TWI623302B - Method for manufacturing a physical dental model and a physical dental model manufactured by the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for making a solid dental mold. The present invention provides a virtual model representative of at least a portion of a lumen of a dental implant comprising at least one dental implant lumen, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representing one of the dental implants. A virtual space arrangement of each of the virtual portions relative to the virtual model is determined, the virtual space arrangement corresponding to a real space arrangement of the respective implant relative to the oral cavity. A solid model is then fabricated from the virtual model, the physical model including a physical analog corresponding to one of the implants in a corresponding physical spatial arrangement relative to the solid model, the physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the corresponding virtual portion relative to the Determining a corresponding virtual space arrangement of the first virtual model. In certain embodiments, a clamp is provided that is configured to maintain a desired physical spatial arrangement between a solid analog and a solid dental cavity at least prior to attachment of the physical analog to the cavity.

Description

Method for manufacturing a solid dental mold and solid dental mold made by the method

The present invention relates to dental implants, and in particular to methods, systems and accessories that can be used in procedures related to dental implants.

Dental implants are widely used as artificial substitutes for missing roots and allow the gingival complex to be securely anchored to the jaw via a permanent abutment mounted to the implant. The intraosseous implant typically comprises an externally threaded body that is typically self-tapping into the bone tissue, and additionally includes an inner chamber that is configured to generally have internal threads to receive and secure the anchoring stem of the permanent abutment therein.

After implanting the implant into the lumen of the mouth and healing the surrounding tissue, a solid model of the lumen of the mouth is created to facilitate the design of the permanent abutment and the prosthesis or other restorations that are ultimately mounted to the implant and Manufacturing. In one procedure, the impression abutment is mounted to the implant such that it protrudes into the lumen of the mouth, and then the impression of the lumen of the mouth is obtained using well known techniques and impression materials (eg, PVS). The stamp abutment can be of the pick-up type, embedded with the impression material and retained therein after removal of the impression tray. Alternatively, the impression tray can be removed without attaching the impression abutment, but wherein a recess complementary to the impression abutment is still formed, such that the transfer impression abutment can thereafter be mounted therein. An analog corresponding to the particular implant implanted in the patient is then attached to the abutment stored in situ in the impression material, and the gypsum is poured into an impression tray comprising the same to create a buried embedding An intracavitary positive plaster model of the analog. The position and orientation of the analog, in particular its internal passage, in the plaster model corresponds to the position and orientation of the implant in the lumen of the patient's mouth, which is designed to accommodate, access and secure the implant. The internal passages of the permanent abutments are substantially identical. The dental technician can now attach a permanent abutment, or a permanent abutment that is custom designed to fit the implant, and an inner crown or bridge frame or tendon complex that fits into the lumen of the patient's mouth.

In general background, the following publications relate to implants: US 6,358,052 discloses dental implant systems and methods of using the same to perform dental restorations. The dental implant system has an implant fixture tuned for deployment within the bone; an impression crown adapted to be selectively deployed on the implant fixture and in the dental impression; adjusted to Laboratory analogs selectively placed on the crown and in the dental mold; spherical abutments adapted for selective deployment on laboratory analogs; and adjusted for deployment on a spherical abutment in an adjustable manner A multi-axis abutment; wherein the spherical abutment and the multi-axial abutment are used to create a castable permanent abutment that can be received by a laboratory analog and an implant fixture.

US 2008/032262 discloses a dental implant system comprising an implant component, an abutment component and a transfer plug that cooperatively access various structures for ensuring proper alignment and orientation of the abutment mounted on the implant component, and Used to prepare precise dental impressions and molds that represent the implantation site and its relationship to adjacent dental structures. A dental reconstruction method using the dental implant system of the present invention is also disclosed.

US 2006/183078 discloses a one-piece externally threaded intraosseous dental implant containing a screw comprising a body portion having an external thread and a non-threaded cylindrical portion at a proximal end thereof, the cylindrical portion including a retention groove for access A complementary transfer assembly or a comfortable co-cap; a one-piece or two-piece implant abutment that is attached to a one-piece or two-piece implant that includes a retention groove to receive Into a complementary transfer assembly or a comfortable inner crown; and a fixed support for insertion into a one-piece implant that can be segmented to extend the height of the implant at the distal end used.

The term virtual model as used herein is synonymous with "numerical entity", "3D model", and other such terms, and refers to, for example, a real object in a computer environment (eg, at least a portion of a dentition or cavity) or its reality ( Entity) A virtual representation of the model.

The term "scanning" refers to any procedure performed to obtain 3D topographical data of a surface, in particular a tooth surface, and thus includes: mechanical methods, such as, for example, generally based on 3D probes; optical methods, including, for example, The confocal method is disclosed, for example, in WO 00/08415, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety.

The term "display" refers to any manner or method of delivering the displayed content (which may include any information, data, images, sounds, etc.), and thus the delivery may be in a visual and/or audio form.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method and system for making a solid dental mold is provided. A virtual model representative of at least a portion of the oral cavity including at least one implanted dental implant is provided, and the virtual model includes a virtual portion representing each dental implant. A virtual space arrangement of each of the virtual portions relative to the virtual model is determined, which corresponds to a real space arrangement of the respective implant relative to the oral cavity. A solid model is then fabricated from the virtual model, the physical model comprising arranging physical analogs corresponding to the implants relative to respective physical spaces of the solid model, the physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the determined respective virtual portions relative to the first virtual The corresponding virtual space layout of the model.

In at least some embodiments, a clamp can be provided that is configured to maintain a desired physical spatial arrangement between the physical analog and the cavity at least until the physical analog is attached to the solid dental cavity.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a method of making a solid dental mold comprising: (a) providing a first virtual model representative of at least a portion of an oral lumen comprising at least one implantable dental implant, the first virtual The model includes a virtual portion representing the dental implant or each of the dental implants; (b) determining a virtual space arrangement of the or each virtual portion relative to the first virtual model, the virtual space arrangement corresponding to a real space arrangement of the respective implant relative to the intraluminal portion; and c) fabricating a solid model of the intraluminal portion according to the first virtual model, the solid model being similar to the entity corresponding to the implant or each of the implants in a corresponding physical spatial arrangement relative to the solid model The physical space arrangement corresponds to the corresponding virtual space arrangement of the virtual portion relative to the first virtual model, the virtual space arrangement being determined based on the step (b).

The first virtual model can be generated in any suitable manner - for example by scanning a lumen of the mouth in vivo, or by scanning a positive, negative or composite solid model of the lumen of the mouth, the solid model comprising the implant and the proximity of the implant A representative of a part of the dentition.

In at least some embodiments, step (b) includes providing a second virtual model that at least partially represents the respective entity analog or each of the respective entity analogs; and incorporating the first virtual space arrangement based on the determined a virtual model and the second virtual model to generate a third virtual model, wherein in step (c), the manufacturing of the solid model is based on the third virtual model. For example, step (b) may include operating the second virtual model or each of the second virtual models to form a spatial arrangement aligned with respect to the respective virtual space arrangement; and generating the third virtual image according to the first virtual model a model, and the third virtual model includes a virtual cavity (ie, a virtual representation of the cavity) to virtually virtualize the respective second virtual model or in a manner corresponding to the physical model of the corresponding physical analog relative to the oral cavity Each respective second virtual model is housed and housed therein.

The step (c) may include forming an outer model surface corresponding to the surface of the tooth in the lumen portion of the mouth; and forming a recess (corresponding to the virtual cavity) in the solid model to accommodate the corresponding analog according to the corresponding physical space arrangement, The recess corresponds to the corresponding virtual cavity.

In at least some embodiments, at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective physical analog such that the corresponding depression is formed in the solid model A friction fit relative to the respective physical analog may be provided to accommodate the respective physical analog in the corresponding physical space arrangement.

