Patent Grant
12016741
The present invention relates to devices, systems, and processes for preparing a tooth for a tooth restoration, and in particular to systems and processes for preparing instrumentation, as well as to such instrumentation, for use in preparing a tooth to receive a tooth restoration.
Complete, intact teeth that are cosmetically desirable, wear evenly, and provide a balanced bite are the objectives of patients. Over time, however, problems arise in teeth due to accidents, deterioration from wear and tear, decay due to any of poor oral hygiene, insufficient oral care practices, consumption of certain foods such as sweets, use of tobacco, disease, medications, certain congenital conditions, and environmental effects, tooth movement, etc. In some instances, teeth simply never achieve a cosmetic appearance desired by a patient. To this end, dental practitioners and their patients have relied on a variety of methods to repair these deformities and weaknesses of the teeth.
The repair of teeth often requires preparation and modification of the exterior shape and size of a tooth to be able to receive various prostheses or restorations such as crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges, and veneers. Also, to prepare the appropriate prosthesis or restoration, either impressions or 3-dimensional scanning must be conducted of the original unmodified tooth and often the modified tooth at a later time. Dental practitioners often place a temporary prosthesis over the modified or prepared tooth while a permanent prosthesis is manufactured, but the use of such a temporary device and the removal of any cement used to place the temporary device over the prepared tooth may create a discrepancy between the prepared tooth and the internal configuration of the prosthesis.
Recently, systems and methods have been developed by Viax Dental Technologies, LLC to form a guiding device for use in preparing a working tooth requiring treatment to receive a restoration along with the placement of a previously prepared restoration corresponding to the configuration of the guiding device during the same visit, thus obviating the need for a temporary prosthesis. Such systems, methods, and devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20100192375 A1, now abandoned; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20100196842 A1, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,338; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0248577 A1 (“the '577 Publication”), the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Still, further improvements are needed to more efficiently and reliably treat the teeth of patients for receiving restorations and other prostheses.
In accordance with the present technology, a system, methods, and products have been discovered which provide a simpler, more reliable and more convenient technique for treating a tooth in need of a restoration part to correct either or both of a deformity and a weakness of a tooth or either or both of deformities and weaknesses of a plurality of teeth. There is provided a system of dental devices that may be used to modify a tooth to be treated by limiting the removal of tooth material to produce a shape or configuration that mates with or corresponds to an interior configuration of a restoration part. This system makes it possible to prepare a restoration part in advance of the preparation of the tooth to be treated. Also, the tooth can be accurately prepared with the configuration that corresponds to and mates with the internal configuration of the restoration part. By following this technique, the restoration part is available to be installed immediately after the preparation of the tooth to be treated. Therefore, in a single office visit, it is possible for the dentist to prepare the tooth to be treated and mount the restoration part onto the prepared tooth. As used herein, it is to be understood that a reference to a tooth to be treated means a single tooth to be treated or a plurality of teeth to be treated.
As with conventional methods of treatment, in accordance with the present technology, there first may be a diagnosis indicating the need to treat a tooth with a restoration part. The diagnosis may be based on initial x-rays or other diagnostic techniques, such as but not limited to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), handheld or other intraoral three-dimensional (3D or 3-D) scanners, that identify the location and extent of decay, cracks, weaknesses, dislocations, deformities, impediments to bite, or other maladies or undesirable aspects of the tooth to be treated. A first physical 3D model which may be any one or a combination of a mold, a cast, an impression, other physical model, and a computer-generated model, may be created based on the obtained diagnostic information of the original tooth to be treated. At this point the present technology may diverge from conventional techniques in practice. Conventional techniques require the tooth to be revised and reshaped to remove the decay, cracks, and other maladies to leave a prepared tooth with sufficient strength and wear characteristics for the receipt and permanent attachment to a restoration part. After tooth structure has been removed during preparation of the tooth to be treated, the revised configuration of the prepared tooth is generally determined from a second 3D model which may also be any one or combination of a mold, a cast, an impression, other physical model, and a computer-generated model. The prepared, revised tooth is normally fitted with a temporary crown, to protect the prepared tooth and provide some comfort for the patient until the restoration part is manufactured, which can take days to weeks. Both the first and the second physical 3D models are then used, usually at an off-site laboratory, to prepare the restoration. The original tooth configuration provided by the first physical 3D model provides the basis for determining and preparing the exterior surface of the restoration part while the prepared, revised tooth configuration provided by the second physical 3D model provides the reverse or negative of the interior surface of the restoration part to be prepared. The thickness of the restoration part is provided by the difference between the determined exterior and interior surfaces of the restoration part to be prepared. The first and second physical 3D models also serve to provide the configuration of adjacent teeth to the tooth or teeth to receive a restoration such that the eventual restoration properly aligns and interfaces with the adjacent teeth. These models further serve to provide the configuration of antagonist teeth which is used to preparing the occlusal surface of the restoration such that there will be appropriate occlusion contact between the restoration and the antagonist teeth.
The procedure of the present technology reduces inconveniences to patients such as eliminating one or more office visits and eliminating the need for wearing a temporary crown. With this technology, there is no need to prepare the tooth to be treated prior to producing the restoration part. There is also no need to produce a physical 3D model for the prepared tooth prior to installing the restoration part. There is no need for a temporary crown to be installed over the prepared tooth, and thus there is no need to remove the temporary crown and associated cement which can interfere with the fit of the restoration part. Complications due to such interference may require the prepared tooth to be further revised to fit the restoration or require further modification of the restoration part. Also eliminated is discomfort to the patient in wearing a temporary device and the greater risk of infection due to the exposure of the prepared tooth, whether or not a temporary crown is used.
In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a system for use by a dentist in precisely preparing, revising, or modifying a working tooth to be treated for receipt of a restoration, which preferably may be preformed prior to use of the system and which may be but is not limited to being an inlay, onlay, crown, bridge, or veneer, is provided. Such a system may include two main components: (i) at least one dental instrument configured for contacting one or more surfaces of a suitable guiding configuration of an overlay device and for contacting tooth structure to remove such tooth structure and (ii) at least one overlay device, which may be a dental overlay, that is configured for attachment to either or both of a working tooth to be treated and an adjacent or neighboring tooth (or adjacent teeth or neighboring teeth) of the tooth to be treated and that further includes one or more guiding surfaces to contact the dental instrument to limit 3D movement of such instrument to a predetermined 3D region of the tooth to be treated from which tooth structure is to be removed. In operation, the overlay device may coordinate with the dental instrument to limit the 3D movement of the dental instrument with respect to a tooth being treated, when the dental instrument appropriately contacts the guiding surface or surfaces of the overlay device, such that the dental instrument removes tooth structure from a predetermined 3D region of the tooth being treated to form a prepared tooth. In this manner, the prepared tooth may be prepared to conform to the configuration of the preformed restoration. The preformed restoration may then be placed permanently or substantially permanently on the prepared tooth.
