Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
  • A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
  • A61C7/002—Orthodontic computer assisted systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
  • A61C7/00—Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions

Definitions

• the present invention relates to orthodontia. More particularly, the present invention relates to the selection of orthodontic appliances, e.g., orthodontic brackets.
• Orthodontia is a branch of dentistry that prevents or treats irregular positions of the teeth. Teeth that are not in correct positions may hinder proper chewing of food, and may also tend to develop caries or contribute to gum disease. Furthermore, malpositioned or maloccluded teeth may present an unsightly appearance, especially if located in the anterior portions of the patient's oral cavity.
• An orthodontic brace is a device used to move teeth to orthodontically correct positions along the dental arch.
• the orthodontic practitioner will create a custom orthodontic brace for each patient by selecting components that apply gentle pressure to the teeth in certain directions. Over a period of time, the teeth tend to slowly shift toward desired positions. After an extended period of time, the growth of new bone tissue in areas next to the roots of the teeth hold the teeth in their new positions.
• One type of orthodontic brace that is in widespread use includes a set of orthodontic appliances along with an archwire.
• the appliances typically include a number of small, slotted brackets, each of which is mounted on a corresponding tooth along the dental arch.
• An archwire is received in the slot of each bracket and forms a track to guide the teeth toward desired positions.
• a set of appliances and an archwire are provided for both the upper and the lower dental arch of the patient. In other words, treatment of both arches is generally carried out at the same time.
• each of the selected brackets has a certain "prescription" that represents particular characteristics of the bracket.
• the prescription can include numerous different aspects or features of the bracket, such as the size of the archwire slot, as well as orientation of a slot relative to a base of the bracket that is intended to be mounted on a surface of the tooth.
• the prescription describes the orientation of the archwire slot relative to the base of the bracket and may include values for torque, angulation, and rotation.
• torque is often defined as tipping movement of the long axis of the tooth in a buccolabial-lingual direction (i.e., in directions toward and away from the patient's lips or cheeks and the patient's tongue)
• angulation is defined as tipping movement of the long axis of the tooth in mesial and distal directions (i.e., in directions toward and away from the center of the patient's dental arch)
• rotation is defined as rotational movement of the tooth about its long axis.
• the prescription for orthodontic brackets often varies from tooth to tooth to achieve desired tooth positions.
• many practitioners prefer that the long axes of the lower anterior teeth be as upright as possible, and consequently will prescribe for those teeth a bracket having torque and angulation values of zero (0).
• the upper central incisor teeth normally have long axes that are slanted.
• the practitioner may prescribe upper central brackets having a torque of, for example, 17 degrees and an angulation of, for example, 5 degrees.
• the desired prescription may change from one orthodontist to the next orthodontist.
• the prescription is varied from the practitioner's normal practice to accommodate the initial position of a patient's tooth, the location of adjacent teeth of the patient, or the orientation of opposing teeth for a particular patient.
• brackets are designed and manufactured to average anatomy.
• the orthodontic brackets are not tailored to any individual anatomy of the patient.
• a practitioner may have the ability to choose predefined and existing brackets having the following torques for an upper central tooth (0, 7, 12, 14, 17, 22).
• custom orthodontic appliances be manufactured around the anatomy of the individual patient.
• the custom orthodontic products are manufactured and used in a tailored manner to the individual anatomy of the patient.
• an orthodontic bracket may be automatically designed from the digitized tooth shape information and then provided using numerical controlled manufacturing technology.
• the digitized information may be generated from measurements of the mouth of the patient, either taken directly or from a model thereof, and may include information associated with the shape of the individual teeth of the patient and/or of the patient's arches.
• the present invention is directed toward facilitating the selection of orthodontic brackets from predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• a user views a patient's teeth and using, for example, a user interface, a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model can be defined using three-dimensional tooth/arch model data.
• a prescription is selected representative of desired final positions for the teeth of the patient. With such information, the teeth of the maloccluded tooth/arch model can be positioned in the desired final positions.
• predefined and existing orthodontic brackets can be selected, e.g., such selection can be based on selection criteria used to search a database including parameters defining such predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• predefined and existing orthodontic brackets which are available today, doctors make decisions in a digital, i.e., discrete, fashion rather than in an analog fashion. For example, an orthodontic practitioner can choose the following torques for an upper central tooth (0, 7, 12, 14, 17, 22).
• exact replicas or models of the teeth yields exact measurements that are very representative of the patient's teeth; however, such measurements may not be all that worthwhile for the orthodontic practitioner.
• the exact replicas or models of the teeth provided by digitization thereof yielded, e.g., by way of a computer analysis, that a torque of 5.32 degrees would be optimum, if only predefined and existing orthodontic brackets as listed above were available, the orthodontic practitioner could only pick 0 or 7.
• the exact replicas or models of the teeth provided by digitization yielded very precise information, such information still resulted in the choice of a discrete digital value, 0 or 7.
• the orthodontic practitioner would choose a torque of 7.
• such complex optimum computation and provision of exact replicas or models of teeth is a very complex and costly process.
• the present invention reduces such complexity and cost by a large degree while the optimization regarding the functional process of selecting appropriate brackets is reduced only by a small factor.
• a beneficial method for selecting one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets is provided.
• a method of orthodontic appliance selection according to the present invention includes providing tooth/arch model data (e.g., individual separated three-dimensional models of teeth) and defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth arch model data as a function of patient information (e.g., patient information provided using a user interface for input of data). Further, the method includes providing prescription data representative of desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model and bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets. One or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets are selected for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data.
• tooth/arch model data e.g., individual separated three-dimensional models of teeth
• bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• One or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets are
• one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets are selected that move the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model at least close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
• the method then further includes repositioning the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth arch model to positions based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data is provided, along with a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned based on at least bracket data representative of the selected predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• These representations can be compared, e.g., for use in modifying the selection of the one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets.
• archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires is provided. At least one of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires is selected for use in moving the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions. Repositioning of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model may then be based on at least bracket data representative of the selected one or more predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and archwire data representative of the selected at least one predefined and existing orthodontic archwire.