In at least some other embodiments, at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective entity analog including the jacket such that the corresponding depression formed in the solid model can be provided relative to the corresponding entity a significant gap of the analog, wherein the corresponding physical analog comprises a jacket formed from a suitable model material, the outer form of the jacket being substantially complementary to the corresponding recess such that a corresponding physical analog comprising the corresponding jacket can The respective physical space arrangement is received in the corresponding recess. The outer form of the respective jacket can be configured to secure its spatial arrangement in the corresponding recess with six degrees of freedom. For example, the jacket may be formed by a casting method applied to the respective physical analog, or by applying a layer of the model material on a corresponding physical analog and subjecting the layer to CNC machining to provide the corresponding external form To form.

In at least some embodiments, at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective physical analog such that the corresponding recess formed in the solid model can provide significant clearance relative to the respective physical analog Where a suitable filling material is applied to fill the gap such that the respective physical analog comprising the respective jacket can be received in the corresponding recess in the corresponding physical space arrangement. For example, the filler material can comprise a suitable cementitious material. The physical space arrangement between the respective physical analog and the respective cavity can be maintained using a suitable clamp at least until the physical analog is attached to the respective cavity by means of the filling material. In at least some embodiments, the clamp can include a substrate that is mounted to a solid dental mold (eg, attached to a portion of the solid model) in a fixed spatial relationship, at least until the physical analog is attached to the solid dental mold. In at least some embodiments, the portion of the solid model does not include a solid model representing a tooth adjacent the implant.

In at least some embodiments, step (c) includes forming an outer mold surface corresponding to the surface of the tooth in the lumen portion of the mouth from the blank of the mold material, wherein the blank is in a holistic manner relative to each other Arrangement includes the entity analog or each of the entities is similar The relative spatial arrangement corresponds to the relative spatial arrangement of the dental implant or each dental implant relative to each other in the intraluminal portion of the mouth.

In at least some embodiments, step (d) includes at least a portion of the computer controlled manufacturing of the physical model. For example, step (d) may comprise fabricating the solid model via a material removal job or a rapid prototyping job applied to the material blank.

According to this aspect of the invention, a dental mold manufactured according to the above method is also provided.

According to at least some embodiments, the fabricated solid model has a hole configured to provide a friction fit with the like.

According to at least some other embodiments, the analog is embedded in a suitable material that is ground to fit the hole, and this method can be used, for example, when the shape of the analog does not allow for a friction fit.

According to at least some other embodiments, the mold is fabricated from a relatively large cavity to provide a loose fit of the analog that is cemented in place while being held in the fixture.

According to another embodiment, a gypsum blank is cast, wherein the analogue is embedded in a particular known location. The blank is then machined to ensure that the analog has the correct desired position/orientation relative to other portions of the finished solid model, such as the model tooth surface.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is also provided a system for manufacturing a solid dental mold for an oral cavity comprising: (A) a scanning device and a computer system configured to provide a representation comprising at least one implanted dental implant a first virtual model of at least a portion of the inner cavity, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing the or each dental implant; and configured to determine whether the virtual portion or each of the virtual portions are relative a virtual space arrangement of the first virtual model, corresponding to a real space arrangement of the respective implant relative to the oral cavity; (B) a physical analog corresponding to the implant or each of the implants; (C) a manufacturing system for manufacturing a solid model of the intraluminal portion according to the first virtual model, the solid model being arranged in a corresponding physical space with respect to the solid model The physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the implant or each of the implants corresponds to the respective virtual space arrangement as determined by the computer system.

The manufacturing system is controlled by a computer. For example, the manufacturing system can be configured to manufacture the solid model via a material removal operation applied to the material blank or via rapid prototyping techniques.

According to another aspect of the invention, an accessory comprising one or more of a solid tooth model and a clamp is also provided.

In an embodiment, a clamp is provided to maintain a desired spatial arrangement between the respective analog and a corresponding cavity of the oral cavity solid model, at least until the analog is attached thereto, wherein the clamp comprises a portion configured to be mounted to the solid model The base portion of the solid model portion does not include a portion representing a tooth adjacent to the implant site.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of modifying a solid dental mold is provided, comprising: (A) providing a solid model representative of at least a portion of an oral lumen comprising at least one implanted dental implant, the solid model comprising Representing the dental implant or a model portion of each of the dental implants; (B) providing a first virtual model representative of at least a portion of the oral cavity including at least one implanted dental implant, the first virtual The model includes a virtual portion representing the dental implant or each of the dental implants; (C) determining a virtual space arrangement of the virtual portion or each of the virtual portions relative to the first virtual model, the virtual space arrangement corresponding to And (D) by corresponding physical space arrangement relative to the solid model, corresponding to the implant or each of the implants; a solid analog is introduced into the solid model of the intraluminal portion of the mouth to modify the solid model, the physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the corresponding determination of the virtual portion relative to the first virtual model based on the step (C) The proposed spatial arrangement.

The method of this aspect of the invention may comprise the first aspect of the invention provided herein One or more of the elements or features (as appropriate).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an accessory in the form of a clamp is provided that is configured to maintain a desired physical spatial arrangement between the physical analog and the cavity at least until the physical analog is attached to the solid dental cavity. The cavity is an analog receiving cavity formed in the mold and is configured such that the analog can be attached to the cavity in the spatial arrangement to provide a desired spatial arrangement between the analog and the dental mold.

The cavity is typically larger (wider than and/or deeper) than the portion of the analog that needs to be embedded in the solid model to provide a fillable gap therebetween, and the analog is secured via, for example, a suitable filler material In the cavity.

According to at least some embodiments, the clamp can include a post having a first end configured to be mounted in a first spatial arrangement relative to the dental mold, and configured such that the physical analog can be mounted to the second end in a second spatial arrangement The second end, wherein the first end has a third spatial arrangement relative to the second end, and wherein the first spatial arrangement, the second spatial arrangement, and the third spatial arrangement are selected to be relative to the dental mold The desired physical space arrangement between the physical analog and the cavity is provided when the post is installed and the physical analog is mounted to the post.

In at least some embodiments, the clamp can additionally or alternatively include a spacing member, wherein the post includes an extension arm including the first end and the second end at opposite longitudinal ends of the extension arm, wherein the first The tip includes a post base portion configured to be mounted to the dental mold via the spacer member to provide the first spatial arrangement between the first end and the dental mold.

The post base portion can be configured such that the spacer member can be mounted to the post by engaging the strut base portion. At least one of the strut base portion and the spacer member can include a first engagement configuration to ensure that the spacer member can be mounted to the strut base portion in a space that is fixed in six degrees of freedom. For example, the first engagement configuration can include at least two lateral spacing pins protruding from the second spacer end of the spacer member and the post A base portion is formed to receive a respective complementary aperture of each of the pins. Other alternative configurations of the first engagement configuration may of course be provided.

In at least some of the above embodiments, the dental mold can include a mold base portion configured such that the spacer member can be mounted into the dental mold by engaging the mold base portion. At least one of the mold base portion and the spacer member can include a second engagement configuration to ensure that the spacer can be mounted into the mold base portion in a spatially fixed space with six degrees of freedom. For example, the second engagement configuration can include at least two lateral spacing pins projecting from the first spacer end of the spacer member and respective complementary apertures formed in the mold base portion to receive each of the pins. Other alternative configurations of the second engagement configuration may of course be provided.

In at least some embodiments including at least some of the above embodiments, the spacer comprises a first spacer end and a second spacer end, wherein the first spacer end is configured to follow the base portion of the post a six-degree-of-freedom fixed space arrangement is mounted to the first end, and wherein the second spacer end is configured to be mounted via a model base portion of the dental mold in a space that is fixed with six degrees of freedom relative to the model base portion To the dental mold.

For proper cooperation with the solid dental mold, the geometry of the clamp, in particular the specific spatial arrangement of its various parts, can be determined in accordance with the method provided in the first aspect of the invention.

For example, the clamp of at least one of the above embodiments can be manufactured in a holistic manner from a suitable blank via a material removal operation according to previously determined geometrical forms, or in a holistic manner via suitable rapid prototyping operations.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is also provided a clamp particularly useful in a dental implant procedure, comprising: an arm having a first arm end and a second arm end spaced from the first arm end, the first The arm end has a first engagement configuration and the second arm end is configured to releasably retain a solid analog; a spacer member having a first spacer end and a second spacer end spaced from the first spacer end, the first spacer end configured to engage the first arm end via the first engagement configuration, and The second spacer end is configured to be mounted to a physical dental mold representing at least a portion of a patient's actual dentition, the dental mold comprising a lumen; wherein a desired entity between the physical analog and the physical dental cavity is maintained during operation A spatial arrangement wherein the solid analog is at least partially contained within the cavity at least until the physical analog is attached to the cavity.

