Image-based orthodontic treatment viewing system

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for visualizing changes in a three dimensional (3D) model by receiving an initial 3D model for the patient; determining a target 3D model; and generating one or more intermediate 3D models by morphing one or more of the 3D models.

1 . A method for visualizing changes in a three dimensional (3D) model, comprising: 
 a. receiving an initial 3D model for the patient;    b. determining a target 3D model; and    c. generating one or more intermediate 3D models by morphing one or more of the 3D models.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising extracting environment information from the model.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising rendering one or more images of the model.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the model is represented using one of: polyhedrons and voxels.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the model is a patient model  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising generating a virtual treatment for the patient.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising generating a post-treatment 3D model.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising rendering an image of the model.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising geometry subdividing and tessellating the model.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising generating an inside model of the 3D model.  
   
   
       11 . A visualization system, comprising: 
 a. means for receiving an initial three dimensional (3D) model for the patient;    b. means for determining a target 3D model; and    c. means for generating one or more intermediate 3D models by morphing one or more of the 3D models.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising means for extracting environment information from the model.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising means for rendering one or more images of the model.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the model is represented using one of: polyhedrons and voxels.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the model is a patient model  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising means for generating a virtual treatment for the patient.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising means for generating a post-treatment 3D model.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , comprising means for rendering an image of the model.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising means for geometry subdividing and tessellating the model.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising means for generating an inside model of the 3D model.