In some arrangements, the dental instrument may include a cutting tool, which may be but is not limited to being a dental burr, configured for the removal of the tooth structure to be removed from the working tooth to be treated. In a modified version, the system may further include a dental placement device, which may be in the form of another overlay device, configured for the placement of a restoration. The dental placement device may be configured for maintaining the position of the restoration against the tooth (or a corresponding set of teeth) being treated during affixation of the restoration to the tooth (or the corresponding set of teeth). A method of use of such system and the modified system is further provided in accordance with the present technology.
In accordance with another aspect of the technology, dental instrumentation for use in guiding a cutting tool to remove tooth structure from a tooth to be treated in the mouth of a patient may be prepared by a process. In this process, a first Boolean operation may be performed by one or processors between initial cutting guide data corresponding to a cutting guide shell structure for placement around a portion of the tooth to be treated and cutting tool path data corresponding to preset limits on tool movements to be made by the cutting tool. The first Boolean operation may define final cutting guide data corresponding to final cutting guide structure for guiding the cutting tool. In this process, a second Boolean operation may be performed by the one or more processors between initial instrument configuration data corresponding to a fixation instrument configuration for fixing the dental instrumentation to an adjacent tooth to the tooth to be treated in the mouth of the patient and the final cutting guide data. The second Boolean operation may define final instrument configuration data corresponding to a final instrument configuration for releasably fixing the dental instrumentation to the adjacent tooth and for guiding the cutting tool in the removal of the tooth structure from the tooth to be treated.
In some arrangements, a physical model of a plurality of teeth in the mouth of the patient may be scanned and original tooth data corresponding to a digital topography of the scanned physical model of the plurality of teeth may be received by the one or more processors. The plurality of teeth may include the tooth to be treated. In some such arrangements, tooth addition data corresponding to digital void fillers for filling the digital topography of the scanned physical model of the set of teeth may be stored by the one or more processors and the original tooth data and the tooth addition data may be meshed by the one or more processors to define new tooth data. In some such arrangements, first cutting path data corresponding to a first cutting path to be followed by the cutting tool based on the original tooth data or the new tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors, and first cutting depth data corresponding to a cutting depth to be reached by the cutting tool based on the original tooth data or the new tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors. The cutting tool path data may be based on the first cutting depth data and the first cutting path data.
In some arrangements, the first cutting depth data may be included in the first cutting path data. In some arrangements, the first cutting path may be curved. In some arrangements, the first cutting path may be planar.
In some arrangements, first cutting path data corresponding to a first cutting path to be followed by the cutting tool based on the original tooth data or the new tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors. In such arrangements, first cutting depth data corresponding to a cutting depth to be reached by the cutting tool based on the original tooth data or the new tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors. The first cutting path data may be adjusted by the one or more processors to create second cutting path data corresponding to a second cutting path adjusted from the first cutting path. In such arrangements, the second cutting path data may be stored by the one or more processors in which the cutting tool path data may be based on the first cutting depth data and either the first cutting path data or the second cutting path data. In some arrangements, the cutting tool path data may be determined by the one or more processors based on the first cutting depth data and the first cutting path data or the second cutting path data. In some arrangements, the initial cutting guide data may be determining by the one or more processors based on the original tooth data or the new tooth data.
In some arrangements, the initial instrument configuration data may be stored by the one or more processors in which the original tooth data may define an original tooth digital model, the tooth addition data may define a void fill digital model, the new tooth data may define a new tooth digital model, the first cutting path data may define a first cutting path digital model, the first cutting depth data may define a first cutting depth digital model, the second cutting path data may define a second cutting path digital model, the initial cutting guide data may define an initial cutting guide digital model, the final cutting guide data may define a final cutting guide digital model, the initial instrument configuration data may define an initial instrument configuration digital model, and the final instrument configuration data may define a final instrument configuration digital model.
In some arrangements, the cutting guide shell structure may be a guide body outer shell corresponding to a digital guide body outer shell.
In some arrangements, the cutting tool path data may be determined by the one or more processors based on cutting path data corresponding to movements of the cutting tool predefined for the removal of the tooth structure from the tooth to be treated.
In some arrangements, the cutting tool may be a dental bur. In some such arrangements, the final cutting guide structure may correspond to a cutting guide of a dental overlay. In some such arrangements, the fixation instrument configuration may correspond to a tooth wrap of the dental overlay.
In some arrangements, the final instrument configuration data may be exported by the one or more processors to a data storage file configured for use with a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) or additive manufacturing (AM) device.
In some arrangements, the dental instrumentation may be fabricated on the AM device, based on the data storage file, using an additive manufacturing process. In some such arrangements, the dental instrumentation may be a dental cutting guide.
In accordance with another aspect of the technology, dental instrumentation for use in applying a restoration to a tooth to be treated in the mouth of a patient may be prepared by a process. In this process, initial primary support configuration data corresponding to a digital model outline of instrument fixation support structure based on restored tooth data may be stored by one or more processors. Final primary support configuration data corresponding to the instrument fixation support structure may be stored by the one or more processors. Initial lingual support configuration data corresponding to a digital model outline of instrument lingual support structure based on the restored tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors. Final lingual support configuration data corresponding to the instrument lingual support structure may be stored by the one or more processors in which the instrument lingual support structure may be attached to the instrument fixation support structure. Initial buccal support configuration data corresponding to a digital model outline of instrument buccal support structure based on the restored tooth data may be stored by the one or more processors. Final buccal support configuration data corresponding to the instrument buccal support structure may be stored by the one or more processors in which the instrument buccal support structure may be attached to the instrument fixation support structure. Occlusal connector configuration data corresponding to occlusal surface connectors attached to both the instrument lingual support structure and the instrument buccal support structure may be stored by the one or more processors. The final primary support configuration data, the final lingual support configuration data, the final buccal support configuration data, and the occlusal connector configuration data may define initial retention splint data corresponding to a rough retention splint configuration.
In some arrangements, the restored tooth data may correspond to a 3D model of a plurality of existing and restored teeth in the mouth of the patient including the tooth to be treated and a restoration applied to the tooth to be treated.
In some arrangements, the initial retention splint data may be separated by the one or more processors from the restored tooth data to form final retention splint data corresponding to a final retention splint configuration. In some such arrangements, the initial primary support configuration data may define an initial primary support design digital model, the final primary support configuration data may define a final primary support design digital model, the initial lingual support configuration data may define an initial lingual support configuration digital model, the final lingual support configuration data may define a final lingual support configuration digital model, the initial buccal support configuration data may define an initial buccal support configuration digital model, the final buccal support design data may define a final buccal support configuration digital model, the occlusal connector configuration data may define an occlusal connector configuration digital model, the initial retention splint data may define a rough retention splint digital model, the restored tooth data may define a restored tooth digital model, and the final retention splint data may define a final retention splint digital model.