For other embodiments of the clamp, the desired physical spatial arrangement of the physical analog relative to the dental mold corresponds to a spatial arrangement of the dental implant corresponding to the analog with respect to the actual dentition represented by the dental mold.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is also provided a kit, particularly for a dental implant procedure, comprising: a solid dental mold comprising a model tooth row representing a first true dentition of the patient, and additionally comprising a constructable via a fillable The gap is arranged in a cavity in which the solid analog is housed relative to the model space of the model dentition, the model space arrangement corresponding to a real space arrangement of the implant relative to the real dentition; a clamp configured to adhere at least to the solid analog The solid analog is held in the cavity relative to the model space of the cavity prior to the cavity.

In at least some embodiments, the clamp can include a spacer member and a post that includes a post base portion configured to be mounted to the dental mold via the spacer member, and a post end configured to retain the physical analog.

The dental mold can include a mold base portion configured such that the spacer member can be mounted into the dental mold by engagement with the mold base portion.

The spacer may include a first spacer end and a second spacer end, wherein the first spacer end is configured to be mounted to the post via a base portion of the post fixed in six degrees of freedom, and wherein the second The spacer end is configured to pass the dental mold The model base portion is mounted to the dental mold in a space arrangement fixed in six degrees of freedom with respect to the base portion of the mold.

The model dentition generally represents a group of adjacent real teeth in the patient's first dental arch, and may include a set of model teeth corresponding to one of the at least one portion of the patient's first dental arch, and wherein the cavity The position is adjacent to at least one of the model teeth and is located at a position corresponding to the missing tooth in the real dentition.

The set may additionally include an auxiliary dental mold that represents at least a portion of the second true dentition of the patient's second dental arch, wherein the second true dentition is occluded relative to the first true dentition. The auxiliary dental mold can be configured to be mounted in a occlusal relationship relative to the dental mold, the occlusal relationship corresponding to a relationship between the first real dentition and the second erroneous dentition. For example, this can be achieved by mounting the two models to the spacer or to a suitable articulator.

200‧‧‧ system

210‧‧‧Input interface or module

220‧‧‧ Output device or display component or module

230‧‧‧Processing unit or module/entity analogue

231‧‧‧Internal passage or interior

234‧‧‧Shell

235‧‧‧ memory

240‧‧‧ implants

241‧‧ inside room

245‧‧‧ position indicator

246‧‧‧ impression abutment

250‧‧‧Scanner

260‧‧‧ computer system

280‧‧‧ Manufacturing System

300‧‧‧ Jacket

310‧‧‧Complex analogue

315‧‧‧ outer surface

316‧‧‧Precision mould

317‧‧‧casting materials

318‧‧‧ fixture

325‧‧‧ inner surface

340‧‧‧ cavity/composite analogue

342‧‧‧ Jacket

345‧‧‧ cavity

360‧‧‧virtual outer surface

361‧‧‧Virtual side section

362‧‧‧Base

500‧‧‧First virtual model

502‧‧‧ corresponds to the exposed portion of the impression abutment

508‧‧‧ corresponds to the part of the gum tissue

509‧‧‧ corresponds to the real part of the tooth

550‧‧‧Second virtual model

551‧‧‧The first virtual part

552‧‧‧corresponding part

553‧‧‧ lower part

554‧‧‧Second virtual part

560‧‧‧ Third virtual model

561‧‧‧virtual outer surface

565‧‧‧virtual inner surface

600‧‧‧Ent dental mold

601‧‧‧ entity model

601'‧‧‧Model dentition/dental model

602‧‧‧ entity model

602'‧‧‧Dental model

603‧‧‧ entity model

606‧‧‧ entity model

660'‧‧‧ base part

661‧‧‧External model surface

662‧‧‧ gap

665‧‧‧ cavity

666‧‧‧ cavity

666'‧‧‧ cavity

670‧‧‧ Overall cooperation platform

670'‧‧‧With platform

671‧‧‧ docking surface

700‧‧‧ fixture

700'‧‧‧ fixture

710‧‧‧Base

710'‧‧‧Base

720‧‧‧ inverted U-shaped pillar

722‧‧‧ Arm

724‧‧‧second arm

725‧‧‧Free end

725'‧‧‧ end

761‧‧‧ docking surface

800‧‧ ‧ blanks

820‧‧‧ board

821‧‧‧ upper surface

840‧‧‧ fixture

900‧‧‧ fixture

910‧‧‧ Spacer parts

911‧‧‧Free end

912‧‧‧Free end

915‧‧‧Latch

916‧‧‧孔口

917‧‧‧ latch

918‧‧‧孔口

920‧‧‧ pillar

End of 921‧‧

922‧‧‧ Arm

923‧‧‧Installation and configuration

End of 925‧‧‧

980‧‧‧ entity model

981‧‧‧Dental model

982‧‧‧ base part

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the present invention. 3(a) and 3(c) respectively show an implant and an impression abutment according to an embodiment of the present invention in a side view and a top view; FIG. 3(b) and FIG. 3(d) The analogs corresponding to the implants in Figures 3(a) and 3(c) are shown in side and top views, respectively; Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) respectively show the mouth a cavity, an analog comprising an analog base, and a virtual model of the solid model to be manufactured; FIG. 5 shows an entity model of the first embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the virtual model of FIG. 4(c) in an isometric view; Figure 6 shows a solid model of a second embodiment of the invention in an isometric view; Figure 6 (a) shows, in a side cross-sectional view, a pouring device for casting a jacketed analog of the model of Figure 6; Figure 7 shows a solid model of a variation of the second embodiment of the invention in an isometric view; Figure 7 (a) shows a virtual model of the jacket analog of the model of Figure 7 in an isometric view; Figure 8 A solid model of a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in an isometric view, including a positioning fixture for use in the model; FIG. 9 shows a variation of the clamp of FIG. 8 in a side view; FIG. 10 shows the fixture in a side view Another embodiment; FIG. 11 shows a solid model of a third embodiment of the present invention in an isometric view, including spacer members for positioning fixtures in the model; FIG. 12 shows the solid model of FIG. 11 in an isometric view. , which includes the positioning fixture for use in the model; Figure 13 shows the solid model of Figures 11 and 12 in an isometric view, wherein the analog is fixed in place; Figure 14 shows the solid model of Figure 13 in an isometric view , which includes the spacer member of FIG. 11 and the auxiliary dental mold having the occlusal relative dentition; and FIG. 15 shows the blank for manufacturing the solid model of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a side view.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, systems and methods for use in a dental implant procedure are provided.

2 shows a block diagram of a method 400 for a dental implant procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows the main components of a system 200 that implements a method of an embodiment of the present invention.

Although the description of the present invention is directed to a single implant, it will be readily understood that the present invention is applicable (with appropriate modifications) to a plurality of implants that can be implanted into the lumen of a patient, whether or not the implants are Each is independently used for a separate iliac complex, or whether at least some of the implants are intended to be coupled together for use, for example, in a single bridge complex or other multidental complex.

System 200 includes a first module that includes a scanner 250 and a microprocessor or any Other suitable computer system 260; a second module comprising a physical analog 230 corresponding to an implant 240 intended to be implanted in a lumen of a patient; and a manufacturing system 280 for making a mouth including the analog 230 Inner cavity solid model 600.

Computer system 260 includes an input interface or module 210 (eg, a keyboard, mouse, tablet, etc.), an output device or display member or module 220 (typically a screen or monitor, but additionally or alternatively may include a printer, or any other display System), processing unit or module 230 (eg CPU) and memory 235.

