System and method for scanning an intraoral cavity

1. A system for scanning an intraoral cavity for providing 3D data thereof, the system comprising:

an intraoral scanning device;

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to

identify target parts of the intraoral cavity separate from ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity;

generate a plurality of spatial relationships between the intraoral scanning device and the target parts and the ancillary parts, wherein the spatial relationships are determined for enabling 3D data of the target parts to be obtained by subsequently scanning the target parts and the ancillary parts by the intraoral scanning device; and

stitch the 3D data together to provide a composite 3D virtual model comprising 3D data configured for display on a display screen, wherein 3D scan data for the target parts are configured to be displayed at a first resolution and 3D scan data for the ancillary parts are configured to be displayed at a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution; and

the display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to receive and display the 3D virtual model.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the intraoral scanning device is configured to scan the target parts and the ancillary parts according to the generated plurality of spatial relationships.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein providing the composite 3D virtual model provides the composite 3D model of the target parts and the ancillary parts for use in a predetermined procedure.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the procedure is a prosthodontic procedure for a crown with respect to a preparation, the target parts comprising the preparation, and the ancillary parts comprising at least a portion of the teeth adjacent to the preparation and facing the preparation from the opposed jaw.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the procedure is a prosthodontic procedure for a bridge with respect to a plurality of preparations, the target parts comprising the preparations, and the ancillary parts comprising at least a portion of the teeth adjacent to a furthermost distal preparation and adjacent a furthermost mesial preparation, and at least a portion of the teeth facing the preparations from the opposed jaw.

6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the procedure is an orthodontic procedure, and the target parts comprise the full dentition of at least one jaw of the intraoral cavity.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein generating the plurality of spatial relationships comprises, for each target part and each ancillary part, determining for the scanning device a series of spatial parameters, each comprising a scanning station data sufficient for enabling the scanner to fully scan the corresponding target part or ancillary part.

8. A system for scanning an intraoral cavity for providing 3D data thereof, the system comprising:

an intraoral scanning device;

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to

identify target parts of the intraoral cavity separate from ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity;

generate a plurality of spatial relationships between the intraoral scanning device and the target parts and the ancillary parts, wherein the spatial relationships are determined for enabling 3D data of the target parts to be obtained by subsequently scanning the target parts and the ancillary parts by the intraoral scanning device; and

stitch the 3D data together to provide a composite 3D virtual model comprising 3D data configured for display on a display screen, wherein 3D scan data for the target parts are configured to be displayed at a first resolution and 3D scan data for the ancillary parts are configured to be displayed at a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution; and

the display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to receive and display the 3D virtual model;

wherein generating the plurality of spatial relationships comprises, for each target part and each ancillary part, determining for the scanning device a series of spatial parameters, each comprising a scanning station data sufficient for enabling the scanner to fully scan the corresponding target part or ancillary part; and

wherein the scanning station data of the series of spatial parameters includes a proximity and a relative orientation of the scanner with respect to the target part or ancillary part such as to enable the scanner to obtain 3D topographical data of an area of the target part or ancillary part.

9. A system for scanning an intraoral cavity for providing 3D data thereof, the system comprising:

an intraoral scanning device;

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to

identify target parts of the intraoral cavity separate from ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity;

generate a plurality of spatial relationships between the intraoral scanning device and the target parts and the ancillary parts, wherein the spatial relationships are determined for enabling 3D data of the target parts to be obtained by subsequently scanning the target parts and the ancillary parts by the intraoral scanning device; and

stitch the 3D data together to provide a composite 3D virtual model comprising 3D data configured for display on a display screen, wherein 3D scan data for the target parts are configured to be displayed at a first resolution and 3D scan data for the ancillary parts are configured to be displayed at a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution; and

the display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to receive and display the 3D virtual model;

wherein generating the plurality of spatial relationships comprises, for each target part and each ancillary part, determining for the scanning device a series of spatial parameters, each comprising a scanning station data sufficient for enabling the scanner to fully scan the corresponding target part or ancillary part; and

wherein the series of spatial parameters provide 3D topographical data for a corresponding plurality of the areas, wherein the spatial parameters of the series are determined such that at least some adjacent the areas overlap one another.

10. A system for scanning an intraoral cavity for providing 3D data thereof, the system comprising:

an intraoral scanning device;

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to

identify target parts of the intraoral cavity separate from ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity;

generate a plurality of spatial relationships between the intraoral scanning device and the target parts and the ancillary parts, wherein the spatial relationships are determined for enabling 3D data of the target parts to be obtained by subsequently scanning the target parts and the ancillary parts by the intraoral scanning device;

stitch the 3D data together to provide a composite 3D virtual model comprising 3D data configured for display on a display screen, wherein 3D scan data for the target parts are configured to be displayed at a first resolution and 3D scan data for the ancillary parts are configured to be displayed at a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution; and

output the spatial relationships on the display screen; and

the display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to receive and display the 3D virtual model;

wherein outputting the spatial relationships comprises displaying indicia on a viewfinder capable of providing a video image of the field of view of the scanner, the indicia being indicative of a desired position for associating a predetermined portion of the target parts or ancillary parts in a particular manner with respect therewith.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the indicia comprise an “+” or an “X”.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the indicia comprise a symbol representative of a profile corresponding to an expected view of the target part or ancillary part in the viewfinder.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the profile comprises a shaped line shaped as an outline of a tooth as seen by the viewfinder.

14. A system for use in scanning an intraoral cavity for providing 3D data thereof, the system comprising:

an intraoral scanning device; and

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to

identify a first set of data representative of target parts of the intraoral cavity separate from ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity;

generate spatial data representative of spatial relationships between the intraoral scanning device and the target parts and the ancillary parts of the intraoral cavity, wherein the spatial relationships enable 3D data of the target parts and the ancillary parts to be obtained by scanning the target parts and ancillary parts with the intraoral scanning device, wherein the 3D data comprises 3D scan data for the target parts configured to be displayed at a first resolution and 3D scan data for the ancillary parts configured to be displayed at a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution; and

output the 3D data for display on a display screen.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a medium for storing the 3D data, wherein the medium comprises any one of optical discs, magnetic discs, and magnetic tapes.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the 3D data of the target parts and the ancillary parts are for use in a predetermined procedure.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the predetermined procedure is a prosthodontic procedure for a crown with respect to a preparation, the target parts comprising the preparation, and the ancillary parts comprising at least a portion of the teeth adjacent to the preparation and facing the preparation from the opposed jaw.