CA2168104C - Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses - Google Patents
Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2168104C CA2168104C CA002168104A CA2168104A CA2168104C CA 2168104 C CA2168104 C CA 2168104C CA 002168104 A CA002168104 A CA 002168104A CA 2168104 A CA2168104 A CA 2168104A CA 2168104 C CA2168104 C CA 2168104C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- implants
- positions
- orientation information
- implant
- prosthesis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C13/00—Dental prostheses; Making same
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C13/00—Dental prostheses; Making same
- A61C13/0003—Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like
- A61C13/0004—Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C9/00—Impression cups, i.e. impression trays; Impression methods
- A61C9/004—Means or methods for taking digitized impressions
- A61C9/0046—Data acquisition means or methods
- A61C9/0053—Optical means or methods, e.g. scanning the teeth by a laser or light beam
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
- G16H20/40—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
Abstract
The invention provides a method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient. The method has as a characteristic feature that by means of at least one camera (40, 41, 42) arranged at the opened mouth of the patient, recordings are made of die implants (31-37) already fixed to the jaw of the patient from at least two different positions; these recordings ace converted into electrical signals; by means of a photogrammetric method the electrical signals an processed using at least one calculating unit (47) for obtaining position and orientation information of the implants; and the position and orientation information is used for the highly accurate manufacture of at least a part of die prosthesis.
Description
.WO 95103007 Title: Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed tc implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses.
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method for enabling stress-free fixation of such prosthesis to implants.
The invention further relates to a system for manufacturing such prostheses. It is known in dentistry to fix prostheses onto implants; these are of cylindrical or helical shape and mostly made from an indifferent metal such as titanium or titanium compounds, and are preferably fitted in the toothless jaw. An implant has an internal screw thread by means of which the superstructure (bridge or prosthesis) is subsequently affixed with interposition of an insert (an intermediate ring).
After these dental implants have been placed in the jaw, an impression should be made for the finish and build-up of the prosthesis to be fitted. According to a conventional method, this impression is subsequently cast in plaster and with the aid of attachments a wax model is made. with this wax model, casting takes place in noble metal. The crown or bridge is then fitted in the mouth and placed.
Numerous drawbacks are inherent in this method. For instance, the many steps in the process give rise to inaccuracies in the dimensioning. This leads to stresses in the prosthesis during fixation, which gives rise to undesired forces acting on the implants. The impossibility of making a construction which is completely free of stress used to be less of a drawback in the application to natural elements, since a natural tooth or molar is able to adjust to the situation to a certain extent because it is connected to the jawbone through a root membrane which allows some play. In the case of implants, by contrast, a rigid joint (ankylosis) is involved. There has been much improvement in implantology over the last decade. However, the fabrication of 21b.~1Q4 stress-free superstructures remains one of the major problems. r1o really effective solution to this problem has been found to date.
In patients with implants, the stresses are transmitted through the implants to the surrounding jawbone. This can lead to ' microfractures and loss of the implant.
A crosspiece (which is in fact a rail between a number of implants) which has been screwed tight under tension also leads to substantial overloading and this may even Lead to the implant being dislodged. In this connection it cannot be excluded that this is accompanied by damage to the jawbone, with all the attendant problems for the patient.
Apart from the foregoing, the risk is larger particularly with complex superstructures, which often rest on five to eight implants. In addition, placing implants with the superstructures resting thereon is a very costly affair.
Now, in the situation where in a patient a structure is used which rests on two or more implants, it is very important that the implantologist can be assured of complete success. If, for instance, in such a situation an implant comes loose, with all the attendant bone damage, the entire construction might be lost.
By means of X-ray photographs taken beforehand, the implantologist can determine the most suitable position for providing the cylindrical mortise holes for receiving the intraosteal implants, but because the arch of the jaw is not equally thick throughout, the possibility cannot be ruled out that upon subsequent placement of the prosthesis the implants introduced are not located equally high and do not run parallel.
This can also be a source of stresses.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a solution to the problems outlined and to develop a method to arrive at the fabrication of stress-free constructions and is characterized in that - by means of at least one camera arranged at the opened mouth of the patient, from at least two different positions .' recordings are made of the implants already fixed to the jaw of the patient;
- these recordings are converted into electrical signals;
- by means of a photogrammetric method the electrical signals are processed utilizing at least one calculating unit for obtaining position and orientation information of the implants;
- this position and orientation information is used for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis.
Because at least two recordings are made, in known manner a three-dimensional picture can be composed by the calculating unit. This picture can then be processed by the calculating unit in known manner for the purpose of obtaining highly accurate information about the position and orientation of the implants. If this information is used for the purpose of fabricating the prosthesis, a prosthesis is obtained which is adjusted to the position and orientation of the implants with an unprecedentedly high accuracy. This prosthesis can be fixed to the implants entirely free of stress. Because the implants have a reflective surface and moreover have predetermined dimensions, photogrammetric methods for making a prosthesis to be fixed to implants can be used advantageously in accordance with the invention.
An article by V. Stachniss and R, Stoll "Computer Technologies in Dentistry Computerized Restorations: CEREC
and Other Methods" prepared for an International Symposium on Computer Restorations (May 3-4, 1991) entitled State of the Art of the CEREC-Method, at page 33 gives a summary of the systems known in 1991, in which a recording of the mouth or an impression of the mouth is digitized and fed to a 3a computer, whereafter the computer controls a tool for making a prosthesis. It is clearly indicated at page 37 that photogrammetry is one of the possibilities of obtaining a S three-dimensional image. For this purpose, for instance two cameras are used. One possible application is to make an image of a prepared tooth or molar, for the purpose of making a crown. Further, at page 41, section 3.1, the manufacture of a frame is mentioned; at page 42, paragraph 3.4, the manufacture of an inlay and veneers is mentioned;
and at page 44, sections 3.5 and 3.6 the manufacture of crowns and bridges is mentioned. At page 46, :~1 X81.04 section ~, however, it is clearly stated that designing a prosthesis by means of a CAD/CAM system is still a fiction. It is not known, however, to make such images of implants f or the purpose of making a prosthesis which is to be fixed to these v implants. The present invention, however, surprisingly does allow the fabrication of a prosthesis which is to be fixed to implants.
This is a definitive invalidation of the assumption generally accepted heretofore, that it is not properly possible to make prostheses by means of such a method. The invention provides the insight that this is quite possible, precisely for implants.
International patent application WO-90j14803 describes a method in which a three-dimensional recording is made and printed using photogrammetzy. However, no recording is made in the patient s mouth. Instead, a model of the jaw of the patient is placed on a ref erence tray. Photographs are taken from different positions to enable the photographs to be processed in combination to obtain a 3D picture. The use of photogrammetry for the purpose of implants is not mentioned.
European patent application 0,040,165 describes in very general terms a process in which a 3D recording of a treated tooth is made. This recording is digitized and fed to a computer.
The computer then controls a milling machine f or manufacturing a crown. European patent application 0,054,785 describes in very general terms a comparable process as described above.
Accordingly, it does not involve any prosthesis which is to be ffixed to an implant.
European patent application 0,025,911 describes a process in which a copy of an object can be produced on the basis of a 3D
recording of the object. The object in question can be a tooth but also a hand-made prosthesis. The recording is made using photogrammetzy. All this means that no prosthesis fabricated by the use a CAD/CAM system is involved, where a 3D recording is made of a prepared tooth or molar to which this prosthesis is to be f fixed.
~WO 95/03007 216 X31 Q 4 PCT/NL94100173 European patent application 0,250,993 relates to the mal~:ir~g of recordings by means of a video camera. On the basis of a predetermined algorithm, the video image is frozen at a particular moment. On the basis of the still picture thus 5 obtained, a further analysis is performed.
German patent application 33 20 395 describes a recording device which is placed over a tooth or a treated tooth for obtaining a 3D recording. If desired, the two recordings are compared and processed in combination by a computer for the purpose of fabricating a prosthesis.
Gern~an patent 282,615 of former East-Germany describes in very general terms a method for fabricating crowns on the basis of a 3D recording by means of a computer-controlled tool.
However, this method involves the making of a replica of an object to be copied, on the basis of a 3D recording of that obj ect .
In summary, it can be stated that the use of photogrammetry in a method for fixing dental prostheses onto implants in the jawbone of a patient is not known from any of the above-discussed publications.
Also known are methods and systems in which the object to be recorded is actively irradiated with electromagnetic waves.
Such methods and systems utilize, for instance, laser beams which are directed to the object under examination and the reflections of which are subsequently analyzed. According to another active method, a predetermined pattern, for instance a rectangular grating, is projected on the object in question. The pattern will be distorted depending on the shape of the object.
Then an image of the object in digitized form is fed to a computer. By comparing the distorted pattern with the original pattern, an idea of the three-dimensional shape of the object can be obtained.
The following references relate to such active systems: FR-2,635,965; FR-2,682,473; FR-2,690,836; TrlO-91/03980; WO-91/18356;
WO 95/03007 2 ~ 6 g 1 ~ 4 PCT/NL94/00173 WO-91%05520; WO-94/00074; EP-0,299,490; EP-0,091,876; DE-4,034,007; DE-3,541,891 and US-4,663,720.
The system according to the present invention, however, does not necessarily utilize active electromagnetic radiation sources ' that are part of the system.
According to a particular aspect of the invention, the relative position and orientation information is determined, respectively, from the position and orientation of the implants relative to each other. More particularly, the position and orientation information is converted by the calculating unit into c4ntrol signals by which a tool can be controlled for carrying out mechanical operations on a material piece for the fabrication of at least a part of the prosthesis, in accurate correspondence with the position and orientation information.
The implants preferably comprise predetermined dimensions, information about these dimensions being processed in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for obtaining position and orientation information as mentioned. More particularly, the implants comprise predetermined dimensions, information about these dimensions being processed in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for determining material portions which are to be removed from the material piece by the tool for the purpose of fabricating at least the part of the prosthesis that is fixed to the implants.
According to a pref erred embodiment of this method according to the invention, for that purpose in a method for fixing dental prostheses to implants in the jawbone, the procedure is such that orientation and position (positions) of the implants are converted by a number of cameras arranged around the opened mouth into an equal number of corresponding series of electronic signals, which, fixed as a recording track, can serve for the control of a turning and milling machine for carrying out "
mechanical operations on a metal prosthesis part, in accurate correspondence with those positions.
WO 95/03007 216 81 ~ 4 PCT/NL94/00173 system for fabricating a prosthesis to be fixed to implant_ in the jawbone of a patient is characterized in that the system comprises - at least one camera arranged at the opened mouth of the patient for making recordings of the implants already fixed to the jaw of the patient from at least two different positions;
- means for converting these recordings into electrical signals;
- a calculating unit which processes the electrical signals by means of a photogrammetric method for obtaining position and orientation information of the implants;
- a tool which fabricates at least a part of the prosthesis on the basis of the above-mentioned position and orientation inf ormation .
The invention will be further elucidated with ref erence to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows in diagrammatic perspective an arch of a human jaw without teeth, which includes a few already placed implants with inserts, as well as an extensive prosthesis, which can be 2 0 f fixed by means of a f ew screws ;
Fig. 2a shows a side elevation of an insert to be screwed into an implant, while Fig. 2b shows the top side of this insert;
Fig. 3 schematically shows an arch of a jaw having placed therein a few implants with inserts, which are photographed by means of a number of cameras arranged around the jaw, as well as the interface and the calculating unit and the equipment for fixing the recording functions;
Figs. 4a-4e show the measuring scale to be placed in one of the inserts or implants as a recognition means;
Fig. 5 shows a recognition means to be fixed to one of the inserts and/or implants;
Fig. 6 shows a different principle of fixing a prosthesis on a jaw, where the invention can also be used.
Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a human lower jaw O, which includes a number of implants (for instance six) placed by an WO' 95/03007 implantologist. To avoid crowding of the drawing, only two implants are indicated by the reference numeral 1. Inserts 2 have already been screwed to the implants for the purpose of subsequently carrying the superstructure 3. This superstructure 3 ' was heretofore fabricated by the conventional method mentioned, which method has all kinds of sources of possible stresses "
between the implants, as has been explained in the foregoing. The superstructure 3, which, in the example shown, comprises four incisors, two canines and two sets of three molars, is anchored in the mouth, in this example by means of small screws 4, 5 which are screwed into the inserts 2. In the situation depicted, these screws .~, S extend through molars 6, 7 on the superstructure 3, but the superstructure can also be affixed to the jaw next to the upper structure. After being screwed tight, the elements in question (6, 7) are filled.
Fig. 2a shows, in side elevation and on a highly enlarged scale, a possible embodiment of an insert 10 to be screwed into an implant. Both the implant and the insert normally consist of a metal such as titanium.
To screw the insert to the implant, the implant carries an external thread 11 on the cylindrical outside at the lower end.
The insert 10 is provided, at the top thereof, with a longitudinal bore 12 having therein an internal thread 13 f or receiving the fastening screws (4, 5; Fig. 1). In this exemplary embodiment, the insert 10 comprises, at the top around the opening 14 of the bore 12, a stepped form with two concentric rings 15 and 16 at two levels separated in the longitudinal direction of the insert 10.
