Virtual orthodontic treatment
View Patent ↗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. A method for predicting effect of a set of orthodontic components on teeth of an individual, the method being carried out in a computer comprising:
(a) providing a first virtual three-dimensional (3D) image of a 3D model of the individual's teeth comprising 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;
(c) associating the virtual set of components with the teeth in the virtual image in a manner resembling that in which such components are associated with teeth in an orthodontic treatment, to obtain a second image of the 3D model with the components associated therewith; and
(d) using a set of rules defining a manner of movement of the teeth of the individual, including at least one rule that defines the effect of the set of components on the teeth, computing the manner of movement of the teeth as a result of the effect, so as to obtain a third image comprising the teeth model following the virtual treatment, and further comprising:
(e) virtually adding a tooth to the model of said first image.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the added tooth represents one that has not yet grown.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the added tooth represents a crown that may be added or implanted in a real-life treatment.