The scanner 250 is configured to provide surface data for each surface, in particular the hard tooth surface, other tissue surfaces in the patient's mouth lumen, and the implant 240 (in situ or pre-implantation), and is also operatively coupled to the computer system 260 and interact with it. Computer system 260 is programmed in a suitable manner to reconstruct the surfaces from the provided surface data to provide a first virtual model 500 of the intraoral cavity. Such a scanner may comprise, for example, a probe for determining a three-dimensional structure by confocal focusing of an array of beams, such as those sold under the name iTero or as disclosed in WO 00/08415, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The text is incorporated herein in its entirety. Alternatively, any suitable scanning device can be used to perform the desired scan, such as a hand-held probe. Color data of the intraoral cavity and 3D data may also be provided as needed, and thus the first virtual model 500 contains spatial and color information of the surface of the scanned tooth. Examples of such scanners are disclosed in US 2006-0001739, the disclosure of which is assigned to the assignee of the present disclosure. The contents of the above-mentioned co-pending application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Referring also to Figures 3(a) through 3(d), the solid analog 230 includes a housing 234 having an internal passage or lumen 231, for example including a hexagonal inlet and an internally threaded portion such that it can be associated with a permanent abutment The complementary structure cooperates such that the position of the permanent abutment relative to the analog (and thus relative to the solid tooth model) can be determined by six degrees of freedom. The inner chamber 231 thus corresponds to and is substantially identical to the inner chamber 241 of the implant 240. The outer form of the outer casing 234 is configured to be embedded in a solid model 600 of the oral cavity.

Manufacturing system 280 includes a computer controlled manufacturing system configured to be based on a virtual model A solid model is created for the mechanical coordinate system C. In this embodiment, the manufacturing method itself is a material removal method such as CNC grinding, wherein the solid model 600 is incorporated or can be incorporated into the solid analog 230 in a correct spatial orientation and position relative to the oral cavity solid model, the spatial orientation And the position corresponds to the spatial orientation and position of the implant 240 in the lumen of the patient's mouth.

Referring again to Figure 2, method 400 generally includes the following steps:

Step 410 - Implanting at least one implant 240 in the lumen of the patient's mouth.

Step 420 - providing a first virtual model 500 representing the dental implant or at least a portion of each dental implant, wherein the position and orientation of the implant relative to the oral lumen is according to the first Virtual model to determine.

Step 430 - providing a second virtual model representing a physical analog of the implant.

Step 440 - operating the second virtual model to form a spatial arrangement (ie, spatially aligned) aligned with respect to the first virtual model, the spatial arrangement corresponding to a relative arrangement between the oral cavity and the implant; A third virtual model is generated from the first virtual model having a virtual cavity to receive and house the second virtual model therein in a manner that causes the physical analog to be parallel to the physical model of the oral cavity.

Step 450 - Manufacture a physical dental mold 600 incorporating the analog 230 in accordance with a third virtual model computer control.

Referring then to each step, step 410 includes implanting at least one implant in the lumen of the patient's mouth and following an established dental procedure in the industry, which is not described in greater detail herein.

Step 420 includes obtaining an accurate 3D simulation of the desired portion of the patient's mouth lumen (also referred to herein interchangeably as "3D model," "3D model," "virtual model, and simulation terminology") for a particular patient The focus of the particular implant procedure and the desire to obtain its 3D topography or surface data in this regard. The desired portion may include some or all of the mandibular or maxillary arch or two arches, or may additionally include the spatial relationship of the two arches in the occlusion, and include the implant positioned in situ within the oral cavity.

In either case, the first virtual model 500 can be provided by scanning the lumen of the mouth in vivo using any suitable device for scanning the patient's teeth. In this embodiment, the scanning device includes a scanner 250 of system 200, although in other embodiments any other suitable scanner can be used. Alternatively, the 3D digitized data can be obtained in any other suitable manner, including direct application to the patient's dentition, based on optical methods, direct contact methods, or any other suitable intraoral scanning technique. Alternatively, an X-ray based scan, a CT based scan, an MRI based scan, or any other type of scan can be used to scan the patient's oral cavity.

A 3D virtual model is generated to include sufficient 3D information about the implant 240 such that its position relative to the oral lumen can be determined in the first virtual model 500. To achieve this, if the healing abutment is unique with respect to the meshing position of the implant 240 and can be determined by at least observing or scanning the exposed portion of the healing abutment in the oral cavity, the healing base is maintained during the scan. It is sufficient that the teeth engage the implant 240. Or in an embodiment of the invention, the healing abutment is removed prior to the scanning operation and replaced with a stamping abutment 246 (Fig. 3(a)), the impression abutment has been formed and/or at the impression abutment 246 Appropriate indicia or other position indicators 245 (Fig. 3(c)) are included on the exposed portion of the oral cavity, which provides information regarding the position and orientation of the impression abutment 246, including the lumen 241 in the implant 240. (For example, a hexagonal inlet configuration, in many implant examples where the permanent abutment is ultimately located).

In an alternative embodiment, a solid model of the oral cavity can be provided via, for example, an impression of the intraoral cavity and subsequent casting of the impression with gypsum, including the implant 240 and the impression abutment 246 (or actual The upper abutment is suitable for healing, and the solid model (or the impression) is scanned in any suitable manner to provide a first virtual model 500.

Thus, and referring to FIG. 4(a), the first virtual model 500 includes a portion 509 corresponding to the actual tooth, a portion 508 corresponding to the gingival tissue, and a portion 502 corresponding to the exposed portion of the impression abutment 246.

In step 430, and referring to FIG. 4(b), a second virtual model 550 is provided, which includes generations A second virtual portion 554 of the physical analog 230 in the implant 250 and a first virtual portion 551 representing the coupled impression abutment 246.

In the first embodiment, the analog 230 has a constant cross-sectional shape, or the cross-sectional shape is tapered such that the analog can be inserted into the cavity having a complementary shape in the axial direction. Simultaneously the shape of the cross section (e.g., oval, asymmetrical, polygonal, etc.) allows the analog to be positioned in the cavity with six degrees of freedom after insertion of the analog into a cavity having a complementary shape.

In step 440, the second virtual model 550 is operated in a virtual environment of the computer system 260 to form a spatial arrangement aligned with the first virtual model 500 (ie, spatially aligned with it) to generate a third virtual model 560. Which corresponds to a certain extent to the virtual combination of the first virtual model and the second virtual model shown in Figure 4(c), wherein the second virtual model is substantially "destroyed" from the first virtual model.

By aligning the first virtual model 500 and the second virtual model 550 in a virtual manner by operating the virtual model by means of the computer system 260, the portion 502 corresponding to the exposed portion of the stamping abutment 246 is aligned with the second virtual model 550. Section 552. This can be done in a number of ways known in the art - for example using a suitable shape recognition software that compares the shape of a portion of one virtual model to a different portion of another virtual model each time until a match is found within a particular error threshold. The method can be facilitated by interaction of the user with computer system 260, where the user can determine the approximate area in which the two virtual models share each other, after which the computer system searches within the determined area to match the model. Once a match is found, one or both of the models can be rotated and/or translated to align the alignment portions and thereby align the models. The portion 552 (and portion 502) thus aligned is effectively removed from the first model 500 and the surface 565 is added to the first model to generate a third model 560. Surface 565 includes the remainder of first virtual portion 551 (i.e., lower portion 553 (corresponding to the outer surface portion of the stamped abutment 246 that is hidden in the view)) and second virtual portion 554. The surface 565 can be in a radial or lateral direction away from the longitudinal axis 569 of the second virtual model, as desired. The scale is scaled to promote a friction fit between the solid model 600 and the analog 230.

The virtual model 560 thus includes a virtual outer surface 561 representative of the dental tissue exposed in the lumen of the mouth, and represents a relative virtual position that accommodates and holds the second virtual model, or at least accommodates, in the same relative position as the implant in the oral cavity And maintaining a virtual inner surface 565 of the cavity in the second virtual model that corresponds to a portion of the analog.