In some arrangements, the final retention splint data may be exported by the one or more processors to a data storage file configured for use with a CAM or AM device. In some such arrangements, the final retention splint configuration may be a tray for placing veneers. In such arrangements, the tray for placing veneers may be fabricated on the AM device, based on the data storage file, using an additive manufacturing process.
In some arrangements, lingual connecting support configuration data corresponding to lingual connecting support structure connecting the instrument fixation support structure to the instrument lingual support structure may be stored by the one or more processors. Buccal connecting support configuration data corresponding to buccal connecting support structure connecting the instrument fixation support structure to the instrument buccal support structure may be stored by the one or more processors. In some such arrangements, the lingual connecting support configuration data may be manipulated by the one or more processors in which the manipulation of the lingual connecting support configuration data may correspond to a smoothening of a digital model of the lingual connecting support structure. The buccal connecting support configuration data may be manipulated by the one or more processors in which the manipulation of the buccal connecting support configuration data may correspond to a smoothening of a digital model of the buccal connecting support structure. In some such arrangements, the initial retention splint data may be further defined by the lingual connecting support configuration data and the buccal connecting support configuration data. In some arrangements, the lingual connecting support configuration data may define a lingual connecting support configuration digital model, and the buccal connecting support configuration data may define a buccal connecting support configuration digital model.
In some arrangements, the initial primary support configuration data may be manipulated to define the final primary support configuration data in which the manipulation of the initial primary support configuration data may correspond to embossing the outline of the digital model outline of the instrument fixation support structure. In such arrangements, the initial lingual support configuration data may be manipulated to define the final lingual support configuration data in which the manipulation of the initial lingual support configuration data may correspond to embossing the outline of the digital model outline of the instrument lingual support structure. In such arrangements, the initial buccal support configuration data may be manipulated to define the final buccal support configuration data in which the manipulation of the initial buccal support configuration data may correspond to embossing the outline of the digital model outline of the instrument buccal support structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a working tooth to be treated in the mouth of a patient may be treated by a process. In this process, a first surface of a guide device may be secured onto one or more teeth of the patient. A drive shaft of a cutting device may be inserted into an opening of the guide device. A flange of the cutting device may be inserted in a direction perpendicular or otherwise transverse to a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft into a slot of the guide device in which the slot may be in communication with the opening of the guide device. The slot may have a first dimension within a first plane perpendicular or otherwise transverse to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft in which the first dimension is taken in or along a direction the flange extends when the flange is inserted into the slot that is greater than a corresponding second dimension of the opening within a second plane parallel to the first plane in which the second dimension is taken in or along the direction the flange extends when the flange is inserted into the slot. The cutting device may be moved, such as by being slid, to remove portions of the working tooth in preparing a working surface of the working tooth in which movement of the cutting device may be limited by the guide device to directions within the first plane and to a thickness of the slot extending in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. In this manner, the flange of the cutting device may be prevented from being received in the opening due to its dimensions being larger than otherwise corresponding dimensions of the opening. The flange of the cutting device may be removed from the slot. The guide device may be removed from the mouth of the patient. A restoration then may be secured by an adhesive to the working surface of the working tooth.
In some arrangements, a retention splint retaining the restoration may be secured onto opposing distal teeth of the patient's teeth such that the restoration is retained against the working surface of the working tooth when the first surface of the guide device is secured onto one or more teeth of the patient. In some such arrangements, the restoration may be any one or any combination of a dental crown, a dental bridge, and a dental veneer. In some arrangements, the dental cutting device may include a dental bur.
In some arrangements, a drive head of the cutting device may be exterior to the guide device when the flange of the cutting device is fully inserted into the slot of the guide device.
In another aspect of the technology, a dental instrument may include a hand grip, a drive head, a drive shaft, a cutting tool, and a flange. The drive head may be attached to the hand grip. The drive shaft may extend from the drive head. The cutting tool may be attached to the drive shaft and may extend along a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The flange may extend around the drive shaft and may be spaced from the drive head. The flange may have length and width dimensions along axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and may have a thickness dimension along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the draft shaft in which either or both of the length and the width dimensions of the flange may be greater than the thickness dimension of the flange.
In another aspect of the technology, a dental overlay device for limiting the operation of a dental instrument to a removal of a predetermined portion of the structure of a tooth to be treated in the mouth of a patient may include a body having a length, a width, and a thickness. The body may include a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first opening, a second opening, and a slot. One or more distances between the first surface and the second surface may define the thickness of the body. The first surface may be complementary to and configured for contacting portions of one or more teeth in the mouth of the patient to secure the body in a suitable position with respect to the tooth to be treated. The first opening may extend through the first surface and may be configured for exposing portions of the tooth structure to be removed from the tooth to be treated. The second opening may be opposite the first opening and may extend through the second surface in which the second opening may be configured for receiving a shaft of a dental instrument through the opening. The slot may be in communication with the second opening and may be configured for receiving a flange extending from the shaft in a direction perpendicular or otherwise transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The slot may have a first dimension taken in or along a first direction, in which the first dimension is within a first plane generally parallel to the length and the width of the body, that is greater than a corresponding second dimension of the second opening taken in or along the first direction, in which the second dimension is within a second plane parallel to the first plane. In this manner, when the shaft of the dental instrument is received through the second opening and the flange is received in the slot, movement of the flange may be limited by the slot. The second opening may define a first side opening through the thickness on an end of the slot for receiving the shaft of the dental instrument within and in a direction along a plane parallel to the first plane. The slot may define a second side opening through the thickness on an end of the slot for receiving the flange within and in a direction along the first plane.
In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a dental system for removing a predetermined portion of the structure of a tooth to be treated in the mouth of a patient may include a dental instrument and a dental overlay device for limiting the operation of a dental instrument to a removal of the predetermined portion of the structure of the tooth to be treated. The dental overlay device may include a body having a length, a width, and a thickness. The body may include a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first opening, a second opening, and a slot. One or more distances between the first surface and the second surface may define the thickness of the body. The first surface may be complementary to and configured for contacting portions of one or more teeth in the mouth of the patient to secure the body in a suitable position with respect to the tooth to be treated. The first opening may extend through the first surface and may be configured for exposing portions of the tooth structure to be removed from the tooth to be treated. The second opening may be opposite the first opening and may extend through the second surface in which the second opening may be configured for receiving a shaft of a dental instrument through the opening. The slot may be in communication with the second opening and may be configured for receiving a flange extending from the shaft in a direction perpendicular or otherwise transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The slot may have a first dimension taken in or along a first direction, in which the first dimension is within a first plane generally parallel to the length and the width of the body, that is greater than a corresponding second dimension of the second opening taken in or along the first direction, in which the second dimension is within a second plane parallel to the first plane. In this manner, when the shaft of the dental instrument is received through the second opening and the flange is received in the slot, movement of the flange may be limited by the slot. The second opening may define a first side opening through the thickness on an end of the slot for receiving the shaft of the dental instrument within and in a direction along a plane parallel to the first plane. The slot may define a second side opening through the thickness on an end of the slot for receiving the flange within and in a direction along the first plane. The dental instrument may include a hand grip, a drive head, a drive shaft, a cutting tool, and a flange. The drive head may be attached to the hand grip. The drive shaft may extend from the drive head. The cutting tool may be attached to the drive shaft and may extend along a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The flange may extend around the drive shaft and may be spaced from the drive head. The flange may have length and width dimensions along axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and a thickness dimension along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the draft shaft in which either or both of the length and the width dimensions of the flange are greater than the thickness dimension of the flange. The drive shaft may be receivable through the first side opening of the second opening, and the flange may be receivable through the second side opening. When the flange of the dental instrument is received within the slot, movement of the flange in directions within the first plane and in a direction perpendicular to the first plane may be limited by the slot.