It can be seen in Fig. 2b that the two concentric rings 15 and 16 on the top of the insert are each provided with an accurately provided concentric recognition pattern of optical recognition points 18.
These recognition points 18, for instance engraved by means of a laser beam, may be provided for the benefit of the ' photogrammetric recordings and are then preferably of minuscule design, for instance 100 to 150 microns in diameter. Because the heads of the inserts projecting above the implants tend to glow upon exposure for the purpose of the photogrammetric recordings, the engraved recognition points have been colored white for a better contrast.
It has even been found possible, in accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, to omit these recognition points, which, of course, imposes stringent requirements on the camera.
Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic top plan view of the arch of a jaw 30 in which seven inserts 31-37 have been fitted in the implants tnot shown in the drawing). These inserts 31-37 will generally have their top surfaces disposed at different levels, while further the longitudinal axes of the implants, and hence the longitudinal axes of inserts screwed into them, will almost never run parallel.
As Fig. 3 shows, a number of cameras 40, 41, 42 have been arranged around the arch 30, all disposed in the same plane, approximately in the plane of the arch 30. They are special cameras, such as for instance pixel cameras or ccd cameras, in which the image obtained with an optical lens is projected on a screen and is converted into a series of electronic signals through electronic scanning procedures.
The number of cameras shown in Fig. 3 is three, which is adequate to obtain a good survey of the different inserts. From a theoretical point of view, however, two cameras are sufficient.
On the other hand, it has also been found to be possible to use a single camera, which is then swivelled around the mouth at short intervals into at least two accurately defined positions and makes the pictures in succession.
Each camera is in communication with an interface 46 through a corresponding connecting cable 43, 44, 45, which interface 46 can provide for the conversion of the signals into digital form.
It is also possible, however, to utilize a very modern camera, in which the recorded images appear at the output terminals directly WO 95103007 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
in digital form. The interface :~6 is connected to a powerful calculating unit 47, which provides an analysis of the received signals in that the received electronic signals are processed and combined in coordinates of the different inserts, and their axes ' 5 and their top surfaces, and the calculating unit 47 transmits these data, again in digitized form, as recording functions to a recording device 48, in order to be recorded there on a suitable recording medium such as a magnetic tape or possibly a diskette.
The calculating unit is provided with software which is known per 10 se, for determining coordinates defining the position and orientation of the implants and/or inserts. In particular, the relative orientation and position are determined, i.e., the orientation and position of the implants relative to each other.
Because the implants and/or inserts have predetermined dimensions, the calculating unit can process the information about these dimensions in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for obtaining the information f or determining the dimensions of a prosthesis which can be fixed to the implants free of stress. If the dimensions of the implants and/or the inserts are not known, these too can be determined, in accordance with the invention, by photogrammetric route, but this will generally yield less accurate results than the preferred embodiment outlined above. If the dimensions of the implants and/or the inserts are predetermined, this information can also be used in known manner to recognize the inserts and/or implants by the photogrammetric method (pattern recognition), which makes it possible to accurately determine the above-mentioned position and orientation information.
Preferably, recordings of implants are taken when they comprise inserts. Preferably, the inserts are cylindrical, while the calculating unit determines ellipse variables of the circumf erential edge of an insert and determines the position and ' orientation information on the basis of these variables. These variables can, for instance, be the variables of dimension, ' flattening, and angle.
If an object provided with a number of calibrated optical recognition points is introduced into a patient's mouth, these points can function as reference. As described hereinbefore, a number of implants are provided with at least one optical recognition point. This is understood to include inserts which are connected to the implants and are provided with optical recognition points. These recognition points are used for the photogrammetric determination of the orientation and position. In particular, for the purpose of the photogrammetric determination of the course of the longitudinal axes of the inserts, these are provided with calibrated optical recognition points at their top surface. In addition, a recognition means can be attached to an implant or inserts, the recognition means being provided with calibrated optical recognition points. As will be discussed hereinafter, these optical recognition points have, for instance, a predetermined position relative to the implant and/or insert when the recognition means is attached to it. As a consequence, on the basis of the photogrammetric determination of the position of the recognition points, the orientation and position of the associated implant and/or insert can be determined.
The above-mentioned magnetic recording medium, after the data associated with the patient in question have been recorded, is taken out of the device 48 in order to be utilized in a different place and at a different time for controlling a five- or six-axis turning and milling machine for mechanically machining a metal part of the later prosthesis, for instance a crosspiece, on which the superstructure is subsequently fitted. The drive of the turning and milling machine takes place in accordance with the values of the above-mentioned coordinates as found by the photogrammetric route, which is known per se, in a manner so accurate that in the product the position and the orientation of the later fixing holes correspond with the recorded situation in the mouth to within a few microns.
In order that a fixed reference be available when recordings are being made, it is preferred, in the practice of the method according to the invention, to use a measuring scale shown in more detail in Figs. 4a-4e.
Fig. 4a shows a small bar 50 used for this purpose, showing a trapezoidal shape in side elevation;
Fig. ~b shows the top plan view of the bar 50;
Fig. 4c shows the right-hand end view of the bar;
Fig. 4d shows a pin 59 with a round head 58, to be screwed into an insert; and Fig. 4e shows the assembled measuring scale screwed on an insert 10.
This measuring scale, as a recognition or identification means during photogrammetric work, accordingly consists of a 'small bar 50, of substantially rectangular cross section, which bar, on three sides thereof, viz. the two sides 51, 52 and the top side 53, is provided with a row of optical marking points 54 of very minor dimensions, which marking points 54 have been engraved very accurately, for instance by means of a laser beam.
The diameter of the marking points 5~ is, for instance, 100 to 200 microns. The relative distances of these points 54 are calibrated. To increase the contrast, the bar 50 has, for instance, been colored dark blue and the marking points 54 have been colored white. The bar 50, at the blunt end 55 thereof, is provided with internal thread, in which a screw knob 56 can be manually turned by the implantologist. At the underside the bar 50 comprises a spherical recess 57 for receiving therein a round head 58. This round head 58 forms the top end of a pin 59 provided, at the lower end thereof, with screw thread 60 for screwing the measuring scale into an insert 10 on the jaw of the patient (Fig. 4e) .
To make recordings with the cameras, the assembled measuring scale according to Fig. 4e along with the insert 10 is screwed into one of the implants placed in the arch of the jaw. At this point it cannot be predicted whether the axis of the selected implant is vertical. However, in order that, in the case of a non-vertical axis, the bar 50 nevertheless extends level in the ~WO 95103007 PCT/NL94/00173 mouth as far as possible, the bar 50 is tilted about the round head 58 of the pin 59 screwed into the insert 10, until it has the desired level orientation and is then secured with the screw knob 56.
The recordings by the cameras derive their scale of reference from the calibrated distances of the measuring points 54.
Fig. 5 shows a recognition means 80 comprising at least two spheres 82 which have been fixedly positioned relative to each other and are mounted on a pin 8~. At its lower end 86, the pin 8.~ is provided with screw thread and can thereby be secured to an implant andjor insert in the mouth of a patient. The white spheres 82 represent the actual measuring objects. They off er a good possibility of providing contrast and can be automatically located and measured. In this connection it is important that a spherical shape is imaged as a circle under any angle of view of a camera. This will facilitate the automatic measurement of the centres of the spheres as a representation of the insert axis.
The inclined orientation of the insert and/or implant can be derived from the coordinates of the centre of the two spheres.
For this purpose, it is important that the pin and the spheres be accurately in line. If the distance between the centres of the two spheres is known as a fixed measure, this method at the same time provides an elegant solution for the provision of scale in the images. This can be realized by making the recognition means in one piece. In particular, the recognition means further comprises a plate 88 to indicate the proper height of the insert and to cancel any play in the screw thread. Optionally, the plate can be painted black and so serve as a contrastive background to the white spheres. Alternatively, an elastic black backdrop can be slid over the spheres. Also, the edge of this plate can be ribbed, so that the indicator can be easily screwed into the insert. In addition, from the centres of spheres associated with different implants and/or inserts, the relative position and/or orientation of the corresponding implants and/or inserts with respect to each other can be determined.
The invention, in teens of its application, is not in any way limited to the manner of fixing a superstructure as discussed with reference to Fig. 1, but can equally successfully be applied to a covering prosthesis as shown in Fig. 6.
Here, for instance four implants have been placed in a patient's mandibular arch 100. Two implants are shown in the drawing in the front of the arch and indicated with ref erence numerals 101 and 102. The implants 101, 102 and possibly others are connected to each other with a crosspiece construction 103, which is bent in this example, for instance of substantially egg-shaped cross-section with the small end directed downwards, which comes to lie somewhat above on top of the wall of the jaw. In the example shown, this crosspiece 103 is fixed onto inserts in the implants, for instance by means of small screws. The crosspiece 103 and the holes provided therein are made using the above-described photogrammetric recording methods and the CAM methods and can later be secured on the implants 101, 102 in the arch 100 entirely without stress.
The actual prosthesis 104 is of the clip-on type and to that end comprises a metal base having at the underside thereof a concavity complementary to the contour of the crosspiece construction 103. Accordingly, this prosthesis 104 can be clipped around the crosspiece 103 onto the jaw 100 with a close fit.
Other forms of implants and prostheses, too, lend themselves for use of the invention.
While recording the coordinate data by means of the cameras arranged around the opened mouth of the patient, it is possible -for the purpose of increasing the accuracy of the measurement inasmuch as a better spatial impression is thereby provided - to move the entire arrangement parallel to itself in upward direction over a slight distance, say a few centimeters.
Immediately thereafter, again recordings are made from this slightly higher position. By comparing the signals, the software governing the calculating unit can determine the coordinates of the positions of the different inserts and the measuring scale ~WO 95/03007 21 b 810 4 PCT/NL94/00173 unequivocally and with great accuracy. The height and the orientation of the top surfaces of all of the inserts can be determined very accurately, which is indispensable in the fabrication of the prosthesis to provide f or stress-free 5 placement in the mouth.
The recorded data coming from the calculating unit are made available to a five- or six-axis turning and milling machine. By means thereof, a crosspiece or connecting plate can be made which subsequently forms a perfect close fit with the measured insert 10 surfaces and is provided with throughbores perfectly in line with the axes of the implants and inserts as placed. By the use of this advanced technique, the three-dimensional coordinates are accurate to within 20-30 microns.
The photo cameras are basically achromatic electronic image 15 'recording tubes. To obtain the desired information with regard to the minuscule recognition points, a good depth of focus is essential, which imposes stringent optical requirements on the optics of the lens and the diaphragm. Because the recognition points on the inserts and on the measuring scale have been made white, a high brightness sensitivity of the target inside of the camera, on which the light impressions are collected via the optical lens, is essential. Because these objects to be recorded basically do not move, the operation of the target may otherwise be fairly slow. The achromatic images recorded by the cameras are transmitted to the interface as a video signal containing the requested information, in order to be converted in the interface into the digital form which is fed to the calculating unit.
The photogrammetric equipment is,'of course, arranged at the implantologist~s. The data recorded on magnetic recording medium are used in the dental laboratory in the manner analogous to that known as computer aided manufacturing (CAM) for numerical control of the suitable production machine.
An important advantage of the invention is that it eliminates the occurrence of situations where superstructures have to be made again, implants have to be re-made because they do not fit 16 ' or cause stresses in the arch of the jaw as well as the loss of implants with all the harmful health consequences thereof. The technique described can naturally be used as well for patients , with superstructures on natural elements.
Accordingly, this entails the advantages that the dental , laboratories can work more accurately and even in those situations can preclude internal errors. It then prevents products having to be remade because of the laboratory~s own mistakes. This development will lead to a saving on labor time and cost, also f or the dentist. From a health service point of view, too, this aspect is not unimportant. In addition, the method according to the present invention can be qualified as more hygienic and patient-friendly in all respects.
A major advantage is also that stress-free superstructures clearly prolong the life of implants. Further, a well-nigh unlimited range of applications in the medical field is possible.
In the development of dentistry this method is a major step f onward .
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method for enabling stress-free fixation of such prosthesis to implants.
The invention further relates to a system for manufacturing such prostheses. It is known in dentistry to fix prostheses onto implants; these are of cylindrical or helical shape and mostly made from an indifferent metal such as titanium or titanium compounds, and are preferably fitted in the toothless jaw. An implant has an internal screw thread by means of which the superstructure (bridge or prosthesis) is subsequently affixed with interposition of an insert (an intermediate ring).
After these dental implants have been placed in the jaw, an impression should be made for the finish and build-up of the prosthesis to be fitted. According to a conventional method, this impression is subsequently cast in plaster and with the aid of attachments a wax model is made. with this wax model, casting takes place in noble metal. The crown or bridge is then fitted in the mouth and placed.
Numerous drawbacks are inherent in this method. For instance, the many steps in the process give rise to inaccuracies in the dimensioning. This leads to stresses in the prosthesis during fixation, which gives rise to undesired forces acting on the implants. The impossibility of making a construction which is completely free of stress used to be less of a drawback in the application to natural elements, since a natural tooth or molar is able to adjust to the situation to a certain extent because it is connected to the jawbone through a root membrane which allows some play. In the case of implants, by contrast, a rigid joint (ankylosis) is involved. There has been much improvement in implantology over the last decade. However, the fabrication of 21b.~1Q4 stress-free superstructures remains one of the major problems. r1o really effective solution to this problem has been found to date.