In step 450, and referring to FIG. 5, a solid dental mold 600 incorporating an analog 230 is fabricated by manufacturing system 280 in accordance with a third virtual model. In this embodiment, the solid model 600 is ground or otherwise machined from the material blank using a computer controlled material removal manufacturing method (eg, CNC grinding or machining) to produce a surface 561 corresponding to the third virtual model 560. And representing the outer model surface 661 exposed to the tooth tissue in the lumen of the mouth, and creating a lumen 665 having an interior surface corresponding to the surface 565 into which the analog 230 is inserted in a friction fit to obtain a relative to the model 600. The position and orientation fixed in 6 degrees of freedom corresponds to the position and orientation of the implant 240 in the lumen of the patient's mouth.

Suitable CNC machining paths from the outer surface 661 and cavity 665 of the blank manufacturing model 600 are generated in accordance with a third virtual model 560 in a manner known in the art.

In this and other embodiments of the invention, the CNC controlled manufacturing method of model 600 is characterized in that the guidance of both outer surface 661 and cavity 665 in machined manufacturing model 600 is derived from the same virtual model 650 and thus references the same Mechanical coordinate system C. This makes it possible to machine the outer portion 661 of the model and the cavity 665 of the model simultaneously or sequentially in the same CNC controlled manufacturing system in a single machining operation in a precise and consistent manner. In addition, there is no need to insert a scan job to determine the 3D shape of the outer surface 661, and then attempt to align the CNC machining of the cavity with it, but if different methods are used to fabricate the outer surface 661 and the cavity 665 or it is not manufactured according to the same virtual model This scan job is required. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the present invention is also fast and effective.

The computer controlled machining method described above thus provides high dimensional accuracy at least in the position and alignment of the cavity 665 relative to the outer surface 661, and thus in the analog 230 relative to the die The high dimensional accuracy is provided for the position and alignment of the type 600 (when installed in the model) because the machining methods for both the cavity 665 and the surface 661 are based on the same coordinate system.

The solid model 600 thus prepared can assist a dental technician in designing and/or preparing a permanent abutment, an inner crown, a tendon complex, and the like, in a manner known in the art.

The system and method of the second embodiment of the present invention includes all of the elements or features of the first embodiment disclosed herein (with appropriate modifications), with the following differences. In a second embodiment, the analog may or may not be press fit into the cavity in the axial direction. For example, it is contemplated that the analog can be a commercially available analog that can include laterally protruding protrusions that are designed to anchor the analog in the model when the cast gypsum model is cast using methods in the prior art. Wherein the analog is in its proper alignment position by means of an impression abutment fixed in the impression material.

According to a second embodiment, and referring to FIG. 6, the analog 230 is embedded in the jacket 300 to form a composite analog 310. In this embodiment, the jacket 300 is fabricated from a machinable material that is otherwise ground or otherwise machined on the analog 230 to provide its shape in a suitable orientation (e.g., relative to the axis of the analog 230). The complementary cavity 320 formed in the solid model referred to herein by reference numeral 601 is easily inserted in the direction). The method steps of Figure 2 are applicable to the second embodiment (with appropriate modifications), the main difference of which is that in the second embodiment, at least some of the steps relating to the analog 230 and the cavity 665 can be applied instead. To composite analog 310 and cavity 340 (as appropriate).

Thus steps 410 and 420 in the second embodiment are substantially identical to the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications).

However, in step 430, the second virtual model represents not only the physical analog 230, but additionally represents the jacket 300, which thus represents the composite analog 310. The shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the jacket 300 that mates with the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 can be pre-defined or can be designed as part of the method of the present invention.

According to a first option, the shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the jacket 300 that cooperates with the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 can be predefined. A jacket 300 is formed on the analog 230 - for example, the analog 230 is cast or otherwise embedded in a blank of material and the jacket 300 is machined until the outer surface 315 is in the desired form. Alternatively, and referring to Fig. 6(a), the potting material 317 can be poured into a precision mold 316 having a pre-defined internal shape while the analog 230 is maintained in a pre-defined spatial relationship with the mold by a clamp 318 or the like. In either case, in step 430, the resulting composite analog 310 is scanned to, for example, accurately determine its surface coordinates while attaching the stamp attachment to the analog 230, thereby providing a representation of the impression abutment. The first virtual portion and the second virtual portion representing the surface 315. Subsequently, in step 440, a third virtual model is generated in a manner substantially similar to the manner defined in step 430 of the first embodiment with respect to the first and second virtual portions (with appropriate modifications), which includes corresponding to the mouth The inner cavity exposes an outer surface of the surface and a virtual cavity that is substantially complementary to the unexposed portion of the first dummy portion and the second dummy portion obtained in this embodiment. In the manufacturing step 450, the outer surface of the solid model and the cavity 340 are fabricated in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications), and the composite analog 310 can then be attached to the cavity 340, which should be attached The analog 230 is aligned with the model 601 in a manner parallel to the position and orientation of the implant 240 in the lumen of the mouth.

According to a second option, the shape and relative position of the outer surface 315 of the collet 300 that cooperates with the inner surface 325 of the cavity 340 is designed as part of the method. Accordingly, in step 430, a second virtual model representative of the analog 230 is provided in a manner similar to that disclosed herein for the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications). This second virtual model is then modified by adding a suitable virtual outer surface that moves externally relative to the virtual surface in a manner that allows for the insertion path to the complementary virtual recess or virtual cavity provided in the third virtual model. . For example, the virtual outer surface described above can generally be in the form of a prism, such as corresponding to the outer surface 315 shown in FIG. Alternatively, and referring to Figures 7 and 7(a), for example, a virtual outer surface labeled 360 may correspond to a portion of the first virtual model and represent a proximity implant 240 at the mouth The exposed portion of the outer surface of the buccal and labial tissue in the lumen, and additionally includes a virtual side portion 361 and a base 362 to enclose the initial virtual model of the analog in the virtual volume. In step 440, a third virtual model is generated according to the first virtual model by effectively removing the virtual surface corresponding to the surface 360 of the second virtual model and adding a virtual surface complementary to the side portion 361 and the substrate 362 To form a virtual depression or virtual cavity that is configured such that the second virtual model can fit therein. In step 450, the solid model 602 is fabricated in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications) to create a depression or cavity 345 and corresponding to the outer surface of each portion of the oral cavity. Step 450 also includes fabricating a composite analog 340 in accordance with the modified second virtual model generated in step 430, and this may be by, for example, casting or otherwise embedding the generally hidden portion of the analog 230 into the billet of material. The tooling is achieved and the CNC machining is then performed on the jacket 342 in accordance with the second virtual model, wherein the analog is held in a known position relative to the manufacturing system 280.

The system and method of the third embodiment of the present invention includes all of the elements or features of the first and second embodiments disclosed herein (with appropriate modifications), with the following differences. In a third embodiment, the analog is not press fit in position relative to the solid model - for example, the analog may not be suitable or can be press fit into the cavity in the axial direction.

According to a third embodiment, and with reference to Figure 8, a solid model 603 of the intraoral cavity is made in a manner similar to that disclosed herein for the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications), with two major differences. The first difference is that the machine cavity 666 is significantly larger than needed to fit the containment analog 230 in a tight fit, and the cavity can have any desired shape as long as the analog can be inserted therein, having a gap 662 and its relative The position and orientation of the model 603 is parallel to the position and orientation of the implant 240 in the lumen of the mouth. For example, in step 440, it may only be necessary to establish a spatial relationship between the second virtual model and the first virtual model, but thereafter by effectively removing the two adjacent teeth in the first virtual model. The location is the "slice" of the boundary to create a virtual cavity corresponding to cavity 666. The second difference is that the generated third virtual model includes a virtual representation of the overall coordination platform 670, followed by The platform is built together with the entity model 603 in a holistic manner.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in a third embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, a clamp is also provided to hold the analog 230 in the desired position and orientation within the cavity 666 until the filling and securing material (e.g., the ring) The oxy-resin is placed in the gap 662 and allowed to cure so that the analog is cemented in place, after which the clamp can be released from the analog 230 and from the mold 603.

