Patent ID: 7862336

Claim:
A computer implemented method for providing feedback data useful in at least one prosthodontic procedure associated with an intra-oral cavity, comprising: (a) providing to a computer device at least one numerical entity representing three-dimensional surface geometry of at least a part of the intra-oral cavity including at least one preparation, storing said at least one numerical entity in a computer readable medium and providing said at least one numerical entity to a processor; (b) using said processor to manipulate said at least one numerical entity to provide data related to each said at least one preparation, said data being of a type useful in at least a first prosthodontic procedure of said at least one prosthodontic procedure; (c) using said processor to determine at least one relationship between said data and said first prosthodontic procedure, including testing an adequacy of said data for performing said first prosthodontic procedure according to at least one predetermined parameter; and (d) further using said processor to generate feedback data representing said at least one relationship including feedback data representing said adequacy, wherein said data relates to a geometry of a finish line of said at least one preparation, wherein, in step (c), said adequacy of said data for performing said first prosthodontic procedure comprises determining whether said finish line data is sufficiently defined for enabling said first prosthodontic procedure to be carried out, including: (i) determining whether said data indicates that said finish line is defined continuously about a full periphery of the preparation, and if said finish line is not defined continuously, updating said at least one numerical entity in step (a) to ensure that said at least one numerical entity includes said data relating to said full periphery of the preparation and repeating steps (a) to (d); and (ii) determining from said data whether a geometry of the finish line is adequate to enable a prosthesis to be properly mounted to the at least one preparation, and if said geometry is not adequate, modifying the at least one preparation to obtain a modified finish line, and repeating steps (a) to (d).