In patients with implants, the stresses are transmitted through the implants to the surrounding jawbone. This can lead to ' microfractures and loss of the implant.
A crosspiece (which is in fact a rail between a number of implants) which has been screwed tight under tension also leads to substantial overloading and this may even Lead to the implant being dislodged. In this connection it cannot be excluded that this is accompanied by damage to the jawbone, with all the attendant problems for the patient.
Apart from the foregoing, the risk is larger particularly with complex superstructures, which often rest on five to eight implants. In addition, placing implants with the superstructures resting thereon is a very costly affair.
Now, in the situation where in a patient a structure is used which rests on two or more implants, it is very important that the implantologist can be assured of complete success. If, for instance, in such a situation an implant comes loose, with all the attendant bone damage, the entire construction might be lost.
By means of X-ray photographs taken beforehand, the implantologist can determine the most suitable position for providing the cylindrical mortise holes for receiving the intraosteal implants, but because the arch of the jaw is not equally thick throughout, the possibility cannot be ruled out that upon subsequent placement of the prosthesis the implants introduced are not located equally high and do not run parallel.
This can also be a source of stresses.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a solution to the problems outlined and to develop a method to arrive at the fabrication of stress-free constructions and is characterized in that - by means of at least one camera arranged at the opened mouth of the patient, from at least two different positions .' recordings are made of the implants already fixed to the jaw of the patient;
- these recordings are converted into electrical signals;
- by means of a photogrammetric method the electrical signals are processed utilizing at least one calculating unit for obtaining position and orientation information of the implants;
- this position and orientation information is used for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis.
Because at least two recordings are made, in known manner a three-dimensional picture can be composed by the calculating unit. This picture can then be processed by the calculating unit in known manner for the purpose of obtaining highly accurate information about the position and orientation of the implants. If this information is used for the purpose of fabricating the prosthesis, a prosthesis is obtained which is adjusted to the position and orientation of the implants with an unprecedentedly high accuracy. This prosthesis can be fixed to the implants entirely free of stress. Because the implants have a reflective surface and moreover have predetermined dimensions, photogrammetric methods for making a prosthesis to be fixed to implants can be used advantageously in accordance with the invention.
An article by V. Stachniss and R, Stoll "Computer Technologies in Dentistry Computerized Restorations: CEREC
and Other Methods" prepared for an International Symposium on Computer Restorations (May 3-4, 1991) entitled State of the Art of the CEREC-Method, at page 33 gives a summary of the systems known in 1991, in which a recording of the mouth or an impression of the mouth is digitized and fed to a 3a computer, whereafter the computer controls a tool for making a prosthesis. It is clearly indicated at page 37 that photogrammetry is one of the possibilities of obtaining a S three-dimensional image. For this purpose, for instance two cameras are used. One possible application is to make an image of a prepared tooth or molar, for the purpose of making a crown. Further, at page 41, section 3.1, the manufacture of a frame is mentioned; at page 42, paragraph 3.4, the manufacture of an inlay and veneers is mentioned;
and at page 44, sections 3.5 and 3.6 the manufacture of crowns and bridges is mentioned. At page 46, :~1 X81.04 section ~, however, it is clearly stated that designing a prosthesis by means of a CAD/CAM system is still a fiction. It is not known, however, to make such images of implants f or the purpose of making a prosthesis which is to be fixed to these v implants. The present invention, however, surprisingly does allow the fabrication of a prosthesis which is to be fixed to implants.
This is a definitive invalidation of the assumption generally accepted heretofore, that it is not properly possible to make prostheses by means of such a method. The invention provides the insight that this is quite possible, precisely for implants.
International patent application WO-90j14803 describes a method in which a three-dimensional recording is made and printed using photogrammetzy. However, no recording is made in the patient s mouth. Instead, a model of the jaw of the patient is placed on a ref erence tray. Photographs are taken from different positions to enable the photographs to be processed in combination to obtain a 3D picture. The use of photogrammetry for the purpose of implants is not mentioned.
European patent application 0,040,165 describes in very general terms a process in which a 3D recording of a treated tooth is made. This recording is digitized and fed to a computer.
The computer then controls a milling machine f or manufacturing a crown. European patent application 0,054,785 describes in very general terms a comparable process as described above.
Accordingly, it does not involve any prosthesis which is to be ffixed to an implant.
European patent application 0,025,911 describes a process in which a copy of an object can be produced on the basis of a 3D
recording of the object. The object in question can be a tooth but also a hand-made prosthesis. The recording is made using photogrammetzy. All this means that no prosthesis fabricated by the use a CAD/CAM system is involved, where a 3D recording is made of a prepared tooth or molar to which this prosthesis is to be f fixed.
~WO 95/03007 216 X31 Q 4 PCT/NL94100173 European patent application 0,250,993 relates to the mal~:ir~g of recordings by means of a video camera. On the basis of a predetermined algorithm, the video image is frozen at a particular moment. On the basis of the still picture thus 5 obtained, a further analysis is performed.
German patent application 33 20 395 describes a recording device which is placed over a tooth or a treated tooth for obtaining a 3D recording. If desired, the two recordings are compared and processed in combination by a computer for the purpose of fabricating a prosthesis.
Gern~an patent 282,615 of former East-Germany describes in very general terms a method for fabricating crowns on the basis of a 3D recording by means of a computer-controlled tool.
However, this method involves the making of a replica of an object to be copied, on the basis of a 3D recording of that obj ect .
In summary, it can be stated that the use of photogrammetry in a method for fixing dental prostheses onto implants in the jawbone of a patient is not known from any of the above-discussed publications.
Also known are methods and systems in which the object to be recorded is actively irradiated with electromagnetic waves.
Such methods and systems utilize, for instance, laser beams which are directed to the object under examination and the reflections of which are subsequently analyzed. According to another active method, a predetermined pattern, for instance a rectangular grating, is projected on the object in question. The pattern will be distorted depending on the shape of the object.
Then an image of the object in digitized form is fed to a computer. By comparing the distorted pattern with the original pattern, an idea of the three-dimensional shape of the object can be obtained.
The following references relate to such active systems: FR-2,635,965; FR-2,682,473; FR-2,690,836; TrlO-91/03980; WO-91/18356;
WO 95/03007 2 ~ 6 g 1 ~ 4 PCT/NL94/00173 WO-91%05520; WO-94/00074; EP-0,299,490; EP-0,091,876; DE-4,034,007; DE-3,541,891 and US-4,663,720.
The system according to the present invention, however, does not necessarily utilize active electromagnetic radiation sources ' that are part of the system.
According to a particular aspect of the invention, the relative position and orientation information is determined, respectively, from the position and orientation of the implants relative to each other. More particularly, the position and orientation information is converted by the calculating unit into c4ntrol signals by which a tool can be controlled for carrying out mechanical operations on a material piece for the fabrication of at least a part of the prosthesis, in accurate correspondence with the position and orientation information.
The implants preferably comprise predetermined dimensions, information about these dimensions being processed in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for obtaining position and orientation information as mentioned. More particularly, the implants comprise predetermined dimensions, information about these dimensions being processed in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for determining material portions which are to be removed from the material piece by the tool for the purpose of fabricating at least the part of the prosthesis that is fixed to the implants.
According to a pref erred embodiment of this method according to the invention, for that purpose in a method for fixing dental prostheses to implants in the jawbone, the procedure is such that orientation and position (positions) of the implants are converted by a number of cameras arranged around the opened mouth into an equal number of corresponding series of electronic signals, which, fixed as a recording track, can serve for the control of a turning and milling machine for carrying out "
mechanical operations on a metal prosthesis part, in accurate correspondence with those positions.
WO 95/03007 216 81 ~ 4 PCT/NL94/00173 system for fabricating a prosthesis to be fixed to implant_ in the jawbone of a patient is characterized in that the system comprises - at least one camera arranged at the opened mouth of the patient for making recordings of the implants already fixed to the jaw of the patient from at least two different positions;
- means for converting these recordings into electrical signals;
- a calculating unit which processes the electrical signals by means of a photogrammetric method for obtaining position and orientation information of the implants;
- a tool which fabricates at least a part of the prosthesis on the basis of the above-mentioned position and orientation inf ormation .
The invention will be further elucidated with ref erence to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows in diagrammatic perspective an arch of a human jaw without teeth, which includes a few already placed implants with inserts, as well as an extensive prosthesis, which can be 2 0 f fixed by means of a f ew screws ;
Fig. 2a shows a side elevation of an insert to be screwed into an implant, while Fig. 2b shows the top side of this insert;
Fig. 3 schematically shows an arch of a jaw having placed therein a few implants with inserts, which are photographed by means of a number of cameras arranged around the jaw, as well as the interface and the calculating unit and the equipment for fixing the recording functions;
Figs. 4a-4e show the measuring scale to be placed in one of the inserts or implants as a recognition means;
Fig. 5 shows a recognition means to be fixed to one of the inserts and/or implants;
Fig. 6 shows a different principle of fixing a prosthesis on a jaw, where the invention can also be used.
Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a human lower jaw O, which includes a number of implants (for instance six) placed by an WO' 95/03007 implantologist. To avoid crowding of the drawing, only two implants are indicated by the reference numeral 1. Inserts 2 have already been screwed to the implants for the purpose of subsequently carrying the superstructure 3. This superstructure 3 ' was heretofore fabricated by the conventional method mentioned, which method has all kinds of sources of possible stresses "
between the implants, as has been explained in the foregoing. The superstructure 3, which, in the example shown, comprises four incisors, two canines and two sets of three molars, is anchored in the mouth, in this example by means of small screws 4, 5 which are screwed into the inserts 2. In the situation depicted, these screws .~, S extend through molars 6, 7 on the superstructure 3, but the superstructure can also be affixed to the jaw next to the upper structure. After being screwed tight, the elements in question (6, 7) are filled.
Fig. 2a shows, in side elevation and on a highly enlarged scale, a possible embodiment of an insert 10 to be screwed into an implant. Both the implant and the insert normally consist of a metal such as titanium.
To screw the insert to the implant, the implant carries an external thread 11 on the cylindrical outside at the lower end.
The insert 10 is provided, at the top thereof, with a longitudinal bore 12 having therein an internal thread 13 f or receiving the fastening screws (4, 5; Fig. 1). In this exemplary embodiment, the insert 10 comprises, at the top around the opening 14 of the bore 12, a stepped form with two concentric rings 15 and 16 at two levels separated in the longitudinal direction of the insert 10.
It can be seen in Fig. 2b that the two concentric rings 15 and 16 on the top of the insert are each provided with an accurately provided concentric recognition pattern of optical recognition points 18.
These recognition points 18, for instance engraved by means of a laser beam, may be provided for the benefit of the ' photogrammetric recordings and are then preferably of minuscule design, for instance 100 to 150 microns in diameter. Because the heads of the inserts projecting above the implants tend to glow upon exposure for the purpose of the photogrammetric recordings, the engraved recognition points have been colored white for a better contrast.
It has even been found possible, in accordance with a particular aspect of the invention, to omit these recognition points, which, of course, imposes stringent requirements on the camera.
Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic top plan view of the arch of a jaw 30 in which seven inserts 31-37 have been fitted in the implants tnot shown in the drawing). These inserts 31-37 will generally have their top surfaces disposed at different levels, while further the longitudinal axes of the implants, and hence the longitudinal axes of inserts screwed into them, will almost never run parallel.
As Fig. 3 shows, a number of cameras 40, 41, 42 have been arranged around the arch 30, all disposed in the same plane, approximately in the plane of the arch 30. They are special cameras, such as for instance pixel cameras or ccd cameras, in which the image obtained with an optical lens is projected on a screen and is converted into a series of electronic signals through electronic scanning procedures.
The number of cameras shown in Fig. 3 is three, which is adequate to obtain a good survey of the different inserts. From a theoretical point of view, however, two cameras are sufficient.
On the other hand, it has also been found to be possible to use a single camera, which is then swivelled around the mouth at short intervals into at least two accurately defined positions and makes the pictures in succession.
Each camera is in communication with an interface 46 through a corresponding connecting cable 43, 44, 45, which interface 46 can provide for the conversion of the signals into digital form.
It is also possible, however, to utilize a very modern camera, in which the recorded images appear at the output terminals directly WO 95103007 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
in digital form. The interface :~6 is connected to a powerful calculating unit 47, which provides an analysis of the received signals in that the received electronic signals are processed and combined in coordinates of the different inserts, and their axes ' 5 and their top surfaces, and the calculating unit 47 transmits these data, again in digitized form, as recording functions to a recording device 48, in order to be recorded there on a suitable recording medium such as a magnetic tape or possibly a diskette.
The calculating unit is provided with software which is known per 10 se, for determining coordinates defining the position and orientation of the implants and/or inserts. In particular, the relative orientation and position are determined, i.e., the orientation and position of the implants relative to each other.
