Systems and methods for determining an updated target orthodontic force

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining an updated target orthodontic force are provided. A method includes receiving feedback data obtained during use of an orthodontic appliance configured to apply a target orthodontic force to a tooth of a patient. The feedback data includes one or both of patient feedback data points and treatment feedback data points. A value of the target orthodontic force having been determined by inputting periodontal ligament (PDL) behavior data into an algorithm. The method includes updating the algorithm using the feedback data and using the updated algorithm to determine an updated value corresponding to an updated target orthodontic force for use in reconfiguring or replacing the orthodontic appliance so as to apply the updated target orthodontic force.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising, when executed by a processor:
 receiving feedback data obtained during use of an orthodontic appliance configured to apply a target orthodontic force to a tooth of a patient, the feedback data including one or both of patient feedback data points and treatment feedback data points, a value of the target orthodontic force having been determined by inputting periodontal ligament (PDL) behavior data into an algorithm;   updating the algorithm using the feedback data; and,   using the updated algorithm to determine an updated value corresponding to an updated target orthodontic force for use in reconfiguring or replacing the orthodontic appliance so as to apply the updated target orthodontic force.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm determines the value of the target orthodontic force based on the PDL behavior data. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , including determining whether the feedback data is optimized, and wherein updating the algorithm is in response to determining that the feedback data is not optimized. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , including, in response to determining that the feedback data is optimized, storing the algorithm as an optimal algorithm. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the feedback data is based on or includes rate of change data points measured while using the orthodontic appliance. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein updating the algorithm iteratively updates the algorithm to optimize the feedback data. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm includes one or more of time, magnitude, patient characteristic and patient treatment components. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the patient treatment component includes one or more variables for values representing one or both of desired patient treatment outcome and patient treatment objective. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein updating the algorithm includes adjusting weights of one or more components or variables of the algorithm. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein updating the algorithm includes updating the algorithm so that the value of the target orthodontic force is lower during a certain time during treatment and is higher at another time during treatment. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , including iteratively updating the algorithm to maximize feedback metrics for one or more of improved comfort, rate of treatment and treatment outcome. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the PDL behavior data is associated patient data, wherein the patient data includes patient characteristic data and patient treatment data. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the patient characteristic data includes data points relating to one or more of physiological, biological and genetic characteristics of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the patient treatment data includes data points relating to patient condition and treatment requirements. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the patient treatment data includes one or both of a tooth type indicator and a tooth position indicator associated with the tooth of the patient to be corrected. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the PDL behavior data includes or is based on force measurement data points and corresponding displacement measurement data points having been measured in-vivo while applying a force to a tooth of a human or animal subject. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the PDL behavior data includes one or more determinate points obtained from a PDL curve associated with the patient data or a subset thereof, wherein the one or more determinate points include a critical force value, and wherein each of the one or more determinate points includes a component for each of six degrees of freedom of movement. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the value of the updated target orthodontic force is output for retrieval by one or more of: a point of care system; a treatment plan engine; and, an appliance configuration engine for use in effecting correction of the tooth of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 a processor and a memory configured to provide computer program instructions to the processor to execute functions of modules;   a feedback receiving module for receiving feedback data obtained during use of an orthodontic appliance configured to apply a target orthodontic force to a tooth of a patient, the feedback data including one or both of patient feedback data points and treatment feedback data points, a value of the target orthodontic force having been determined by inputting periodontal ligament (PDL) behavior data into an algorithm;   an algorithm updating module for updating the algorithm using the feedback data; and,   a target orthodontic force determining module for using the updated algorithm to determine an updated value corresponding to an updated target orthodontic force for use in reconfiguring or replacing the orthodontic appliance so as to apply the updated target orthodontic force.   
     
     
         20 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored computer-readable program code for performing the steps of:
 receiving feedback data obtained during use of an orthodontic appliance configured to apply a target orthodontic force to a tooth of a patient, the feedback data including one or both of patient feedback data points and treatment feedback data points, a value of the target orthodontic force having been determined by inputting periodontal ligament (PDL) behavior data into an algorithm;   updating the algorithm using the feedback data; and,   using the updated algorithm to determine an updated value corresponding to an updated target orthodontic force for use in reconfiguring or replacing the orthodontic appliance so as to apply the updated target orthodontic force.