Method and apparatus for digitally evaluating insertion quality of customized orthodontic arch wire

US7641473B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ora Metrix, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Peer Sporbert · Berlin, DE
• Dimitij Kouzian · Berlin, DE
• Hans Imgrund · Berlin, DE
• Stephan Maetzel · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 23, 2005
• Grant date: Jan 5, 2010
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C7/146
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for digitally checking the insertion quality of a target customized virtual arch wire designed during treatment planning prior to actually manufacturing the target arch wire. The method includes the steps of digitally simulating the insertion of the customized target virtual arch wire into the virtual brackets placed up on virtual teeth of a patient in an initial state of interest for checking if the arch wire could be inserted into the virtual brackets without conflicts or collisions. The initial state may be a malocclusion state or any intermediate treatment state of the patient. In the event the target virtual arch wire would cause conflicts, then the simulation optimizes the arch wire design in an attempt to eliminate the conflicts. In another aspect, a method is provided for selecting the recommended starting point for inserting the customized arch wire in the brackets placed on the dentition of the patient in the initial state.