Because the implants and/or inserts have predetermined dimensions, the calculating unit can process the information about these dimensions in combination with the above-mentioned position and orientation information for obtaining the information f or determining the dimensions of a prosthesis which can be fixed to the implants free of stress. If the dimensions of the implants and/or the inserts are not known, these too can be determined, in accordance with the invention, by photogrammetric route, but this will generally yield less accurate results than the preferred embodiment outlined above. If the dimensions of the implants and/or the inserts are predetermined, this information can also be used in known manner to recognize the inserts and/or implants by the photogrammetric method (pattern recognition), which makes it possible to accurately determine the above-mentioned position and orientation information.
Preferably, recordings of implants are taken when they comprise inserts. Preferably, the inserts are cylindrical, while the calculating unit determines ellipse variables of the circumf erential edge of an insert and determines the position and ' orientation information on the basis of these variables. These variables can, for instance, be the variables of dimension, ' flattening, and angle.
If an object provided with a number of calibrated optical recognition points is introduced into a patient's mouth, these points can function as reference. As described hereinbefore, a number of implants are provided with at least one optical recognition point. This is understood to include inserts which are connected to the implants and are provided with optical recognition points. These recognition points are used for the photogrammetric determination of the orientation and position. In particular, for the purpose of the photogrammetric determination of the course of the longitudinal axes of the inserts, these are provided with calibrated optical recognition points at their top surface. In addition, a recognition means can be attached to an implant or inserts, the recognition means being provided with calibrated optical recognition points. As will be discussed hereinafter, these optical recognition points have, for instance, a predetermined position relative to the implant and/or insert when the recognition means is attached to it. As a consequence, on the basis of the photogrammetric determination of the position of the recognition points, the orientation and position of the associated implant and/or insert can be determined.
The above-mentioned magnetic recording medium, after the data associated with the patient in question have been recorded, is taken out of the device 48 in order to be utilized in a different place and at a different time for controlling a five- or six-axis turning and milling machine for mechanically machining a metal part of the later prosthesis, for instance a crosspiece, on which the superstructure is subsequently fitted. The drive of the turning and milling machine takes place in accordance with the values of the above-mentioned coordinates as found by the photogrammetric route, which is known per se, in a manner so accurate that in the product the position and the orientation of the later fixing holes correspond with the recorded situation in the mouth to within a few microns.
In order that a fixed reference be available when recordings are being made, it is preferred, in the practice of the method according to the invention, to use a measuring scale shown in more detail in Figs. 4a-4e.
Fig. 4a shows a small bar 50 used for this purpose, showing a trapezoidal shape in side elevation;
Fig. ~b shows the top plan view of the bar 50;
Fig. 4c shows the right-hand end view of the bar;
Fig. 4d shows a pin 59 with a round head 58, to be screwed into an insert; and Fig. 4e shows the assembled measuring scale screwed on an insert 10.
This measuring scale, as a recognition or identification means during photogrammetric work, accordingly consists of a 'small bar 50, of substantially rectangular cross section, which bar, on three sides thereof, viz. the two sides 51, 52 and the top side 53, is provided with a row of optical marking points 54 of very minor dimensions, which marking points 54 have been engraved very accurately, for instance by means of a laser beam.
The diameter of the marking points 5~ is, for instance, 100 to 200 microns. The relative distances of these points 54 are calibrated. To increase the contrast, the bar 50 has, for instance, been colored dark blue and the marking points 54 have been colored white. The bar 50, at the blunt end 55 thereof, is provided with internal thread, in which a screw knob 56 can be manually turned by the implantologist. At the underside the bar 50 comprises a spherical recess 57 for receiving therein a round head 58. This round head 58 forms the top end of a pin 59 provided, at the lower end thereof, with screw thread 60 for screwing the measuring scale into an insert 10 on the jaw of the patient (Fig. 4e) .
To make recordings with the cameras, the assembled measuring scale according to Fig. 4e along with the insert 10 is screwed into one of the implants placed in the arch of the jaw. At this point it cannot be predicted whether the axis of the selected implant is vertical. However, in order that, in the case of a non-vertical axis, the bar 50 nevertheless extends level in the ~WO 95103007 PCT/NL94/00173 mouth as far as possible, the bar 50 is tilted about the round head 58 of the pin 59 screwed into the insert 10, until it has the desired level orientation and is then secured with the screw knob 56.
The recordings by the cameras derive their scale of reference from the calibrated distances of the measuring points 54.
Fig. 5 shows a recognition means 80 comprising at least two spheres 82 which have been fixedly positioned relative to each other and are mounted on a pin 8~. At its lower end 86, the pin 8.~ is provided with screw thread and can thereby be secured to an implant andjor insert in the mouth of a patient. The white spheres 82 represent the actual measuring objects. They off er a good possibility of providing contrast and can be automatically located and measured. In this connection it is important that a spherical shape is imaged as a circle under any angle of view of a camera. This will facilitate the automatic measurement of the centres of the spheres as a representation of the insert axis.
The inclined orientation of the insert and/or implant can be derived from the coordinates of the centre of the two spheres.
For this purpose, it is important that the pin and the spheres be accurately in line. If the distance between the centres of the two spheres is known as a fixed measure, this method at the same time provides an elegant solution for the provision of scale in the images. This can be realized by making the recognition means in one piece. In particular, the recognition means further comprises a plate 88 to indicate the proper height of the insert and to cancel any play in the screw thread. Optionally, the plate can be painted black and so serve as a contrastive background to the white spheres. Alternatively, an elastic black backdrop can be slid over the spheres. Also, the edge of this plate can be ribbed, so that the indicator can be easily screwed into the insert. In addition, from the centres of spheres associated with different implants and/or inserts, the relative position and/or orientation of the corresponding implants and/or inserts with respect to each other can be determined.
The invention, in teens of its application, is not in any way limited to the manner of fixing a superstructure as discussed with reference to Fig. 1, but can equally successfully be applied to a covering prosthesis as shown in Fig. 6.
Here, for instance four implants have been placed in a patient's mandibular arch 100. Two implants are shown in the drawing in the front of the arch and indicated with ref erence numerals 101 and 102. The implants 101, 102 and possibly others are connected to each other with a crosspiece construction 103, which is bent in this example, for instance of substantially egg-shaped cross-section with the small end directed downwards, which comes to lie somewhat above on top of the wall of the jaw. In the example shown, this crosspiece 103 is fixed onto inserts in the implants, for instance by means of small screws. The crosspiece 103 and the holes provided therein are made using the above-described photogrammetric recording methods and the CAM methods and can later be secured on the implants 101, 102 in the arch 100 entirely without stress.
The actual prosthesis 104 is of the clip-on type and to that end comprises a metal base having at the underside thereof a concavity complementary to the contour of the crosspiece construction 103. Accordingly, this prosthesis 104 can be clipped around the crosspiece 103 onto the jaw 100 with a close fit.
Other forms of implants and prostheses, too, lend themselves for use of the invention.
While recording the coordinate data by means of the cameras arranged around the opened mouth of the patient, it is possible -for the purpose of increasing the accuracy of the measurement inasmuch as a better spatial impression is thereby provided - to move the entire arrangement parallel to itself in upward direction over a slight distance, say a few centimeters.
Immediately thereafter, again recordings are made from this slightly higher position. By comparing the signals, the software governing the calculating unit can determine the coordinates of the positions of the different inserts and the measuring scale ~WO 95/03007 21 b 810 4 PCT/NL94/00173 unequivocally and with great accuracy. The height and the orientation of the top surfaces of all of the inserts can be determined very accurately, which is indispensable in the fabrication of the prosthesis to provide f or stress-free 5 placement in the mouth.
The recorded data coming from the calculating unit are made available to a five- or six-axis turning and milling machine. By means thereof, a crosspiece or connecting plate can be made which subsequently forms a perfect close fit with the measured insert 10 surfaces and is provided with throughbores perfectly in line with the axes of the implants and inserts as placed. By the use of this advanced technique, the three-dimensional coordinates are accurate to within 20-30 microns.
The photo cameras are basically achromatic electronic image 15 'recording tubes. To obtain the desired information with regard to the minuscule recognition points, a good depth of focus is essential, which imposes stringent optical requirements on the optics of the lens and the diaphragm. Because the recognition points on the inserts and on the measuring scale have been made white, a high brightness sensitivity of the target inside of the camera, on which the light impressions are collected via the optical lens, is essential. Because these objects to be recorded basically do not move, the operation of the target may otherwise be fairly slow. The achromatic images recorded by the cameras are transmitted to the interface as a video signal containing the requested information, in order to be converted in the interface into the digital form which is fed to the calculating unit.
The photogrammetric equipment is,'of course, arranged at the implantologist~s. The data recorded on magnetic recording medium are used in the dental laboratory in the manner analogous to that known as computer aided manufacturing (CAM) for numerical control of the suitable production machine.
An important advantage of the invention is that it eliminates the occurrence of situations where superstructures have to be made again, implants have to be re-made because they do not fit 16 ' or cause stresses in the arch of the jaw as well as the loss of implants with all the harmful health consequences thereof. The technique described can naturally be used as well for patients , with superstructures on natural elements.
Accordingly, this entails the advantages that the dental , laboratories can work more accurately and even in those situations can preclude internal errors. It then prevents products having to be remade because of the laboratory~s own mistakes. This development will lead to a saving on labor time and cost, also f or the dentist. From a health service point of view, too, this aspect is not unimportant. In addition, the method according to the present invention can be qualified as more hygienic and patient-friendly in all respects.
A major advantage is also that stress-free superstructures clearly prolong the life of implants. Further, a well-nigh unlimited range of applications in the medical field is possible.
In the development of dentistry this method is a major step f onward .
Claims (22)
1. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and converting the implant positions and orientation information into control signals, said control signals being for use in said manufacturing step for controlling a tool for performing mechanical operations on a material piece in accurate correspondence with the positions and orientation information wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions; and said processing includes processing said positions and orientation information in combination with the predetermined dimensions to determine a portion of the material piece for removal by the tool during said manufacturing step such that a remaining portion of said piece can be fixed to the plurality of implants.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and converting the implant positions and orientation information into control signals, said control signals being for use in said manufacturing step for controlling a tool for performing mechanical operations on a material piece in accurate correspondence with the positions and orientation information wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions; and said processing includes processing said positions and orientation information in combination with the predetermined dimensions to determine a portion of the material piece for removal by the tool during said manufacturing step such that a remaining portion of said piece can be fixed to the plurality of implants.
2. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants, wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions, and wherein said processing includes processing said positions and orientation information in combination with said physical dimensions using a pattern recognition method.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants, wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions, and wherein said processing includes processing said positions and orientation information in combination with said physical dimensions using a pattern recognition method.
3. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants and one or more inserts using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants, wherein the one or more inserts are substantially cylindrical and are characterized by ellipse variables of a circumferential edge, said processing including:
determining the ellipse variables, and calculating said positions and orientation information using the ellipse variables.
recording images of said plurality of implants and one or more inserts using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants, wherein the one or more inserts are substantially cylindrical and are characterized by ellipse variables of a circumferential edge, said processing including:
determining the ellipse variables, and calculating said positions and orientation information using the ellipse variables.
4. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions; and introducing into the mouth a recognition means having at least one calibrated optical recognition point, said point appearing in said images so that said electrical signals corresponding to said point function as a reference during said processing, wherein said introducing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, and wherein said introducing includes introducing into the mouth the recognition means having an adjustable bar which has on three sides thereof a row of calibrated optical recognition points and an underside.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions; and introducing into the mouth a recognition means having at least one calibrated optical recognition point, said point appearing in said images so that said electrical signals corresponding to said point function as a reference during said processing, wherein said introducing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, and wherein said introducing includes introducing into the mouth the recognition means having an adjustable bar which has on three sides thereof a row of calibrated optical recognition points and an underside.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein:
the recognition means further including a pin having a round head; and said method further includes screwing said pin into the implant so that said round head is received in a corresponding cavity at the underside of the bar and is fixed in a suitable position using a screw knob extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar.
the recognition means further including a pin having a round head; and said method further includes screwing said pin into the implant so that said round head is received in a corresponding cavity at the underside of the bar and is fixed in a suitable position using a screw knob extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar.
6. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions; and introducing into the mouth a recognition means having at least one calibrated optical recognition point, said point appearing in said images so that said electrical signals corresponding to said point function as a reference during said processing, wherein said introducing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, and wherein said introducing includes introducing into the mouth the recognition means which has at least two spheres, each of the spheres having a center fixedly positioned relative to each other, said spheres functioning as optical recognition points.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions; and introducing into the mouth a recognition means having at least one calibrated optical recognition point, said point appearing in said images so that said electrical signals corresponding to said point function as a reference during said processing, wherein said introducing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, and wherein said introducing includes introducing into the mouth the recognition means which has at least two spheres, each of the spheres having a center fixedly positioned relative to each other, said spheres functioning as optical recognition points.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of implants has an axis, said method further including securing the recognition means to the implant so that the spheres lie on the axis.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said processing includes:
determining a position for each center of the at least two spheres using the calculating unit; and determining the positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants using the positions of the centers.
determining a position for each center of the at least two spheres using the calculating unit; and determining the positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants using the positions of the centers.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein;
said recognition means includes at least a first recognition means and a second recognition means, each of the recognition means including at least one sphere having a center; and wherein the processing includes:
determining a position for each center using the calculating unit, determining a relative position of each center using the position of the centers, and determining a relative position of each relevant implant using the relative positions of the centers.
said recognition means includes at least a first recognition means and a second recognition means, each of the recognition means including at least one sphere having a center; and wherein the processing includes:
determining a position for each center using the calculating unit, determining a relative position of each center using the position of the centers, and determining a relative position of each relevant implant using the relative positions of the centers.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the processing includes determining the position of each center for use as the reference.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the implant has a longitudinal axis and wherein the recognition means further includes:
a pin having a longitudinal axis, the spheres being attached to the pin in such a manner that the centers of the spheres lie on the longitudinal axis of the pin, and a flat plate attached at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin, said method further including:
fixing the pirr to the implant so that the longitudinal axis of the implant extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin.
a pin having a longitudinal axis, the spheres being attached to the pin in such a manner that the centers of the spheres lie on the longitudinal axis of the pin, and a flat plate attached at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin, said method further including:
fixing the pirr to the implant so that the longitudinal axis of the implant extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin.
12. A system for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said system comprising:
at least one camera for being positioned at the opened mouth of the patient for recording images of the plurality of implants already fixed to the jawbone from at least two different positions, wherein each of the plurality of implants has predetermined physical dimensions, and wherein said at least one camera is also for converting said images into electrical signals;
a calculating unit for processing the electrical signals using a photogrammetric method for obtaining implant positions and orientation information and for determining relative position and orientation information from implant positions and orientation information, wherein the calculating unit processes the predetermined dimensions in combination with the position and orientation information to determine a portion to be removed from the material piece such that a remaining portion of the material piece can be fixed to the plurality of implants; and a tool for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using said implant positions and orientation information.
at least one camera for being positioned at the opened mouth of the patient for recording images of the plurality of implants already fixed to the jawbone from at least two different positions, wherein each of the plurality of implants has predetermined physical dimensions, and wherein said at least one camera is also for converting said images into electrical signals;
a calculating unit for processing the electrical signals using a photogrammetric method for obtaining implant positions and orientation information and for determining relative position and orientation information from implant positions and orientation information, wherein the calculating unit processes the predetermined dimensions in combination with the position and orientation information to determine a portion to be removed from the material piece such that a remaining portion of the material piece can be fixed to the plurality of implants; and a tool for manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using said implant positions and orientation information.
13. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants, wherein said processing comprises determining relative positions and orientation information from the implant positions and orientation information;
manufacturing at least a part of tune prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and converting the relative positions and orientation information into control signals, said control signals being for use in said manufacturing for controlling a tool to perform mechanical operations on a material piece in accurate correspondence with the position and orientation information, wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions, and said processing includes processing said relative positions and orientation information in combination with the predetermined dimensions to determine a portion of the material piece for removal by the tool during the manufacturing such that a remaining portion can be fixed to the plurality of implants.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants, wherein said processing comprises determining relative positions and orientation information from the implant positions and orientation information;
manufacturing at least a part of tune prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and converting the relative positions and orientation information into control signals, said control signals being for use in said manufacturing for controlling a tool to perform mechanical operations on a material piece in accurate correspondence with the position and orientation information, wherein the plurality of implants have predetermined physical dimensions, and said processing includes processing said relative positions and orientation information in combination with the predetermined dimensions to determine a portion of the material piece for removal by the tool during the manufacturing such that a remaining portion can be fixed to the plurality of implants.
14. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants and one or more inserts using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants wherein said processing includes determining relative positions and orientation information from the implant positions and orientation information, wherein the inserts are substantially cylindrical and are characterized by ellipse variables of a circumferential edge, said processing including:
determining the ellipse variables and calculating said relative positions and orientation information using the ellipse variables.
recording images of said plurality of implants and one or more inserts using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants; and manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants wherein said processing includes determining relative positions and orientation information from the implant positions and orientation information, wherein the inserts are substantially cylindrical and are characterized by ellipse variables of a circumferential edge, said processing including:
determining the ellipse variables and calculating said relative positions and orientation information using the ellipse variables.
15. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by deans of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and providing at least one optical recognition point for use with said processing step wherein said providing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, wherein said fixing includes fixing said recognition means comprising an adjustable bar which has on three sides thereof a row of calibrated optical recognition points and an underside.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by deans of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and providing at least one optical recognition point for use with said processing step wherein said providing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, wherein said fixing includes fixing said recognition means comprising an adjustable bar which has on three sides thereof a row of calibrated optical recognition points and an underside.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein:
the recognition means further includes a pin having a hound head;
said method further including screwing said pin into the implant so that said round head is received in a corresponding cavity at the underside of the bar and is fixed in a suitable position using a screw driver extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar.
the recognition means further includes a pin having a hound head;
said method further including screwing said pin into the implant so that said round head is received in a corresponding cavity at the underside of the bar and is fixed in a suitable position using a screw driver extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar.
17. A method for manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to a plurality of implants in a jawbone of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and providing at least one optical recognition point for use with said processing step wherein said providing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, wherein said fixing includes fixing said recognition means comprising at least two spheres, each of the spheres having a center fixedly positioned relative to each other, said spheres functioning as optical recognition points.
recording images of said plurality of implants using at least one camera positioned at the opened mouth of the patient in at least two different positions;
converting said images into electrical signals by means of the at least one camera;
processing the electrical signals with at least one calculating unit using a photogrammetric method to obtain implant positions and orientation information of the implants;
manufacturing at least a part of the prosthesis using the implant positions and orientation information of the plurality of implants; and providing at least one optical recognition point for use with said processing step wherein said providing includes fixing said recognition means to an implant, said recognition means having at least one optical recognition point, wherein said fixing includes fixing said recognition means comprising at least two spheres, each of the spheres having a center fixedly positioned relative to each other, said spheres functioning as optical recognition points.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein each of the plurality of implants has an axis; said method further includes securing the recognition means to the at east one of said plurality of implants so that the spheres lie on the axis.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said processing includes:
determining the positions of tale centers of the at least two spheres using the calculating unit; and determining the orientation of the plurality of implants using the positions of the centers.
determining the positions of tale centers of the at least two spheres using the calculating unit; and determining the orientation of the plurality of implants using the positions of the centers.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein:
said recognition means includes at least a first recognition means and a second recognition means, each of the recognition means including at least one sphere having a center; and wherein the processing includes:
determining the position of each of the centers using the calculating unit, and determining a relative position of each relevant implant using the relative positions of the centers.
said recognition means includes at least a first recognition means and a second recognition means, each of the recognition means including at least one sphere having a center; and wherein the processing includes:
determining the position of each of the centers using the calculating unit, and determining a relative position of each relevant implant using the relative positions of the centers.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the processing includes determining the position of each center for use as the reference.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein:
the at least one of said plurality of implants has a longitudinal axis, and the recognition means further includes:
a pin having a longitudinal axis, the spheres being attached to the pin in such a manner that the centers of tare spheres lie on the longitudinal axis of the pin, and a flat plate attached at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin, said method further including:
fixing the pin to the at least one of said plurality of implants so that the longitudinal axis of the implant extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin.
the at least one of said plurality of implants has a longitudinal axis, and the recognition means further includes:
a pin having a longitudinal axis, the spheres being attached to the pin in such a manner that the centers of tare spheres lie on the longitudinal axis of the pin, and a flat plate attached at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the pin, said method further including:
fixing the pin to the at least one of said plurality of implants so that the longitudinal axis of the implant extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL9301308A NL9301308A (en) | 1993-07-26 | 1993-07-26 | Method of securing a dental prosthesis to implants in a patient's jawbone and using means thereof. |
| NL9301308 | 1993-07-26 | ||
| PCT/NL1994/000173 WO1995003007A1 (en) | 1993-07-26 | 1994-07-25 | Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2168104A1 CA2168104A1 (en) | 1995-02-02 |
| CA2168104C true CA2168104C (en) | 2005-04-19 |
Family
ID=19862704
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002168104A Expired - Fee Related CA2168104C (en) | 1993-07-26 | 1994-07-25 | Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US5857853A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0776183B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7547594A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2168104C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69413852T2 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL9301308A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995003007A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (310)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL9301308A (en) * | 1993-07-26 | 1995-02-16 | Willem Frederick Van Nifterick | Method of securing a dental prosthesis to implants in a patient's jawbone and using means thereof. |
| US6382975B1 (en) * | 1997-02-26 | 2002-05-07 | Technique D'usinage Sinlab Inc. | Manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure |
| US6814575B2 (en) | 1997-02-26 | 2004-11-09 | Technique D'usinage Sinlab Inc. | Manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure |
| US7331786B2 (en) * | 1996-02-27 | 2008-02-19 | Technique D'usinage Sinlab Inc. | Manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure |
| GB2318058B (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 2001-03-21 | Ninian Spenceley Peckitt | Improvements relating to prosthetic implants |
| SE507803C2 (en) * | 1996-11-13 | 1998-07-13 | Titanbron Foervaltnings Ab | Method and apparatus for machining a bridge construction |
| SE509142C2 (en) * | 1997-04-10 | 1998-12-07 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Device and method for recreating a model for dental product or tool for the product |
| SE509437C2 (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 1999-01-25 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Method and apparatus for producing elongate support member and product and use at the support member |
| BE1011205A3 (en) * | 1997-06-11 | 1999-06-01 | Materialise Nv | Method for the manufacture of at least one section of a new dentistry object |
| US8496474B2 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2013-07-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Computer automated development of an orthodontic treatment plan and appliance |
