Systems and methods for 3D previewing

1 . A method to preview a three dimensional (3D) digital model of an object, comprising:

placing a 3D scanner probe near the object to be digitally modeled;

scanning a portion of the object to generate a digital 3D model of the portion of the object; and

displaying a live 3D preview of the digital 3D model, wherein the live 3D preview provides feedback on the probe's position and orientation relative to the object.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the live 3D preview is displayed in near real-time.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the live 3D preview is used to reposition the 3D scanner probe to determine a position that provides a digital 3D model of a desired portion of the object.

4 . The method of claim 1 , comprising capturing a high quality digital 3D model of a desired portion of the object after displaying the live 3D preview.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the object is scanned at a reduced resolution.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the 3D scanner probe sweeps a sheet of light across one or more surfaces of the object.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the object comprises one or more teeth.

8 . The method of claim 7 , comprising positioning of the 3D scanner probe to align with a dentition along a scan trajectory.

9 . The method of claim 7 , comprising providing a preview scan mode where the 3D scanner probe sweeps a sheet of light back and forth along one or more portions of a full scan path and displaying the live 3D preview of the scanned surface.

10 . The method of claim 7 , comprising adjusting the probe position and orientation until a dentition of interest is displayed in the live 3D preview.

11 . A method to preview a digital three dimensional (3D) model of one or more teeth, comprising:

placing a 3D scanner probe in a patient's mouth;

scanning a dental structure to generate a digital 3D model of the scanned dental structure in the patient's mouth; and

displaying a live 3D preview of the digital 3D model of the scanned dental structure.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the 3D scanner probe sweeps a sheet of light across one or more surfaces of teeth.

13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising positioning the 3D scanner probe to align the probe with the patient's dentition along a scan trajectory.

14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising providing a preview scan mode for a dental professional where the scanner probe rapidly scans back and forth along one or more portions of a full scan path and displaying the live 3D preview of the digital 3D model near real-time.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the live 3D preview display of the digital 3D model provides feedback on a position and orientation of the 3D scanner probe.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the live 3D preview of the digital 3D model is used to adjust the 3D scanner probe until a dentition of interest is shown in the live 3D preview display.

17 . The method of claim 11 , comprising exiting a preview scan mode and taking a digital impression of the teeth.

18 . A method for positioning an intra oral 3D scanner within the intra oral cavity of a patient, said method comprising:

a) preparing the patient's dentition for an optical scan;

b) utilizing a structured light scanner that moves a structured light projector and imaging optics along a defined trajectory spanning one or more teeth in the patient's jaw; and

c) moving the structured light projector and the imaging optics back and forth along the defined trajectory providing a continuously updated live 3D preview of a digital 3D model of the scanned dentition.

19 . The method of claim 18 , comprising using a foot pedal to control the intra oral 3D scanner.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the foot pedal is used to control the display of the live 3D preview.