Patent ID: 7245753
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: A61C,G16H

Abstract:
1. A method for determining dental alignment of a 3-dimensional model of one or more teeth of a patient for purpose of fitting a prosthesis, said method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a radiograph of the teeth of the patient; (b) obtaining a digital image from the radiograph indicative of the vertical alignment of the teeth relative to a gum line of the patient, wherein the alignment pertains to the relative vertical position of one or more of the patient's teeth as compared to adjacent teeth; (c) overlaying the 3-dimensional model of the teeth with the digital image obtained from the radiograph; (d) determining vertical and horizontal mis-alignment of at least three teeth in the 3-dimensional model relative to the digital image obtained from the radiograph; and (e) adjusting the 3-dimensional model to correct for nonlinear shape and mis-alignment, thereby producing an adjusted 3-dimensional model of the prosthesis that is corrected for the vertical and horizontal alignment of the teeth adjacent to the prosthesis and providing precisely fitted curvature data of the teeth as part of a dental arch.