| US6705863B2 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2004-03-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Attachment devices and methods for a dental appliance |
| US6450807B1 (en) | 1997-06-20 | 2002-09-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for positioning teeth |
| US7247021B2 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2007-07-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Subdividing a digital dentition model |
| US6409504B1 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 2002-06-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Manipulating a digital dentition model to form models of individual dentition components |
| IL122807A0 (en) | 1997-12-30 | 1998-08-16 | Cadent Ltd | Virtual orthodontic treatment |
| IL125659A (en) | 1998-08-05 | 2002-09-12 | Cadent Ltd | Method and apparatus for imaging three-dimensional structure |
| JP3641208B2 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2005-04-20 | アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド | Computerized dental treatment planning and instrument development |
| US11026768B2 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2021-06-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance reinforcement |
| US6802713B1 (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 2004-10-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Defining tooth-moving appliances computationally |
| US6406292B1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2002-06-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | System for determining final position of teeth |
| CH694571A5 (en) * | 1999-06-21 | 2005-04-15 | Dcs Forschungs & Entwicklungs | A method for producing a dental prosthesis and a dental prosthesis, material for a dental prosthesis and dental prosthesis. |
| US6790040B2 (en) | 1999-11-10 | 2004-09-14 | Implant Innovations, Inc. | Healing components for use in taking impressions and methods for making the same |
| AU1476101A (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2001-06-06 | Implant Innovations, Inc. | Healing components for use in taking impressions and methods for making the same |
| EP1120081A3 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2002-05-08 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Oral cavity image pickup apparatus |
| US6463344B1 (en) * | 2000-02-17 | 2002-10-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Efficient data representation of teeth model |
| US7373286B2 (en) * | 2000-02-17 | 2008-05-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Efficient data representation of teeth model |
| US6712856B1 (en) | 2000-03-17 | 2004-03-30 | Kinamed, Inc. | Custom replacement device for resurfacing a femur and method of making the same |
| US20020188478A1 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2002-12-12 | Joe Breeland | Health-care systems and methods |
| US7904307B2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2011-03-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Health-care e-commerce systems and methods |
| AU2001255655A1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-11-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment analysis systems and methods |
| US6454565B2 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2002-09-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for varying elastic modulus appliances |
| US7040896B2 (en) * | 2000-08-16 | 2006-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for removing gingiva from computer tooth models |
| US6386867B1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-05-14 | Duane Milford Durbin | Method and system for imaging and modeling dental structures |
| US6364660B1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2002-04-02 | Duane Milford Durbin | Method and system for imaging and modeling dental structures |
| US6592371B2 (en) | 2000-10-25 | 2003-07-15 | Duane Durbin | Method and system for imaging and modeling a three dimensional structure |
| EP2261599B1 (en) | 2000-11-08 | 2013-01-02 | Institut Straumann Ag | (Dental) Surface mapping and generation |
| SE522958C2 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2004-03-16 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Procedure, arrangement (device) and programs at or for prosthetic installation |
| US7074038B1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2006-07-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for treating teeth |
| US7580846B2 (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2009-08-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for distributing patient referrals |
| US7362890B2 (en) * | 2001-05-24 | 2008-04-22 | Astra Tech Inc. | Registration of 3-D imaging of 3-D objects |
| US6925198B2 (en) * | 2002-05-24 | 2005-08-02 | Ronald S. Scharlack | Method and system for three-dimensional modeling of object fields |
| US7065243B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2006-06-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Method and system for creating dental models from imagery |
| US6970760B2 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2005-11-29 | Degudent Gmbh | Production of replacement teeth from a three-dimensionally determined and digitized positive model |
| SE520765C2 (en) * | 2001-12-28 | 2003-08-19 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Device and arrangement for inserting holes for bone implants by means of template, preferably jawbones |
| US7086860B2 (en) | 2002-02-20 | 2006-08-08 | Schuman Walter F | Implant placement system |
| US6830450B2 (en) | 2002-04-18 | 2004-12-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for improved engagement between aligners and teeth |
| US7255558B2 (en) | 2002-06-18 | 2007-08-14 | Cadent, Ltd. | Dental imaging instrument having air stream auxiliary |
| EP2465464B1 (en) | 2002-10-03 | 2018-08-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | A method for preparing a physical model |
| US7029279B2 (en) * | 2002-10-07 | 2006-04-18 | Mark Schomann | Prosthodontia system |
| JP4563178B2 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2010-10-13 | エプシロン レハッテファーワルツング ゲーエム ベーハー | Equipment for manufacturing denture parts |
| IL190642A (en) | 2002-11-13 | 2011-06-30 | Biomet 3I Llc | Dental implant system |
| SE526666C2 (en) * | 2002-12-30 | 2005-10-25 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Device and arrangement for fixture installation |
| SE526665C2 (en) * | 2002-12-30 | 2005-10-25 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Device for dental screw-in arrangement |
| ES2324658T3 (en) | 2002-12-31 | 2009-08-12 | D4D Technologies Llc. | LASER DIGITALIZING SYSTEM FOR DENTAL APPLICATIONS. |
| DE10300301B4 (en) * | 2003-01-02 | 2009-07-02 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method for the automatic production of a dental superstructure for connection to an implant |
| US20040166462A1 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2004-08-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for fabricating a dental template |
| JP5189287B2 (en) | 2003-03-24 | 2013-04-24 | ディーフォーディー テクノロジーズ エルエルシー | Dental laser digitizer system |
| WO2004087000A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2004-10-14 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for fabricating a dental coping, and a coping fabricated thereby |
| WO2004100067A2 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2004-11-18 | D3D, L.P. | Intra-oral imaging system |
| US7355721B2 (en) * | 2003-05-05 | 2008-04-08 | D4D Technologies, Llc | Optical coherence tomography imaging |
| US7245753B2 (en) * | 2003-06-26 | 2007-07-17 | Carestream Health, Inc. | Method for determining dental alignment using radiographs |
| ITTO20030575A1 (en) * | 2003-07-25 | 2005-01-26 | Acom S R L | PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PROSTHETIC DENTAL PROSTHESES OF THE TYPE OF SCREWED TO A PLURALITY OF OSTEO-INTEGRATED PLANTS IN MANDIBULAR OR MASCULAR BONE. |
| US7030383B2 (en) | 2003-08-04 | 2006-04-18 | Cadent Ltd. | Speckle reduction method and apparatus |
| WO2005027770A2 (en) * | 2003-09-17 | 2005-03-31 | D4D Technologies, L.P. | High speed multiple line three-dimensional digitization |
| US6944518B2 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2005-09-13 | Depuy Products, Inc. | Customized prosthesis and method of designing and manufacturing a customized prosthesis by utilizing computed tomography data |
| SE526223C2 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2005-08-02 | Nobel Biocare Ab | System and apparatus for the manufacture and insertion of dental bridge construction |
| US8175683B2 (en) * | 2003-12-30 | 2012-05-08 | Depuy Products, Inc. | System and method of designing and manufacturing customized instrumentation for accurate implantation of prosthesis by utilizing computed tomography data |
| US7445449B2 (en) * | 2004-02-06 | 2008-11-04 | Robert David Sager | Continuous production crown core/crown making process |
| US7333874B2 (en) | 2004-02-24 | 2008-02-19 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for designing and producing dental prostheses and appliances |
| US8874452B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2014-10-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
| US7904308B2 (en) | 2006-04-18 | 2011-03-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing indexing and cataloguing of orthodontic related treatment profiles and options |
| US11298209B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2022-04-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
| US9492245B2 (en) | 2004-02-27 | 2016-11-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles |
| DE602005009432D1 (en) | 2004-06-17 | 2008-10-16 | Cadent Ltd | Method and apparatus for color forming a three-dimensional structure |
| DE102004035090A1 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2006-02-16 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Compensation part and method for the measurement of dental restorations |
| DE102004035091B4 (en) * | 2004-07-20 | 2017-10-26 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method for determining the position and orientation of the axis of a dental implant located directly in the patient's mouth and attachment therefor |
| SE527504C2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2006-03-21 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Control device cooperable with a number of sleeves arranged in tooth template |
| SE527503C2 (en) * | 2004-08-05 | 2006-03-21 | Nobel Biocare Ab | Device and method for facilitating application to correct position of tooth or tooth residue template |
| US7322824B2 (en) * | 2004-08-17 | 2008-01-29 | Schmitt Stephen M | Design and manufacture of dental implant restorations |
| US7447558B2 (en) * | 2004-09-18 | 2008-11-04 | The Ohio Willow Wood Company | Apparatus for determining a three dimensional shape of an object |
| US7399182B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2008-07-15 | Juan Olivier | Methods and apparatus for determining horizontal and vertical plane orientation for construction of dental prostheses |
| US7364429B2 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | Juan Olivier | Methods and apparatus for determining horizontal and vertical plane orientation for construction of dental prostheses |
| US7309230B2 (en) | 2004-12-14 | 2007-12-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Preventing interference between tooth models |
| DE102004054876B3 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2006-07-27 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Measuring device for 3D measurement of tooth models, sliding plate and method |
| US7862336B2 (en) | 2004-11-26 | 2011-01-04 | Cadent Ltd. | Method and system for providing feedback data useful in prosthodontic procedures associated with the intra oral cavity |
| US7236842B2 (en) | 2004-12-02 | 2007-06-26 | Cadent Ltd. | System and method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis and a dental prosthesis manufactured thereby |
| WO2006092800A2 (en) | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-08 | Cadent Ltd. | System and method for scanning an intraoral cavity |
| US7806691B2 (en) * | 2005-03-30 | 2010-10-05 | Bio Dental Solution Ltd | Method and system for fixing removable dentures |
| US20060275731A1 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2006-12-07 | Orthoclear Holdings, Inc. | Treatment of teeth by aligners |
| DE15161961T1 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2015-11-26 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Process for the preparation of components of a dental implant |
| US7555403B2 (en) | 2005-07-15 | 2009-06-30 | Cadent Ltd. | Method for manipulating a dental virtual model, method for creating physical entities based on a dental virtual model thus manipulated, and dental models thus created |
| DE102005035474B4 (en) * | 2005-07-28 | 2019-06-13 | Institut Straumann Ag | Method for producing dental prostheses, computer, computer program and computer-readable medium |
| US11219511B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2022-01-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
| US8257083B2 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2012-09-04 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
| EP1940310B1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2016-08-31 | Biomet 3i, LLC | Methods for manufacturing dental implant components |
| WO2007117309A2 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2007-10-18 | Benson Hall | Improved system & method for the design, creation and installation of implant-supported dental prostheses |
| US8366442B2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2013-02-05 | Bankruptcy Estate Of Voxelogix Corporation | Dental apparatus for radiographic and non-radiographic imaging |
| US8043091B2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2011-10-25 | Voxelogix Corporation | Computer machined dental tooth system and method |
| WO2007129955A1 (en) | 2006-05-04 | 2007-11-15 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | A device for securing a dental implant in bone tissue, a method for making a surgical template and a method of securing a dental implant in bone tissue |
| US20080050692A1 (en) * | 2006-08-22 | 2008-02-28 | Jack Keith Hilliard | System and method for fabricating orthodontic aligners |
| US8038444B2 (en) | 2006-08-30 | 2011-10-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automated treatment staging for teeth |
| US20080064008A1 (en) * | 2006-09-06 | 2008-03-13 | Dental Implant Technologies, Inc. | Methods for the virtual design and computer manufacture of intra oral devices |
| WO2008041943A1 (en) * | 2006-10-06 | 2008-04-10 | Biomain Ab | A measuring device and measuring method using said measuring device |
| US7835811B2 (en) * | 2006-10-07 | 2010-11-16 | Voxelogix Corporation | Surgical guides and methods for positioning artificial teeth and dental implants |
| US9326831B2 (en) | 2006-10-20 | 2016-05-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for positioning three-dimensional brackets on teeth |
| WO2008051129A1 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2008-05-02 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | A dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
| DE102006061134A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-06-26 | Aepsilon Rechteverwaltungs Gmbh | Process for the transport of dental prostheses |
| DE102006061143A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-07-24 | Aepsilon Rechteverwaltungs Gmbh | Method, computer-readable medium and computer relating to the manufacture of dental prostheses |
| AU2007343330B2 (en) | 2007-01-10 | 2013-08-01 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Method and system for dental planning and production |
| US20080228303A1 (en) * | 2007-03-13 | 2008-09-18 | Schmitt Stephen M | Direct manufacture of dental and medical devices |
| US8206153B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2012-06-26 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Method for selecting implant components |
| US7878805B2 (en) | 2007-05-25 | 2011-02-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tabbed dental appliance |
| US7840373B2 (en) * | 2007-05-30 | 2010-11-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for selecting a location for marking placement |
| US9060829B2 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2015-06-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and method for management and delivery of orthodontic treatment |
| US20080306724A1 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2008-12-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment planning and progress tracking systems and methods |
| US8591225B2 (en) * | 2008-12-12 | 2013-11-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tooth movement measurement by automatic impression matching |
| US10342638B2 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2019-07-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment planning and progress tracking systems and methods |
| US8562338B2 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2013-10-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment progress tracking and recalibration |
| US8075306B2 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2011-12-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method for detecting deviations during the course of an orthodontic treatment to gradually reposition teeth |
| WO2009001298A2 (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2008-12-31 | Densys Ltd. | Supplemental scene reference surface devices for three-dimensional mapping |
| US8308481B2 (en) * | 2007-10-19 | 2012-11-13 | Cagenix, Inc. | Dental framework |
| US8100692B2 (en) * | 2007-10-19 | 2012-01-24 | Cagenix Incorporated | Dental framework |
| US8738394B2 (en) | 2007-11-08 | 2014-05-27 | Eric E. Kuo | Clinical data file |
| US8777612B2 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2014-07-15 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
