Patent ID: 6682346
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A61C,B33Y

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for segmenting an orthodontic treatment path into clinically appropriate substeps for repositioning the teeth of a patient, comprising:scanning a patient's teeth or a physical model thereof; providing a digital model of the shape and material of each of a sequence of appliances to be applied to the teeth; providing a digital model of the teeth and related mouth tissue of the patient using data obtained by said scanning; computing the actual effect of the appliances on the teeth by performing finite element analysis on said models; evaluating the effect against clinical constraints; and generating a plurality of appliances having geometries selected to progressively reposition the teeth, wherein the appliances comprise polymeric shells having cavities and wherein the cavities of successive shells have different geometries shaped to receive and resiliently reposition teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement.