WO2010070710A1

WO2010070710A1 - Orthodontic bracket placement supporting method and placement supporting apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2010070710A1
Application number: PCT/JP2008/003846
Authority: WO
Inventors: 広俊明
Original assignee: Hiro Toshiaki
Priority date: 2008-12-18
Filing date: 2008-12-18
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Abstract

A dentist scans a patient's oral cavity using a three-dimensional scanner (1). Then, a computer main body (2) generates a three-dimensional shape model of patient's teeth according to scanned data and performs placement of a bracket (B) and shape designing of a transfer tray (tray (T), hereafter) in a virtual three-dimensional space. Three-dimensional shape data relative to the tray (T) is outputted to a tray creation apparatus, and the tray (T) shaped corresponding to the data is created. Placement data of the bracket (B) is outputted to a bracket fixing apparatus (6), which is automatically controlled to fix the bracket (B) at a precise place of the tray (T) according to the placement data. The bracket (B) may automatically be placed according to a placement rule, example data, etc.

Description

Orthodontic appliance positioning support method and positioning support apparatus

The present invention relates to an orthodontic appliance positioning support method and a positioning support apparatus used when an orthodontic appliance such as a bracket used for correcting a patient's teeth is attached to the patient's teeth.

Conventionally, attachment methods for attaching orthodontic appliances to the patient's teeth include direct bonding methods (direct method) in which appliances such as brackets and tubes are attached directly to the patient's teeth, and the patient's teeth. By attaching a device such as a bracket to the inner surface of a transfer tray (indirect tray) made to match the shape of the transfer tray and covering the patient's teeth with this transfer tray, the device such as a bracket is attached to the patient's teeth. An indirect bonding method (indirect method) for positioning at an appropriate position is used.

The direct bonding method is difficult because the bracket is positioned in the patient's mouth, and if the practitioner's (dentist) skills and experience are insufficient, the bracket cannot be attached to the proper position. There was a point. Moreover, since it takes a long time to attach the brackets to all the teeth, there is a problem that the burden on the patient is large. On the other hand, in the indirect bonding method, the bracket can be positioned in advance on the transfer tray, so that the mounting position of the bracket is not easily influenced by the skill of the practitioner. Moreover, the attachment work time with respect to a patient's tooth | gear can be shortened.

However, in the method in which the bracket is indirectly arranged by the technician operation using the transfer tray, the technician first creates a model of the patient's teeth (setup model), and the dentist places the bracket on the model. Determine the placement and temporarily bond the bracket to the model. Then, the technician attaches the bracket to the transfer tray so that the arrangement is as it is positioned on the model by a method such as covering the transfer tray from above the bracket arranged on the model. In such a method, since the work of attaching the bracket on the transfer tray is performed by a technician, the positional accuracy when attaching the bracket to the patient's teeth depends on the superiority or inferiority of the skill of the technician. In addition, since the dentist positions the bracket on the actual tooth or tooth model at an appropriate position, the mounting position of the bracket depends on the experience and skill of the dentist.

In the method of Patent Document 1, a patient's teeth are scanned by a three-dimensional scanner or the like to create a 3D model of the patient's teeth and display it in a virtual three-dimensional space. In addition, since guides based on various bracket arrangement rules are displayed in this virtual space, the bracket 3D model can be positioned at an appropriate position according to the guides. When the positioning of the bracket is determined, the three-dimensional shape data for producing the indirect tray is output based on the arrangement and sent to the manufacturing facility. In such a method of positioning the bracket in the virtual space, the technician operation is not performed by the engineer, so the bracket positioning accuracy is not affected by the superiority or inferiority of the skill of the engineer. Further, by referring to the guide displayed in the virtual space, even an inexperienced person can determine an appropriate bracket arrangement relatively easily.
Special table 2007-520315

However, in the method of Patent Document 1, although an actual transfer tray (indirect tray) is manufactured based on bracket positioning data in a virtual three-dimensional space, bracket mounting to the transfer tray is used as bracket positioning data. It was not proposed until it was done automatically. Therefore, even if the proper arrangement of the brackets can be determined in the virtual three-dimensional space and a transfer tray having an appropriate shape can be produced based on the arrangement, the technician attaches the brackets to the transfer tray. When the bracket is attached to the patient's teeth, the position may be shifted. In the method of Patent Document 1, although an actual transfer tray (indirect tray) is manufactured based on bracket positioning data in the virtual three-dimensional space, the shape and arrangement of the transfer tray in the virtual three-dimensional space are changed. It was not proposed to confirm.

