Automated treatment staging for teeth
US8038444B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61C7/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus, system, and methods for utilizing one or more computing devices to stage the movement of teeth during an alignment treatment are disclosed. The computing device receives an electronic representation of the patient's teeth in their initial position and an electronic representation of the teeth a final position for each tooth. A route each tooth will travel to reach its final position is determined, and the teeth are scheduled to move according to a movement pattern. Moreover, the schedule of movement takes into account a maximum rate of tooth movement for each tooth, the path of movement for each tooth, the distance each tooth needs to move, any needed tooth staggering, any needed round-tripping or tooth movement slowing. The invention also includes techniques for determining an optimum number of stages for the treatment based on the schedule of movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.