Virtual orthodontic treatment

Abstract

A method for virtual orthodontic treatment is provided in which a virtual set of orthodontic components is associated, in a virtual space, with a first virtual three-dimensional image of teeth, and then by a set of rules which define the effect of the set of components' teeth, the effect of the virtual treatment can be computed. This virtual treatment can be used to predict the results of a real-life orthodontic treatment as to design such a treatment.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A method for virtual orthodontic treatment, comprising: 
 (a) providing a first virtual three-dimensional (3D) image indicative of 3D model of all teeth of at least one jaw, the model being manipulable so as to allow its viewing from a desired direction;    (b) selecting a virtual set of orthodontic components, comprising (i) brackets, one for each tooth in said first image, for attachment to teeth of said image, each of said brackets having a slot for engaging a wire, and (ii) one or two archwires, one for each jaw of said first image;    (c) associating the brackets with the teeth of said first image so to obtain a second image of said virtual 3D model with the brackets associated with the teeth of the model, one bracket on each tooth in said model;    (d) using a set of rules, including a rule that requires each slot to engage the wire, computing the manner of movement of each tooth with the bracket associated therewith, so as to obtain a third image comprising the teeth model following the virtual treatment;    (e) changing at least one bracket or the manner of associating a bracket with a tooth and repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times until the teeth model of said third image represents a desired outcome of the orthodontic treatment.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , comprising providing a user interface and wherein said selecting comprises using the user interface for selecting the virtual set of orthodontic components.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said associating comprises manually associating the selected brackets with the teeth of said first image.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said associating comprises automatically associating the selected brackets with the teeth of said first image.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said first image is a virtual representation of a three-dimensional (3D) model of the individual's teeth at interim treatment stage and said third image is a virtual representation of an interim or a final treatment stage.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the virtual orthodontic components are represented by an image which is similar to the image of a real life component.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the virtual orthodontic components are represented graphically in a manner not resembling the image of a real life component.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein said set of rules is extracted from a dynamic learning database holding an adjustable rule base.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the adjustment of the database is based on characteristics of the individual undergoing the orthodontic treatment.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 9 , comprising virtually extracting one or more teeth from the teeth model of said first image.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said set of rules includes a rule that defines movement of teeth to occupy space previously occupied by an extracted tooth.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the virtually extracting is performed manually by a user.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the virtually extracting is performed automatically in case of teeth crowdness.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 9 , comprising virtually adding a tooth to the model of said first image.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the added tooth represents one that has not yet grown.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the added tooth represents a crown that may be added or implanted in a real-life treatment.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein in at least one of said repetitions of steps (c) and (d), a position and/or orientation of at least one said orthodontic components with respect to the tooth it is associated with is changed with respect to a position and/or orientation, respectively, previously held.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein in at least one of said repetitions of steps (c) and (d), the type of orthodontic component associated with at least one tooth is changed with respect to the orthodontic component previously associated with said tooth.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein in at least one of said repetitions of steps (c) and (d), a position and/or orientation of at least one said orthodontic components with respect to the tooth it is associated with is changed with respect to a position and/or orientation, respectively, previously held.