Hard tissue surface geometry determination

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring a surface geometry of hard tissue covered by a layer of soft tissue, including a plurality of elements each having a tip adapted to penetrate said soft tissue and not substantially penetrate said hard tissue; a frame supporting movement of said elements, each along a path, such that a plurality of said tips, when positioned along the paths, define a surface; and at least one position sensor which generates a signal indicative of a tip position of at least one of said elements.

1 .- 77 . (canceled)  
   
   
       78 . A dental surgical stent, comprising: 
 (a) an active stent portion adapted to fit over a portion of a jaw bone; and    (b) at least one visual indicator showing an activation state of said stent.    
   
   
       79 . A dental surgical stent, comprising: 
 (a) a surgical stent portion adapted for mounting on a jaw; and    (b) a drill guide including at least one encoder which generates a signal indicative of at least one of a position and orientation of the drill guide.    
   
   
       80 . A stent according to  claim 79 , wherein said surgical stent is machined for a particular jaw.  
   
   
       81 . A stent according to  claim 79 , wherein said surgical stent comprises at least one mounting point for said drill guide.  
   
   
       82 . A stent according to  claim 81 , wherein said at least one mounting point is adapted for selective attachment and removal of said guide.  
   
   
       83 . A stent according to  claim 79 , wherein said at least one encoder comprises at least three encoders.  
   
   
       84 . A stent according to  claim 78 , wherein said active stent portion comprises at least one bone detection sensor.  
   
   
       85 . A stent according to  claim 84 , wherein said sensor is an invasive senor.  
   
   
       86 . A stent according to  claim 85 , wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of pins adapted to be advanced towards the bone.  
   
   
       87 . A stent according to  claim 78 , wherein said active stent portion comprises at least one drill guide.  
   
   
       88 . A stent according to  claim 78 , wherein said active stent portion comprises at least one data transmitter.  
   
   
       89 . A method of bone mapping comprising: 
 (a) first contact mapping a jaw bone at a first tooth location at a first time, to provide a first map;    (b) second mapping said jaw bone to provide a second, different, map; and    (c) making a dental diagnosis responsive to a difference between said maps.    
   
   
       90 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein said second mapping comprises contact mapping.  
   
   
       91 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein contact mapping comprises contacting said bone with at least one mechanical probe.  
   
   
       92 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein contact mapping comprises contacting said bone with at least two mechanical probes simultaneously.  
   
   
       93 . A method according to  claim 91 , wherein said contacting is through a gum of said bone.  
   
   
       94 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein said contact mapping comprises both two sides and a top of said bone.  
   
   
       95 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein said first and second contact mapping comprises contact mapping of a same location at different times.  
   
   
       96 . A method according to  claim 95 , wherein said diagnosis comprises assessing a receding of said bone.  
   
   
       97 . A method according to  claim 95 , wherein said diagnosis comprises assessing an effect of treatment of said bone to build up said bone.  
   
   
       98 . A method according to  claim 95 , wherein said diagnosis comprises assessing the progress of a periodontal disease.  
   
   
       99 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein said first and second contact mapping comprises contact mapping of different locations on said bone.  
   
   
       100 . A method according to  claim 99 , wherein said diagnosis comprises screening for an implantation location.  
   
   
       101 . A method according to  claim 89 , wherein said second mapping is non-contact mapping of said bone.  
   
   
       102 . A method according to  claim 90 , wherein said first contact mapping is conducted using a mapping-only instrument not including a drill guide.  
   
   
       103 . A method according to  claim 90 , comprising marking said first location or a reference thereto.