The problem of the present invention is that, in view of such points, the dental technician attaches the orthodontic appliance to the holding jig for ideally mounting the orthodontic appliance for each patient and each tooth. An object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic appliance positioning support method and a positioning support apparatus that can be automatically performed without performing a technical operation.

In order to solve the above problems, the orthodontic appliance positioning support method of the present invention,
A computer generates a three-dimensional shape model of a patient's teeth based on scan data obtained by a three-dimensional scanner and displays it on a virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the three-dimensional shape model of the teeth in the virtual three-dimensional space. A first step of creating a three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth at a predetermined time from the start of orthodontic treatment to the completion of orthodontic treatment;
A second step of determining an arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth on the virtual three-dimensional space;
In the virtual three-dimensional space, while determining the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig for holding the ready-made orthodontic appliance in the arrangement determined in the second step in the oral cavity of the patient A third step in which the manufacturing apparatus to which the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig is input performs a process of manufacturing the holding jig based on the three-dimensional shape model;
The mounting device in which the arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance determined in the second step and the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig are input is manufactured in the third step. And a fourth step of performing a process of attaching the ready-made orthodontic appliance to the jig by automatic control based on the arrangement determined in the second step.

In the present invention, the placement of the orthodontic appliance with respect to the patient's teeth can be determined in the virtual three-dimensional space by such a method. Moreover, the shape of the holding jig for holding the orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity of the patient can be determined on the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, based on the arrangement and shape determined in the virtual three-dimensional space, the holding jig is produced in the same shape, or the orthodontic appliance is attached on the holding jig according to the determined arrangement by automatic control. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the labor of attaching the orthodontic appliance to the holding jig, which has been conventionally performed by a technician, and the orthodontic appliance is attached to the holding jig due to the superiority or inferiority of the skill of the technician. It is possible to prevent the accuracy from being affected. In addition, the shape and positioning of the holding jig can be confirmed on the virtual three-dimensional space.

In the present invention, since the holding jig is prepared by determining the arrangement of the orthodontic appliance based on the predicted shape of the patient's teeth, the orthodontic appliance can be prepared in accordance with the progress of the orthodontic treatment. The orthodontic appliance can be quickly replaced according to the progress of the orthodontic treatment. And since it is a ready-made orthodontic appliance, a three-dimensional shape model can be prepared beforehand, Therefore The determination of the three-dimensional shape model of an orthodontic appliance and its arrangement | positioning are easy. In addition, since ready-made orthodontic appliances can be provided at low cost, orthodontic treatment can be performed at low cost.

In the present invention, the orthodontic appliance is a bracket, and the holding jig is a transfer tray that can be mounted in the oral cavity of the patient so as to cover an attachment site of the bracket in the tooth. In the fourth step, The bracket may be attached to the inner surface of the transfer tray. As described above, the present invention can be applied to a case where a bracket generally used as an orthodontic appliance is positioned on a patient's tooth using a transfer tray, and the accuracy of attaching the bracket to the transfer tray due to superiority or inferiority of a technician's skill. Can be prevented from being affected.

In the present invention, the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth may include a crown shape and a root shape. If it does in this way, since arrangement of an orthodontic appliance can be determined in consideration of a shape of a tooth root, an effect of orthodontic treatment can be heightened.

In the present invention, as the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth, a three-dimensional shape model of the ideal occlusion state of the tooth may be used.

In the present invention, in the first step, the computer may perform a process of generating a three-dimensional shape model of the tooth based on scan data obtained by directly scanning a patient's oral cavity with the three-dimensional scanner. . In this way, it is possible to save labor for the technician to make the setup model. An accurate three-dimensional shape model of the patient's teeth can be easily obtained. Therefore, by determining the arrangement of the orthodontic appliance based on this three-dimensional shape model and designing the holding jig, the orthodontic appliance can be attached to the patient's teeth with a more accurate arrangement. Further, in the second step, the three-dimensional shape model of the orthodontic appliance generated based on scan data obtained by directly scanning a ready-made orthodontic appliance with the three-dimensional scanner may be used. .

In the present invention, in the second step, the computer arranges the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth, based on an arrangement rule or correction example data prepared in advance. It is advisable to perform a process of automatically determining In this way, if orthodontic appliances are automatically positioned based on the rules set based on the knowledge of dentists and case data of previous orthodontic treatments, even inexperienced people can easily find appropriate The orthodontic appliance can be positioned.

In order to solve the above problems, an orthodontic appliance positioning assist device of the present invention is
A 3D scanner for scanning the 3D shape of the patient's teeth;
A three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth at a predetermined time point between the start of orthodontic treatment and the completion of orthodontic treatment, which is generated based on the scan data by the three-dimensional scanner, and a ready-made orthodontic appliance A virtual three-dimensional space display means for arranging and displaying a three-dimensional shape model on the virtual three-dimensional space;
Orthodontic appliance positioning means for determining an arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth in the virtual three-dimensional space;
Holding to determine in the virtual three-dimensional space a three-dimensional shape model of a holding jig for holding the ready-made orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity of the patient in an arrangement determined by the orthodontic appliance positioning means Jig design means;
A holding jig producing means for producing the holding jig based on the three-dimensional shape model determined by the holding jig design means;
Orthodontic appliance mounting means for automatically attaching the ready-made orthodontic appliance to the holding jig produced by the holding jig producing means based on the arrangement determined by the orthodontic appliance designing means; It is characterized by having.

In the present invention, the placement of orthodontic appliances on the patient's teeth can be determined in a virtual three-dimensional space. Moreover, the shape of the holding jig for holding the orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity of the patient can be determined on the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, based on the arrangement and shape determined in the virtual three-dimensional space, the holding jig is produced in the same shape, or the orthodontic appliance is attached on the holding jig according to the determined arrangement by automatic control. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to save the trouble of attaching the orthodontic appliance to the holding jig which has been conventionally performed by a technician. In addition, the accuracy of attaching the orthodontic appliance to the holding jig can be prevented from being influenced by the superiority or inferiority of the skill of the technician. In addition, the shape and positioning of the holding jig can be confirmed on the virtual three-dimensional space.

It is explanatory drawing of the mounting method of a bracket. It is explanatory drawing of the mounting method of a bracket. It is a schematic block diagram of the positioning assistance apparatus of the bracket of this invention. It is a flowchart of the positioning assistance method of the bracket of this invention.

Hereinafter, a positioning support device S (hereinafter referred to as device S) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, before describing the device S, a configuration of an orthodontic bracket B to be attached to the patient's teeth and a transfer tray T (hereinafter referred to as a tray T) for positioning the bracket B in the patient's oral cavity. A method of mounting the bracket B on the teeth using the tray T will be described.

(Bracket mounting method using tray)
1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a mounting method of a bracket B (orthodontic appliance). 1A shows a state in which the bracket B is attached to the inner surface T1 of the tray T (holding jig) and is transferred into the oral cavity of the patient, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the bracket B is attached to the patient's teeth A. As shown in FIG. 1B, the brackets B are respectively attached to the teeth A to be corrected in the oral cavity of the patient. Each bracket B is made of a material such as metal or ceramic, and has a base B1 bonded to either the lip side surface or the lingual side surface of each tooth A, and the back surface of the base B1 (opposite side to the surface bonded to the teeth). The projection B2 is formed on the surface. An uneven shape such as a slot through which an arch wire (not shown) is passed is formed on the protrusion B2. By attaching the bracket B to each tooth A and tying the archwire, the correction of the tooth A is performed.

The tray T is adapted to the shape of the tooth A to be corrected, and is formed so as to cover at least the mounting position of the bracket B on each tooth A. When there are multiple teeth A to be corrected, they have various shapes such as a single-tooth tray for positioning one bracket B for each tooth and a multiple-tooth tray for positioning the bracket B on multiple teeth at a time Can be used. The tray T can be made of various materials, for example, using a silicone-based impression material.

Each bracket B is attached to the tray T so that when the tray T is put on the tooth A, the bracket B is positioned at an appropriate attachment position on each tooth A. The shapes of the tray T and the bracket B and their arrangement are determined based on the shape of each tooth A or the predicted shape of the tooth A after orthodontic treatment (for example, the shape in an ideal occlusal state). In order to mount the bracket B, first, a bonding material is applied to the surface of the tooth A, and the tray T with the bracket B mounted is placed in the patient's mouth and covered with the tooth A. Then, the inner surface of the tray T and the base B1 of the bracket B come into contact with the tooth surface of the tooth A, and the bracket B is positioned at a correct mounting position with respect to the tooth A. By pressing the bracket B against the tooth surface in this state, the bracket B is bonded to the tooth surface with a bonding material. Thereafter, when the tray T is removed, the bracket B remains in the oral cavity while being adhered to the tooth surface. In this way, the bracket B is attached at an appropriate position.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the apparatus S. As shown in this figure, the apparatus S is connected to a three-dimensional scanner 1 and a three-dimensional scanner 1 that can directly scan a patient's oral cavity to obtain scan data of a three-dimensional shape such as a patient's teeth. A computer main body 2 such as a personal computer main body, a display device 3 such as a liquid crystal monitor connected to the computer main body 2, and an input device 4 such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel are provided. The three-dimensional scanner 1, the computer main body 2, the display device 3, and the input device 4 are installed in the examination room or treatment room in the dental clinic D. Only the three-dimensional scanner 1 is installed in the examination room or treatment room, and the computer main body 2, the display device 3, and the input device 4 are installed in a work room used by a dentist or other staff. The dimension scanner 1 and the computer main body 2 may be connected by a communication line in a building.

