Granted Patent B2

US 12,527,648 · App. 18/157,062 · Granted Jan 20, 2026

Inventors: Christopher E. Cramer (Durham, NC); Chad Clayton Brown (Cary, NC); Guotu Li (Apex, NC)

Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.

A61C7/002A61C7/08A61C7/146G06T7/0012G06T7/12G06T7/62G16H10/60G16H20/40G06T2207/30036

Abstract

Claims (118)

1 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit using a machine-trained classifier, wherein the machine-trained classifier includes an image classifier trained with at least a plurality of images of aligners on dentition;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the aligner fit only if the one or more detection criteria indicate the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing the aligner fit.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise clinical acceptability criteria related to the one or more 2D images.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise image quality criteria related to the one or more 2D images.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the image quality criteria comprise a measure of brightness or darkness of at least one or more regions of the one or more 2D images.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the image quality criteria comprise a measure of sharpness or blurriness of at least one or more regions of the one or more 2D images.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising segmenting the one or more 2D images into one or more segmented 2D representations comprising individual teeth of the one or more teeth, and the one or more aligners.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein segmenting the one or more 2D images comprises using a threshold-based segmentation to segment regions of the one or more 2D images into one or more segmented 2D representations comprising individual teeth of the one or more teeth, and the one or more aligners.

9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein segmenting the one or more 2D images into one or more segmented 2D representations using a machine-trained classifier to segment regions of the one or more 2D images.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the machine-trained classifier comprises a semantic classifier trained to analyze at least a plurality of images of aligners on dentition.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the machine-trained classifier comprises an object-based classifier trained to analyze at least a plurality of images of aligners on dentition.

12 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising using one or more boundaries between a first plurality of teeth in the one or more segmented 2D representations to identify the spacing information.

13 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising identifying the one or more boundaries between the first plurality of teeth.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein identifying the one or more boundaries between the first plurality of teeth comprises using one or more of a machine-trained classifier and a linear classifier to identify the one or more boundaries between the first plurality of teeth.

15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising:

using the one or more boundaries to identify spatial aligner regions of the one or more aligners assigned to each tooth of the first plurality of teeth;

using pixels associated with the spatial aligner regions to identify the spacing information.

16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital treatment planning information comprises one or more indications indicating whether the one or more aligners appropriately fit the one or more teeth.

17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital treatment planning information is displayed on a display of an electronic device.

18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital treatment planning information comprises one or more indications indicating whether the digital treatment plan is on track or off track.

19 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising directing capture of the one or more 2D images on a mobile phone, a laptop, computing device, or some combination thereof.

20 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise clinical acceptability criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include criteria for evaluating whether the one or more 2D images show a sufficiently open bite in which the dentition is sufficiently open to distinguish first spaces between a first aligner and first teeth on a first jaw and second spaces between a second aligner and second teeth on a second jaw opposite the first jaw;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising segmenting the one or more 2D images into one or more segmented 2D representations comprising individual teeth of the one or more teeth and the one or more aligners.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising:

using the one or more segmented 2D representations to identify spatial aligner regions of the one or more aligners assigned to each tooth of the one or more teeth; and

using pixels associated with the spatial aligner regions to identify the spacing information.

23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the digital treatment planning information comprises one or more indications indicating whether the one or more aligners appropriately fit the one or more teeth.

24 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising analyzing the aligner fit only if the one or more detection criteria indicate the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing the aligner fit.

25 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise clinical acceptability criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include criteria for evaluating whether the one or more 2D images show a sufficiently open bite in which the dentition is sufficiently open so that first teeth on a first jaw are not in contact with second teeth on a second jaw opposite the first jaw;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

26 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise clinical acceptability criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include criteria for evaluating whether or not cheek retractors were used to capture the one or more 2D images or criteria for evaluating the presence or absence of cheek retractors in the one or more 2D images;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

27 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise clinical acceptability criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include criteria for evaluating whether or not a scanning box coupled to a mobile phone was used to capture the one or more 2D images;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

28 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise image quality criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include a measure of exposure of at least one or more regions of the one or more 2D images;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

29 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

using one or more detection criteria to evaluate whether the one or more 2D images are suitable for analyzing aligner fit, wherein the one or more detection criteria comprise image quality criteria related to the one or more 2D images and include a measure of whether or not an upper aligner of the one or more aligners is distinguishable from a lower aligner of the one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners; and

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

30 . A system for digital treatment planning, the system comprising:

one or more processors;

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-program instructions, wherein the computer-program instructions are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform a computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving one or more two-dimensional (2D) images of a dentition of a person;

identifying one or more teeth associated with the dentition in the one or more 2D images;

identifying one or more aligners in the one or more 2D images;

analyzing aligner fit of the one or more aligners on the one or more teeth, wherein analyzing aligner fit comprises:

determining whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, and

responsive to a determination of whether pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth, identifying spacing information between identified one or more teeth and identified one or more aligners wherein identifying spacing information includes converting the spacing information on the one or more 2D images to real-world spatial sizes, and wherein converting the spacing information to real-world spatial sizes comprises comparing information about one or more teeth from identified one or more teeth on the one or more 2D images with information about a corresponding one or more teeth from a three-dimensional (3D) digital dental model;

providing digital treatment planning information for the one or more teeth using the spacing information.

31 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising segmenting the one or more 2D images into one or more segmented 2D representations comprising individual teeth of the one or more teeth and the one or more aligners;

using the one or more segmented 2D representations to identify spatial aligner regions of the one or more aligners assigned to each tooth of the one or more teeth; and

using pixels associated with the spatial aligner regions to identify the spacing information.

32 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the digital treatment planning information comprises one or more indications indicating whether the one or more aligners appropriately fit the one or more teeth.

33 . The system of claim 30 , wherein the computer-program instructions that are configured to be executed by the one or more processors to perform the computer-implemented method further comprising analyzing the aligner fit only if the pixels in the one or more 2D images correspond to the one or more aligners but do not correspond to the one or more teeth.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (166)