In accordance with an aspect of the technology, a dental overlay system for the placement of one or more veneers into the mouth of a patient may include one or more veneers and a dental overlay device. The dental overlay device may include a curved body. A body surface on the curved body may be complementary to and configured for contacting portions of one or more teeth in the mouth of a patient, including distal teeth on opposite sides of the patient's mouth, to secure the body in a suitable position on the patient's teeth. The one or more veneers may be temporarily attached to the body surface. A plurality of holes may extend through the curved body and may correspond to locations on a plurality of teeth.
In some arrangements, the body surface may include first and second portions that may be configured for contacting molars on opposite sides of the patient's mouth. The first and second portions of the body surface may be solid such that no holes extend through these portions.
In some arrangements, the curved body may define individual tooth forms each having an outline of a portion of a tooth of the teeth in the patient's mouth and through which the holes of the plurality of holes extend. In such arrangements, a maximum of two holes may extend through each individual tooth form of the curved body. In some such arrangements, one or more of the individual tooth forms of the curved body do not have any holes that extend through such tooth forms.
In some arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a minimum of 16 holes through the curved body for use with the placement of ten (10) veneers corresponding to a full dental arch. In some arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a maximum of 20 holes through the curved body for use with the placement of ten (10) veneers corresponding to a full dental arch. In some such arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a minimum of 16 holes through the curved body.
In some arrangements, the curved body may define individual tooth forms each having an outline of a portion of a tooth of the teeth in the patient's mouth and through which the holes of the plurality of holes extend. In such arrangements, a minimum of three holes may extend through each individual tooth form of the curved body for each tooth form through which a hole of the plurality of holes extend. In some such arrangements, a maximum of six holes may extend through each individual tooth form of the curved body.
In some arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a minimum of 30 holes through the curved body for use with the placement of ten (10) veneers corresponding to a full dental arch. In some arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a maximum of 60 holes through the curved body for use with the placement of ten (10) veneers corresponding to a full dental arch. In some such arrangements, the dental overlay device may include a minimum of 30 holes through the curved body.
In some arrangements, at least some of the plurality of holes may have a diameter in the range of approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4 mm.
A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the present technology and the various advantages thereof may be realized by reference to the following detailed description which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
The terms “lower,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” and variations of such terms as well as derived directional terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” are based on a normal configuration of an overlay as shown in the drawings, in which the overlay is fitted onto the lower teeth of a patient with the roots of the teeth extending vertically downward. The term “dentist” in this text is not to be interpreted restrictively and can also be read as dental practitioner, dental technician, dental assistant, dental hygienist, dental auxiliary, dental therapist, dental designer, etc.
According to conventional techniques, a diagnostic evaluation of a tooth reveals an existing condition requiring a tooth to be treated by the installation of a restoration or prosthesis. Under these conventional approaches, the tooth to be treated is revised and prepared first, and then its revised configuration is used to fabricate the internal configuration of the restoration. Therefore, the restoration is fabricated to fit the already prepared tooth.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, as with such conventional approaches, a dentist may identify by either or both of x-ray and other diagnostic techniques portions of an existing working tooth of a patient that should be removed, due to e.g., decay, cracks, weaknesses, dislocations, deformities, impediments to bite, or other maladies or undesirable aspects of the tooth. In some arrangements, the dentist may then prepare a physical 3D model, which preferably may be any one or a combination of a cast, a mold, and an impression, of the entire lower or entire upper set of teeth in the patient's mouth that include the working tooth and a neighboring tooth or neighboring teeth of the working tooth, although in some instances the physical 3D model may only include a portion of the lower or the upper set of teeth as the case may be.
Referring now to the drawings, the prepared physical 3D model then may be digitally scanned with a scanning device by the dentist, such as with but not limited to being with a handheld 3D scanner or other scanning devices such as those by Imetric 3D providing photogrammetry and structured light scanning, to create original tooth data 125 to be stored in memory 124 of first client computer 120, as referenced in
A system for preparing instrumentation to assist in the preparation of one or more working teeth to receive a restoration, for the actual preparation of the one or more working teeth to receive the restoration, for preparing the restoration, and for placing the restoration is provided.
As further shown in
Network 140, and intervening communication points, may include various configurations and protocols including the Internet, World Wide Web, intranets, virtual private networks, wide area networks, local networks, private networks using communication protocols proprietary to one or more companies, Ethernet, WiFi and HTTP, and various combinations of the foregoing. Communications among these configurations and applying these protocols may be facilitated by any device configured for transmitting data to and from other computers, such as modems (e.g., dial-up, cable, or fiber optic) and wireless interfaces. Although
Computers 110, 120, 130 each may include a processor and memory. For example, server 110 may include memory 114 which stores information accessible by processor 112, first client computer 120 may include memory 124 which stores information accessible by processor 122, and second client computer 130 may include memory 134 which stores information accessible by processor 132. Each of processors 112, 122, 132 may be any conventional processor, such as commercially available central processing units (CPUs). Alternatively, any of processors 112, 122, 132 may be dedicated controllers such as an ASIC, FPGA, or another hardware-based processor. Although shown in
Each of memories 114, 124, 134 may include first part storing applications or instructions 116, 126, 136 that may be executed by the respective processor. Instructions 116, 126, 136 may be any set of instructions to be executed directly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as scripts) by the processor. In that regard, the terms “applications,” “instructions,” and “programs” may be used interchangeably herein. The memories may also include second part storing data 118, 128, 138 that may be retrieved, stored or modified in accordance with the respective instructions. The memory may include any type configured for storing information accessible by the processor, such as a hard-drive, memory card, ROM, RAM, DVD, CD-ROM, write-capable, and read-only memories or various combinations of the foregoing, where instructions or applications 116, 126, 136 and corresponding data 118, 128, 138 are stored on the same or different types of media.
