Method and apparatus for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus

US6554613B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Ora Metrix, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Rohit Sachdeva · Plano, US
• Rudger Rubbert · Berlin, DE
• Thomas Weise · Berlin, DE
• Friedrich Riemeirer · Berlin, DE
• Michael G. Placke · McKinney, US
• Mathew Johnson · Dallas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B33Y80/00
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating a orthodontic template that assists in the placement of an orthodontic apparatus includes processing that begins by obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient. The processing continues by obtaining a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus. The processing then continues by obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure. The processing then continues by retrieving a digital image of a tooth mounting apparatus (e.g., a bracket, a band, a headgear tube, etc.) of the selected apparatus for a given tooth. The processing then continues by generating a orthodontic template for holding a physical embodiment of the tooth mounting apparatus based on the digital image of the tooth mounting apparatus, the digital model of the placement, and at least a portion of the digital model of the orthodontic structure.