System and methods for tooth movement as a flock

Abstract

A system includes a plurality of tooth models each including computer code controlling its movement. The system also includes a tooth movement control system (TMCS) with a processor executing a dental manager module and with memory scoring a different tooth movement plan for each of the tooth models. In practice, the tooth movement plans are stored in the memory of each of the tooth models (e.g., a different tooth movement plan for each tooth model). Then, during tooth movement operation, each of the local control modules independently controls the tooth model to execute the tooth movement plan stored in the memory of the tooth model.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-assisted method of controlling tooth movements for correcting malocclusions, comprising:
 receiving a plurality of digital tooth models of a subject having one or more malocclusions;   determining a movement for each of the digital tooth models for correcting the malocclusions;   defining a safety envelope around each digital tooth model to set a proximity distance between each tooth model;   monitoring an actual state of each tooth of the subject;   comparing the actual state of each tooth against an expected state of each tooth model; and   prohibiting two or more tooth models from having their respective safety envelope intersect or overlap as the tooth models move along each respective movement by adjusting the movements, where each of the one or more tooth models is not tied to a specified movement within a predetermined number of stages over a specified period of time, and wherein the movement is based on a comparison of the actual state and the expected state showing the movement as trending off course.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving a plurality of digital tooth models comprises scanning a dentition of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining a movement comprises independently executing a tooth movement plan for each of the digital tooth models. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein independently executing comprises concurrently triggering initiation of the treatment plans by the multiple tooth models. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining a movement comprises assigning one or more way points between an initial way point to a target way point. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein comparing the actual state comprises periodically comparing the actual state against the expected state at each of the one or more way points. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein adjusting the movement comprises assigning a new way point to one or more of the digital tooth models. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein adjusting the movement comprises adjusting a speed or course of the movement of the one or more digital tooth models. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein adjusting the movement comprises adjusting based on interrelationships of skeletal and soft tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein defining a safety envelope comprises assigning a space of 1 to 3 mm around each of the digital tooth models. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein defining a safety envelope further comprises monitoring for a collision between each of the digital tooth models. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising communicating a collision warning to an adjacent tooth model such that one or more of the digital tooth models alter their movement to avoid the collision. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining if the one or more digital tooth models require a restart. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising fabricating a plurality of dental appliances where each of the dental appliances is based on the movement of the one or more teeth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein fabricating comprises fabricating the plurality of dental appliances comprises fabricating via three-dimensional printing.