescribed. Thus, in such a case, the technician of the dental lab 26 includes conventional methods or any other method and includes manual, interactive or automatic methods, or combinations of two or more thereof. The cap 110 may be designed in any suitable manner.

  For the first and second methods described above, the material removal operation of the innermost layer 117, the intermediate layer 115, and the final layer 118 is suitable for material removal, among others, for example, a mechanical tool such as a drill, for example The dental lab 26 comprising a suitable material removal machine 450 having any suitable processing tool, which may include a laser tool such as a laser drill or cutter, for example an ultrasonic tool such as an ultrasonic cutter, etc. Can be done. Preferably, the machining path and material removal characteristics of such a tool are finely defined by a control computer operatively connected to or included in a machine 450 previously prepared and having a machining instruction P stored therein. Typically, it can be controlled. Alternatively, the material removal operation can be performed in the dental lab 26 using more conventional methods. Specifically for this purpose, a material convex model of the tooth is provided to the dental lab 26, including a preparation and a surrounding tooth with adjacent teeth and teeth facing the jaws, which is completely Help the engineer in making the prosthesis. Such a material model may optionally be in the dental lab 26, but typically at the service center 23, any suitable method such as a material removal method including a CNC machining method, for example. It can be made from the virtual model W using methods or using other techniques such as prototyping methods, for example. Alternatively, a convex model may be created directly from the concave model in a manner known in the art, particularly if a concave model is used to obtain a virtual model in the first place.

  The fabrication of the outer surface 116 of the layers 117, 115 and 118 of the coping 110 is used for the fabrication of the inner surface of the cap 110 (for the first method) or of the coping 125 (for the second method). When performed on a different machine, the proper spatial alignment between the inner and outer surfaces of each part must be maintained. This may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, surface features such as protrusions 119 of known shape and located at (or somewhere) within the interior surface 120 are included in the 3D model M, thus also within the material coping 125 to be manufactured. Also included. The protrusion 119 is used as a reference datum when the coping is transferred to a different machine, such as the machine 450 that follows in the manufacture of the crown. When the cap 110 is manufactured separately from the coping 125, similar protrusions are included in the cap 110 and may serve as a reference datum for aligning the cap 110 with the coping 125. Instead, once the coping 125 is placed on the next machine, such as machine 450, its outer surface is scanned by a suitable scanner, such as scanner 330, and the 3D data thus obtained is the outer surface of the cap 110. Is used by the computer 301 to adjust the material removal instructions P to align with the coping 125.

  The material removal operation for either the first or the second is filed on February 9, 2004 and is assigned to the assignee, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The method disclosed in Patent Document 8 is preferably performed. In essence, the crown 100 represents the three-dimensional shape of the outer surface of either the final layer 118 or any intermediate layer 115, including the inner layer 117, the material to be processed to form the crown 100. Manufactured by performing a mapping operation to determine and then subjecting the layer to a material removal operation, where the processing path is based on local differences between the actual shape and the desired shape. Computer controlled and optimized to reduce processing time. Instead, the crown 100 is manufactured by performing a measurement operation to determine at least some critical dimensions of the outer surface, either the final layer or any intermediate layer of the prosthesis. The These measurements are then compared to the corresponding nominal dimensions to which the crown is to be fitted and then the layer is subjected to a material removal operation, where the machining path is computer controlled and optimized to reduce machining time.

Thus, the distance between adjacent machining paths is maintained, for example, on the order of 0.02-0.2 mm, so that an optimum amount of material can be used for each sweep without damaging the prosthesis and / or the tool. ). Thus, before machining begins, these paths are designed to match the actual external details of the workpiece, ie the material layer, so that the machining paths are placed within a fictitious envelope. There is no need. Thus,
-Possible damage to the crown and / or tool due to the intention to remove too much material in one sweep is generally avoided, as happens if the material exceeds the envelope limit; No processing time is wasted by advancing the tool across an empty space for some part of the processing path, as will occur if material is well below the envelope limit.

Then, this manufacturing process for each layer added to the coping 125 (for the second method) or innermost layer 117 (for the first method, thus including the innermost layer 117 itself),
a) real dimensional data for at least one parameter associated with the layer is obtained;
b) For at least one such parameter, a comparison is made between the actual dimension data and the predetermined target dimension data that the parameter is desired to fit.
c) the layer is subjected to a material removal operation by a suitable processing means along a processing path that is a function of the comparison, so that the parameters associated with the layer after the operation substantially match the target dimension data; Provided.

  The parameter is preferably a geometric parameter that includes the surface coordinates of each layer, while the target dimension data includes numerical values of the idealized or required outer surface coordinates of the prosthesis. The requested outer surface coordinates are provided by the 3D model T.

  The actual dimension data may include actual surface coordinates of each layer prior to the material removal operation. In step (a), the layer is typically included in the dental lab 26, used, and scanned with a suitable three-dimensional surface probe 330 operatively connected to the computer 301. Such a probe preferably provides a three-dimensional structure based on confocal imaging. Instead, the actual dimensional data is obtained using any suitable intraoral cavity scanning technique based on optical methods, direct contact or any other means applied directly to the patient's dentition. May be. Alternatively, the data may be obtained using a technique based on scanning a convex and / or concave model of the intraoral cavity. Alternatively, it may be obtained using X-ray based, CT based, MRI based, or some other type of scanning based technique of a convex and / or concave model of a patient or oral cavity. Good. The dimensional data may be combined with a complete or partial dentition, such as only the preparation, and corresponds to the 3D data W.

Alternatively, the parameter is at least one linear dimension of the layer.
geometric parameters including dimension). The target dimension data thus includes at least one numerical value of the target width or target height of the location on the jaw where the crown is to be fitted. The target width may include, for example, the near-distal dimension of the tooth being replaced, and when the prosthesis is secured on the corresponding preparation in the mouth cavity, the crown and the adjacent tooth May be provided to provide a suitable clearance. The target height provides a proper occlusion between the prosthesis and the opposing jaw teeth when the prosthesis is secured over a corresponding preparation in the mouth cavity. You may be prescribed to do.

  Referring also to FIG. 6, the dental clinic 26 is also provided with a material model 700 of the intraoral cavity portion of interest, ie shown in this figure as 210 ′, 220 ′, 80 ′, 84 ′ and 230 ′. The adjacent teeth 210, 220, the lower preparation 80 and the terminal line 84, and a scale replica of the upper teeth 230 opposite the lower preparation and the adjacent teeth. The model 700 corresponds to two parts, an upper jaw and a lower jaw, respectively, and has an upper portion 710 and a lower portion 720 that are reversely coupled together in correct occlusion by alignment pins 750. The model 700 is preferably manufactured at the service center 23 via any suitable means, such as CNC machining of two block blocks of plaster or other material. The 3D data W, originally taken from the intraoral cavity 200, is then used to provide material removal instructions to the machine 400 from which the model 700 can be manufactured. The model 700 is then sent to the dental lab 23 before the finished crown 100 is finally sent from the dental lab 26 to the clinic 22 for implantation into the cavity 200 in the patient's mouth. Help the technician there in attempting to test the crown 100 against the preparation 80 'and end line 84' in the model. Instead, especially when the crown is formed on the coping using conventional methods, the model 700 can be used for the design and fabrication of each successive layer of the cap, or when it consists of a single layer, It may be used by the technician for its design and production.

  Alternatively, the crown may be manufactured as a monolithic item, where the coping as such is not included as a separate item. Thus, referring to FIG. 7, the inner surface of such a crown 100 ′ is required to fit over the preparation 80, thus using a direct material removal method or an indirect method, with modifications if necessary, It is designed and manufactured in a manner similar to the inner surface of the coping 125 described herein. Similarly, the outer surface 111 'is designed in a manner similar to the outer surface 111 of the cap 110 described herein, with modifications where necessary. The manufacture of the outer surface 111 'may optionally be performed at the service center 23 simultaneously with the manufacture of the inner surface 120' and the lower edge 130 '. However, after the unfinished crown 100 'has been prepared by the service center 23 for its inner surface 120' and lower edge 140 ', the technician there will modify it for the outer surface 111 if necessary. It is also possible to send to the dental laboratory 26 to complete the production of the outer surface 111 ′ in the same manner as described herein. The crown 100 'may be made of multiple layers 118', 115'117 ', each of which is designed and manufactured in the same manner as that described for the crown 100, with modifications where necessary. May be. However, it is important that the proper spatial relationship between the inner surface 120 and the outer surface 111 'is maintained. For this purpose, the crown 100 'may be placed on an alignment jig before the inner surface material removal operation begins. When the unfinished crown is sent to the dental lab 26, it is transferred with the jig and the jig maintains a known alignment with the manufacturing center 600 of the dental lab 26. Alternatively, the alignment may be achieved in other ways. For example, surface features such as protrusions 119 'that are of a known shape and are located (or elsewhere) at known locations within the inner surface 120' are included. The protrusion 119 'is used as a reference datum when the coping is moved to a different machine, such as a machine 450 that continues with the manufacture of the crown 100'. Optionally, such an alignment jig may include part or all of the model 700 of the dentition. Instead, once the crown 100 ′ is installed in a subsequent machine, such as machine 450, its inner surface is scanned by a suitable scanner, such as scanner 330, and the 3D data thus obtained is Used by computer 301 to adjust the material removal instructions to align the inner surface of 100 'with its outer surface.

Although the design and manufacture of a crown prosthesis has been described, similar methods can be modified, for example, bridges, and inlays such as caps, etc., if necessary. It may be used to design and manufacture any other dental prosthesis, including other artificial partial or complete dentitions. However, and referring to FIG. 8, when designing the bridge 100 ", considering the bridge 100" as a whole, the internal contact surfaces 120 "for adjacent teeth 88" are each suitable for the underpreparation 80 ". Care must be taken to provide an insertion path 87 "and thus the two paths 87" must be substantially parallel.

  Although the design and manufacture of the prosthesis has been described based on the representation of the surface information, a three-dimensional entity in the oral cavity, such as a teeth gum, for example, a coping 125 and a cap 110 Including the 3D entity designed by the system 10 may instead be described in a blocky representation.

  In a second embodiment of the invention, the system 10 is used for orthodontic applications. The 3D data corresponding to the cavity 200 in the patient's mouth is determined as for the first embodiment, with modifications as necessary. Referring to FIG. 1, the communication network 24 may also be used to send a prescription from the clinic 22 to the service center 23. The prescription may include instructions from the dentist at the clinic 22 specifying not only which of the patient's teeth should be moved in the dental treatment, but also the desired final tooth position to be obtained in the conclusion of the dental treatment.

  The service center 23 executes a dental treatment planning software program at a computer station 16 having a central processing unit, such as a personal computer. The software takes in previously obtained 3D digital data representing the patient's teeth and possibly a prescription sent from one of the dental clinics 22. The software processes the 3D data to generate a 3D computer model 18 of the dentition that is displayed to the user on the monitor 20. The treatment planning software has features that allow the user to manipulate the model 18 to select or design the patient dental appliance to perform a specified treatment with a prescription sent from the clinic. For example, the user can select or specifically design one or more dental appliances {eg, brackets or archwires} and apply a virtual model of these appliances to the 3D model of the tooth. In the case of orthodontic appliances, the rule is determined according to rules that are predetermined based on the appliance applied to simulate the tooth movement that would occur in orthodontic treatment applied to the patient's actual teeth. The software is configured to move the virtual tooth. The user then determines whether the selected dental or orthodontic appliance is satisfied. If not, the user selects a new appliance and repeats the process until a satisfactory appliance is found.

