Apparatus and method for superimposing teeth data image onto face image

1. An apparatus for superimposing a teeth data image onto a face image, comprising: a scanner for generating the teeth data image by scanning a teeth of a patient;

a camera for obtaining a side face image by photographing a side face of the patient; and

a control unit for extracting a feature point of the side face image, extracting a reference line of the side face based on the feature point, adjusting a size of the teeth data image according to a length of the reference line of the side face, and superimposing the teeth data image onto the side face image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit extracts a first feature point, a second feature point, and a most projecting point of a lower face from the side face image, wherein

the first feature point comprises a nasion, wherein a nose begins at the nasion; and the second feature point comprises a pogonion, and

the control unit extracts the reference line of the side face connecting the first feature point and the second feature point.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit calculates a shortest distance between a rearmost molar distal point and a maxillary incisor point from the teeth data image, and the control unit adjusts the size of the teeth data image, wherein the shortest distance becomes a predetermined ratio to the length of the reference line of the side face.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit extracts a third feature point from the side face image, wherein

the third feature point comprises a stomion, wherein an upper lip and a lower lip meet at the stomion,

the control unit superimposes the teeth data image onto the side face image, wherein an occlusion line of the teeth data image is rotated clockwise at a predetermined angle with respect to a perpendicular line, wherein the reference line of the side face and the third feature point are at a right angle on the perpendicular line, and

a maxillary incisor point of the teeth data image is located on the reference line of the side face.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a display unit for displaying a superimposed image.

6. A method for superimposing a teeth data image onto a face image, comprising:

generating, by a scanner, the teeth data image by scanning a teeth of a patient;

obtaining, by a camera, a side face image by photographing a side face of the patient;

extracting, by a control unit, a feature point of the side face image and then extracting a reference line of the side face based on the feature point;

adjusting, by the control unit, a size of the teeth data image according to a length of the reference line of the side face; and

superimposing, by the control unit, a size-adjusted teeth data image onto the side face image.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of extracting comprises

extracting a first feature point, a second feature point and a most projecting point of a lower face from the side face image, wherein the first feature point comprises a nasion, wherein a nose begins at the nasion, and the second feature point comprises a pogonion, and

extracting the reference line of the side face connecting the first feature point and the second feature point.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the adjusting comprises calculating a shortest distance between a rearmost molar distal point and a maxillary incisor point from the teeth data image, and adjusting the size of the teeth data image, wherein the shortest distance becomes a predetermined ratio to the length of the reference line of the side face.

9. The method of claim 6 , the step of superimposing comprises

extracting a third feature point from the side face image, wherein the third feature point comprises a stomion, an upper lip and a lower lip meet at the stomion, and

superimposing the teeth data image onto the side face image, wherein an occlusion line of the teeth data image is rotated clockwise at a predetermined angle with respect to a perpendicular line, wherein the reference line of the side face and the third feature point are at a right angle on the perpendicular line and a maxillary incisor point of the teeth data image is located on the reference line of the side face.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising: displaying a superimposed image.