Patent ID: 7695281

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for designing a dental replacement from at least one bridge pontic model, comprising the steps of: a) receiving first three-dimensional image data from scanning the at least one bridge pontic model; b) receiving second three-dimensional image data from scanning at least a part of a dental situation of a patient, the scanned part of the dental situation of the patient including at least one missing tooth and at least one tooth adjacent to the missing tooth; c) receiving third three-dimensional image data defining the dental replacement, the dental replacement including at least one virtual pontic; d) calculating in a computer a virtual three-dimensional model using the first, second, and third three-dimensional image data wherein the first, second, and third three-dimensional image data is visually combined in a display such that the virtual three-dimensional model is a representation of the patient's dental situation with the bridge pontic model and the dental replacement shown in a location proximate to the patient's missing tooth; e) receiving modification data from a user with respect to the virtual three-dimensional model, wherein the modification data comprises at least instructions to scale the dental replacement in the x-, y-, or z-directions, with reference to the pontic model and virtually remove or add material to the dental replacement; and, f) modifying the virtual three-dimensional model based on the modification data.