  When the user determines that he is satisfied with the selected dental appliance, the user sends the clinic 22 one or more images showing the patient's teeth along with the selected appliance applied to the teeth. Request confirmation of the selection from the dentist. Information about the patient and the determined appliance is sent over the communication medium to one of the appliance service centers 23. The dentist specifies to which one of the dental labs 26 the information should be sent. Each dental lab has equipment for manufacturing specially manufactured dental appliances such as brackets, archwires, and the like. The appliance service center 23 then manufactures the specified appliance and dispatches the appliance to the clinic 22.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for designing and fabricating a dental appliance according to another aspect of the present invention. In step 40, 3D data representing the patient's dentition is acquired. As described above, the data may be acquired either by directly scanning the patient's teeth or by other methods such as scanning a material model of the teeth. The acquired data is then transmitted to the dental service center (step 42). In step 44, a prescription is sent from the dental clinic to the service center specifying not only the tooth to be moved in the dental treatment but also the final position of the tooth at the end of the treatment. Then, in step 46, the service center executes computer software that generates a virtual 3D model of the patient's dentition from the acquired data. The virtual model is used to determine the dental appliance required to perform the dental treatment specified in the prescription (step 48). Finally, in step 50, the determined list of appliances is transmitted to the dental lab 26 where the appliances are made.

  In the method claims that follow, the alphanumeric and Roman numerals used to refer to the claim process are provided for convenience only and do not imply any particular order in which the process is performed.

Finally, the term “comprising” as used throughout the appended claims includes, but is not limited to “including but not limited”.
to) ".

  While exemplary embodiments according to the present invention have been shown and disclosed, it will be appreciated that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In order to understand the present invention and to see how it is actually implemented, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are described below. It seems to be.

It is as follows if the preferable aspect of this invention is arranged and described.
1. A dental service center for providing at least manufacturing services to at least one of a plurality of dental clinics and dental laboratories based on a 3D numerical model of a dentition requiring a prosthesis, and creating the 3D numerical model Is at least initiated at the dental clinic, the service center
Manufacturing means for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis;
A communication medium for exchanging at least the 3D numerical model between the service center, at least one of the plurality of dental clinics, and at least one of the plurality of dental laboratories;
The service center is configured to share the manufacture of the prosthesis with at least one of the dental laboratories based on the 3D numerical model according to a predetermined criterion.
2. The service center according to 1 above, wherein the communication medium includes an electronic communication network.
3. 3. The service center according to 2 above, wherein the communication network is selected from the group including the Internet, an intranet, a local access network, a public switched telephone network, and a cable network.
4). At least one of the dental clinics is adapted to provide a concave cast of the patient's dentition, and the service center is adapted to provide the 3D numerical model from the concave cast of the dentition The service center according to 1 above, wherein the service center is provided.
5. The service center is adapted to design the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model, the prosthesis having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the service center is the complement. The service center of claim 1, wherein the service center is adapted to provide a 3D numerical model of a lever.
6). 5. The service center of claim 5, wherein the service center is adapted to manufacture at least a first portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D model of the prosthesis.
7). The service center is adapted to produce at least the inner surface of the prosthesis, the inner surface being designed to be installed on a target site contained within the dentition. The service center.
8). The service center according to claim 7, wherein the prosthesis has at least one coping, and the inner surface is an inner surface of the coping.
9. 8. The service center of claim 8, wherein the service center is adapted to design an outer surface of the coping based on the 3D numerical model.
10. 9. The service center of claim 9, wherein the service center comprises a material removal machine for directly manufacturing the coping from a suitable coping material based on the design of the inner and outer surfaces of the coping.
11. 10. The service center of claim 10, wherein the service center comprises a material removal machine for producing a material model of the coping from a suitable wax material or the like based on the design of the inner and outer surfaces of the coping. Service center.
12 The service center comprises means for making a concave cast of the material model and means for making the coping from the concave cast using a suitable coping material. The 11 service centers described above.
13. The service center of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameter includes dimensional accuracy for manufacturing the prosthetic component.
14 13. The service of claim 13, wherein the part is manufactured by the service center when the dimensional accuracy for manufacturing the part is required to be about 40 micrometers or less than 40 micrometers. Center.
15. In a system for producing at least a dental prosthesis, the system comprises:
(A) comprising at least one dental clinic, each or each dental clinic adapted to at least initiate the creation of a 3D numerical model of at least a portion of the dentition of a patient in need of a prosthesis; And the system also
(B) a dental service center adapted to manufacture at least a portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model;
(C) at least one dental lab, wherein the or each dental lab is separated from the service center, and the or each dental lab is based on the 3D numerical model, Adapted to manufacture at least one part,
The or each of the at least one dental clinic and the or each of the at least one dental labs are interconnected to at least the dental service center via a suitable communication medium; and The system, wherein the one dental lab is adapted to share the at least manufacturing of the prosthesis with each other based on the 3D numerical model according to predetermined criteria.
16. 15. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication medium includes an electronic communication network.
17. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the communication network is selected from the group comprising the Internet, an intranet, a local access network, a public switched telephone network, and a cable network.
18. 15. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the dental clinics is adapted to obtain the 3D numerical model directly from a patient's dentition.
19. 18. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one clinic comprises a suitable scanner for determining the surface topology of the dentition.
20. 16. The system of claim 16, wherein the scanner comprises a probe for determining a three-dimensional structure by confocal alignment of an array of light beams.
21. 15. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the clinics is adapted to provide a concave cast of a patient's dentition.
22. 18. The system of claim 18, wherein the service center is adapted to provide the 3D numerical model from the concave cast of the dentition.
23. At least one of the service center and the at least one dental lab is adapted to design the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model, the prosthesis being an internal surface and an external surface The system of claim 15, wherein the service center is adapted to provide a 3D model of the prosthesis.
24. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the service center is adapted to manufacture at least a first portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model of the prosthesis.
25. 24. The service center is adapted to produce at least the inner surface of the prosthesis, the inner surface being designed for installation on a target site contained within the dentition. Of the system.
26. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the prosthesis has at least one coping, and the inner surface is the inner surface of the coping.
27. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the service center and the at least one dental lab is adapted to design an outer surface of the coping based on the 3D numerical model.
28. The service center
(A) the coping from an appropriate coping material based on the design of the inner surface and the outer surface of the coping; and (b) the coping from an appropriate wax material etc. based on the design of the inner surface and the outer surface of the coping. 27. The system of claim 27, comprising a material removal machine for directly producing at least one of the material model.
29. Means for making at least one of said service model and said at least one said dental lab said 28 (b) concave cast of said material model, and said concave using a suitable coping material. And said means for making said coping from a model of shape.
30. 25. The system of claim 25, wherein at least one dental lab is adapted to manufacture at least a second portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model.
31. 30. The system of claim 30, wherein at least one of the dental laboratories is adapted to manufacture at least a second portion of the prosthesis made on the coping.
32. At least one dental lab is adapted to manufacture at least the outer surface of the prosthesis, the outer surface comprising:
(C) providing an appropriate clearance for the prosthesis to other teeth in the dentition adjacent to the prosthesis; and (d) the prosthesis of the prosthesis. 30. The system of claim 30, wherein the system is designed for at least one of providing an appropriate occlusion to other teeth in the dentition relative to a spatula.
33. The outer surface is manufactured by a process that includes adding at least one layer of material to a suitable coping and subjecting the layer to a material removal operation such that the surface of the layer conforms to a predetermined shape. 32. The system according to 32 above.
34. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein a plurality of layers are formed sequentially on the coping such that the final layer conforms to the outer surface required for the prosthesis.
35. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one dental lab comprises a material removal machine for removing material from the layer.
36. 34. The system of claim 34, wherein the at least one dental lab comprises suitable scanning means for determining the topology of the layer prior to the material removal operation.
37. In addition, computer means for calculating a machining path for the material removal machine is provided, such path being the topology of the layer prior to the material removal operation and the topology required for the surface. 36. The system of 36, wherein the system is based on a difference between
38. 34. The system of claim 34, wherein the dental lab is configured to make the second portion using conventional techniques.
39. 38. The system of claim 38, wherein the service center is configured to provide a material convex model of the dentition for use by the dental clinic.
40. 15. The system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined parameter includes dimensional accuracy for manufacturing the prosthetic component.
41. 40. The system of claim 40, wherein the part is manufactured by the service center when the dimensional accuracy for manufacturing the part is required to be less than about 40 micrometers or less than 40 micrometers.
42. 41. The system of claim 41, wherein the part is manufactured by the dental lab when the dimensional accuracy for the part is required to be in an amount substantially greater than 40 micrometers.

1 illustrates a dental service system for designing and fabricating dental appliances according to one embodiment of one aspect of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of a cavity in a patient's mouth where it is desired to implant a prosthesis. Figure 3 illustrates in cross-section a crown prosthesis with a coping and multilayer cap. 1 illustrates a service center according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 illustrates a dental laboratory according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 illustrates a material model of the intraoral cavity of FIG. Fig. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a crown prosthesis having a multilayer structure. 2 illustrates the insertion path of a bridge prosthesis of the present invention. 3 shows a method of designing and manufacturing a dental appliance according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 system
16 Computer station
18 3D computer model
20 Monitor
22 Dental clinic
23 Dental Service Center
24 Communication means or network
26 Dental Lab
31 Handheld scanner
32 Computer workstation
33 Convex model
34 Convex cast
80 Preparations
80 'Preparatory replica
80 ”preparation
82 Exterior
84 Termination line
84 'replica of termination line
87 ”insertion path
88 "adjacent teeth
100 crown
100 'one crown
100 "bridge
110 cap
111 outer surface of cap
111 'outer surface of cap
115 Multiple layers or intermediate layers
115 '100' middle layer
116 Outer surface of intermediate layer
117 Inner layer
117 '100' inner layer
118 Final layer
118 '100' last layer
119 protrusion
119 '100' projection
120 Inside
The inner surface of 120 '100'
120 "internal contact surface
125 coping
126 exterior
130 Lower edge
130 '100' lower edge
135 Digital Library
140 '100' lower edge
200 Intraoral cavity
210, 211 Adjacent teeth
210 'replica of adjacent teeth
220 Adjacent teeth
220 'replica of adjacent teeth
230 Facial jaw teeth
230 'Facing jaw teeth replica
235 Library
300 servers
301 Local server or computer
302 Display
303 User interface
310 Display means
320 images
330 Mouse or scanner
335 cursor
400, 450 Material removal machine
500 manufacturing center
600 Casting equipment
650 manufacturing center
700 Material model of the cavity in the mouth
710 Upper part
720 Lower part
750 Alignment pin
C Geometric 3D data
E Machining instructions
3D digital model of M cap
P Machining instructions
T 3D model
W Original 3D information or virtual model of the cavity in the mouth

Claims (2)

A dental service center for providing at least manufacturing services to at least one of a plurality of dental clinics and dental laboratories based on a 3D numerical model of a dentition requiring a prosthesis, and creating the 3D numerical model Is at least initiated at the dental clinic, the service center
Manufacturing means for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis;
A communication medium for causing at least the 3D numerical model to be exchanged between the service center, at least one of the plurality of dental clinics, and at least one of the plurality of dental laboratories;
The service center is configured to share the manufacture of the prosthesis with at least one of the dental laboratories based on the 3D numerical model according to a predetermined criterion. In a system for producing at least a dental prosthesis, the system comprises:
(A) comprising at least one dental clinic, each or each dental clinic adapted to at least initiate the creation of a 3D numerical model of at least a portion of the dentition of a patient in need of a prosthesis; And the system also
(B) a dental service center adapted to manufacture at least a portion of the prosthesis based on the 3D numerical model;
(C) at least one dental lab, wherein the or each dental lab is separated from the service center, and the or each dental lab is based on the 3D numerical model, Adapted to manufacture at least one part,
The or each of the at least one dental clinic and the or each of the at least one dental labs are interconnected to at least the dental service center via a suitable communication medium; and The system, wherein the one dental lab is adapted to share the at least manufacturing of the prosthesis with each other based on the 3D numerical model according to predetermined criteria.

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