초록 ▼

A dental and soft tissue scanning method and system is disclosed which uses fast laser line scanning techniques of negative image impressions, whereby an array of electronic data is generated. In operation the array of negative image scan data is generated by a scanner 60 and provided to a processor

A dental and soft tissue scanning method and system is disclosed which uses fast laser line scanning techniques of negative image impressions, whereby an array of electronic data is generated. In operation the array of negative image scan data is generated by a scanner 60 and provided to a processor 501. The negative image scan data may be saved in a memory device 504 as a permanent record of the baseline condition of the patient's teeth, or temporarily prior to one of several other options. The processor 501 may convert the data to a positive image for display on the video display unit 503 for teaching or educational purposes with the patient. Alternatively, the positive information data may be transmitted to a remote PC 505 for storage, study by a consulting dentist (or physician), or fabrication of a study cast by fabrication device 507. These and other options may be selected by the user of computer 500 via the input device 506. The programming operation of the processor 501 provides for scanning each of the upper and lower impressions and the bite registration impression. These scans provide the information necessary to create an electronic equivalent of a physical study cast.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of generating a set of electronic data from a dental impression or study cast, comprising the steps of:a) forming a dental impression of a patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissue from either the teeth and surrounding soft tissue or from a study cast;b) moun

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of generating a set of electronic data from a dental impression or study cast, comprising the steps of:a) forming a dental impression of a patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissue from either the teeth and surrounding soft tissue or from a study cast;b) mounting the dental impression in a fixture;c) scanning the impression with a laser line scanner device along three axes, wherein a set of electronic data is developed which corresponds to the impression or study cast.