According to a first embodiment, the clamp 700 includes a base 710 and a substantially rigid inverted U-shaped strut 720 having an arm 722 rigidly attached to the base 710 and a second arm 724 having a free end 725, similar to The abutment receiving end of the article 230 mounts the analog to the free end in a known and unique spatial relationship relative to the free end. There is thus a unique and fixed spatial relationship between the end 725 and the substrate 710. The shape of the clamp is merely illustrative and any suitable configuration having a fixed geometric relationship between the mold engagement base and the similar engagement end can be used. In addition, the mating platform 670 is remote from portions of the model that represent the surface of the tooth and thereby facilitates the user to perform the cementing procedure by reducing the uncertainty between the cavity 666 and the analog 230 by the clamp. Minimum or no uncertainty.

Referring also to Figure 9, the clamp 700 is mounted to the mold 602 by engaging the mating surfaces of the base 710 and the mating platform 670 in a unique mating position, and thereby engaging the clamp in its fixed position until removal. In this embodiment, the geometry of the clamp 700 is pre-defined - for example, the clamp 700 can be a pre-manufactured existing item - and the position and orientation of the design fit platform 670 relative to the cavity 666 is designed such that the clamp 700 and the model 603 are When properly engaged and the base 710 is securely seated on the mating platform 670, the end 725 automatically causes the attached analog 230 to reach its correct position relative to the cavity 666, and thus relative to the mold 603. The fabricated model 603 can thus have an extended base portion 605 (if desired) to provide the desired position and orientation relative to the substrate 710 via the mating platform 670.

The corresponding position of the mating platform 670 can be calculated in a relatively straightforward manner in step 440. And orientation. If the virtual equivalent of cavity 666 has been designed in step 440, the desired position and orientation of the second virtual model representing analog 230 is also known. The relative spatial position between the end 725 and the base 710 in the clamp 700 is also known, and thus the base 710 can be automatically fixed by virtually securing the end 725 to the engaged position relative to the virtual model of the analog 230. The corresponding position of the third virtual model. Thus, the shape and position of the virtual counterpart of the mating platform 670, and in particular its docking surface 671, can be readily defined in the third virtual model, which is substantially complementary to the mating surface 761 of the substrate 710, which thereby The model 603 can be fabricated in a holistic manner with the mating platform 670 in place.

It should be noted that a set of pre-defined fixtures may be provided instead of a single fixture 700, each having the same general characteristics as the clamp 700, but each having a different fixed geometric relationship between its respective end 725 and the substrate 710. Thus, in step 440, computer system 260 can determine a particular fixture that can provide an optimal design of model 603 for use with the fixture, either automatically or via interaction with the user.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the clamps can be fabricated from a plurality of rigidly connectable modular components, and the user (or computer system 260) can select between the available components to construct an optimal fixture, based on which To design and manufacture platform 670.

In a variation of the third embodiment, and with reference to Figure 10, a second embodiment of a fixture having reference numeral 700' is designated to include all of the elements or features of the first embodiment of the fixture disclosed herein (with appropriate modifications), but with The following differences. In the second clamp embodiment, the clamp 700' can be specially designed and manufactured for use with a particular model 603. In this case, the clamp 700' can have the same general characteristics and features as the clamp 700, but optimize the particular geometric relationship between its end 725' and the substrate 710' in any desired manner, with optimization being limited to the substrate 710. It should be mounted to the standard mating platform 670' on the model 603 in a fixed position and orientation.

Referring to Figures 11 through 13, a third embodiment of a fixture having reference numeral 900 is included. All of the elements or features of the first and second embodiments of the clamp disclosed herein are suitably modified, with the following differences. In a third clamp embodiment, the clamp 900 includes a substantially rigid strut 920 that includes a spacing member 910 and an arm 922 that can be rigidly attached to the spacing member 910 at one end 921 of the arm 922. A mounting configuration 923 is provided on the other end 925 of the arm 922 to which the analog 230 can be mounted with its abutment receiving end in a known and unique spatial relationship. There is therefore a unique and fixed spatial relationship between the end 925 and the mounting arrangement 923, and between the end 925 and the spacing member 910.

The spacer member 910 includes two longitudinally opposite free ends 911, 912 and is reversibly attached to the end 921 of the arm 922 by an engagement configuration to form an L-shaped strut 920 that includes a pair of protrusions from the end 911 A laterally spaced latch 915, and a complementary socket or aperture 916 formed in the end 921 to receive and retain the latch 915. The mating faces between the ends 921 and 911 and between the pins 915 and the apertures 916 effectively secure the relative spatial arrangement between the arms 922 and the spacing members 910 with six degrees of freedom. In an alternative variation to this embodiment, any other suitable engagement or mounting configuration may be used to ensure that the arms 922 and the spacing members 910 are connected to each other in a spatially fixed manner relative to each other, which is reversible and repeatable.

At the same time, the dental model 602' includes a base portion 660' to which the clamp 900 can be mounted via a spacing member 910, wherein the end 912 is reversibly attached to the base portion 660' by another engagement configuration, the engagement configuration A pair of lateral spacing pins 917 projecting from the end 912 and a complementary socket or aperture 918 formed in the base portion 660' to receive and retain the latch 917 are included. The mating surface between the end 912 and the base portion 660' and between the latch 917 and the aperture 918 effectively secures the relative spatial arrangement between the base portion 660' and the spacing member 910 with six degrees of freedom. In an alternative variation to this embodiment, any other suitable engagement or mounting configuration may be used to ensure that the arms 660' and the spacing members 910 are connected to each other in a spatially fixed manner relative to each other, which is reversible and repeatable.

In this embodiment, the geometry of the spacing member 910 is pre-defined - for example, the spacing member 910 can be a pre-manufactured existing item - and the design base portion 660' is relative to the cavity 666' The position and orientation, and the geometry of the arms 922 and their relative positions between the ends 921, 922, such that the clamp 900 engages the mold 602' in a suitable manner and the spacing member 910 is securely seated on the base portion 660'. When properly positioned and the arms 922 are securely engaged with the spacing members 910, the ends 925 can automatically bring the attached analog 230 to its correct position relative to the cavity 666', and thus relative to the mold 602'.

For example, the fabricated model 602' can have a base portion 660' with respect to a particular standard form and location of the model dentition 601' (ie, portions of the model having surfaces that represent the outer surface of the actual outer surface), and the spacing member 910 The form and size may also be standard or selected from a standard set of sizes/forms.

The corresponding position and orientation of the base portion 660' can be calculated in a relatively straightforward manner in step 440. If the virtual equivalent of cavity 666' has been designed in step 440, the desired position and orientation of the second virtual model representing analog 230 is also known. The relative spatial position between the end 925 (and mounting configuration 923) and the spacing member 910 in the clamp 900 is also known, and thus the end 925 is effectively fixed in engagement with the virtual model of the analog 230 by virtually The corresponding position of the end 912 in the spacing member 910 relative to the third virtual model can be automatically fixed. Thus, the shape and position of the arms 922, and in particular the virtual counterparts of the ends 925 and the ends 921, can be substantially easily defined in the third virtual model such that the desired spatial arrangement is relative to the end 912 of the spacing member 910. A virtual model corresponding to the location location analog.

The blank manufacturing arm 922 can be formed using suitable machining or other material removal operations, or the arm 922 can be formed via a rapid prototyping operation. Mounting configuration 923 may be formed integrally with arm 922, or may be separately formed and positioned in position on the end relative to the desired spatial arrangement of end 925.

Once the analog 230 is held in place relative to the cavity 666' via the clamp 900, it is cemented in place using any suitable cement, adhesive, and/or filler, after which the clamp can be removed. Thereafter (for other embodiments of the solid dental mold), a dental mold can be used The tendon complex is designed and mated with the analog 230, which aids in the final engagement of the tendon complex with the corresponding implant in the lumen of the patient's mouth. To further facilitate this process, it is desirable to mount the model 602' in the articulator, and thus the base portion 660' and its engagement configuration, specifically the aperture 918, which may also be compatible with the mounting configuration in the articulator, may be designed first. The mounting configuration can have, for example, a mounting pin that is emulated with the pin 917. The solid model of the relative dentition in which the patient is in a occlusal relationship with the tooth represented by the model 602' can also be attached to the articulator, and the user can thereby study the occlusion relationship between the two dental dies and the 赝 complex effect.