| DE102007056820A1 (en) | 2007-11-23 | 2009-06-18 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Measuring body for an implant and method for creating a 3D measurement recording |
| US7914283B2 (en) | 2007-12-06 | 2011-03-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Activatable dental appliance |
| JP5250251B2 (en) * | 2007-12-17 | 2013-07-31 | イマグノーシス株式会社 | Medical imaging marker and its utilization program |
| US8439672B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2013-05-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for optimizing dental aligner geometry |
| US8899977B2 (en) | 2008-01-29 | 2014-12-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic repositioning appliances having improved geometry, methods and systems |
| ES2739460T3 (en) * | 2008-03-19 | 2020-01-31 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Repositioning of components related to cranial surgical procedures in a patient |
| US8108189B2 (en) | 2008-03-25 | 2012-01-31 | Align Technologies, Inc. | Reconstruction of non-visible part of tooth |
| US8651858B2 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2014-02-18 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
| US8011927B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2011-09-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
| US9492243B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2016-11-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental implant positioning |
| US8092215B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2012-01-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Smile designer |
| US9119691B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2015-09-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic tooth movement device, systems and methods |
| US8172569B2 (en) | 2008-06-12 | 2012-05-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance |
| KR101706619B1 (en) | 2008-07-03 | 2017-02-14 | 얼라인 테크널러지, 인크. | Method, apparatus and system for use in dental procedures |
| US8509932B2 (en) | 2008-07-17 | 2013-08-13 | Cadent Ltd. | Methods, systems and accessories useful for procedures relating to dental implants |
| US20100055635A1 (en) | 2008-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Shape engineered aligner - auto shaping |
| US8152518B2 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2012-04-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental positioning appliance having metallic portion |
| JP6058889B2 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2017-01-11 | アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド | Orthodontic system and method including parametric attachment |
| US20100129763A1 (en) * | 2008-11-24 | 2010-05-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Sequential sports guard |
| US8936463B2 (en) | 2008-11-24 | 2015-01-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with simulated teeth and method for making |
| US8401686B2 (en) | 2008-12-18 | 2013-03-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Reduced registration bonding template |
| US9642678B2 (en) | 2008-12-30 | 2017-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and system for dental visualization |
| US8382474B2 (en) | 2008-12-31 | 2013-02-26 | Cadent Ltd. | Dental articulator |
| US8936464B2 (en) | 2009-02-24 | 2015-01-20 | Cadent Ltd. | Method, system and model for indirect bonding |
| US8292617B2 (en) | 2009-03-19 | 2012-10-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental wire attachment |
| DE102009014013B4 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2015-03-26 | Bego Implant Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg | Detection auxiliary body and its use for detecting the position and orientation of an implant |
| EP2254068B1 (en) | 2009-05-18 | 2020-08-19 | Nobel Biocare Services AG | Method and system providing improved data matching for virtual planning |
| US8765031B2 (en) | 2009-08-13 | 2014-07-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method of forming a dental appliance |
| EP2722818B1 (en) | 2009-09-04 | 2019-11-06 | Medicim NV | Method for digitizing dento-maxillofacial objects |
| WO2011034780A1 (en) * | 2009-09-15 | 2011-03-24 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dental implant abutments and methods of use |
| US8348669B1 (en) | 2009-11-04 | 2013-01-08 | Bankruptcy Estate Of Voxelogix Corporation | Surgical template and method for positioning dental casts and dental implants |
| EP2322115B1 (en) | 2009-11-16 | 2017-02-15 | Nobel Biocare Services AG | Method for planning and producing a dental prosthesis |
| EP2322114A1 (en) | 2009-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | Nobel Biocare Services AG | System and method for planning a first and a second dental restoration |
| US8708697B2 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2014-04-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tactile objects for orthodontics, systems and methods |
| US9211166B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2015-12-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Individualized orthodontic treatment index |
| US20110269092A1 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2011-11-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Reinforced aligner hooks |
| US9241774B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2016-01-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Patterned dental positioning appliance |
| ES2848157T3 (en) | 2010-07-19 | 2021-08-05 | Align Technology Inc | Procedures and systems for creating and interacting with three-dimensional virtual models |
| DE102010062105A1 (en) * | 2010-11-29 | 2012-05-31 | Nt-Trading Gmbh & Co. Kg | Scanbody for determining a positioning and orientation of a dental implant |
| DK2462893T3 (en) | 2010-12-07 | 2014-06-30 | Biomet 3I Llc | Universal scanning part for use on dental implant and dental implant analogs |
| DK2663254T3 (en) | 2011-01-13 | 2020-08-31 | Align Technology Inc | Methods, systems and accessories that can be used for dental implant procedures |
| ES2364393B1 (en) * | 2011-02-21 | 2012-08-03 | Josep Soler Cegarra | METHOD FOR THE DESIGN OF DENTAL PROSTHETIC STRUCTURES ON IMPLANTS. |
| US9108338B2 (en) | 2011-04-13 | 2015-08-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for thermal forming an object |
| CA2833215C (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2018-02-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
| US10201405B2 (en) | 2011-06-28 | 2019-02-12 | Biomet 3I, Llc | System and method of dental implant and interface to abutment for restoration |
| US9125709B2 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2015-09-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for tracking teeth movement during orthodontic treatment |
| DE102011053336A1 (en) * | 2011-09-07 | 2013-03-07 | Bredent Gmbh & Co. Kg | Arrangement and method for obtaining intraoral scan data and abutment therefor |
| US10363115B2 (en) | 2011-09-16 | 2019-07-30 | Ibur, Llc | Method of using an endentulous surgical guide |
| US9504533B2 (en) | 2011-09-16 | 2016-11-29 | Ibur, Llc | Edentulous surgical guide |
| US9403238B2 (en) | 2011-09-21 | 2016-08-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Laser cutting |
| US8641414B2 (en) | 2011-10-10 | 2014-02-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automatic placement of precision cuts |
| US9089382B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2015-07-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method and apparatus for recording spatial gingival soft tissue relationship to implant placement within alveolar bone for immediate-implant placement |
| US9452032B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2016-09-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft tissue preservation temporary (shell) immediate-implant abutment with biological active surface |
| US9375300B2 (en) | 2012-02-02 | 2016-06-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Identifying forces on a tooth |
| US9022781B2 (en) | 2012-02-15 | 2015-05-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances that accommodate incremental and continuous tooth movement, systems and methods |
| US9375298B2 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2016-06-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental models and related methods |
| US9220580B2 (en) | 2012-03-01 | 2015-12-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Determining a dental treatment difficulty |
| US9655691B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2017-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Multilayer dental appliances and related methods and systems |
| US9414897B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 | 2016-08-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Adjustment of tooth position in a virtual dental model |
| US20140067334A1 (en) | 2012-09-06 | 2014-03-06 | Align Technology Inc. | Method and a system usable in creating a subsequent dental appliance |
| GB201216214D0 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2012-10-24 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | A digital splint |
| GB201216230D0 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2012-10-24 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | An improved surgical template |
| GB201216224D0 (en) | 2012-09-12 | 2012-10-24 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | An improved virtual splint |
| US20140080092A1 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2014-03-20 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary dental prosthesis for use in developing final dental prosthesis |
| US8905757B2 (en) | 2012-12-03 | 2014-12-09 | E. Kats Enterprises Ltd. | Method and apparatus for measuring a location and orientation of a plurality of implants |
| US10617489B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2020-04-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Creating a digital dental model of a patient's teeth using interproximal information |
| US9668829B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2017-06-06 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for dental procedures |
| US8926328B2 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2015-01-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Jigs for placing dental implant analogs in models and methods of doing the same |
| US9839496B2 (en) | 2013-02-19 | 2017-12-12 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Patient-specific dental prosthesis and gingival contouring developed by predictive modeling |
| US9730777B2 (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2017-08-15 | James R. Glidewell Dental Ceramics, Inc. | Simplified protocol for fixed implant restorations using intra-oral scanning and dental CAD/CAM |
| US10076391B2 (en) * | 2013-03-11 | 2018-09-18 | Carestream Dental Technology Topco Limited | Method and system for bite registration |
| EP2981229B1 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2020-07-01 | Elos Medtech Pinol A/S | The combination of a physical model of a set of a patient's teeth and an elongated implant analog, and a method of making a physical model of a set of teeth |
| ES2910276T3 (en) | 2013-04-09 | 2022-05-12 | Biomet 3I Llc | Method of using scan data of a dental implant |
| US9393087B2 (en) | 2013-08-01 | 2016-07-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and systems for generating color images |
| EP2842493B1 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2016-04-06 | Zfx GmbH | Intraoral reference body |
| WO2015094699A1 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Dental system for developing custom prostheses through scanning of coded members |
| US10758323B2 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2020-09-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances with elastics |
| US10555792B2 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2020-02-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of orthodontic appliances with elastics |
| US11497586B2 (en) | 2014-03-21 | 2022-11-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Segmented orthodontic appliance with elastics |
| US9844424B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2017-12-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements |
| US10299894B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2019-05-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Treatment plan specific bite adjustment structures |
| US10537406B2 (en) | 2014-02-21 | 2020-01-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with repositioning jaw elements |
| US10426711B2 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2019-10-01 | Cagenix, Inc. | Dental implant framework |
| US11690700B2 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2023-07-04 | Cagenix, Inc. | Dental framework and prosthesis |
| US11173017B2 (en) * | 2014-05-08 | 2021-11-16 | Cagenix, Inc | Overdenture and dental implant framework |
| US10980618B2 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2021-04-20 | Cagenix, Inc. | Dental framework and prosthesis |
| EP3154470B1 (en) | 2014-06-13 | 2019-07-10 | VP Innovato Holdings Ltd | Molds for custom dental implant abutments and impression posts |
| US10016262B2 (en) | 2014-06-16 | 2018-07-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Unitary dental model |
| EP3875053A1 (en) | 2014-06-20 | 2021-09-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligners with elastic layer |
| CN106572894A (en) | 2014-06-20 | 2017-04-19 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Elastic-coated orthodontic appliance |
| US9261356B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-02-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Confocal surface topography measurement with fixed focal positions |
| US9439568B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-09-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Apparatus and method for measuring surface topography optically |
| US9261358B2 (en) | 2014-07-03 | 2016-02-16 | Align Technology, Inc. | Chromatic confocal system |
| US10772506B2 (en) | 2014-07-07 | 2020-09-15 | Align Technology, Inc. | Apparatus for dental confocal imaging |
| US9693839B2 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2017-07-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Probe head and apparatus for intraoral confocal imaging using polarization-retarding coatings |
| US9675430B2 (en) | 2014-08-15 | 2017-06-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Confocal imaging apparatus with curved focal surface |
| US9724177B2 (en) | 2014-08-19 | 2017-08-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Viewfinder with real-time tracking for intraoral scanning |
| US9700390B2 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2017-07-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft-tissue preservation arrangement and method |
| US9660418B2 (en) | 2014-08-27 | 2017-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | VCSEL based low coherence emitter for confocal 3D scanner |
| US10449016B2 (en) | 2014-09-19 | 2019-10-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Arch adjustment appliance |
| US9610141B2 (en) | 2014-09-19 | 2017-04-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Arch expanding appliance |
| US11147652B2 (en) | 2014-11-13 | 2021-10-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method for tracking, predicting, and proactively correcting malocclusion and related issues |
| US9744001B2 (en) | 2014-11-13 | 2017-08-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance with cavity for an unerupted or erupting tooth |
| US20160193014A1 (en) | 2015-01-05 | 2016-07-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method to modify aligner by modifying tooth position |
| US10537463B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2020-01-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status |
| US10517701B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2019-12-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Mandibular advancement and retraction via bone anchoring devices |
| US10588776B2 (en) | 2015-01-13 | 2020-03-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems, methods, and devices for applying distributed forces for mandibular advancement |
| US10504386B2 (en) | 2015-01-27 | 2019-12-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Training method and system for oral-cavity-imaging-and-modeling equipment |
| EP3261579B1 (en) | 2015-02-23 | 2023-06-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Primer aligner stages for lag issue resolution in low-stage clear aligner treatments |
| EP4241726A3 (en) | 2015-02-23 | 2023-12-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and method to manufacture aligner by modifying tooth position |
| WO2016144970A1 (en) | 2015-03-09 | 2016-09-15 | Chu Stephen J | Gingival ovate pontic and methods of using the same |
| US11850111B2 (en) | 2015-04-24 | 2023-12-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Comparative orthodontic treatment planning tool |
| US10363116B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2019-07-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of power arms |
| US10959810B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2021-03-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of aligners for palate expansion and other applications |
| US10743964B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2020-08-18 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dual aligner assembly |
| US11045282B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2021-06-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Direct fabrication of aligners with interproximal force coupling |
| US10492888B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2019-12-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental materials using thermoset polymers |
| US11642194B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2023-05-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Multi-material aligners |
| US10201409B2 (en) | 2015-07-07 | 2019-02-12 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance having ornamental design |
| US10248883B2 (en) | 2015-08-20 | 2019-04-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photograph-based assessment of dental treatments and procedures |
| US11931222B2 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2024-03-19 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment formation structures |
| US11554000B2 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2023-01-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment formation structure |
| CN108135676B (en) | 2015-11-20 | 2021-08-06 | 诺贝尔生物服务公司 | Healing cap with scannable features |
| US11596502B2 (en) | 2015-12-09 | 2023-03-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
| US11103330B2 (en) | 2015-12-09 | 2021-08-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
| US10045835B2 (en) | 2016-02-17 | 2018-08-14 | Align Technology, Inc. | Variable direction tooth attachments |
| WO2017218947A1 (en) | 2016-06-17 | 2017-12-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Intraoral appliances with sensing |
| US10383705B2 (en) | 2016-06-17 | 2019-08-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliance performance monitor |
| US10507087B2 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2019-12-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for forming a three-dimensional volumetric model of a subject's teeth |
| DK3578131T3 (en) | 2016-07-27 | 2020-12-21 | Align Technology Inc | Intraoral scanner with dental diagnostic features |
| WO2018039383A1 (en) | 2016-08-24 | 2018-03-01 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method to visualize and manufacture aligner by modifying tooth position |
| WO2018085718A2 (en) | 2016-11-04 | 2018-05-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for dental images |
| CN110035708B (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2021-11-05 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Palatal expander and method of expanding a palate |
| WO2018102702A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance features for speech enhancement |
| WO2018102770A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2018-06-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Force control, stop mechanism, regulating structure of removable arch adjustment appliance |
| AU2017366755B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2022-07-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for customizing rapid palatal expanders using digital models |
| US10548700B2 (en) | 2016-12-16 | 2020-02-04 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance etch template |
| US11166788B2 (en) | 2016-12-19 | 2021-11-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligners with enhanced gable bends |
| US11071608B2 (en) | 2016-12-20 | 2021-07-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Matching assets in 3D treatment plans |
| US10456043B2 (en) | 2017-01-12 | 2019-10-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Compact confocal dental scanning apparatus |
| US10779718B2 (en) | 2017-02-13 | 2020-09-22 | Align Technology, Inc. | Cheek retractor and mobile device holder |
| US10973611B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2021-04-13 | Align Technology, Inc. | Generating a virtual depiction of an orthodontic treatment of a patient |
| US10613515B2 (en) | 2017-03-31 | 2020-04-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic appliances including at least partially un-erupted teeth and method of forming them |
| US11045283B2 (en) | 2017-06-09 | 2021-06-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Palatal expander with skeletal anchorage devices |
| WO2019005808A1 (en) | 2017-06-26 | 2019-01-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Biosensor performance indicator for intraoral appliances |
| WO2019005056A1 (en) * | 2017-06-29 | 2019-01-03 | Carestream Dental Technology Topco Limited | Automatic intraoral 3d scanner using light sheet active triangulation |
| US11793606B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2023-10-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | Devices, systems, and methods for dental arch expansion |
| WO2019006416A1 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2019-01-03 | Align Technology, Inc. | Computer implemented method and system for designing and/or manufacturing orthodontic appliances for treating or preventing temporomandibular joint dysfunction |
| US10885521B2 (en) | 2017-07-17 | 2021-01-05 | Align Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatuses for interactive ordering of dental aligners |
| CN111107806B (en) | 2017-07-21 | 2022-04-19 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Jaw profile anchoring |
| EP4278957A3 (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2024-01-24 | Align Technology, Inc. | System and methods for processing an orthodontic aligner by means of an optical coherence tomography |
| WO2019023461A1 (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2019-01-31 | Align Technology, Inc. | Tooth shading, transparency and glazing |
| WO2019035979A1 (en) | 2017-08-15 | 2019-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Buccal corridor assessment and computation |
| WO2019036514A1 (en) | 2017-08-17 | 2019-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems, methods, and apparatus for correcting malocclusions of teeth |
| WO2019036677A1 (en) | 2017-08-17 | 2019-02-21 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental appliance compliance monitoring |
| GR20170100383A (en) | 2017-08-21 | 2019-04-22 | Vp Innovato Holdings Ltd | Dental abutment core and method for manufacturing a dental abutment |
| US10657726B1 (en) | 2017-10-02 | 2020-05-19 | International Osseointegration Ai Research And Training Center | Mixed reality system and method for determining spatial coordinates of dental instruments |
| US10813720B2 (en) | 2017-10-05 | 2020-10-27 | Align Technology, Inc. | Interproximal reduction templates |
| EP3700458B1 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-06-07 | Align Technology, Inc. | Alternative bite adjustment structures |
| CN111295153B (en) | 2017-10-31 | 2023-06-16 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Dental appliance with selective bite loading and controlled tip staggering |
| US11737857B2 (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2023-08-29 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for correcting malocclusions of teeth |
| EP3703607A2 (en) | 2017-11-01 | 2020-09-09 | Align Technology, Inc. | Automatic treatment planning |
| WO2019100022A1 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2019-05-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic retainers |
| DE102017221344A1 (en) * | 2017-11-28 | 2019-05-29 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Denture mold block and method for producing a dental prosthesis part from the denture mold block |
| EP3716885B1 (en) | 2017-11-30 | 2023-08-30 | Align Technology, Inc. | Orthodontic intraoral appliances comprising sensors |
| WO2019118876A1 (en) | 2017-12-15 | 2019-06-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Closed loop adaptive orthodontic treatment methods and apparatuses |
| US10980613B2 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-04-20 | Align Technology, Inc. | Augmented reality enhancements for dental practitioners |
| AU2019212649A1 (en) | 2018-01-26 | 2020-07-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Diagnostic intraoral scanning and tracking |
| US10952816B2 (en) | 2018-01-26 | 2021-03-23 | Align Technology, Inc. | Visual prosthetic and orthodontic treatment planning |
| US11937991B2 (en) | 2018-03-27 | 2024-03-26 | Align Technology, Inc. | Dental attachment placement structure |
| CN116211501A (en) | 2018-04-11 | 2023-06-06 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Palate expander, palate expander device and system, and method for forming palate expander |
| JP7437320B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2024-02-22 | アライン テクノロジー， インコーポレイテッド | Curable compositions and methods of producing crosslinked polymers therefrom for use in high temperature lithography-based photopolymerization processes |
| US11026766B2 (en) | 2018-05-21 | 2021-06-08 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photo realistic rendering of smile image after treatment |
| JP6507293B1 (en) * | 2018-06-22 | 2019-04-24 | 有限会社協和デンタル・ラボラトリー | Intraoral data acquisition system using dental scan attachment and intraoral data acquisition method using the same |
| US11553988B2 (en) | 2018-06-29 | 2023-01-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Photo of a patient with new simulated smile in an orthodontic treatment review software |
| WO2020005386A1 (en) | 2018-06-29 | 2020-01-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | Providing a simulated outcome of dental treatment on a patient |
| US10835349B2 (en) | 2018-07-20 | 2020-11-17 | Align Technology, Inc. | Parametric blurring of colors for teeth in generated images |
| GR1009730B (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2020-05-15 | Vp Innovato Holdings Ltd | Scan posts system and method |
| US11737858B2 (en) | 2018-11-14 | 2023-08-29 | Terry B. Philibin | Healing abutment system for configuring crown abutments at an implant site |
| US11364101B2 (en) | 2018-12-03 | 2022-06-21 | Cagenix, Inc. | Dental implant framework |
| US11478334B2 (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2022-10-25 | Align Technology, Inc. | Systems and methods for nonlinear tooth modeling |
| CN116650153A (en) | 2019-01-03 | 2023-08-29 | 阿莱恩技术有限公司 | Automatic appliance design using robust parameter optimization method |
| US11779243B2 (en) | 2019-01-07 | 2023-10-10 | Align Technology, Inc. | Customized aligner change indicator |
| EP4282377A3 (en) | 2019-05-14 | 2024-02-28 | Align Technology, Inc. | Visual presentation of gingival line generated based on 3d tooth model |
| US11622836B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2023-04-11 | Align Technology, Inc. | Aligner stage analysis to obtain mechanical interactions of aligners and teeth for treatment planning |
| JP7456311B2 (en) * | 2020-07-02 | 2024-03-27 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Intraoral measurement device |
Family Cites Families (29)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE282615C (en) * | 1914-02-25 | 1915-03-16 | Cb Cotrell & Sons Company | DEVICE FOR ALIGNMENT OF PRINT ARCHES WHILE SUPPLYING THEM TO THE PRINTING MACHINE USING CONVEYOR BELTS |
| US3861044A (en) * | 1972-05-04 | 1975-01-21 | Jr William E Swinson | Dental fitting process |
| DE2936847A1 (en) * | 1979-09-12 | 1981-03-19 | Paul Dr. 6054 Rodgau Heitlinger | METHOD FOR PRODUCING DENTAL SPARE AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD |
| FR2481923A1 (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1981-11-13 | Termoz Christian | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A PROSTHESIS |
| US4575805A (en) * | 1980-12-24 | 1986-03-11 | Moermann Werner H | Method and apparatus for the fabrication of custom-shaped implants |
| FR2525103B1 (en) * | 1982-04-14 | 1985-09-27 | Duret Francois | IMPRESSION TAKING DEVICE BY OPTICAL MEANS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE AUTOMATIC PRODUCTION OF PROSTHESES |
| US4663720A (en) | 1984-02-21 | 1987-05-05 | Francois Duret | Method of and apparatus for making a prosthesis, especially a dental prosthesis |
| DE3320395A1 (en) * | 1983-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | Alfred 8200 Rosenheim Aicher | Method of preparing a dental prosthesis |
| DE3541891A1 (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1987-06-04 | Kambiz Kachanian | Method for detecting, storing and reproducing geometrical data of objects, in particular of jaw models, and a device for carrying out the method |
| CH672722A5 (en) * | 1986-06-24 | 1989-12-29 | Marco Brandestini | |
| SE455156B (en) * | 1986-12-09 | 1988-06-27 | Andersson Knut Matts G | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A BRIDGE FOR ANCHORING ELEMENTS IN THE DENTAL |
| DE3723555C2 (en) * | 1987-07-16 | 1994-08-11 | Steinbichler Hans | Process for the production of dentures |
| DE3829925C2 (en) * | 1988-09-02 | 1994-03-03 | Kaltenbach & Voigt | Device for the optical measurement of teeth in the oral cavity |
| SE468462B (en) * | 1989-05-31 | 1993-01-25 | Berit Lindqvist | METHOD FOR Stereophotographical Documentation And Photogrammetric Saturation In Dentistry And Device FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METHOD |
| SE465498B (en) | 1989-08-17 | 1991-09-23 | Anders Sundh | METHOD FOR PREPARING RESTORATIONS, PROSTHESIS OR SIMILAR IN DENTAL AND HEALTH |
| DE3932151A1 (en) * | 1989-09-22 | 1991-04-04 | Peter Rohleder | DEVICE FOR SCANNING DETECTION OF AN INTERIOR |
| DE3933994A1 (en) * | 1989-10-11 | 1991-05-08 | Kaltenbach & Voigt | OPTICAL PROBE FOR ABSOLUTE 3-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT OF INDIVIDUAL TEETH AND GROUPS OF TEETH IN THE ORAL CAVE |
| SE468500B (en) * | 1990-01-18 | 1993-02-01 | Nobelpharma Ab | LEKHAETTA MAKES A DENTAL IMPLANT |
| US5224049A (en) * | 1990-04-10 | 1993-06-29 | Mushabac David R | Method, system and mold assembly for use in preparing a dental prosthesis |
| US5347454A (en) * | 1990-04-10 | 1994-09-13 | Mushabac David R | Method, system and mold assembly for use in preparing a dental restoration |
| DE4034007C2 (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 2001-05-10 | Sirona Dental Systems Gmbh | Method and device for the optical detection of surface structures on teeth |
| ATE122554T1 (en) * | 1991-02-14 | 1995-06-15 | Heraeus Kulzer Gmbh | DENTURE FIXED ON IMPLANTS. |
| DE4134117C2 (en) * | 1991-10-15 | 1996-02-01 | Kaltenbach & Voigt | Process for the optical measurement of objects |
| US5273429A (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1993-12-28 | Foster-Miller, Inc. | Method and apparatus for modeling a dental prosthesis |
| GB2267346A (en) * | 1992-05-06 | 1993-12-01 | Krieg Gunther | Determining the dimensions of an object |
| SE470346B (en) * | 1992-06-23 | 1994-01-31 | Sandvik Ab | Method for making ceramic artificial tooth restorations |
| FR2692773B3 (en) * | 1992-06-26 | 1994-08-26 | Diret Francois | Correlation device for three-dimensional seizures of human organs. |
| JPH0824685B2 (en) * | 1992-11-25 | 1996-03-13 | 株式会社江川 | Implant structure measuring method and measuring apparatus |
| NL9301308A (en) * | 1993-07-26 | 1995-02-16 | Willem Frederick Van Nifterick | Method of securing a dental prosthesis to implants in a patient's jawbone and using means thereof. |
-
1993
- 1993-07-26 NL NL9301308A patent/NL9301308A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1994
- 1994-07-25 US US08/583,005 patent/US5857853A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-07-25 AU AU75475/94A patent/AU7547594A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-07-25 DE DE69413852T patent/DE69413852T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-07-25 CA CA002168104A patent/CA2168104C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-07-25 EP EP94925642A patent/EP0776183B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-07-25 WO PCT/NL1994/000173 patent/WO1995003007A1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1998
- 1998-11-13 US US09/191,788 patent/US6287119B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0776183A1 (en) | 1997-06-04 |
| AU7547594A (en) | 1995-02-20 |
| EP0776183B1 (en) | 1998-10-07 |
| NL9301308A (en) | 1995-02-16 |
| CA2168104A1 (en) | 1995-02-02 |
| US5857853A (en) | 1999-01-12 |
| DE69413852T2 (en) | 1999-06-02 |
| WO1995003007A1 (en) | 1995-02-02 |
| DE69413852D1 (en) | 1998-11-12 |
| US6287119B1 (en) | 2001-09-11 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2168104C (en) | Method of manufacturing a prosthesis to be fixed to implants in the jawbone of a patient, and a system for manufacturing such prostheses | |
| US11779444B2 (en) | Methods and systems for dental procedures | |
| US7399181B2 (en) | Surface mapping and generating devices and methods for surface mapping and surface generation | |
| EP1229853B1 (en) | Healing components for use in taking impressions | |
| US6382975B1 (en) | Manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure | |
| US8043091B2 (en) | Computer machined dental tooth system and method | |
| US6402707B1 (en) | Method and system for real time intra-orally acquiring and registering three-dimensional measurements and images of intra-oral objects and features | |
| JP4552004B2 (en) | Occlusal confirmation device | |
| US8366442B2 (en) | Dental apparatus for radiographic and non-radiographic imaging | |
| US5725376A (en) | Methods for manufacturing a dental implant drill guide and a dental implant superstructure | |
| EP1364625B1 (en) | Manufacturing of a dental implant drill guide | |
| US20060019219A1 (en) | Method to determine position and orientation of the axis of a dental implant disposed directly in the mouth of the patient as well as a mounting piece | |
| Mutwalli et al. | Trueness and precision of three-dimensional digitizing intraoral devices | |
| US20060072810A1 (en) | Registration of 3-D imaging of 3-D objects | |
| JPH0252964B2 (en) | ||
| JPH0824685B2 (en) | Implant structure measuring method and measuring apparatus | |
| KR20140113971A (en) | Virtually designing a customized healing abutment | |
| CA3086482A1 (en) | Gauge for verification of 3-d images | |
| KR102434216B1 (en) | Scanmarker for physical articulator in use of facebow transfer to virtual articulator | |
| Rosmaninho et al. | Using an additively manufactured natural head position reference device to transfer the horizon orientation plane and integrate it with a 3-dimensional virtual patient: A dental technique | |
| Rekow et al. | A Review of Developments in Computer-Based Systems to Image Teeth and Produce Dental Restorations | |
| Pooja Kakade et al. | EVOLUTION OF INTRAORAL SCANNERS IN DENTISTRY: AN OVERVIEW |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |