Patent ID: 8206154
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: G16H

Abstract:
1. A method for describing a status of an individual's teeth over time, the method comprising: receiving, by a computer system configured to calculate a caries score and a prosthetic score based on at least a stored look-up table, a classification of the teeth in an individual's dentition indicative of a status of each individual tooth; determining, by the computer system configured to calculate the caries score and the prosthetic score, based on the classifications based on the status of each individual tooth, a number of teeth in the individual's dentition having caries or a defective restoration; receiving, by the computer system configured to calculate the caries score and the prosthetic score, a classification of missing teeth in the individual's dentition based on a method of prosthetic tooth replacement, the classifications providing information for determining a number of teeth that have been replaced and are removable and a number of teeth that have been replaced and are not removable; calculating, by the computer system configured to calculate the caries score and the prosthetic score, based on at least a number of teeth that are optimal for the individual, a number of teeth in the individual's dentition that are visible, a number of teeth with restoration, and the number of teeth having caries or a defective restoration, the caries score associated with the extent of teeth in the individual's dentition affected by decay; and calculating, by the computer system configured to calculate the caries score and the prosthetic score, based on at least the number of teeth that are optimal for the individual, the number of teeth in the individual's dentition that are visible, the number of teeth that have been replaced mad are removable and the number of teeth that have been replaced and are not removable, the prosthetic score associated with the status of the individual's dentition related to prosthetic tooth replacement, the prosthetic score being different than the caries score; wherein the caries score and the prosthetic score each increase with increased need for treatment and decrease with effective treatment.