Method and apparatus for simulating tooth movement for an orthodontic patient
US6250918A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C7/002
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for simulating tooth movement for an orthodontic patient include processing that begins by determining, on a tooth by tooth basis, a three-dimensional direct path of movement from a three-dimensional digital model of an actual orthodontic structure and a three-dimensional digital model of a desired orthodontic structure. The processing continues by simulating tooth movement for a plurality of teeth based on each tooth's corresponding three-dimensional direct path. The process then determines whether a conflict arises between at least two teeth of the plurality of teeth, or for a single tooth, during the simulating. If a conflict arose between at least two teeth, the conflict is resolved with respect to a priority tooth of the teeth in conflict.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.