• the method includes providing a representation of one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient and providing one or more patient images representative of the patient's actual teeth (e.g., two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images) for use in comparison to the representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model may be modified based on the comparison.
• another embodiment of the method includes providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient and providing a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the prescription data.
• Such representations can be used to, for example, change patient information or prescription data resulting in a modification to the representations.
• a method for use in orthodontia includes providing model data representative of at least one or more teeth, providing archwire data representative of at least an archwire, and providing position data defining one or more tooth positions.
• a representation of the one or more teeth is provided by providing a global coordinate system on a surface of the archwire and defining a local coordinate system at a facial axis point of each of the one or more teeth.
• the local coordinate system corresponding to each tooth is placed relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by the position data. Thereafter, each tooth is attached to the corresponding moved local coordinate system.
• the position data may include prescription data defining one or more desired tooth positions and/or bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining one or more orthodontic brackets. Further, a representation of orthodontic brackets with the representation of the one or more teeth may be provided in a similar manner to the placing of the teeth using the local coordinate system.
• a method of orthodontic appliance selection according to the present invention includes providing tooth/arch model data for use in defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model and providing a user interface for allowing a user to define a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information.
• a user interface is also provided for allowing a user to define prescription data representative of desired final tooth positions for one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets is provided and one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets are selected from a database for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three- dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data.
• Another method of orthodontic appliance selection includes providing tooth/arch model data representative of at least one or more teeth and defining a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model using the tooth/arch model data as a function of patient information.
• Prescription data representative of desired final positions for one or more teeth of the defined maloccluded tooth/arch model and archwire data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires are also provided. At least one of the plurality of predefined and existing archwires is selected for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions.
• bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets is provided and one or more of the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets are selected for use in moving one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model to the desired final positions based on at least the prescription data.
• the present invention includes computer-readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for carrying out one or more of the functional elements described above. Further details of the invention are defined in the features of the claims.
• Figure 1 is a block diagram generally showing an exemplary orthodontic bracket selection method according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a side elevational view of an example of an orthodontic brace including a number of brackets along with an archwire received in the slots of each bracket;
• Figure 3 is an orthodontic appliance selection system employing an orthodontic bracket selection program in accordance with the present invention.
• Figures 4A and 4B are a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the orthodontic bracket selection method of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 A is a table illustrating a prescription that may be selected according to the method shown in Figure 4;
• Figure 5B', 5B", 5C, 5C", 5D' and 5D" are diagrams for use in illustrating interaction between an orthodontic bracket and an archwire that may be taken into account when selecting orthodontic brackets according to the method shown in Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a block diagram of one illustrative embodiment of a process for placing teeth, and likewise brackets, of a tooth/arch model to certain positions, such as shown generally in Figure 4;
• FIGS 7A-7C are used to generally illustrate the embodiment of the process shown in Figure 6;
• Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a bracket having an illustrative local coordinate system defined thereon for use in a process such as described with reference to Figure 6;
• Figures 10A-10F further illustrate in detail one illustrative embodiment of placing a tooth according to the process described with reference to Figure 6;
• Figure 11 A is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the selection of predefined and existing brackets according to the selection method of Figure 4;
• Figures 1 IB and 11C are another block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of the selection of predefined and existing brackets according to the selection method of Figure 4; and
• Figures 12A-12C are a table used for illustrating a process of selecting the predefined and existing brackets from a database such as described with reference to Figure 11.
• a bracket selection method 10 is shown and broadly described with reference to the flow diagram shown in Figure 1.
• the bracket selection method 10 generally includes patient's maloccluded tooth/arch model definition block 12 and prescription selection block 14.
• Patient's maloccluded tooth/arch model definition block 12 generally represents the definition by a user of a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as a function of patient information, e.g., a patient's tooth/arch information, such as tooth size, gender, age, impression information, etc.
• a maloccluded tooth/arch model refers to any model including one or more teeth that may, but do not necessarily, require movement using orthodontic therapy.
• the definition of the three-dimensional tooth/arch model is preferably developed from a plurality of three-dimensional models.
• the three-dimensional models available are provided as model data in a computer database.
• the model data may be representative of one or more teeth, alone or in combination with arch information.
• the arch information may include arch form or shape information that facilitates the selection of an archwire.
• the arch form by way of reference to a central plane of a corresponding selected archwire that follows the arch form (see Figure 7), i.e., a central plane parallel to the occlusal plane, provides a reference datum for subsequent tooth and bracket positioning as described further herein.
• Such model data may be representative of various configurations of tooth and/or arch models created by, for example, imaging and/or recording actual patient teeth and providing an average common representation thereof.
• the three-dimensional models may be defined by or correspond to various patient criteria such as gender, age, race, tooth size, arch size, arch shape, etc.
• a user interface provided to a practitioner may allow the input of various patient information.
• Such patient information can then be used to search a database defining the models to result in the selection of a best match three-dimensional model data from the plurality of available three-dimensional models provided by the model data in the computer database.
• the patient's maloccluded tooth/arch model may be defined by the user through selection of an arch form, individual teeth, groupings of an arch form and teeth, groupings of multiple teeth, or through selection of any other model data representative of one or more teeth and/or arch forms.
• an arch form and individual teeth are selected for definition of the patient's maloccluded tooth/arch model based on user input of patient information.
• the prescription selection block 14 is generally representative of the user selecting prescription data from multiple available prescriptions representative of desired final positions for one or more of the teeth of the maloccluded tooth/arch model defined for a patient.
• the multiple available prescriptions may be provided by prescription data in a computer database.
• the prescription for each patient/tooth can be selected on an individual basis or as a group.
• the selected prescription data representative of desired final positions for one or more of the patient's teeth is not limited to the choice of one or more predefined bracket prescription systems. In other words, the prescription data representative of desired final positions for one or more of the patient's teeth is not the same as the prescription information that is representative of one or more parameters of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets to be selected according to the present invention.
• bracket data For simplicity, and to eliminate confusion between the selected prescription data representative of desired final positions for one or more of the patient's teeth versus prescription information that is representative of one or more parameters of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, the prescription information that is representative of one or more parameters of predefined orthodontic brackets will be referred to herein and in the claims as bracket data.
• a tooth/arch model having the desired occlusion for the teeth of the patient can be achieved (block 16) by providing the teeth of the three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model defined by the user in the desired prescribed positions (block 17). The user can then determine if these final positions are actually desired for the teeth or if modifications need to be made (block 18). For example, with such a representation of the patient's teeth in desired final positions shown to the user, the user may optionally modify prescription or patient information as represented by block 18 and the loops back to block 12 and 14.
• Block 18 modification of the prescription or patient information (block 18) may provide a better representation of the teeth of the patient's maloccluded tooth/arch model positioned as prescribed by the selected prescription, and as such, may provide for a better selection of brackets from predefined and existing orthodontic brackets (block 20), e.g., a bracket selection that moves the maloccluded teeth closer to the prescribed positions.
• Block 20 of the bracket selection method 10 is generally representative of the selection of standard brackets, i.e., predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, from a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets defined by one or more parameters representative thereof in a computer database.
• At least one archwire corresponding to the arch form defined for the patient may also be selected from a plurality of predefined and existing archwires.
• the selection of the predefined and existing brackets is, in many circumstances, affected by the interaction between the archwire and the brackets when moving the maloccluded teeth of the model into the desired final positions as defined by the prescription data. As such, this interaction should be considered as further described below in the selection of the predefined and existing brackets.
• Such selection of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets (block 20) may be performed in any number of manners. For example, such selection may be performed by the user entering bracket selection criteria via a user interface, e.g., based on the selected prescription.
• bracket selection criteria is used in a search of a database providing the bracket data representative of one or more parameters defining the plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets such that selected brackets, i.e., best match brackets or brackets that will best move the maloccluded teeth into the prescribed desired positions, result from the search.
• the bracket selection criteria is generally representative of at least the prescription data selected by the user or otherwise defined by the user (block 14) and the defined maloccluded tooth/arch model (block 12). Further, for example, such selection of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets may performed by the system searching the database using the angulation, in/out, or other prescription data selected by the user (block 14). Yet further, such selection may be performed by taking into account one or more other parameters such as torque loss (see Figure 11B).
• a first cycle of selection may be performed by the system based only on the selected prescription data (e.g., the selected prescription data being the bracket selection criteria) defining the desired positions for the teeth of the maloccluded model, with a second cycle performed using additional user entered bracket selection criteria to further modify the selection process.
• bracket selection the teeth of the maloccluded model are repositioned based on the bracket data (i.e., bracket prescription information) representative of the selected orthodontic brackets (block 22).
• bracket data i.e., bracket prescription information
• the bracket data representative of parameters of the selected predefined and existing brackets is used to modify the position of one or more teeth of the patient maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• the selection process of block 20 may not result in an exact match with the selected prescription for the desired final tooth positions.
• the teeth of the patient maloccluded tooth/arch model will most likely only be moved close to, but not necessarily exactly to, the desired final positions as represented by the selected prescription of block 14.
• the repositioned teeth may be displayed to the user.
• the maloccluded teeth repositioned based on the bracket data may be displayed alone or in conjunction with other defined models (e.g., the maloccluded tooth/arch model for the patient, the maloccluded teeth moved into the desired final positions based on the selected prescription data, other image data, etc.).
• the teeth may then be repositioned again using the bracket data of the new or modified selection. This modification and repositioning process can be repeated until a suitable final position for the teeth is attained as represented by the loop between blocks 24 and 22.
• user-entered data may result in the program displaying a selection of matches in thumbnail images, e.g., teeth which match the patient information supplied by the user. Thereafter, the user may click on selections, e.g., particular teeth, and build a three-dimensional model and fine tune the model if desired.
• model data representative of the plurality of three-dimensional tooth/arch models may be either representative of individual teeth or multiple teeth.
• the model data is not an actual model of the patient's actual teeth, but is representative of the patient's teeth.
• the model data is representative of individual teeth and/or arch forms that may be selected by the user to define the maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient.
• Such model data may be provided by using actual three-dimensional models to generate a computer tooth library, e.g., a tooth library including teeth for various tooth positions.
• a computer tooth library e.g., a tooth library including teeth for various tooth positions.
• the present invention is not limited to any particular manner of providing the model data.
• the scaling operation i.e., the manipulation of the data to increase or decrease the size of the model tooth along one or more axes, may be carried out by the user through the input of numerical data from measurements of the patient's actual tooth or a relative ranking of the size of the patient's actual tooth. If the selection method includes the optional step, as described below, of including digitized images of the patient's actual teeth, scaling may be carried out by the user through visual comparison of the image of the model tooth to the appearance of the patient's actual tooth. The scaling process may be carried out for each tooth in the dental arch as needed. For example, the scaling operation may be performed by selecting and dragging a border or surface of the tooth being scaled.
• the estimated models of teeth selected by the user utilized according to the present invention are sufficiently close to the patient's actual teeth such that an exact replica of the patient's teeth is unnecessary in the bracket selection method 10.
• using such computer-generated model teeth as opposed to using digitized representations of a patient's actual teeth reduces the complexity and cost of attempting to provide an exact model or replica of the patient's actual teeth.
• the individual nature of the teeth provide a far less complex process of providing separated teeth that can be easily manipulated, as opposed to capturing an actual representation of the teeth and then further needing to perform complex algorithms to separate the teeth captured into individual separated teeth.
• the bracket selection method 10 is used to select predefined and existing brackets that are defined by certain bracket data.
• the bracket data i.e., orthodontic bracket prescription information, representative of parameters of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and used in the selection process described herein may include values representing the torque, angulation, and rotation provided by the bracket.
• the bracket data may also include an "in/out" value which may represent, for example, the shortest distance between the lingual side of the archwire slot and the outwardly facing side of the bracket base that is intended to contact or be closely adjacent the surface of the patient's tooth.
• Bracket data may also include other aspects such as labial-lingual depth of the archwire slot, the occlusal-gingival width of the archwire slot, and the mesial-distal length of the archwire slot.
• the bracket data may also optionally include the material of the bracket and/or the material of the structure defining the archwire slot (such as an archwire slot liner), and the type or classification of appliance (e.g., a "Begg" bracket, a twin bracket, or a bracket with rotation wings).
• the bracket data may also include linear and/or angular tolerances of the various dimensions and angulations.
• the bracket selection method 10 may also be used to select predefined and existing archwires that are defined by certain archwire data.
• the archwire data representative of parameters of predefined and existing orthodontic archwires and used in the selection process may include values that represent the shape of the archwire, such as the cross- . sectional shape (e.g., round, rectangular, or square) as well as its overall shape when in its normally relaxed configuration (e.g., whether it lies in a flat plane when relaxed or whether it is constructed to have a reverse curve of Spee when relaxed).
• the archwire data for the archwires may include overall dimensions when relaxed as well as its cross- sectional dimensions (e.g., its diameter for an archwire having a round cross-sectional configuration, and its width and depth for archwires having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration). Further, the archwire data may also include its composition, stiffness, and/or values representing frictional characteristics of the archwire in use.
• the word "bracket” may include any orthodontic brackets and also orthodontic tubes, such as buccal tubes.
• buccal tube brackets are typically mounted on the patient's molar teeth and receive ends of the archwire.
• the buccal tubes are convertible.
• the tubular passage may be "opened" by the practitioner when desired to create a slot that is open along one side, such as along its buccal side.
• buccal tubes are welded to metallic orthodontic bands that are placed around the molar teeth to provide a stable base for mounting the buccal tubes.
• Orthodontic bands may be selected and applied as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,089,868 issued 18 July 2000 entitled, “Selection of Orthodontic Appliances.”
• FIG. 2 An example of a system of brackets and archwires is shown in Figure 2.
• a dental arch 60 of a patient is shown along with a first brace 62.
• the first brace 62 includes a set of brackets 64, each of which is bonded to a respective tooth 66 of the dental arch 60.
• Buccal tube brackets 68 are mounted on molar teeth 69 of the dental arch 60.
• the brackets 64, 68 have slots or grooves that receive an archwire 70.
• the archwire 70 is secured to the brackets 64, 68 by ligating structure, such as wire ties or the tiny elastomeric O-rings shown in Figure 2.
• the bracket 64, 68 may be of the type known as "self-ligating" brackets that include sliding clips, shutters, or other types of latches to retain the archwire 70 in place.
• the archwire 70 forms a track to guide movement to the bracket 64, 68 as well as the associated teeth toward prescribed positions as selected by the practitioner.
• a selection program 11 for performing the bracket selection method 10, or at least portions thereof is resident in memory 48 of a computing unit 42 of an orthodontic appliance selection system 40.
• the computing unit 42 further includes processor 46.
• the data representative of the various elements of the present invention e.g., the one or more prescriptions, the plurality of three-dimensional tooth/arch models, the data representative of one or more parameters defining a plurality of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, etc.
• such data may be provided as inputs to computing unit 42 by a user or by some other peripheral device for use by program 11 or for storage in memory 48.
• the present invention may be adapted to be operable using any bit processor-based system, e.g., a personal computer, and, further, that the present invention is in no manner limited to any particular processing system.
• the amount of memory of the system should be sufficient to allow for operation of the program 11 and storage of data, such as model teeth data and prescription data, for use by program 11. It is readily apparent that such a memory may be provided by peripheral memory devices.
• the system 40 may include any number of other peripheral devices as desired for operation of the system 40, such as, for example, the following respective devices: display 54, keyboard 50, and mouse 52.
• computing system 40 may be a Net Power Semetra-II with a true-TX graphics card.
• any suitable computing system may be used.
• Various programs and languages may be used to accomplish the functions as described herein, as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
• such functionality may be provided using C++ language, Open GL, etc.
• available software packages may be used for providing various functions, such as display of images, manipulation of images, etc.
• Open Inventor available from Silicon Graphics may be used to display images
• Digital Diagnostic Protocol may be used to communicate the information.
• bracket selection method 10 More detailed illustrative embodiments of the bracket selection method 10 according to the present invention are shown by the tooth movement and bracket selection method 100 and embodiments thereof as shall be described with reference to Figures 4-12.
• the bracket selection method 100 includes block 112 representative of a user entering patient information for use in the definition of a three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient.
• the present invention includes a user interface which instructs the user to provide certain types of patient information (block 140).
• the patient information may include any information that is pertinent to or which leads to distinguishing characteristics of teeth or arches of a patient.
• patient information may include the patient's gender, age, race, or any other type of information descriptive of a group of patients that is useful in defining an estimated tooth/arch model.
• group-type information representative of the patient certain sizes and tooth shapes can be selected.
• patient information may include tooth size such as from a scale of 1-5, arch size such as from a scale of 1-5, and arch shape (e.g., Orthoform 1, 2, and 3). This patient information may also be bite impression information taken directly from a patient by the user of the bracket selection system described herein.
• the computer program Upon entering of such patient information, the computer program, e.g., computer program 11, searches for tooth and arch models from a tooth/arch model database (block 142).
• the tooth/arch model database may include model data representative of one or more teeth, either individually or in combination, whole or partial arch models, combination tooth and arch models, or any other three-dimensional models including tooth and/or arch information. Separate tooth and arch models may be stored as a library file in the tooth/arch model database.
• various tooth models and arches are provided for viewing by a user and the user is allowed to select one or more tooth models and arch models to estimate the patient's teeth/arch configuration. As described further below, such a selection may be modified if desired.
• scaling may be used to define the teeth of the maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• an arch form may be defined by scaling.
• the shape of the generic arch form is increased or decreased along one or more references axes until reaching the shape desired by the user.
• Scaling of the arch form may be carried out by any one of a number of methods. For example, a model of the patient's arch form may be created and measured at certain reference points, and the generic arch form can then be scaled as needed.
• the arch form may be scaled from a single arch form, or may be scaled from one of a number of generic arch forms that are retained in a data file containing a library of arch forms.
• the teeth of the maloccluded model may be placed in the defined positions, and the user may view such teeth on the display (block 144) to determine whether the displayed maloccluded teeth satisfy the user's expectations. If the user is satisfied with the displayed maloccluded teeth, then the user can move forward and select prescription data for such teeth as shown in block 114.
• the maloccluded teeth may be placed in positions in the maloccluded tooth/arch model in a manner such that they best match the patient's maloccluded teeth.
• a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model for a patient may be provided by moving each tooth to a position that matches, as close as possible, the position of the corresponding tooth of the patient or, for example, models formed of multiple teeth may be chosen wherein little positioning of individual teeth is required.
• the maloccluded model may be changed (block 152).
• patient information may be changed to reselect teeth.
• information concerning the patient may be changed such that the maloccluded model teeth or the arch form is changed and through the previous process described herein displayed to the user in a changed form.
• patient two-dimensional digitized images (block 148) or patient three-dimensional digitized images (block 150) may be overlaid with the maloccluded tooth/arch model on the computer display (block 146).
• this embodiment makes use of actual patient information while still reducing the complexity and cost of attempting to provide an exact model or replica of each of the patient's actual teeth.
• the individual nature of the model teeth i.e., individual separated teeth
• a model created from information more closely defining the actual patient Therefore, a partial capture of the patient's actual configuration is used, while the need to perform complex algorithms to separate the teeth captured (e.g., by impression or digitization) into individual separated teeth is eliminated.
• prescription data representative of desired final positions for the teeth of the maloccluded model can be selected or otherwise defined (block 114). As shown in Figure
• Block 160 allows a user via a user interface to select a standard prescription for tooth positions from one or more prescriptions stored in a database.
• known prescription values are commonly used for tooth positions according to known techniques. Examples of well-known techniques include those taught by Drs. McLaughlin, Bennett, and Trevisi (the "MBT" brand bracket prescription), those taught by Dr. Ron Roth, and those taught by Dr. Lawrence F. Andrews.
• prescription information may be provided by the user through an additional user interface that allows the user to enter various prescription parameters such as in/out, angulation, and torque for each tooth (block 162).
• Such modification provides the user, e.g., an orthodontist, the ability to achieve positions for the model teeth corresponding to the prescription that cannot be achieved with a standard prescription.
• Figure 5A shows a typical prescription from L. F. Andrews, "Straight Wire, the
• the in/outs were calculated from subtracting crown prominence of each tooth from 3.5 millimeters.
• the prescription 170 is just one of many different types of prescriptions that may be stored in a library database and selected by a user via a user interface provided by program 11.
• the method 100 proceeds to place the maloccluded teeth of the patient according to the desired final tooth positions corresponding to, or prescribed by, the selected prescription and, optionally modify the model resulting from such placement (block 116).
• a tooth positioning process (block 170) for positioning the maloccluded teeth to the desired or prescribed occlusion is shown in the flow diagram of Figure 6.
• the process may include searching a tooth/arch model database for a prescribed tooth/arch model as opposed to modifying the positions of the maloccluded teeth into the desired final positions.
• Such position modification of the maloccluded teeth may include positioning each of the teeth selected for the maloccluded model to the desired prescribed occlusion.
• a local coordinate system already created for the teeth of the maloccluded model may be repositioned and each tooth reattached thereafter.
• FIG. 6 One illustrative tooth positioning process 118 for providing a representation of the one or more maloccluded teeth based on the selected prescription data representative of the desired final positions for the teeth is shown in Figure 6 and can be generally described with reference to Figures 7A-7C.
• Figures 7 A and 7B are representative of upper archwire 250 and lower archwire 252 corresponding to defined arch forms defined for the patient in the definition of the maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• the method is initialized by positioning a global coordinate system on an inner surface of the archwire and at the midpoint of the archwire (and at the central plane thereof).
• global coordinate system 260 is positioned with its origin 261 on the inner surface and midpoint of the upper archwire 250.
• global coordinate system 262 is initialized with its origin 263 on the inner surface and midpoint of the lower archwire 252.
• the tooth placement process 118 includes moving a local coordinate system 272 associated with a tooth relative to the global coordinate system 262 of archwire 252 to a prescribed position as shown in Figure 7C.
• tooth 270 is then attached to the local coordinate system 272.
• all the other model teeth (if any) of the lower arch 252 are moved in the same manner to the prescribed positions.
• only descriptions relative to the lower arch 252 shall be provided herein.
• substantially the same process applies to the upper arch 250.
• a global coordinate system 262 is initialized on the inner surface 267 and midpoint
• data representative of the surface of the archwire is created if it does not yet exist in the model data, e.g., an archwire that follows the arch form.
• the surface of the archwire could be provided by data of a solid model, wire frame data, data representing the surface, or data representing a point cloud surface.
• the archwire follows the arch form defined for the patient (block 112).
• the global coordinate system 262 is positioned with its origin on the inner surface 267 of the archwire and at the midpoint 269 of the archwire 252.
• a local coordinate system 272 for each model tooth is then moved as further described below.
• Each tooth is later attached to the corresponding local coordinate system with its origin at the facial axis (FA) point 278 of each tooth.
• FA facial axis
• Figure 8 illustrates the attachment of local coordinate system 272 at the FA point 278 of the tooth 270.
• the z axis of the local coordinate system 272 is perpendicular to the crown surface while the y axis and the x axis are tangent to the crown.
• the local coordinate system 272 which may initially coincide with the global coordinate system 262 as shown in Figure 10A is then translated along the inner midline of the archwire by tooth widths (block 204).
• the local coordinate system 272 for the tooth number "n” is translated a distance 261 along the inner midline (i.e., midline lying in the central plane) of the archwire 2152 to a point 271 by tooth widths,
• t r ⁇ (W n +W n _ 1 )b n I i from 1 to "n" as shown in Figure 10B.
• b n is a factor greater than one or smaller than one to account for the larger (or smaller for lingual arch) arch radius of the archwire than the crown prominence arch on which the tooth widths are measured.
• the local coordinate system x l5 yi, zi is rotated by an angle beta ( ⁇ ) with respect to the y axis to ensure that the zi-axis is perpendicular to the inner surface of the archwire 252.
• the new local coordinate system resulting from the rotation becomes x 2 , y 2 , z 2 .
• the coordinate system x 2 , y 2 , z 2 is translated along the z 2 axis, or in the lingual direction, by a distance equal to the in/out value, d. This results in another local coordinate system x , y 3 , z 3 .
• the coordinate system x 4 , y , z is rotated by an angle - ⁇ which approximates to the inclination (or torque), with respect to the x axis to the desired inclination, «,-, while maintaining angulation.
• the new coordinate system resulting from such rotation is x 5 , y 5 , and z 5 , as shown in Figure 10F.
• ⁇ is related to a and ⁇ as shown in> the following equations:
• the model tooth 270 is attached to the new local coordinate system x 5 , y 5 , z 5 as shown in Figure 10F.
• teeth are also shown in the other diagrams of Figures 10A-F, such teeth are provided only for illustration purposes to show rotation and translation.
• attachment of the tooth to the local coordinate system is not performed until the local coordinate system is in its proper position per the selected prescription data.
• complexity of the positioning of teeth in the prescribed positions is reduced.
• Attachment of the tooth 270 to the new local coordinate system x 5 , y 5 , z 5 is represented in block 214. All the teeth are moved to their particular prescribed positions as represented by block 216 until the final tooth has been placed in its prescribed position. The movement and placement process is then done (block 218).
• D [0,0,d ⁇ the in-and-out vector
• T represents vector transpose
• R z (-y) and R X ( ⁇ ) are the rotational transformation matrices defined as:
• R - ⁇ ) 0 cos(-0) - sin(- ⁇ ) 0 cos 0 sin ⁇ . 0 sin(-0) cos(- ⁇ ) . 0 - sin 0 cos 0
• the user may view such teeth on the display to determine whether the displayed teeth satisfy the user's expectations (block 176). If the user is satisfied with the displayed teeth in the prescribed position, the displayed model teeth represent the final desired positions for the teeth of the maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• the user may be provided with a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the selected prescription data overlaid with a representation of the defined three- dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model.
• a visual comparison can be made to assist in defining a more effective prescription. For example, simultaneous display of teeth in two or more different positions is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/918,226 filed July 30, 2001 and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Selecting a Prescription for an
• predefined and existing orthodontic brackets and/or archwires are selected from a database based on at least the maloccluded tooth/arch model and the selected prescription data corresponding to the final desired positions of the patient's teeth (block
• the brackets selected from the database are the brackets which best move the maloccluded teeth into the desired final positions (block 182).
• the teeth may be moved close, but not necessarily exactly, to the desired final positions.
• the archwire is selected by the user to attempt to best move the patient's maloccluded teeth to the desired final positions represented by the selected prescription data (block 180) at the conclusion of treatment.
• an archwire for the patient may be chosen from a library of predefined and existing archwires based on the arch form defined by the user (block 112) via the input of patient information.
• the archwire may be an "Orthoform" brand archwire sold by 3M Unitek Corporation.
• the practitioner may select an archwire from a library of archwire data representative of parameters of predefined and existing archwires.
• the system may do a database search based on the arch form information and select an archwire to be used.
• Various methods of selecting the brackets (block 182) are possible. Several illustrative exemplary embodiments of bracket selection processes shall be described with reference to Figures 11-12.
• FIG 11 A a flow diagram of an illustrative bracket selection process 301 is shown in Figure 11 A.
• Such a process employs a database including bracket data representative of predefined and existing orthodontic brackets, such as the database 400 shown in Figure 12 represented generally by the table 404.
• the database 400 includes one or more parameters defining predefined and existing brackets. For example, such parameters include torque, angulation, in/out, hook, left/right, slot size, etc.
• parameters include torque, angulation, in/out, hook, left/right, slot size, etc.
• bracket selection may proceed using a database search based substantially only on bracket selection criteria corresponding to the prescription data selected defining the desired position of teeth of the patient, e.g., torque, angulation, in/out, etc.
• a user interface is provided to allow the user to provide various types of bracket information (block 300) as shown in Figure 11 A for use in limiting the search of the database.
• the user may be allowed to select the bracket type, e.g., metal or non-metal, full size or miniature, a particular style or system, etc., to limit the search to some degree.
• the computer search of the predefined and existing brackets in the database is performed to find the best orthodontic brackets that can move the maloccluded teeth to the desired final positions (block 302).
• the best brackets may actually have a prescription that matches exactly to the final selected prescription (block 114).
• the brackets resulting from the computer search will most likely not be an exact match.
• the computer search for the brackets may be performed directly from the selected prescription data (block 114) that resulted in the representation of the model teeth in the desired final positions (block 176) as shown and described with reference to Figure 4.
• Such a prescription may provide bracket selection criteria 402 as shown in Figure 12 to be used for the search of the database 400.
• a user interface may be provided to the user for allowing the user to modify or input bracket selection criteria based on various circumstances, such as experience, model teeth represented in the final positions (block 176), start position of teeth in the maloccluded model, or any other data, either displayed or known otherwise to the user that might affect the bracket selection process.
• the anterior lower arch bracket may have a torque greater than -5 as defined by the final desired positions of the model teeth (block 176).
• a user may wish to change such values based on prior experience.
• the prescription data selected for the desired tooth positions may be presented to the user for confirmation prior to using such selected information for searching the database 400. This also would allow the user to have an opportunity to make bracket selection criteria changes, for example, based on experience.
• a user interface may allow the user to modify or input bracket selection criteria based on the direction of the orthodontic correction required to move a patient's maloccluded teeth to the represented final desired positions (block 176) and accommodate the clearance between the final archwire and bracket slot, h other words, the effect of the start position of the archwire in the slot of the bracket is preferably considered.
• Such clearance has an effect on torque loss, as well as angulation.
• FIGs 5B'-5B' such clearance is illustrated in Figures 5B'-5B'" and is preferably taken into account when selecting the brackets.
• a tooth 500 and bracket 502 are shown in nominal positions in Figure 5B' .
• the bracket 502 has a base 508 fixed to the tooth 500 with a bracket slot 506 for receiving archwire 504. Note that in the nominal positions, very little clearance between the archwire and slot exists.
• Figure 5B" shows the tooth 500 A starting with excess negative torque
• Figure 5B" ' shows the tooth starting with excess positive torque.
• Using the same bracket for such varied start positions would result in completely different final positions for the different start positions. For example, as shown in Fig. 5B", movement from tooth position 500A proceeds to 500B, while movement from tooth position 500C goes to 500D.
• bracket selection criteria may be modified by the user to input more effective criteria for certain start positions of the teeth, or a computer process may automatically take into account the start positions of the maloccluded teeth to provide for a more effective bracket selection process 317 as further described below with reference to Figure 11B.
• brackets 406 selected for best moving the maloccluded to the desired final positions may be displayed with the values called for by the selected prescription (block 304) so as to provide further information to the user.
• the user may compare the selected prescription data to the bracket data, e.g., bracket prescription information, for the selected brackets and decide whether the bracket selection process should be completed (block 305) or whether adjustments in the bracket selection criteria (block 306) should be made.
• bracket prescription information e.g., bracket prescription information
• bracket selection criteria 402 needs to be adjusted (block 306)
• the user is provided with an interface to modify the bracket selection criteria 402, e.g., torque, angulation, etc. Thereafter, another computer search of the bracket database is performed to find the best match brackets that correspond to the new bracket selection criteria 402 (block 302).
• Microsoft Excel is utilized to provide a database of predefined and existing brackets. Using a Microsoft Excel advanced filter defined by the bracket selection criteria, an efficient bracket selection process can be performed.
• any database and search process may be used according to the present invention.
• the predefined and existing brackets selected from the database may be placed onto the teeth in a certain position (block 190).
• Data representing such brackets are stored in memory for use in placing such brackets onto the model teeth.
• One such bracket is illustratively shown in Figure 9.
• the brackets may be moved and placed onto the teeth in any manner as known to one skilled in the art.
• substantially the same method of placing the model teeth in the prescribed positions as described with reference to process 118 of Figure 6 is used to place the brackets onto the teeth in a prescribed position.
• a global coordinate system is provided on the surface of the archwire for the three-dimensional tooth/arch model.
• a local coordinate system is defined for the bracket, and the local coordinate system is moved relative to the global coordinate system to a position defined at least in part by the bracket prescription. Thereafter, the bracket is attached to the corresponding moved local coordinate system.
• One embodiment of providing the global coordinate system is the same as described with reference to Figure 6.
• the global coordinate system is initialized on the inner surface and midpoint of the archwire.
• the local coordinate system 284 for each bracket 280 is provided at the bottom surface 287 of the base 285 where the origin 286 of the local coordinate system 284 is at the projection of the center of the archwire slot 282 to the bracket base surface 287.
• the x axis of the local coordinate system 284 is in the direction of the archwire slot 282 and the y axis is tangent to the bracket base 285 in the occlusal direction. The z axis therefore is pointing in the lingual direction.
• the teeth can be repositioned to orientations associated with the bracket data of the selected orthodontic brackets (block 192).
• the teeth may be moved to new bracket in/out, angulation, and torque prescription values of the predefined and existing orthodontic brackets selected.
• One illustrative end result of the movement process is a display of the tooth model with the brackets positioned thereon.
• bracket prescription interaction with the finishing archwire, particularly to compensate for the start position of the teeth.
• selection of brackets and repositioning of the maloccluded teeth should take into account this interaction.
• One illustrative bracket selection process 317 that provides for such compensation shall be described with reference to Figure 1 IB.
• the user enters via a user interface certain bracket information to limit the later to be performed search (block 320).
• the information may include the bracket type, such as metal, ceramic, self-ligating, mix, etc.
• the system then initializes the determination of bracket data for each tooth of the model (block 322) in a torque adjustment process 318. For example, the amount of torque loss adjustment necessary to make an effective bracket selection needs to be defined (block 322)
• the amount of torque loss adjustment can be determined in any variety of ways. For example, the amount of torque loss adjustment can be determined using a subroutine (block 326) based on the nominal slot, i.e., bracket slot, and archwire data by calculating the angle at which diagonal corners of the archwire would contact the occlusal and gingival walls of the bracket slot using an average wire corner radius.
• the amount of torque loss adjustment can be determined with use of a look up table based on nominal slot and archwire data.
• a certain amount of torque loss adjustment is selected using the look up table based on selecting the contact angle from an array of values pre-calculated using standard slot, archwire and corner radius data.
• the amount of torque loss adjustment can be determined with use of a customized torque loss look up table including amounts of torque loss that can be looked up based on selecting the contact angle from an array of values modified by or for the user through a user interface.
• Custom correction angles would be pre-calculated and entered into the table based on special wire and slot combinations or developed as the result of the user's own clinical experience.
• the direction that the loss occurs must be determined (block 332) such that the proper direction adjustment can be made to the prescription data, e.g., torque data.
• Such direction of loss may be determine by
• ⁇ MA LOCC LUDED- ⁇ F ⁇ NISH ⁇ , where ⁇ is the adjusted torque angle applied to the local coordinate system and ⁇ is the difference between the adjusted torque in the maloccluded tooth local coordinate system, and the adjusted torque in the finished position local coordinate system for that tooth.
• ⁇ is positive per decision block 336
• the desired or adjusted target bracket data to account for torque loss is equal to the torque of the selected prescription data plus the determined amount of torque loss adjustment.
• ⁇ is negative per decision block 336, then the desired or adjusted target bracket data to account for torque loss (i.e., bracket selection criteria for torque) is equal to the torque of the selected prescription data minus the determined amount of torque loss adjustment.
• the system can then search the database for brackets with the closest bracket data to the target adjusted torque bracket selection criteria along with angulation and in/out as defined by the selected prescription data (block 340).
• the bracket selection criteria used for the search are the torque of the prescription data adjusted for torque loss due to the slot/archwire interaction, along with angulation and in/out from the prescription data (e.g., selected prescription data per block 114).
• bracket identified from the predefined and existing brackets in the database is then ready for placement on the tooth (block 350) with the other brackets of the selected array of brackets for the teeth. The process is repeated for each of the teeth until brackets have been selected for each tooth (block 352).
• brackets have been selected based on an adjusted torque
• the teeth are repositioned based on the bracket data for the selected brackets as previously described herein (block 354).
• the local coordinate system for each tooth i.e., each tooth being repositioned based on the bracket data for the selected bracket on the selected archwire
• the teeth may then be attached to the local coordinate system.
• an angulation adjustment process 319 is then preferably employed.
• the adjustment process 319 may be provided, on a tooth-by-tooth basis, by first comparing the angulation, ⁇ , of the tooth to the desired finished position for the tooth as defined by the selected prescription (block 356).
• the bracket search criteria can be modified with an t adjusted target torque that also adjusts for the angulation difference so that the tooth can be moved closer to the desired finished position as defined by the selected prescription.
• a search of the database for a new bracket using the target torque and the other previously defined criteria, e.g., in/out, is then performed (block 358).
• the new bracket selected replaces the previously selected bracket in the selection array of brackets for the teeth (block 362).
• the position of the bracket on the tooth is adjusted to compensate for the angulation difference (block 364).
• the angulation adjustment process 319 continues for each of the teeth as represented by block 366 and the loop back to block 356.
• bracket placement is performed (block 368) along with repositioning of the teeth according to the final brackets selected. For example, position of the bracket on the tooth is performed according to the bracket data as adjusted taking into consideration angulation difference as just described.
• bracket fit to the teeth could be accommodated during bracket bonding by use of indirect bonding, where brackets are first bonded to a physical model of the patient's teeth and transferred to the patient using a placement tray or the like. Computer controlled placement of the bracket during either direct or indirect bonding could maintain the selected prescription.
• a bracket selection adjustment process 122 may then be employed to attempt to provide for selection of even more effective orthodontic brackets.
• the user may view such teeth on the display to determine whether the displayed repositioned teeth satisfy the user's expectations, e.g., match the final desired positions for the teeth. If the user is satisfied with the displayed repositioned teeth, then the user can move forward and the final teeth/bracket model representation with the final bracket selection can be provided (block 126).
• bracket selection can be changed (block 124).
• different bracket selection criteria may be used to change the bracket selection.
• information concerning the process of selecting brackets may be changed such that a new selection of brackets is provided.
• the teeth of the maloccluded model may then be represented based on the new selection of brackets and through the previous process described herein displayed to the user in a changed form. This process can be reiterated until the user is satisfied with the resultant teeth repositioned based on the newly selected brackets.
• the user may be provided with a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model in desired final positions represented by the selected prescription data overlaid with a representation of the one or more teeth of the defined three-dimensional maloccluded tooth/arch model as repositioned based on the bracket data representative of the selected brackets (block 194).
• a comparison can be used by a user to modify the bracket selection.
• the user of the system can use a mouse or other pointing device to identify and drag a certain tooth, teeth and/or bracket(s) for translation or rotation.
• the computer can update the display to the new positions in real time.
• the user or patient can view the tooth model with or without the brackets from different viewing points and angles.
• Multi-media presentations such as sound to represent collision between two teeth or brackets, or between teeth and brackets, can also be provided.
• the repositioned model corresponding to the final bracket selection may be displayed (block 126).
• brackets may be brackets precoated with an adhesive material, e.g., at the manufacturer or in an orthodontist's office.
• bracket selection method of the present invention One illustrative embodiment of the use of the bracket selection method of the present invention shall be described below. It will be recognized that the various techniques described previously herein and below may be used together or certain techniques can be used alone to assist in bracket selection.
• the user would maintain an in-office inventory of predefined and existing brackets.
• this inventory would include the most popular bracket types in the user's preferred prescription, plus brackets with feature options, such as with or without hooks, and prescription options, such as additional torques and angulations. These additional brackets could be limited to those most commonly used based on patient statistics.
• the inventory provides a ready supply of brackets for initial patient bonding as well as replacement brackets when required. As the selection system uses brackets, a running count could be kept to maintain the in-office inventory.
• the orthodontic user would enter patient information via a user interface into a computer using the bracket selection program previously described herein.
• a maloccluded model for the patient may be defined through an iterative process described previously herein.
• the system would use the information in its tooth/arch model database to produce a virtual maloccluded tooth/arch model to closely represent the patient's teeth and arch.
• the generated maloccluded tooth/arch model may then be displayed to the user for modification if desired through a user interface.
• the user would then select an initial prescription for the patient, and through an iterative process as previously described herein, the one or more teeth of the maloccluded model for the patient may be moved to the desired final positions as prescribed.
• the system would use the prescription selected to provide a tooth/arch model having the teeth in the prescribed occlusion.
• the generated tooth/arch model with the teeth in the prescribed positions may be displayed to the user for modification if desired through a user interface, e.g., entry of new or modified patient information or new or modified prescription information.
• the system continues with selection of brackets from a database of existing and predefined orthodontic brackets that best move the maloccluded teeth to the desired prescribed positions.
• the system selects the specific brackets, places and displays bracket representations thereof on the tooth/arch model.
• the system would generate a final tooth/arch model with the teeth in the final positions based on a final bracket selection.
• bracket selection process is complete.
• the chosen brackets would be dispensed from the in-office inventory for application at time of the actual bonding procedure. If, in an exceptional case, the selected bracket is not in the inventory, it could be procured from a supplier prior to the time of bonding the set of brackets. Beyond the selection process, the information in the system could be utilized to guide the placement of the bonded brackets for the specific patient by direct or indirect bonding methods.

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• 2002
  • 2002-02-22 US US10/081,220 patent/US7155373B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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