For example, the dentist or the referenced third party may store original tooth data 125 of data 128, once generated, within memory 124 of first client computer 120. Generated original tooth data 125 may then be uploaded to server 110 and distributed via network 140 to second client computer 130. Alternatively, when the third party is or works in conjunction with the second user of second client computer 130, original tooth data 125 may be received by second client computer 130 directly from the scanning device used to scan the topography of the lower or upper set of teeth of the patient or of the physical 3D model of such teeth (hereinafter referred to as the “scanned tooth topography”), as the case may be.
In addition to a processor, memory and instructions, client computers 120, 130 may have all of the components used in connection with a personal computer. For example, the client computers may include electronic display 127, 137 (e.g., a monitor having a screen, a touch-screen, a projector, a television, a computer printer or any other electrical device that is operable to display information including but not limited to a smartphone or other similar handheld device), one or more user inputs (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, touch screen and/or microphone), one or more sound outputs such as speakers, and all of the components used for connecting these elements to one another.
As further shown in
In some arrangements, instructions 126 of first client computer 120 may also include a building application, and in some such arrangements, this building application may be the same as building application 135. In this manner, in such arrangements, first client computer 120 may convert original tooth data 125 into digital 3D model 139 for viewing or possible modification of the model before uploading the original tooth data or a modified version of the original tooth data to server 110. Either or both of building application 135 of second client computer 130 and any building application stored in memory 124 of first client computer 120 further may be associated with a GUI for displaying digital 3D model 139 on a client device in order to allow the user to utilize the functions of the building applications.
Data 118, 128, 138 need not be limited by any particular data structure. For example, the data may be stored in computer registers, in a relational database as a table having a plurality of different fields and records, or XML documents. The data also may be formatted into any computer-readable format such as, but not limited to, binary values, ASCII or Unicode. Moreover, the data may comprise any information sufficient to identify the relevant information, such as numbers, descriptive text, proprietary codes, pointers, references to data stored in other memories (including other network locations) or information that is used by a function to calculate the relevant data. For example, data 138 of second client computer 130 may include information used by building application 135 to create 3D model 139.
In addition to the operations described above and illustrated in the figures, various other operations will now be described. It should be understood that the following operations do not have to be performed in the precise order described below. Rather, various steps may be handled in a different order or simultaneously. Steps also may be omitted or added unless otherwise stated herein.
PART 1: Digital Preparation of Preparation Guide Devices for Preparing a Working Tooth to be Treated
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
As illustrated by
Referring now to
As shown in
Referring now to
As further shown in
Examples of physical guide devices having entry and slide portions fabricated from corresponding digital guide devices having corresponding digital entry and digital slide portions are shown in
Preferably, during treatment of the working tooth to be treated, the physical guide device of the present technology, such as physical guide devices 180A, 180B, should remain fixed and not move once it is placed around the working tooth. Moreover, the physical guide device should remain in a stable position even when a dental instrument intended for use with the dental instrument, such as dental instrument 210, makes contact with it. The position of the physical guide device can be secured by contact of surfaces of the physical guide device with surfaces of teeth in a patient's mouth, preferably around the crowns of the patient's teeth, or by the use of a bonding agent, such as one that is light cured or a temporary cement or by projections from the physical guide device that engage portions of one or more teeth in the patient's mouth, including the working tooth, any adjacent teeth of the working tooth such as the neighboring teeth of the working tooth, or dentition on the jaw opposing the jaw with the working tooth.
In some alternative arrangements, in an example of a “reversal of parts,” physical guide entry slot 184 and physical guide slide slot, and accordingly digital guide entry slot 174 and digital guide slide slot 175 respectively, may be shaped in the form of guide plate 212 whereas the guide plate may be shaped in the form of the physical guide entry such that the new form of the guide plate slides within the physical guide entry slot.
With reference to
As shown in
PART 2: Digital Preparation of Placement Guide Devices for Placing a Restoration
Advantageously, in conjunction with the preparation of a digital guide device, such as the digital guide device 170 described previously herein, and accordingly a physical guide device corresponding to the digital guide device, a placement guide device for applying a restoration, such as but not limited to a placement tray for applying a veneer, to the working teeth within a patient's mouth may be prepared. As noted above, in some arrangements, a corresponding restoration, such as a set of veneers also may be prepared. Referring now to
Referring now to
With reference to
As shown in
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Still referring to
Referring now to
With reference to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
With reference to
Physical placement guide devices, such as placement trays, formed by way of the process described previously herein may take but are not limited to taking the form of any of the physical placement trays shown in
As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
As shown in
Based on aforementioned information, this technology provides for producing a restoration part, in advance of the physical revision of the tooth so that the restoration part is available to the dentist even before he or she starts physically preparing the tooth. The tooth can then be prepared with precision by using the configured overlay to revise the tooth in a manner to correspond to or mate with the interior of the restoration. The availability of the restoration makes it possible to mount it directly onto the tooth in the same visit that the tooth is prepared. This substantially reduces the inconvenience of the patient and reduces the number of visits made to the dentist. This also reduces the possibility of a prepared tooth becoming contaminated during the extended time period between tooth preparation and installation of the final restoration.