It should be noted that the clamp of the present invention can be used with any suitable cavity that can have any suitable shape and is larger than the portion of the solid analog that is desired to be embedded in the cavity, thereby providing a gap between the analog portion and the cavity. . Thus, the term "cavity" refers to any hole, opening, slot or any other containment volume created in a solid model in which the like can be received and glued in place by means of a suitable filler material applied to the gap.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 14, the solid model 980 of the dentition of the opposing dental arch in the patient's engagement with the tooth 601' can be immediately mounted to the spacing member 910 after removal of the arm 922, and the user thereby The occlusal relationship between the two dental molds and how the sputum complex mounted to the implant (not shown) affects the relationship can be studied. For this purpose, the form and size of the spacer member 910, and the engagement base portion 982 of the dental mold 980 are sized and shaped such that when the dental molds 982, 602' are mounted to each other via the spacer member 910, the corresponding tooth model 981, 601' is in a occlusal relationship.

The system and method of the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes all of the elements or features of the first to third embodiments disclosed herein (with appropriate modifications), but with the following differences. In the fourth embodiment, the analog is not assembled into the manufactured solid model, but the solid model is manufactured together with the analog in a holistic manner.

According to a fourth embodiment, steps 410 through 440 may be substantially identical to the same steps disclosed with respect to the first embodiment (with appropriate modifications).

However, and referring to Figure 15, the manufacturing step 450 includes embedding the analog 230 in the material. The blank 800 is positioned and oriented such that the solid model 606 can be machined from the blank 800 and the analog 230 can effectively terminate at a desired position relative to the finished model 606 at the end of the machining or material removal process. Thus, the starting point of the blank 800 can effectively bury the analog in the blank 800 in a known position and orientation relative to the reference plane P of the blank. For example, the analog 230 can be held in a particular known position and orientation relative to the plate 820 via a rigid but removable movable clamp 840. Plate 820 defines a plane P at its upper surface 821. The blank 800 can be formed by casting a suitable machinable material onto the plate 820 (surrounded by a suitable surrounding wall, not shown) up to a level higher than the analog 230, which is sufficient to ensure that all of the final model 606 is present. The height of the part is below this level. For this purpose, step 440 can additionally include the step of constructing a virtual blank around the third virtual model, and the virtual blank includes a corresponding position relative to a relative position relative to the relative position of the second virtual model relative to the third virtual model The reference plane of P, and the relative position corresponds to the relative position and orientation between the analog 230 and the plate 820, as provided by the clamp 840. This facilitates the design and manufacture of the blank 800.

Once the blank 800 is ready, it can be placed in the manufacturing system 280 and calibration performed to determine the position and orientation of the analog 230 and plane P relative to its coordinate system C. For this purpose, the plate 820 can be configured as desired to be mounted relative to the manufacturing system 280 in a predetermined and unique manner relative to, for example, its coordinate system C, and thus is mounted for implementation in the manufacturing system 280 During processing, the position and orientation of the analog 230 relative to the plate 820 is automatically fixed, and thereby the coordinate system of the manufacturing system is automatically secured, thereby automatically aligning the blank in the manufacturing system 280, which can then be ground or otherwise The machine 800 is machined to produce a model 606 therefrom.

It should be noted that the computer system 260 that generates and operates the virtual model in accordance with any embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily need to be located in the same geographic location as the scanner 250 and the patient. Thus, although the patient is usually scanned at the dental office by a dentist or other dental practitioner, the dental office can be replaced or otherwise via communication or internet (eg the Internet) or other suitable Suitable communication media (eg, intranets, regional access networks, public switched telephone networks, cable networks, satellite communication systems, and the like) are connected to one or more dental laboratories and may also be connected to a dental service center. Alternatively or additionally, the means of communication may include postal or courier services, where the data is transmitted via a transportable medium (eg, a compact disc, a magnetic disc, etc.). In either case, once the third virtual model is generated, the dental laboratory can be implemented by a dental laboratory and other dental procedures that are not performed on the actual patient, the laboratory receiving the desired data generated by method 400 via communication. Dental hardware that requires extremely high precision can be manufactured by a dental service center, such as an inner surface of a iliac complex that needs to match the outer surface of the inner crown and that can also match the inner crown itself.

Certain embodiments of the invention are defined in the following numbered clauses:

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method of making a solid dental mold comprising: (a) providing a first virtual model representative of at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one implanted dental implant, the first virtual model comprising a representative of the dental a virtual portion of the implant or each of the dental implants; (b) determining a virtual space arrangement of the or each virtual portion relative to the first virtual model, corresponding to the corresponding implant relative to a real spatial arrangement of the intraluminal portion; and (c) fabricating a solid model of the intraluminal portion according to the first virtual model, the solid model being arranged in a corresponding physical space relative to the solid model, including corresponding to the The physical or each physical analog of the implant, the physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the corresponding virtual spatial arrangement of the virtual portion relative to the first virtual model determined based on step (b).

2. The method of clause 1, wherein step (b) comprises providing a second virtual model that at least partially represents the respective entity analog or each of the respective entity analogs; and based on the determined determination of the corresponding virtual space arrangement The first virtual model is included in the second virtual model to generate a third virtual model, wherein in step (c), the manufacturing base of the physical model In the third virtual model.

3. The method of clause 2, wherein step (b) comprises - operating the second virtual model or each of the second virtual models to form a spatial arrangement aligned with respect to the respective virtual space; and according to the first virtual model Generating the third virtual model, and the third virtual model includes a virtual cavity to virtually virtualize the respective second virtual model or each in a manner corresponding to the physical model corresponding to the corresponding physical analog of the corresponding cavity A corresponding second virtual model is accommodated and housed therein.

4. The method of clause 3, wherein step (c) comprises forming an outer model surface corresponding to the surface of the tooth in the lumen portion of the mouth; and forming a depression in the solid model to accommodate the corresponding similar in accordance with the corresponding physical space arrangement The recess corresponds to the corresponding virtual cavity.

5. The method of clause 4, wherein at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective physical analog such that the corresponding depression formed in the solid model provides friction with respect to the corresponding physical analog Cooperating to accommodate the respective physical analog in accordance with the corresponding physical space arrangement.

6. The method of clause 4, wherein at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective entity analog such that the corresponding depression formed in the solid model can provide significantness relative to the corresponding entity analog a gap, wherein the corresponding solid analog comprises a jacket formed from a suitable mold material, the outer form of the jacket being substantially complementary to the corresponding recess such that the corresponding physical analog including the corresponding jacket can have the corresponding physical space The arrangement is received in the corresponding recess.

7. The method of clause 6, wherein the outer form of the respective jacket is configured to secure its spatial arrangement in the corresponding recess with six degrees of freedom.

8. The method of clause 6, wherein the jacket is formed by a casting method applied to the respective physical analog.

9. The method of clause 6, wherein the jacket is applied to the jacket by applying the layer of model material The layer is formed on a corresponding physical analog and subjected to CNC machining to provide the corresponding external form.

The method of any one of clauses 4 to 9, wherein at least one of the virtual cavities is generated, the form of which is generally complementary to the respective entity analog such that the corresponding depression formed in the solid model can provide relative to the A significant gap of the respective physical analog, wherein a suitable filler material is applied to fill the gap such that the respective physical analog including the respective jacket can be received in the corresponding recess in the corresponding physical space arrangement.

11. The method of clause 10, comprising the step of providing a clamp configured to maintain the physical spatial arrangement between the respective physical analog and the respective cavity at least prior to attachment of the physical analog to the respective cavity.

12. The method of clause 11, wherein the fixture comprises a substrate mounted on a portion of the solid model at least prior to attachment of the solid analog to the mold.

13. The method of clause 12, wherein the portion of the solid model does not include a solid model representing a tooth adjacent the implant.

The method of any one of clauses 1 to 13 wherein step (c) comprises forming an outer mold surface corresponding to the surface of the tooth in the lumen portion of the mouth from the blank of the mold material, wherein the blank is The relative spatial arrangement relative to each other comprises or each of the physical analogues, the spatial arrangement corresponding to the relative space of the dental implant or each dental implant relative to each other in the intraluminal portion of the mouth Arrangement.

The method of any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein step (d) comprises computer controlled manufacturing of at least a portion of the physical model.

16. The method of clause 15, wherein step (d) comprises fabricating the solid model via a material removal operation applied to the blank of material.

17. A dental mold manufactured according to any one of clauses 1 to 16.

18. A system for manufacturing a solid dental mold for an intraoral cavity, comprising: (A) a scanning device and a computer system configured to provide a representation comprising at least one implant a first virtual model of at least a portion of the oral cavity of the dental implant, the first virtual model comprising a virtual portion representing the dental implant or each of the dental implant; and configured to determine the virtual portion Or each of the virtual portions is arranged relative to a virtual space of the first virtual model, the virtual space arrangement corresponding to a real space arrangement of the respective implant relative to the oral cavity; (B) corresponding to the implant or a physical analog of each of the implants; (C) a manufacturing system for manufacturing a solid model of the intraluminal portion according to the first virtual model, the solid model being spatially arranged with respect to a corresponding physical space of the solid model Included is a physical analog corresponding to the implant or each of the implants, the physical spatial arrangement corresponding to the respective virtual space arrangement determined by the computer system.

19. The system of clause 18, wherein the manufacturing system is computer controlled.

20. The system of clause 19, wherein the manufacturing system is configured to manufacture the solid model via a material removal operation applied to the material blank.

21. A method of modifying a solid dental mold, comprising: (A) providing a solid model representative of at least a portion of an oral cavity comprising at least one implanted dental implant, the solid model comprising or representative of the dental implant or each a model portion of the dental implant; (B) providing a first virtual model representative of at least a portion of the oral cavity including at least one implanted dental implant, the first virtual model comprising the dental implant Or a virtual portion of each of the dental implants; (C) determining a virtual space arrangement of the or each virtual portion relative to the first virtual model, the virtual space arrangement corresponding to the corresponding implant relative to a true spatial arrangement of the lumen portion; and (D) introducing a physical analog corresponding to the implant or each of the implants into the lumen by a corresponding physical spatial arrangement relative to the solid model Part of the real The solid model is modified in the volume model, the physical space arrangement corresponding to the corresponding virtual space arrangement of the virtual portion relative to the first virtual model determined based on step (C).

22. A method of making a dental cavity solid dental mold comprising at least one fitted implant comprising (A) providing at least a portion of the oral cavity including the dental implant or each dental implant a first virtual model, wherein the position and orientation of the or each implant relative to the lumen of the mouth can be determined according to the first virtual model; (B) providing at least a portion representative of the implant Or a second virtual model of each of the physical analogs of the implant; (C) operating the second virtual model or each of the second virtual models to form a spatial arrangement aligned with respect to the first virtual model, the space Arranging an arrangement corresponding to the relative arrangement between the oral cavity and the corresponding implant; and generating a third virtual model according to the first virtual model having a virtual cavity such that the physical analog is parallel to the oral cavity Forming and accommodating the corresponding second virtual model or each corresponding second virtual model therein; and (D) controlling the manufacturing of the physical cavity of the oral cavity according to the third virtual model computer and incorporating the similarity Object or each Analogs.

23. The method of clause 22, wherein step (d) comprises forming an outer mold surface corresponding to the surface of the tooth of the oral cavity in any desired order and forming a recess to receive the corresponding analog.

24. The method of clause 23, wherein the at least one depression provides a friction fit relative to the respective analog.

25. The method of clause 23, wherein the at least one depression provides a friction fit relative to the respective composite analog, wherein the composite analog comprises the analog having a jacket of the model material.

26. The method of clause 23, wherein the at least one cavity houses the respective analog and has a significant gap filled with a suitable cementitious material.

27. The method of clause 26, wherein a suitable fixture is used to maintain a desired spatial arrangement between the respective analog and the respective cavity, at least prior to attachment of the analog to the respective cavity.

28. The method of clause 27, wherein the fixture comprises a substrate configured to be mounted to a portion of the solid model, the solid model portion not including a portion representing a tooth adjacent the implant site.

The method of any one of clauses 22 to 28, wherein the step (d) comprises forming the outer surface of the tooth corresponding to the lumen of the mouth from a blank comprising the analog or each of the analogs in a unitary manner Model surface.

30. A dental mold manufactured according to any one of clauses 22 to 29.

31. A system for manufacturing a solid dental mold comprising at least one lumen of a mating implant, comprising: (A) a scanning device and a computer system configured to provide a representation of the dental cavity including the dental cavity a first virtual model of the implant or at least a portion of each dental implant, wherein the position and orientation of the or each implant relative to the lumen of the oral cavity can be determined according to the first virtual model; Providing a second virtual model at least partially representative of a physical analogue corresponding to the implant or each of the implants; and - for operating the second virtual model or each of the second virtual models to form relative to a spatial arrangement of the first virtual model alignment, the spatial arrangement corresponding to the relative arrangement between the oral cavity and the corresponding implant; and generating a third virtual model having a virtual cavity according to the first virtual model Accommodating and accommodating the corresponding second virtual model or each corresponding second virtual model therein in such a manner that the physical analog is parallel to the physical model of the oral cavity; and (B) A computer controlled manufacturing system for manufacturing a solid dental mold of the oral cavity according to the third virtual model and incorporating the analog or each of the analogs.

In the methods claimed below, alphanumeric characters and Roman numerals for naming the claimed steps are provided for convenience only and do not imply any particular order in which the steps are performed.

Finally, it should be noted that the term "comprising" as used throughout the scope of the claims is intended to be understood to mean "including but not limited to".

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

A method of making a solid dental mold, comprising: receiving a first virtual model representative of at least a portion of an oral cavity including at least one implanted dental implant, the first virtual model comprising a representative dental implant a virtual portion of one of the physical portions; the virtual portion being disposed in a virtual space relative to the first virtual model; based on the virtual space arrangement, receiving the respective dental implant relative to the portion of the oral cavity An implant spatial arrangement; and fabricating the solid dental mold corresponding to the portion of the oral cavity based on the first virtual model, the solid dental mold comprising an entity corresponding to the respective dental implant The physical analog is disposed in an analog spatial arrangement relative to the physical dental mold, the analog spatial arrangement corresponding to the respective dental portion of the step of receiving the implant spatial arrangement relative to the portion of the oral lumen The implant spatial arrangement of the implant, wherein the physical analog is embedded in a jacket structure that is shaped to be removably coupled to the solid dental mold A cavity structure. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the implant spatial arrangement comprises: providing a second virtual model that at least partially represents the respective entity analog; and generating a third virtual model The third virtual model includes a virtual cavity configured to virtually receive the second virtual model therein, and wherein in the step of manufacturing the physical dental mold, the manufacturing of the physical dental mold is further based on the The third virtual model. The method of claim 2, wherein an alignment virtual space arrangement is formed by operating the second virtual model to generate the third virtual model, the aligned virtual space arrangement is consistent with the virtual space arrangement, and the aligned virtual space arrangement corresponds to The implant of the respective dental implant in the portion of the oral cavity is spatially disposed. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of fabricating the solid dental mold comprises: forming an external solid dental mold surface, the outer solid dental mold surface corresponding to the tooth surface of the portion of the oral cavity; and forming a solid depression In the solid dental mold, the respective analogs are arranged to be arranged in the respective physical space, and the solid recesses correspond to the virtual cavity. The method of claim 4, wherein the virtual cavity is produced to have a virtual shape corresponding to a solid shape complementary to a solid shape of the respective physical analog such that the solid depression formed in the solid dental mold A fit is provided relative to the solid analog to accommodate the respective physical analog therein in the spatial arrangement of the analog. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of manufacturing the physical dental mold comprises: computer controlling the manufacture of at least a portion of the physical dental mold. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of fabricating the physical dental mold comprises: manufacturing the physical dental mold via a material removal operation applied to a blank having a suitable model material. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of manufacturing the physical dental mold comprises: manufacturing the physical dental mold by applying a CNC machining operation to a blank material. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of fabricating the physical dental mold comprises manufacturing the physical dental mold via a rapid prototyping operation. A solid dental mold manufactured by the method of claim 1.