The three-dimensional scanner 1 may be a device that can simply scan only the outer shape of a three-dimensional object. However, if a dental CT scanner or the like is used as the three-dimensional scanner 1, the portion of the crown that is exposed in the oral cavity is used. It is possible to scan not only the shape but also the shape of the root portion and the three-dimensional structure inside the jaw (the shape of the jaw bone, the position of the neural tube, etc.). The three-dimensional scanner 1 processes the scan data, and constructs a three-dimensional shape model of the tooth that is the scan target (a three-dimensional shape model of the entire tooth including only the crown or the root). Then, the three-dimensional shape model can be converted into three-dimensional shape model data that can be read by modeling software or the like and output.

The computer main body 2 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, and the like. The processing unit 21 is a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and performs various arithmetic processes. The storage unit 22 includes a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD, and stores various programs and data. The communication unit 23 is an interface device for transmitting and receiving operation signals and data between the computer main body 2 and another device or an external communication line. The three-dimensional scanner 1, the display device 3, and the input device 4 are connected to the computer main body 2 via the communication unit 23.

The device S also includes a tray preparation device 5 (holding jig preparation means) and a bracket attachment device 6 (orthodontic appliance attachment means) connected to the computer main body 2 via a communication line or the like. The tray manufacturing apparatus 5 receives three-dimensional shape data such as the tray T determined in the computer main body 2 from the computer main body 2, and generates a tray T having a shape according to the data. The tray T produced by the tray production device 5 is delivered to the bracket mounting device 6. As the tray manufacturing apparatus 5 for manufacturing a real tray T according to arbitrary three-dimensional shape data, a conventionally used molding apparatus for tray preparation, a known three-dimensional modeling apparatus, or the like can be used.

The bracket mounting device 6 receives from the computer main body 2 the arrangement data of the bracket B with respect to the patient's teeth determined in the computer main body 2. Then, the bracket B can be attached to the tray T delivered from the tray manufacturing apparatus 5 in accordance with the arrangement data. For example, the bracket mounting device 6 can move forward and backward toward the XY table while holding the bracket B in an attitude inclined at an arbitrary angle with respect to the XY plane and an XY table that can move to an arbitrary position on the XY plane. A bracket holder is provided. In such an apparatus, the bracket B can be attached to an arbitrary position on the tray T at an arbitrary angle by controlling the position of the XY table and the position and inclination of the bracket holder by a computer. Therefore, the bracket B can be held on the tray T in the same arrangement as the arrangement data.

The tray preparation device 5 and the bracket mounting device 6 are installed, for example, in a dental laboratory that is a building different from the dental clinic D, and are connected to the computer main body 2 via an external communication line. It is also conceivable to arrange the tray preparation device 5 and the bracket mounting device 6 in a dental laboratory room in the building of the dental clinic D. In addition, data exchange between the computer main body 2 and the tray manufacturing device 5 and the bracket mounting device 6 may be performed by an information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a flash memory. In that case, a connection terminal for connecting a CD-ROM drive, a flash memory or the like to the tray manufacturing device 5 and the bracket mounting device 6 is provided.

Next, more detailed functions of the computer main body 2 in this embodiment will be described. When the data of the 3D shape model generated based on the scan data is input from the 3D scanner 1, the computer main body 2 displays the 3D shape model on the display device 3. The generation of the three-dimensional shape model from the scan data may be performed on the computer main body 2 side instead of the three-dimensional scanner 1 side. The computer main body 2 is a virtual three-dimensional space display program (virtual three-dimensional space display means, orthodontic appliance positioning means, holding jig design means) that realizes a virtual three-dimensional space display function similar to general 3D modeling software. It is possible to display various virtual three-dimensional spaces. For example, a perspective view of a three-dimensional shape model of a tooth viewed from a desired viewpoint in a virtual three-dimensional space, a front view viewed from the lip side or lingual side of a tooth, or a plane viewed from the tip side of a tooth The figure seen from several directions, such as a figure and a left-right side view, can be displayed simultaneously. In addition, a three-dimensional shape can be configured with a surface and displayed with rendering by shading, or a three-dimensional shape can be configured with a wire frame and displayed.