It is to be understood that the disclosure set forth herein includes all possible combinations of the particular features set forth above, whether specifically disclosed herein or not. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration, or embodiment, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects, arrangements, configurations, and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/858,253, filed on Dec. 29, 2017, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/472,372, filed Mar. 16, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 472004 | Sweet et al. | Mar 1892 | A |
| 1407840 | Cruttenden | Feb 1922 | A |
| 1772027 | Baumgarten | Aug 1930 | A |
| 2303475 | Karlstrom | Dec 1942 | A |
| 2591183 | Mintz | Apr 1952 | A |
| 2597661 | McPhee | May 1952 | A |
| 2621408 | Klein | Dec 1952 | A |
| 2634501 | Linet | Apr 1953 | A |
| 2644235 | Mintz | Jul 1953 | A |
| 2675615 | Rosenberg | Apr 1954 | A |
| 2770040 | Moyer | Nov 1956 | A |
| 2986816 | Zeman | Jun 1961 | A |
| 3011259 | Baum | Dec 1961 | A |
| 3063149 | Suga | Nov 1962 | A |
| 3254413 | Suga | Jun 1966 | A |
| 3376643 | Nealon | Apr 1968 | A |
| 3407503 | Nealon | Oct 1968 | A |
| 3445935 | Marshall | May 1969 | A |
| 3508334 | Weissman | Apr 1970 | A |
| 3585723 | Simor | Jun 1971 | A |
| 3600810 | Marshall et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
| 4144645 | Marshall | Mar 1979 | A |
| 4226593 | Cohen et al. | Oct 1980 | A |
| 4473354 | Rigaud et al. | Sep 1984 | A |
| 4504230 | Patch | Mar 1985 | A |
| 4526542 | Kochis | Jul 1985 | A |
| 4744757 | Adair et al. | May 1988 | A |
| 4778387 | Komatsu | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4937928 | van der Zel | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4941826 | Loran et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4997369 | Shafir | Mar 1991 | A |
| 5015183 | Fenick | May 1991 | A |
| 5018970 | Stordahl | May 1991 | A |
| 5118294 | Kurer | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5133660 | Fenick | Jul 1992 | A |
| 5135393 | Eidenbenz et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5192207 | Rosellini | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5224049 | Mushabac | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5257184 | Mushabac | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5343391 | Mushabac | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5347454 | Mushabac | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5359511 | Schroeder et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5368478 | Andreiko et al. | Nov 1994 | A |
| 5431562 | Andreiko et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5447432 | Andreiko et al. | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5448472 | Mushabac | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5454717 | Andreiko et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5470231 | Stern | Nov 1995 | A |
| 5487663 | Wilson | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5545039 | Mushabac | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5556278 | Meitner | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5562448 | Mushabac | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5569578 | Mushabac | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5575646 | Giannella | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5575649 | Lee | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5575656 | Hajjar | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5641287 | Gittleman | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5669771 | Lee | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5725376 | Poirier | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5730600 | Shoher et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5768134 | Swaelens et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5800168 | Cascione et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5813859 | Hajjar et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5833693 | Abrahami | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5888068 | Lans et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5897315 | Nakayama et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5975893 | Chishti et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6030211 | Sandhaus | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6049743 | Baba | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6050820 | Lans | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6183248 | Chishti et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6190171 | Hajjar et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6213770 | Kuhn | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6254639 | Peckitt | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6257892 | Worthington | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6309215 | Phan et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6334853 | Kopelman et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6371761 | Cheang et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6382975 | Poirier | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6390812 | Chishti et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6398548 | Muhammad et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6406292 | Chishti et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6409504 | Jones et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6447296 | Worthington | Sep 2002 | B2 |
| 6457972 | Chishti et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468248 | Gibbs | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| 6471511 | Chishti et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6485298 | Chishti et al. | Nov 2002 | B2 |
| 6511323 | Wilkinson | Jan 2003 | B1 |
| 6527550 | Hajjar et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6537067 | Wennemann | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6554611 | Chishti et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6626672 | Been | Sep 2003 | B1 |
| 6641340 | Hajjar et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6685469 | Chishti et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6705861 | Chishti et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6722880 | Chishti et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6767208 | Kaza | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6786726 | Lehmann et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6814575 | Poirier | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6881059 | Wennemann | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 6925198 | Scharlack et al. | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6957118 | Kopelman et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 7004757 | Wilkinson | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7056115 | Phan et al. | Jun 2006 | B2 |
| 7059850 | Phan et al. | Jun 2006 | B1 |
| 7063532 | Jones et al. | Jun 2006 | B1 |
| 7077647 | Choi et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7097451 | Tang | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7108511 | Shatkin | Sep 2006 | B1 |
| 7110594 | Jones et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7110844 | Kopelman et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7121825 | Chishti et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7123767 | Jones et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7125248 | Phan et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7134874 | Chishti et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7140877 | Kaza | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7147465 | Jung et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7156661 | Choi et al. | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7172424 | Wu | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7245977 | Simkins | Jul 2007 | B1 |
| 7249952 | Ranta et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7287982 | Riley et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7331786 | Poirier | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7346417 | Luth et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7347688 | Kopelman et al. | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7357634 | Knopp | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7357637 | Liechtung | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7367801 | Saliger | May 2008 | B2 |
| 7377778 | Chishti et al. | May 2008 | B2 |
| 7383094 | Kopelman et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
| 7384266 | Wen | Jun 2008 | B2 |
| 7393211 | Wilkinson | Jul 2008 | B2 |
| 7442040 | Kuo | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 7474307 | Chishti et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7476100 | Kuo | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7536234 | Kopelman et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
| 7555403 | Kopelman et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 7572125 | Brajnovic | Aug 2009 | B2 |
| 7590462 | Rubbert et al. | Sep 2009 | B2 |
| 7653455 | Cinader, Jr. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7658610 | Knopp | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7689398 | Cheng et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7695281 | Burger et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
| 7708557 | Rubbert | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7734368 | Kopelman et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7774084 | Cinader, Jr. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7801632 | Orth et al. | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7802987 | Phan | Sep 2010 | B1 |
| 7837469 | Chishti et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7845942 | Wilkinson | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7854611 | Yau et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7862336 | Kopelman et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7866980 | Poirier | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7905726 | Stumpel | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 7996099 | Kopelman et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8011927 | Berckmans, III et al. | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8021153 | Poirier | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8038440 | Swaelens | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8041439 | Kopelman et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8043091 | Schmitt | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8099268 | Kitching et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8102538 | Babayoff | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8170327 | Glor et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
| 8186999 | Andersson et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
