VIDEO-ASSISTED MARGIN MARKING FOR DENTAL MODELS

• Main Authors: NAZZAL ROBERT N, PALEY ERIC B, TEKEIAN EDWARD K, KRIVESHKO ILYA A, ROHALY JANOS
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.11.2010
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL; PHYSICS

Tools are described for preparing digital dental models for use in dental restoration production processes, along with associated systems and methods. Dental modeling is improved by supplementing views of three-dimensional models with still images of the modeled subject matter. Video data acquired during a scan of the model provides a source of still images that can be displayed alongside a rendered three-dimensional model, and the two views (model and still image) may be synchronized to provide a common perspective of the model's subject matter. This approach provides useful visual information for disambiguating surface features of the model during processing steps such as marking a margin of a prepared tooth surface for a restoration. Interactive modeling tools may be similarly enhanced. For example, tools for margin marking may synchronize display of margin lines between the still image and the model so that a user can interact with either or both of the visual representations, with changes to a margin reflected in both displays.