Patent ID: 7296996
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: A61C,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of facilitating placement of virtual appliances at desired positions on virtual teeth of an orthodontic patient using a workstation having a processing unit, memory having a three-dimensional virtual model of teeth of the patient, and an user interface including a display and software executable by said processing unit, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying three-dimensional virtual teeth model of a patient in a user selected dentition state of a patient; (b) selecting a virtual appliance placement reference for placing virtual appliances on said virtual teeth; (c) placing and displaying a virtual appliance at said appliance placement reference on a plurality of said virtual teeth in said user selected dentition state; (d) evaluating said virtual appliance placement for each of said plurality of virtual teeth is in a desired position; (e) when one or more of said virtual appliances are not in said desired position, digitally simulating alternate placements for said virtual appliances and modifying said placement of said virtual appliances in order to achieve the desired placements; and (f) displaying said virtual teeth in said virtual model in the form of a virtual two-dimensional (2D) panorax model with axial inclination for each tooth, enabling said practitioner in modifying said placement of said virtual appliances, simulating its overall treatment effectiveness on said patient, and when a desired placement is achieved wrapping said virtual 2D panorax model in three-dimensional (3D) view.