| 8301287 | Kopelman et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8359114 | Steingart et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8359115 | Kopelman et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8364301 | Schmitt | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8398396 | Taormina | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8401686 | Moss et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8425973 | Dunne | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8449296 | Liechtung | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8454362 | Rubbert | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8454365 | Boerjes et al. | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8523566 | Suter et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8562340 | Chishti et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8602780 | Rubbert | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8638447 | Babayoff et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8638448 | Babayoff et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8640338 | Jacquemyns | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8651859 | Chishti et al. | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8651860 | Kwon | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8714975 | Stumpel | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8721329 | Hultgren et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8734150 | Chishti et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8753114 | Vuillemot | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8753118 | Randall | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| D708330 | Jung | Jul 2014 | S |
| 8770972 | Swaelens et al. | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8794964 | Haber | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8803958 | Zhang et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8805563 | Kopelman et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8807999 | Kuo et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| D713034 | Jung | Sep 2014 | S |
| 8828287 | van der Zel | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8897526 | MacLeod et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8899984 | Llop | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8926327 | Massad | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8926328 | Suttin | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8954181 | MacLeod et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 9011147 | Jacquemyns | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9011148 | Dolfi et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9044296 | Randall | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9069914 | Kopelman et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9089388 | Zegarelli | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9107723 | Hall et al. | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9125712 | Kraemer et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9155548 | Lin | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9161824 | Chishti et al. | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9168114 | Jung et al. | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9186228 | Kopelman et al. | Nov 2015 | B2 |
| 9208531 | Boerjes et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9220576 | Heinz et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9259291 | Gantes | Feb 2016 | B2 |
| 9295534 | Ruppert et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9299192 | Kopelman | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9320572 | Deichmann et al. | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9320575 | Chishti et al. | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9411910 | Methot | Aug 2016 | B2 |
| 9433476 | Khardekar et al. | Sep 2016 | B2 |
| D769449 | Leeson et al. | Oct 2016 | S |
| 9468504 | Jung et al. | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9519749 | Stumpel | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9549785 | Kim | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9554872 | Koubi et al. | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9579170 | Van Lierde et al. | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9700380 | Kim et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9763746 | Deichmann et al. | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9844420 | Cheang | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9848958 | Matov et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9848965 | Kim et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9901416 | Gantes | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9901417 | Gantes | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9931177 | Wouters et al. | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9949807 | Orth et al. | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9975294 | Taub et al. | May 2018 | B2 |
| 10092379 | Suttin | Oct 2018 | B2 |
| 10251726 | Fisker et al. | Apr 2019 | B2 |
| 10383701 | Samrano | Aug 2019 | B2 |
| 10495973 | Cole | Dec 2019 | B2 |
| 10595965 | Khardekar et al. | Mar 2020 | B2 |
| 10617489 | Grove et al. | Apr 2020 | B2 |
| 10631953 | Wen | Apr 2020 | B2 |
| 10813720 | Grove et al. | Oct 2020 | B2 |
| 10881486 | Wen | Jan 2021 | B2 |
| 10952816 | Kopelman | Mar 2021 | B2 |
| 11007035 | Fares et al. | May 2021 | B2 |
| 11045291 | Leeson et al. | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| 11051913 | Wen | Jul 2021 | B2 |
| D939712 | Thirugnanasambandam et al. | Dec 2021 | S |
| 11191618 | Raslambekov | Dec 2021 | B1 |
| 11278377 | Raslambekov | Mar 2022 | B1 |
| 11318667 | Mojdeh et al. | May 2022 | B2 |
| 11376100 | Boltunov et al. | Jul 2022 | B2 |
| 11534277 | Chavez et al. | Dec 2022 | B2 |
| 11534974 | O'Leary et al. | Dec 2022 | B2 |
| 20010036617 | Karmaker et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
| 20020015934 | Rubbert et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20020160337 | Klein et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20030008259 | Kuo et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
| 20030064346 | Wennemann | Apr 2003 | A1 |
| 20030216742 | Wetzler et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20040043355 | Jonsson | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040091836 | Lazare | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040219478 | Harter | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040219479 | Malin et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040248065 | Schneider | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050014109 | Lim | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050095554 | Wilkinson | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050233276 | Kopelman et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050244782 | Chishti et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
| 20050244791 | Davis et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
| 20050282106 | Sussman et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060008777 | Peterson et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060079981 | Rubbert et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060127848 | Sogo et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20070218423 | Sapian | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070238068 | Comfortes | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070292821 | De Vreese | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20070298375 | Hirsch et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080077158 | Haider et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080085490 | Jabri | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20080153067 | Berckmans et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080171301 | Verban | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080176187 | Stumpel | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080227056 | Bulard | Sep 2008 | A1 |
| 20080259411 | Karlsson | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080287953 | Sers | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080287954 | Kunz et al. | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080312659 | Metzger et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20080318187 | Wilkinson | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090004629 | Fishman et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090014013 | Magnin | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090035720 | Viscomi | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090181340 | Wolf et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090263764 | Berckmans, III et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
| 20090274990 | Kim | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20090291417 | Rubbert et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20100136500 | Suter et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100173259 | Vogel et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100185201 | Kim | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100192375 | Jacquemyns | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20100196842 | Jacquemyns | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20110003265 | McDonald | Jan 2011 | A1 |
| 20110112544 | Haber | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110159455 | Stumpel | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110217667 | Groscurth et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110245951 | Gantes | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110269104 | Berckmans, III et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20120080049 | Liu | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120129126 | Nouriam et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120135373 | Cheng et al. | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120143364 | Mcleod et al. | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120175799 | Karlsson et al. | Jul 2012 | A1 |
| 20120178045 | Massad | Jul 2012 | A1 |
| 20120270176 | Jacquemyns | Oct 2012 | A1 |
| 20120282572 | MacLeod et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
| 20120308963 | Hasselgren et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20120322025 | Ozawa et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130017507 | Moffson et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130084540 | Yoshihara et al. | Apr 2013 | A1 |
| 20130108988 | Simoncic | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130108989 | Kim | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130115573 | Lampl | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130172731 | Gole | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130177864 | Hultgren et al. | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130209953 | Arlinsky et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130224691 | Liechtung | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130230827 | Kwon | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130244208 | Rubbert | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130277874 | Johnson et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130280674 | Maksim | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130337400 | Yi et al. | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20130337412 | Kwon | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20140008826 | Dierkes et al. | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140026419 | Haber | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140080093 | Rubbert | Mar 2014 | A1 |
| 20140113251 | Schweiger et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140120495 | Zeigler, Jr. et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140193769 | Mackey | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140193770 | Mackey | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140193772 | Mackey | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140205968 | Jung | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140215804 | Jacquemyns | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140234804 | Huang et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140242541 | Jung et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140242547 | Randall | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20140248577 | Tahmasebi et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140255873 | Bullis et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140272778 | Llop | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140276879 | Lin | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140277665 | Fisker | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140308623 | Chang | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140315154 | Jung et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140316750 | Jung et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140335470 | Fisker et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20140358497 | Kuo et al. | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20150010881 | Llop | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150057675 | Akeel et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150111173 | Jung et al. | Apr 2015 | A1 |
| 20150150684 | De Clerck | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150164682 | Remmers et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150182301 | Hegland | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150202028 | Randall | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150216638 | Baaske et al. | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150230894 | Juzbasic et al. | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150238291 | Hauptmann et al. | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150250568 | Fisker et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150251405 | Kopelman et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150257853 | Jacquemyns | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150282913 | Zegarelli | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20150289954 | Chang | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20150302170 | Berckmans, III et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
| 20150327967 | Baaske et al. | Nov 2015 | A1 |
| 20160000522 | Ripoche et al. | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160008093 | Lampl | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160030141 | Kopelman et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160074141 | Lozada | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160143716 | Beyer et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160143717 | Samrano | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160157964 | Suttin et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160157970 | Gantes | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160193019 | Heinz et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20170000503 | Keefer et al. | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| 20170035536 | Alvarez Garcia et al. | Feb 2017 | A1 |
| 20170165030 | Liu | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170172702 | Tahmasebi et al. | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170252126 | Llop | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20170367792 | Raby et al. | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20180140392 | Wismeijer | May 2018 | A1 |
| 20180177567 | Klein et al. | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180235726 | Zastrow | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180243057 | Fisker et al. | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180263726 | Fares et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20190083208 | Hansen et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190105130 | Grove et al. | Apr 2019 | A1 |
| 20190374304 | Lopez | Dec 2019 | A1 |
| 20200000549 | Abedi et al. | Jan 2020 | A1 |
| 20200129271 | Phan et al. | Apr 2020 | A1 |
| 20200229900 | Cunliffe et al. | Jul 2020 | A1 |
| 20210128272 | Jokada et al. | May 2021 | A1 |
| 20220015864 | Fares et al. | Jan 2022 | A1 |
| 20220047364 | Harada et al. | Feb 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 12407 | Jul 1903 | AT |
| 13375 | Sep 1903 | AT |
| 2002210903 | Feb 2006 | AU |
| 2017204455 | Jul 2017 | AU |
| 1536975 | Oct 2004 | CN |
| 1555247 | Dec 2004 | CN |
| 1678254 | Oct 2005 | CN |
| 102940517 | Feb 2013 | CN |
| 103561675 | Feb 2014 | CN |
| 104323865 | Feb 2015 | CN |
| 104699865 | Jun 2015 | CN |
| 3730055 | Mar 1989 | DE |
| 4012327 | Oct 1991 | DE |
| 4013828 | Jan 1992 | DE |
| 19947844 | Apr 2001 | DE |
| 102007029115 | Jan 2009 | DE |
| 102010031018 | Jan 2012 | DE |
| 102012003811 | Aug 2013 | DE |
| 1547544 | Jun 2005 | EP |
| 1629793 | Mar 2006 | EP |
| 1796577 | Jun 2007 | EP |
| 2272462 | Jan 2011 | EP |
| 2366358 | Sep 2011 | EP |
| 2742906 | Jun 2014 | EP |
| 3235453 | Oct 2017 | EP |
| S63275335 | Nov 1988 | JP |
| H01059113 | Apr 1989 | JP |
| H08010268 | Jan 1996 | JP |
| 3114270 | Oct 2005 | JP |
| 2006341067 | Dec 2006 | JP |
| 2007511275 | May 2007 | JP |
| 2009285358 | Dec 2009 | JP |
| 2012516704 | Jul 2012 | JP |
| 2014500767 | Jan 2014 | JP |
| 6338544 | Jun 2018 | JP |
| 2018086276 | Jun 2018 | JP |
| 20030064772 | Aug 2003 | KR |
| 20120053455 | May 2012 | KR |
| 20140021521 | Feb 2014 | KR |
| 20160018156 | Feb 2016 | KR |
| 20160018158 | Feb 2016 | KR |
| 20160056855 | May 2016 | KR |
| 20180034872 | Apr 2018 | KR |
| 23494 | Apr 2012 | SI |
| 1438757 | Nov 1988 | SU |
| 1674828 | Sep 1991 | SU |
| 9115163 | Oct 1991 | WO |
| 9627343 | Sep 1996 | WO |
| 0032131 | Jun 2000 | WO |
| 0234154 | May 2002 | WO |
| 2004098435 | Nov 2004 | WO |
| 2005055852 | Jun 2005 | WO |
| 2007104842 | Sep 2007 | WO |
| 2007129955 | Nov 2007 | WO |
| 2008038471 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| 2008045965 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| 2008149822 | Dec 2008 | WO |
| 2009000505 | Dec 2008 | WO |
| 2009048475 | Apr 2009 | WO |
| 2009073498 | Jun 2009 | WO |
| 2009089129 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2009094576 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| 2009105684 | Aug 2009 | WO |
| 2010086459 | Aug 2010 | WO |
| 2011003612 | Jan 2011 | WO |
| 2011091382 | Jul 2011 | WO |
| 2012006717 | Jan 2012 | WO |
| 2012076574 | Jun 2012 | WO |
| 2012085285 | Jun 2012 | WO |
| 2012110850 | Aug 2012 | WO |
| 2012162605 | Nov 2012 | WO |
| 2012163466 | Dec 2012 | WO |
| 2013026600 | Feb 2013 | WO |
| 2013181721 | Dec 2013 | WO |
| 2014113761 | Jul 2014 | WO |
| 2014135178 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| 2014138643 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| 2014198873 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| 2016073053 | May 2016 | WO |
| 2016094272 | Jun 2016 | WO |
| 2016142943 | Sep 2016 | WO |
| 2016187493 | Nov 2016 | WO |
| 2018012735 | Jan 2018 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Xi Chen et al., “A digital guiding device to facilitate cementation of porcelain laminate veneers”, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, vol. 124, Issue 4, 5 pages, dated Oct. 2019. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2021/032272 dated Oct. 14, 2021 (3 pages). |
| P. Hahn, Fracture strengh of 3-unit inlay bridges after thermo-mechanical fatigue in a chewing simulator, http://www.gapless.de/, Oct. 25, 2001, 2 pages. |
| Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2011-546876 dated Aug. 5, 2014. |
| Mexican Office Action for Application No. MX/a/2011/008128 dated Nov. 11, 2014. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No. PCT/US18/22655, dated Aug. 13, 2018. |
| Russian Search Report for Application No. 2019132692, dated Apr. 7, 2020, pp. 1-2. |
| Australian Search Report for Application No. 2019201385, dated May 14, 2020, 1 page. |
| International Search Report including the Written Opinion from Application No. PCT/US2020/012357 dated May 7, 2020, 21 pages. |
| Russian Search Report for Application No. 2017109831 dated Sep. 18, 2020; 2 pages. |
| Supplementary European Search Report for EP18767819 dated Oct. 8, 2020; 2 pages. |
| Search Report from First Office Action in Indian Application No. 201917039652 dated Feb. 19, 2021; 1 page. |
| Australian Search Report for Application No. 2019201385, dated Oct. 12, 2020, pp. 1-2. |
| Chinese Search Report for Application No. 201880027536.9, dated Mar. 3, 2021, 3 pages. |
| Russian Search Report for Application No. 2017128803, dated Nov. 18, 2020, pp. 1-2. |
| Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2019550814 dated May 18, 2021; 4 pages. |
| International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No. PCT/US2012/039569 dated Sep. 14, 2012. |
| Canadian Office Action for Application No. 2,750,698 dated Apr. 10, 2013. |
| Chinese Office Action for Application No. 201080014124.5 dated Sep. 18, 2013. |
| Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2011-546876 dated Dec. 20, 2013. |
| Australian Examination Report for Application No. 2010209671 dated Jan. 29, 2014. |
| Russian Office Action for Application No. 2011136473 dated Feb. 22, 2014. |
| Mexican Office Action for Application No. MX/a/2011/008128 dated Apr. 9, 2014. |
| Extended European Search Report for Application No. 12790260.9 dated Jun. 19, 2015. |
| Search Report for Russian Application No. 2014151779 dated Dec. 20, 2016. |
| Australian Examination Report for AU2017204455 dated Apr. 18, 2018. |
| Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2018-004457 dated Jan. 22, 2019. |
| Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2018-004431 dated Jan. 8, 2019. |
| Supplemental European Search Report issued in Appln. No. 20735991.0 dated Jul. 27, 2022 (2 pages). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220015864 A1 | Jan 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62472372 | Mar 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15858253 | Dec 2017 | US |
| Child | 17230450 | US |
