DENTAL DEVICE WITH PROBE
An intra oral scanner (IOS) including a probe is disclosed. Optionally, the probe is calibrated to measure locations at a higher accuracy than the IOS. For example, the probe may be used to locate points in a 3D map at high precision and/or the points used to increase the precision of location of other points and/or surfaces in the map. In some embodiments, the probe includes a sensor. Optionally, the probe may be used to measure locations that are hard to view with the IOS. For example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce 3D maps of a recess in a tooth and/or gums and/or a periodontal pocket and/or to traduce a 3D map or periodontal disease. In some embodiments the probe may be used to measure physical properties, for example, the IOS probe combination may be used to produce a 3D image of hardness of mucosa.
1 . An oral measuring method configured to make oral measurement within the oral cavity of a patient comprising:
providing an Intra Oral Scanner (IOS) with an elongate probe extending therefrom;
contacting a plurality of first points inside an oral cavity with said probe while scanning said cavity with said IOS; and
determining a position of each of said plurality of first points based on said scanning to determine a position in space of said elongate probe.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising calculating at least one of:
a location of a surface using said determined positions;
a measurement of a length using said determined positions; and
a position of a curved plane using said determined positions.
3 . A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said determining comprises determining positions of said points relative to an oral feature.
4 . A method according to any of the preceding claims, and further comprising;
using said probe to collect data on periodontal health;
producing a 3D model of the oral cavity; and
automatically generating a periodontal chart.
5 . A method according to any one of claims 1 - 3 , and further comprising:
using said elongate body to measure periodontal pocket depth;
automatically generating a personalized periodontal chart that includes at least one of:
a map of clinical attachment level;
a location of a cement to enamel junction;
a mucoginigival line;
a periodontal conditions;
an area of decay;
a tooth cavity;
a missing tooth;
a depth of a gum pocket;
a bleeding point discovered during probing;
gum recession;
an abnormality in a tooth;
a 2D image of a tooth; and′
a 3D image of a tooth.
6 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein said contacting comprises contacting within a recess of a tissue(s), a tooth(teeth), and a bone(s) within or proximate to the oral cavity.
7 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein said contacting comprises contacting within a recess, and wherein said recess comprises one of a socket of a tooth extraction, an excavated hole in a bone, a drilled hole in a tooth, an excavated cavity in a tooth for an inlay, an excavated cavity in a tooth for an onlay, and a root of a tooth.
8 . A method according any of the preceding claims, further comprising determining a position of second points which are located on at least one of a steep wall, an interproximal wall with a narrow interproximal gap, a negative slope wall, a high reflectivity surface, a high absorbance surfaces, an obscured surface and a surface inside a recess.
9 . A method according any of claims 1 - 7 , wherein said contacting includes contacting at least one point which is located on at least one of a steep wall, an interproximal wall with a narrow interproximal gap, a negative slope wall, a high reflectivity surface, a high absorbance surfaces, an obscured surface and a surface inside a recess.
10 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein said first plurality of points comprise gum or other mucosal tissue.
11 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein said contacting comprises inserting said probe through mucosal tissue to contact an underlying tooth, implant or bone structure.
12 . A method according to any of claims 10 and 11 , wherein said plurality of first points comprise gum tissue, and wherein the method further comprises determining gum thickness by creating a 3D model based on the determining step and comparing the 3D model to bone location in a CT 3D model.
13 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein said plurality of first points comprise points on tooth tissue.
14 . A method according to claim 13 , further comprising measuring at least one of tooth abrasion and gaps between opposing teeth when a mouth is closed based upon the positions of the plurality of first points.
15 . A method according to claim 13 , further comprising measuring a horizontal or vertical mismatch of a crown based upon the positions of the plurality of first points.
16 . A method according to claim 13 , further comprising measuring the joint between a crown and a tooth to which it is attached based upon the positions of the plurality of first points.
17 . A method according to claim 13 , further comprising measuring a tooth prepared for fitting of a crown based upon the positions of the plurality of first points.
18 . A method according to any of claims 5 - 17 , further comprising estimating a mechanical property of a mechanical tissue by said contacting.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein said mechanical property is at least one of tissue elasticity and tissue hardness.
20 . A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of points comprises points along artificially provided oral items.
21 . A method according to claim 20 , wherein said oral item comprises a crown, a denture or an implant, brackets, laminates, esthetic elements, night guards, splints.
22 . A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising conducting a secondary scanning and determining positions of the first plurality of points so as to determine a refined determined position of the first plurality of points.
23 . A method according to claim 22 , further comprising:
using said scanning to generate a 3D reconstruction of an oral surface; and
identifying, on said reconstruction, one or more locations of one or more of the plurality of first positions having reduced accuracy.
24 . An IOS scanner, comprising:
a body having a head;
at least one imager suitable for intra-oral scanning from said head; and
a hollow probe with an opening, said probe extending from said head and within a field of view of said at least one imager.
25 . A scanner according to claim 24 , comprising a channel extending from said probe to a source of pressurized material suitable for flowing through said channel and said probe to said opening.
26 . A scanner according to claim 25 , wherein said source comprises water, abrasive material or adhesive.
27 . A scanner according to claim 24 , comprising a channel extending from said probe to a source of negative pressure.
28 . A scanner according to claim 24 , comprising a channel extending from said probe to said opening, wherein said channel contains an optical fiber.
29 . A scanner according to claim 28 , wherein said fiber is coupled to a light source suitable for one or more of ablation, coagulation, tissue cutting, illumination and sending via said fiber.
30 . A scanner according to claim 24 , comprising a channel extending from said probe to said opening, wherein said channel contains an electrical signal conductor.
31 . A scanner according to any of claims 24 - 30 , wherein said probe includes a tip and said IOS is configured for determining a location of said tip during a procedure.
32 . A scanner according to any of claims 24 - 30 , wherein said opening is on a side of said hollow probe.
33 . A scanner according to any of claims 24 - 30 , wherein said opening is at a distal end of said hollow probe and facing along an axis of said probe.
34 . A dental probe, comprising:
a body having a head, the body elongated in a first direction;
at least one imager configured for imaging in a second direction different from the first direction; and
a probe extending in the second direction and within a field of view of said imager and including a viewer.
35 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said probe is configured for quick release from the body.
36 . A probe according to claim 35 , wherein said quick release is configured for releasing using a standard dentist tool.
37 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises a mirror which reflects light towards said body with distortion low enough for imaging.
38 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises an ultrasonic distance sensor.
39 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises an ultrasonic imager.
40 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said body (probe) comprises a side viewing ultrasonic imager (IVUS).
41 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said body (probe) comprises a Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasound Transducer (PMUT) array.
42 . A probe according to claim 40 , wherein said body includes a channel for dispensing acoustic coupling liquid.
43 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises an optical imager.
44 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises a 3D imager.
45 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said viewer comprises side viewing OCT or interference imager or sensor.
46 . A probe according to claim 34 , wherein said body includes a mechanical contact sensor.
47 . A probe according to any one of claims 34 - 46 , wherein said viewer includes a plurality of sensors, wherein a preferred sensor can be chosen according to local clinical conditions.
48 . A probe according to any of claims 34 - 47 , wherein a tip of said probe comprises at least one of a structure and a material configured for gliding along a surface when the tip contacts the surface with limited to negligible friction.
49 . A probe according to any of claims 34 - 48 , wherein a tip of said probe comprises a ball for rolling along a surface when the tip contacts the surface.
50 . A probe according to any one of claims 34 - 46 , wherein, probe includes an ultrasonic scaler, and where said imager is configured to determine if plaque was removed.