System and method for improved intra-oral scanning protocol and calibration
Inventors
Suttin, Zachary B. • Cruz, Joell
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11607295-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of providing an accurate three-dimensional scan of a dental arch area is disclosed. The arch area has two segments and a connecting area between the two segments. The connecting area has homogeneous features. A connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature is affixed to the arch area. The definable feature overlays at least part of the connecting area. The arch area is scanned to produce a scanned dataset of the arch area. The definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool on the connection area is determined based on the scanned dataset. The dimensions of the arch area are determined based on the data relating to the definable features from the scanned dataset.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method and associated system for determining dimensions of a soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area extending between a dental arch area, where the dental arch area includes two segments separated by the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area. The approach displays, at a computing device, a portion of a patient’s mouth including the two segments, the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area, and a connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature relative to the dental arch area, the at least one definable feature overlaying at least part of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area.
Data relating to the at least one definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool overlaying the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area is determined. The dimensions of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area are then determined based on the data relating to the at least one definable feature.
In the described refinements, the connecting-geometry tool is implemented with definable geometry such as a homogeneous or heterogeneous mesh grid, including known-dimension shapes, and the method includes determining an error assessment to quantify a skew between a known dimension and a corresponding dimension determined from data. The invention further supports real-time error correction by using the error assessment to correct an intra-oral dataset, including optional correction based on CT-derived landmark objects with virtual realignment, and implementation via attachment to healing abutments and/or implants.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed claim set contains three independent claims covering a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on displaying a mouth portion with a connecting-geometry tool overlaid on a soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area, determining data for at least one definable feature, and determining dimensions from that data, with refinements for tool geometry and error assessment.
Displaying a mouth portion with an overlaying connecting-geometry tool
Displaying, at a computing device, a portion of a patient's mouth including the two segments, the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area, and a connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature relative to the dental arch area, the at least one definable feature overlaying at least part of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area.
Determining data relating to a definable feature of the overlaying tool
Determining data relating to the at least one definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool overlaying the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area.
Determining dimensions of the soft tissue connecting area from the definable feature data
Determining the dimensions of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area based on the data relating to the at least one definable feature.
Using a processor executing stored instructions to perform the overlay display and dimension determination
Configuring the at least one processor to perform operations comprising displaying at a computing device a portion of a patient's mouth including the two segments, the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area, and a connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature overlaying at least part of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area; determining data relating to the at least one definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool overlaying the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area; and determining the dimensions of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area based on the data relating to the at least one definable feature.
Providing non-transitory instructions to determine connecting-area dimensions from overlay tool feature data
Including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations of displaying, at a computing device, a portion of a patient's mouth including two segments, soft tissue, a homogeneous, cross-arch area, and a connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature relative to a dental arch area, the at least one definable feature overlaying at least part of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area; determining data relating to the at least one definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool overlaying the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area; and determining dimensions of the soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area based on the data relating to the at least one definable feature.
Overall, the independent claims cover deriving dimensions of a soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area by overlaying a connecting-geometry tool having at least one definable feature on the connecting area, determining feature-related data, and determining the connecting-area dimensions from that data. Dependent refinements further narrow the tool geometry and add error assessment and correction based on skew between known and determined feature dimensions.
Stated Advantages
Improved dimensional accuracy for intra-oral scanning versus conventional IOS where homogeneous tissue surfaces cause “digital dead space” and cumulative distortion.
Documented Applications
Calibration and error correction for intra-oral scanning of dental arches with two segments separated by a soft tissue, homogeneous, cross-arch connecting area, including determining dimensions of the connecting area and deriving error assessment information for skew and corrected intra-oral dataset.
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