The storage unit 22 of the computer main body 2 stores an orthodontic instrument library 22a in which data of a three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made bracket B is registered in association with attribute data such as dimensions and materials of the bracket B. . The computer main body 2 includes a program for searching for data in the orthodontic instrument library 22a. When the desired bracket B is selected by searching from the orthodontic appliance library 22a, the computer main body 2 reads out the three-dimensional shape model from the storage unit 22, and arranges it in the virtual three-dimensional space together with the three-dimensional shape model of the teeth. Can be displayed on the display device 3. Here, when the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made bracket B is not registered in the correction instrument library 22a in advance, the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B is obtained by directly scanning the bracket B with the three-dimensional scanner 1. Can be generated.

In addition, the storage unit 22 stores the three-dimensional shape data and the arrangement data of a large number of brackets B and trays T produced during the conventional orthodontic treatment, and the three-dimensional shape of the teeth of the patient wearing the bracket B. An orthodontic treatment database 22b registered in association with other orthodontic treatment information such as data and patient attributes is stored. The virtual three-dimensional space display program includes a program for searching and reading data in the orthodontic treatment database 22b, a program for automatically arranging the brackets B, a program for automatically designing the tray T, and the like. It is. Therefore, when three-dimensional shape data of a new tooth is input, the orthodontic treatment database 22b is searched for whether there is case data close to the tooth shape. The case data itself to be read can be read and displayed, or the bracket B can be automatically arranged and the tray T can be automatically designed based on the corresponding case data.

The automatic placement of the bracket B can be performed by the following processing, for example. First, the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B and its arrangement in the corresponding case data are read out and displayed as they are on the new three-dimensional shape model of the tooth. As a result, the bracket B is disposed at an approximately appropriate position with respect to the new tooth three-dimensional shape model. Thereafter, the posture and position of each bracket B are automatically adjusted so that the base B1 of each bracket B comes into contact with the tooth surface. At this time, the shape of the base B1 portion of the bracket B may be automatically adjusted according to the shape of the teeth as necessary. Thereby, automatic arrangement is completed. In addition, as another method for automatically arranging the bracket B, there is a method in which an arrangement rule for the bracket B is set based on the knowledge of the dentist regarding the orthodontic treatment, and the automatic arrangement is performed based on the arrangement rule. For example, automatic placement can be performed by extracting a reference point on a three-dimensional shape model of the patient's teeth and adjusting the placement of the bracket B so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the reference point.

The orthodontic instrument library 22a and the orthodontic treatment database 22b are recorded in such a manner that data can be rewritten and added. Accordingly, when a new product is provided, the correction instrument library 22a can be updated as needed, and new case data can be added to the correction treatment database 22b as needed.

The virtual three-dimensional space display program in this embodiment has a function of adjusting the arrangement and shape of the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B and the tray T with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth in the virtual three-dimensional space. For example, the display device 3 displays an operation tool together with the three-dimensional shape model for freely moving or changing the direction of the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B or the tray T in the virtual three-dimensional space. In addition to the operation tool, it is possible to display a guide that serves as a guide for proper positioning and shape setting of the bracket B and the tray T. For example, the arrangement rule of the bracket B with respect to the tooth obtained by the knowledge of orthodontic treatment so far can be formulated in relation to the shape of the tooth, and displayed in a virtual three-dimensional space in the form of a reference line or a reference surface. it can.

In addition, the virtual 3D space display program incorporates a modeling program for changing the shape of the 3D shape model or generating a new 3D shape model. For example, when the off-the-shelf bracket B and another object interfere with each other, the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B can be deformed so as to have a shape obtained by cutting the interference portion. Further, based on the shape of the patient's teeth and the shape of the bracket B positioned with respect to the teeth, the shape of the tray T that can hold the bracket B with the positioned shape is determined, and a three-dimensional shape model is generated. can do. As a guide display for determining the shape of the tray T, a reference line, a reference surface, or the like that serves as a guide may be set and displayed.

(Positioning support method)
Next, a method for assisting positioning of the bracket B performed using the apparatus S will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(1) Virtual setup process (S1: 1st process)
In this process, a dentist or the like operates the three-dimensional scanner 1 in the examination room or treatment room of the dental clinic D, and at least the shape of the teeth to be corrected in the oral cavity of the patient, and if necessary, all the teeth of the patient Scan the shape directly. When the scan is completed, the data of the tooth three-dimensional shape model is generated based on the scan data automatically or by an operation of a dentist or the like, and input from the three-dimensional scanner 1 to the computer main body 2. In the computer main body 2, the virtual three-dimensional space display software is started up, the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth input from the three-dimensional scanner 1 is read and displayed on the virtual three-dimensional space on the display device 3. Then, a three-dimensional shape model (virtual setup) of an ideal occlusion state of the patient's teeth is created on the computer main body 2 based on the current tooth shape and root shape of the patient obtained by scanning. . At this time, it is possible to create a three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the patient's teeth at an arbitrary time from the start of the orthodontic treatment to the completion of the orthodontic treatment, instead of the ideal occlusion state of the patient's teeth to be targeted Good. By such a virtual setup process, data of a three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the patient's teeth can be generated and displayed on the virtual three-dimensional space. In addition, it is possible to save the technician from having to make a setup model.

(2) Virtual placement process (S2: 2nd process)
In this process, the dentist operates the computer main body 2 with the input device 4 in the examination room, the treatment room, or the work room for the staff of the dental clinic, thereby predicting the patient's teeth on the virtual three-dimensional space. The 3D shape model of the ready-made bracket B is positioned with respect to the 3D shape model of the shape. The bracket B can be positioned in this step by any one of the following three methods (2-1) to (2-3).

(2-1) Automatic Virtual Placement Based on Case Data In this method, the dentist performs orthodontic treatment based on the predicted shape of the patient's teeth determined in the virtual setup process or the original shape of the scanned patient's teeth. The database 22b is searched for case data on similar corrective treatments. This extraction operation is performed by executing a detection program for detecting a similar three-dimensional shape. Alternatively, a dentist may perform a search manually. When the corresponding case data is extracted, the dentist reads the case data as necessary and displays it on the display device. When the dentist performs automatic placement of the bracket B based on the case data, the dentist performs an input to that effect using a command, a menu, or the like. Thereby, the automatic placement of the bracket B is performed in the virtual three-dimensional space. That is, the bracket B is automatically arranged on the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth generated in the previous process, similarly to the extracted case data. At this time, the position or shape of the automatically arranged bracket B may be corrected in consideration of the deviation between the shape data teeth and the current tooth shape.

(2-2) Automatic Virtual Placement Based on Placement Rule In this method, the dentist performs positioning based on the proposed placement rule based on knowledge on orthodontic treatment. First, the dentist searches the orthodontic appliance library 22a and selects a desired one from the library of ready-made brackets B. Then, an input indicating that automatic placement is to be performed based on the placement rule is performed using a command, a menu, or the like. As a result, the computer main body 2 performs processing based on a preset arrangement rule, and the selected three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B is compared with the predicted three-dimensional shape model of the patient's teeth determined in the virtual setup process. Thus, the positioning is automatically performed in the virtual three-dimensional space. In this automatic positioning, a selection rule may be set in advance for selection of the bracket B, and the bracket B may be automatically selected based on the patient's attribute, tooth shape, and the like.

(2-3) Manual Virtual Placement When the dentist wants to perform positioning by moving the bracket B freely in the virtual three-dimensional space, the dentist first searches the orthodontic instrument library 22a, Select the desired one from the ready-made bracket B library. The computer main body 2 displays the bracket B in the vicinity of the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the patient's teeth, for example, in the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, the dentist moves the three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B in the virtual three-dimensional space by moving the operation tool displayed on the display device 3, and based on the experience and knowledge of the dentist so far, The three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B is positioned at a position considered to be appropriate with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the patient's teeth determined in the virtual setup process. In addition, you may correct the shape of the bracket B as needed. For example, the shape of the portion that fills the gap between the ready-made bracket B and the tooth surface may be created in a virtual three-dimensional space. Positioning is completed by positioning the brackets B as many times as necessary for correction.

(3) Virtual tray process (S3: First half of the third process)
In this process, the arrangement and shape of the tray T for holding the bracket B in the arrangement positioned in the previous process are determined on the virtual three-dimensional space. For example, the computer main body 2 automatically determines the shape of the tray T to a shape that covers the surface of the tooth on which the bracket B is mounted with a certain thickness, and generates and displays a three-dimensional shape model of the shape. In this process, the dentist can also determine the shape of the tray T by manually generating a three-dimensional shape model on the modeling software while confirming the arrangement of the bracket B and the tooth shape. The generated three-dimensional shape model of the tray T is displayed on the display device 3 together with the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the bracket B and the patient's teeth. After confirming the displayed arrangement and shape, the dentist inputs a production instruction for the tray T to the computer main body 2. Thereby, data such as a three-dimensional shape model for manufacturing the tray T is output to the tray manufacturing apparatus 5. Further, the arrangement data indicating the determined shape of the tray T and the arrangement of the bracket B with respect to the tray T is output to the bracket mounting device 6.

(4) Tray production process (S4: second half of the third process)
In this process, the tray T having the designed shape is manufactured in the tray manufacturing apparatus 5 to which the three-dimensional model of the tray T determined in the previous process is input. For example, by operating a molding apparatus such as a three-dimensional modeling apparatus on the basis of the data of the three-dimensional shape model, the tray T is molded into a shape according to the data or cut out from the molding material. The produced tray T is delivered to the bracket mounting device 6.

(5) Automatic bracket mounting process (S5: 4th process)
In this process, the tray T delivered from the tray manufacturing device 5 to the bracket mounting device 6 is already in accordance with the arrangement data of the tray T and the bracket B determined in the virtual placement process and the virtual tray process. Product bracket B is automatically attached. For example, when the bracket mounting device 6 is configured by an XY table and a bracket holder, the tray T is placed on the XY table, the bracket B is held by the bracket holder, and the XY table and the bracket holder are driven based on the arrangement data. Thus, the actual bracket B is automatically positioned with respect to the actual tray T. Then, the bracket B is attached to and held on the tray T by, for example, bonding the bracket B to the tray T with a bracket holder. When the shape of the base B1 of the ready-made bracket B is corrected, only the base B1 portion of the bracket B is corrected based on the adjusted three-dimensional shape data of the bracket B before being attached to the tray T. Process according to the shape. Alternatively, the molding material may be raised on the tray T and cut out.

After performing the above steps, the tray T on which the bracket B is attached is delivered to the dental office D and used by the dentist to attach the bracket B to the patient's teeth.

(Effect of this embodiment)
By performing the above steps S1 to S5, the dentist obtains an accurate three-dimensional shape model of the patient's teeth, and based on this three-dimensional shape model, the patient's teeth The predicted shape is determined. And the arrangement | positioning of the bracket B can be determined based on this estimated shape, and the tray T can be designed. Further, the determined shape data of the tray T is output to the tray manufacturing device 5 to manufacture the tray T having the shape as designed, and the arrangement data of the bracket B with respect to the tray T is output to the bracket mounting device 6 as designed. The bracket B can be attached by the arrangement of Since all the data in all these processes are transferred and processed by the computer main body 2, as in the case where the dental technician attaches the bracket B to the tray T, the superiority of the skill of the dental technician is transferred to the tray T. The mounting accuracy of the bracket B is not affected. Therefore, the bracket B can be attached to the patient's teeth in the arrangement as designed.

In the method of the present embodiment, the dentist can freely determine the predicted shape of the patient's teeth (for example, the shape in an ideal occlusion state) on the virtual three-dimensional space, and can freely determine on the virtual three-dimensional space. In addition, the arrangement of the bracket B and the shape of the tray T can be examined and confirmed. Moreover, since the placement of the bracket B and the shape of the tray T can be automatically designed based on the case data, the placement rule, the design rule, etc., even an inexperienced dentist can properly position the bracket B and the tray T. Design can be done. In addition, the cost of orthodontic treatment can be reduced by using an inexpensive off-the-shelf bracket B. In particular, in this method, since it is possible to perform accurate positioning without using a bracket B using an expensive metal such as gold or iridium as in the prior art, it is highly effective at a lower cost than in the past. Orthodontic treatment can be performed. The three-dimensional shape data of the ready-made bracket B can be registered in advance in the orthodontic instrument library 22a or can be scanned with a three-dimensional scanner, so that a three-dimensional shape model of the bracket B is easily generated. be able to.

In the present embodiment, a dental CT scanner or the like is used as the three-dimensional scanner 1 to determine the predicted shape of the patient's teeth (for example, an ideal occlusion state) in addition to the shape of the crown, the root of the tooth. This can be done in consideration of the shape. Therefore, the bracket B can be positioned more appropriately in the correction treatment, and the correction effect can be enhanced. In addition, since the bracket B and the tray T can be produced based on the predicted shape of the patient's teeth at each time point from the start of the orthodontic treatment to the completion of the orthodontic treatment, the bracket B is prepared in accordance with the progress of the orthodontic treatment. The bracket B can be quickly replaced.

(Modification example)
The above embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the patient himself / herself is scanned. However, a three-dimensional shape model of a tooth may be generated by scanning a patient's tooth setup model prepared using an impression material or the like.

(2) In the above embodiment, the bracket B is positioned automatically or manually. However, after the automatic placement based on the case data and the placement rules, the dentist examines and corrects the placement. You may do the work. That is, after the initial arrangement is automatically determined, the final arrangement may be determined by correcting the initial arrangement. If it does in this way, while being able to perform more suitable arrangement | positioning based on a dentist's experience and knowledge, initial arrangement | positioning can be performed automatically, the effort of positioning work can be reduced.

Claims

A computer generates a three-dimensional shape model of a patient's teeth based on scan data obtained by a three-dimensional scanner and displays it on a virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the three-dimensional shape model of the teeth in the virtual three-dimensional space. A first step of creating a three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth at a predetermined time from the start of orthodontic treatment to the completion of orthodontic treatment;
A second step of determining an arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth on the virtual three-dimensional space;
In the virtual three-dimensional space, while determining the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig for holding the ready-made orthodontic appliance in the arrangement determined in the second step in the oral cavity of the patient A third step in which the manufacturing apparatus to which the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig is input performs a process of manufacturing the holding jig based on the three-dimensional shape model;
The mounting device in which the arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance determined in the second step and the three-dimensional shape model of the holding jig are input is manufactured in the third step. Positioning of the orthodontic appliance, characterized in that a fourth step of performing a process of attaching the ready-made orthodontic appliance to the jig by automatic control based on the arrangement determined in the second step is performed. Support method.
In the positioning assistance method of the orthodontic appliance according to claim 1,
The orthodontic appliance is a bracket;
The holding jig is a transfer tray that can be mounted in the oral cavity of the patient so as to cover an attachment site of the bracket in the tooth,
In the fourth step, the orthodontic appliance positioning support method is characterized in that the bracket is attached to the inner surface of the transfer tray.
In the positioning assistance method of the orthodontic appliance according to claim 1 or 2,
The orthodontic appliance positioning support method, wherein the tooth three-dimensional shape model includes a crown shape and a root shape.
In the positioning assistance method of the orthodontic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An orthodontic appliance positioning support method, wherein a three-dimensional shape model of an ideal occlusion state of the tooth is used as the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth.
In the orthodontic appliance positioning support method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In the first step, the computer performs processing for generating a three-dimensional shape model of the tooth based on scan data obtained by directly scanning a patient's oral cavity with the three-dimensional scanner. A method for assisting the positioning of an orthodontic appliance.
In the orthodontic appliance positioning support method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
In the second step, the three-dimensional shape model of the orthodontic appliance generated based on scan data obtained by directly scanning a ready-made orthodontic appliance with the three-dimensional scanner is used. A positioning support method for orthodontic appliances.
In the positioning assistance method of the orthodontic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
In the second step, the computer automatically determines the arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the tooth based on an arrangement rule or correction example data prepared in advance. A method for assisting positioning of an orthodontic appliance, characterized by performing a process of:
A 3D scanner for scanning the 3D shape of the patient's teeth;
A three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth at a predetermined time point between the start of orthodontic treatment and the completion of orthodontic treatment, which is generated based on the scan data by the three-dimensional scanner, and a ready-made orthodontic appliance A virtual three-dimensional space display means for arranging and displaying a three-dimensional shape model on the virtual three-dimensional space;
Orthodontic appliance positioning means for determining an arrangement of the three-dimensional shape model of the ready-made orthodontic appliance with respect to the three-dimensional shape model of the predicted shape of the tooth in the virtual three-dimensional space;
Holding to determine in the virtual three-dimensional space a three-dimensional shape model of a holding jig for holding the ready-made orthodontic appliance in the oral cavity of the patient in an arrangement determined by the orthodontic appliance positioning means Jig design means;
A holding jig producing means for producing the holding jig based on the three-dimensional shape model determined by the holding jig design means;
Orthodontic appliance mounting means for automatically attaching the ready-made orthodontic appliance to the holding jig produced by the holding jig producing means based on the arrangement determined by the orthodontic appliance designing means; A positioning support device for orthodontic appliances, comprising: