US20040029068A1 — Method and system for integrated orthodontic trea…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 224 words

1 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: a) developing a treatment strategy for the patientb) using the graphical user interface to define a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two-or three-dimensional image of the patient and providing the user with the ability to move the midline and aesthetic occlusal plane; c) using the graphical user interface to define an occlusal plane on a two or three-dimensional image of the patient; d) using the graphical user interface to select a reference tooth; e) using the workstation to align two dimensional image data of the patient with a three-dimensional virtual model of teeth of the patient; f) using the graphical user interface to a) design a desired arch form and evaluate and manage space in the arch form, , and b) move virtual teeth selectively in a three-dimensional model of the patient from an initial orientation relative to the desired archform so as to arrive at a proposed tooth arrangement for treatment of the patient.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 224 words

1 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: a) developing a treatment strategy for the patientb) using the graphical user interface to define a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two-or three-dimensional image of the patient and providing the user with the ability to move the midline and aesthetic occlusal plane; c) using the graphical user interface to define an occlusal plane on a two or three-dimensional image of the patient; d) using the graphical user interface to select a reference tooth; e) using the workstation to align two dimensional image data of the patient with a three-dimensional virtual model of teeth of the patient; f) using the graphical user interface to a) design a desired arch form and evaluate and manage space in the arch form, , and b) move virtual teeth selectively in a three-dimensional model of the patient from an initial orientation relative to the desired archform so as to arrive at a proposed tooth arrangement for treatment of the patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step a) further comprises the steps of: collecting information as to the patient's complaints and conditions relevant to soft tissue, skeletal, and dental anatomy with respect to vertical, sagittal, and transverse positions for said patient and entering said information into the computer storage medium.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step b) further comprises the steps of: marking said midline; and marking maxilla and mandible levels and cant of said aesthetic occlusal plane.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the marking of said step b) is performed by manipulation of user interface devices on a two dimensional photograph of said patient displayed on said graphical user interface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 108 words

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said marking the occlusal plane of step c) further comprises the steps of: defining an upper occlusal plane for a virtual model of the upper arch of the patient, defining a lower occlusal plane in a virtual model of a lower arch of the patient: defining a posterior position of said upper occlusal plane; defining a functional position of said upper occlusal plane; defining an aesthetic position of said upper occlusal plane; defining a posterior position of said lower occlusal plane; defining a functional position of said lower occlusal plane; defining an aesthetic position of said lower occlusal plane;

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said marking the upper and lower occlusal planes and positions thereof is done on a 2 dimensional lateral x-ray image of said patient displayed on said graphical user interface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said step e) of aligning further comprises the steps of: displaying a two-dimensional image of the patient and superimposing thereover scaled virtual three-dimensional teeth on said two-dimensional x-ray image.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said workstation further comprises a clinical benchmarking knowledge database comprising patient records for a plurality of patients.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said workstation computer storage medium further stores a three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, and wherein the markings made in step b) are viewable on said user interface as planar surfaces when said user accesses said three-dimensional model.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 40 words

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step f) is performed with reference to constraints for the patient, and wherein said constraints are identified via user interaction with the user interface and entered into said computer storage medium.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the workstation displays a three-dimensional virtual model of gingival tissue in conjunction with a virtual model of the teeth.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing the proposed arrangement in step f) and further using the proposed arrangement in additional treatment planning procedures using said workstation.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 65 words

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said workstation stores a database of “normal” measurements for a plurality of biological parameters for patients, and wherein said workstation provides tools by which the user can compare biological parameters for a particular patient for which treatment is being planned with the normal measurements and an variance from said normal measurements are displayed to the user.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 171 words

14 . In a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, a method for facilitating treatment planning for a patient comprising the steps of: providing the user with variables for manipulating a virtual model of the patient, said variables including at least one of defining of occlusal planes, archforms, midline, reference tooth,, tooth position in said virtual model, and space allocation between and among teeth in said virtual model; storing user inputs for said variables in said computer storage medium; providing the user with the ability to change said variables using said graphical user interface; retaining that the most current value for each such variable in said workstation and displaying said virtual model with said value by as said user is changing other of said variables during a treatment planning session.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 171 words

14 . In a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, a method for facilitating treatment planning for a patient comprising the steps of: providing the user with variables for manipulating a virtual model of the patient, said variables including at least one of defining of occlusal planes, archforms, midline, reference tooth,, tooth position in said virtual model, and space allocation between and among teeth in said virtual model; storing user inputs for said variables in said computer storage medium; providing the user with the ability to change said variables using said graphical user interface; retaining that the most current value for each such variable in said workstation and displaying said virtual model with said value by as said user is changing other of said variables during a treatment planning session.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said model of the virtual patient comprises a three-dimensional model including soft tissue, skeletal, and dental anatomical structures.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the treatment planning is performed with reference to constraints for the patient, and wherein said constraints are identified via user interface interaction with said virtual model of the patient.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 173 words

17 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: designing a treatment plan for a patient with the aid of the workstation; simulating the movement of the teeth in accordance with the treatment plan as a series of two or more incremental tooth movement steps between an initial position and an ideal tooth finish position; providing the user with the ability to interactively vary the tooth incremental steps and view on the workstation graphical user interface the associated impact on tooth position and space between teeth; whereby the user is able to interactively evaluate several alternative treatment scenarios by the variance in said incremental tooth movements steps. Incremental steps can be used to measure treatment responses

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 173 words

17 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: designing a treatment plan for a patient with the aid of the workstation; simulating the movement of the teeth in accordance with the treatment plan as a series of two or more incremental tooth movement steps between an initial position and an ideal tooth finish position; providing the user with the ability to interactively vary the tooth incremental steps and view on the workstation graphical user interface the associated impact on tooth position and space between teeth; whereby the user is able to interactively evaluate several alternative treatment scenarios by the variance in said incremental tooth movements steps. Incremental steps can be used to measure treatment responses

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said treatment plan comprises a hybrid treatment plan comprising, for the patient, both a) fixed appliances; and b) removable appliances.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 174 words

19 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: providing specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient to said workstation, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, searching, with the workstation, a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 174 words

19 . A method for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the method comprising the steps of: providing specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient to said workstation, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, searching, with the workstation, a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 30 words

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein, after successful treatment of the patient, the patient history and treatment parameters for the patient are added to the computer database.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein said providing step comprises transmitting said treatment parameters over a communications network to said workstation.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the providing step comprises entering said treatment parameters directly into said workstation via said user interface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 227 words

23 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to define a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional image of the patient displayed on the graphical user interface and provide the user with the ability to move the midline and aesthetic occlusal plane; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to define an occlusal plane in said virtual model; c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select a reference tooth in the virtual model; d) instructions, either automatic or with user involvement, for aligning two dimensional image data of the patient with a three-dimensional virtual model of teeth of the patient; and e) instructions allowing the user to use the graphical user interface to design a desired archformand manage space in the arch form and move virtual teeth selectively from an initial configuration relative to the desired archform so as to arrive at a proposed tooth arrangement for treatment of the patient.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 227 words

23 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to define a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional image of the patient displayed on the graphical user interface and provide the user with the ability to move the midline and aesthetic occlusal plane; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to define an occlusal plane in said virtual model; c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select a reference tooth in the virtual model; d) instructions, either automatic or with user involvement, for aligning two dimensional image data of the patient with a three-dimensional virtual model of teeth of the patient; and e) instructions allowing the user to use the graphical user interface to design a desired archformand manage space in the arch form and move virtual teeth selectively from an initial configuration relative to the desired archform so as to arrive at a proposed tooth arrangement for treatment of the patient.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 60 words

24 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein step a) further comprises the steps of: instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to enter information into the computer storage medium as to the patient's complaints and conditions relevant to soft tissue, skeletal, and dental anatomy with respect to vertical, sagittal, and transverse positions for said patient.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 36 words

25 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein the instructions a) further comprises instructions for allowing the user to marking said midline and marking maxilla and mandible levels and cant of said aesthetic occlusal plane.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 53 words

26 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein the marking of said step a) is performed by providing instructions for display of a two dimensional photograph of said patient on said graphical user interface and instructions by which a user may use user interface devices to indicate the location of said markings.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 110 words

27 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein said instructions of step b) further comprises the instructions for allowing the user to: mark an upper occlusal plane for a virtual model of the upper arch of the patient, mark a lower occlusal plane in a virtual model of a lower arch of the patient: mark a posterior position of said upper occlusal plane; mark a functional position of said upper occlusal plane; mark an aesthetic position of said upper occlusal plane; mark a posterior position of said lower occlusal plane; mark a functional position of said lower occlusal plane; and mark an aesthetic position of said lower occlusal plane;

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 38 words

28 . The workstation of claim 27 , wherein said marking the upper and lower occlusal planes and positions thereof is provided on a 2 dimensional lateral x-ray image of said patient displayed on said graphical user interface.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 37 words

29 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein said process d) of aligning teeth further comprises instructions for displaying a two-dimensional image of the patient and superimposing thereover scaled virtual three-dimensional teeth on said two-dimensional image.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 26 words

30 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein said workstation further comprises a clinical benchmarking knowledge database comprising patient records for a plurality of patients.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 43 words

31 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein said workstation computer storage medium further stores a three-dimensional model of the patient, and wherein the markings made in process a) are viewable on said user interface when said user accesses said three-dimensional model.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 51 words

32 . The workstation of claim 23 , wherein said workstation instructions d) provide the user to perform the functions with reference to constraints for the patient, and wherein said constraints are identified via user interface interaction with a virtual model of the patient and entered into said computer storage medium.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 183 words

33 . In a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions for facilitating treatment planning for a patient, said instructions comprising: instructions providing the user with variables for manipulating a virtual model of the patient, said variables including at least one of markings of occlusal planes, tooth position in said virtual model, and space allocation between and among teeth in said virtual model; instructions for receiving user inputs for said variables and storing said user inputs in said computer storage medium; instructions for providing the user with the ability to change said variables using said graphical user interface; and instructions for retaining that the most current value for each such variable in said workstation and displaying said virtual model with said value by as said user is changing other of said variables during a treatment planning session.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 183 words

33 . In a workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions for facilitating treatment planning for a patient, said instructions comprising: instructions providing the user with variables for manipulating a virtual model of the patient, said variables including at least one of markings of occlusal planes, tooth position in said virtual model, and space allocation between and among teeth in said virtual model; instructions for receiving user inputs for said variables and storing said user inputs in said computer storage medium; instructions for providing the user with the ability to change said variables using said graphical user interface; and instructions for retaining that the most current value for each such variable in said workstation and displaying said virtual model with said value by as said user is changing other of said variables during a treatment planning session.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

34 . The workstation of claim 33 , wherein said model of the virtual patient comprises a three-dimensional model including soft tissue, skeletal, and dental anatomical structures.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 55 words

35 . The workstation of claim 33 , wherein the treatment planning is performed with reference to constraints for the patient, and wherein said workstation comprises instructions for enabling a user to identify said constraints via user interface interaction with said virtual model of the patient and entering said constraints into said computer storage medium.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 164 words

36 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, said workstation further comprising software instructions for enabling a user to design a treatment plan for a patient; instructions for simulating the movement of the teeth in accordance with the treatment plan as a series of two or more incremental tooth movement steps between an initial position and an ideal tooth finish position; and instructions providing the user with the ability to interactively vary the tooth incremental steps and view on the workstation graphical user interface the associated impact on tooth position and space between teeth; whereby the user is able to interactively evaluate several alternative treatment scenarios by the variance in said incremental tooth movements steps.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 164 words

36 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, said workstation further comprising software instructions for enabling a user to design a treatment plan for a patient; instructions for simulating the movement of the teeth in accordance with the treatment plan as a series of two or more incremental tooth movement steps between an initial position and an ideal tooth finish position; and instructions providing the user with the ability to interactively vary the tooth incremental steps and view on the workstation graphical user interface the associated impact on tooth position and space between teeth; whereby the user is able to interactively evaluate several alternative treatment scenarios by the variance in said incremental tooth movements steps.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 29 words

37 . The workstation of claim 36 , wherein said treatment plan comprises a hybrid treatment plan comprising, for the patient, both a) fixed appliances; and b) removable appliances.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 178 words

38 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions enabling a user to enter specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient into the computer storage medium, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, instructions for searching a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; and instructions providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 178 words

38 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions enabling a user to enter specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient into the computer storage medium, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, instructions for searching a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; and instructions providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 174 words

39 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions receiving into the computer storage medium specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, instructions for searching a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; and instructions providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 174 words

39 . A workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records, the workstation further comprising software instructions receiving into the computer storage medium specific values or ranges of values for treatment parameters for treatment of the patient, said parameters selected from the group of parameters consisting of a midline, maxilla and mandible levels and cant of an occlusal plane, positions for upper and lower occlusal planes, a reference tooth or teeth, desired arch form, alignment parameters for teeth, and space requirements for teeth, instructions for searching a computer database containing patient histories and associated treatment parameters for said patient histories, for a match between said patient and one or more patient histories in the computer database; and instructions providing to the user the results of said searching step.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 25 words

40 . The workstation of claim 39 , wherein said treatment parameters are received from a computer different from said workstation over a communications network.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 46 words

41 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises a routine for determining a Bolton tooth size discrepancy from virtual models of upper and lower dental arches of a patient and a database of normative values.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 46 words

41 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises a routine for determining a Bolton tooth size discrepancy from virtual models of upper and lower dental arches of a patient and a database of normative values.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 41 words

42 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises a routine for determining an Angle classification of a patient from virtual models of upper and lower dental arches of a patient.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 41 words

42 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises a routine for determining an Angle classification of a patient from virtual models of upper and lower dental arches of a patient.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 48 words

43 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises one ore more routine for feature identification of at least one of the following features from a three-dimensional model of teeth: cusps, fossa, interproximal contact points, and marginal ridges.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 48 words

43 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software, wherein said software comprises one ore more routine for feature identification of at least one of the following features from a three-dimensional model of teeth: cusps, fossa, interproximal contact points, and marginal ridges.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 18 words

44 . The workstation of claim 43 , wherein said workstation provides routines for all of said features.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 61 words

45 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software for display of a virtual model of teeth, and wherein said software comprises a routine for displaying said virtual model of teeth in a semi-transparent manner whereby a user may visualize said teeth and be able to observe adjacent and opposing teeth through the semi-transparent teeth.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 61 words

45 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software for display of a virtual model of teeth, and wherein said software comprises a routine for displaying said virtual model of teeth in a semi-transparent manner whereby a user may visualize said teeth and be able to observe adjacent and opposing teeth through the semi-transparent teeth.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 64 words

46 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software for display of a virtual model of teeth, and wherein said software comprises a routine for comparing an initial tooth position and a proposed tooth position and displaying on a user interface of said workstation the difference in position between the initial tooth position and the proposed tooth position.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 64 words

46 . A workstation providing craniofacial treatment planning tools in the form of interactive software for display of a virtual model of teeth, and wherein said software comprises a routine for comparing an initial tooth position and a proposed tooth position and displaying on a user interface of said workstation the difference in position between the initial tooth position and the proposed tooth position.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 30 words

47 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the workstaion provides tools for manipulation of at least one of a) soft tissue, b) hard tissue, and c) functional elements.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 29 words

48 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the incremental steps are compared to treatment responses of the patient so as to measure the patient's response to treatment.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 33 words

49 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising in step f, managing the spatial relationships between the opposing arches in the three dimensional virtual model of the teeth of the patient.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 41 words

50 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically aligning teeth in the three-dimensional virtual model of the teeth of the patient along one of more of the following constraints: vertical, sagittal, transverse, midline planes and an arch form.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 21 words

51 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the automatically aligning is performed independently for the upper and lower arches.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 23 words

52 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the automatically aligning is performed in tandem for both the upper and lower arches.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 30 words

53 . The method of claim 50 , wherein the automatic alignment is performed by selecting points of reference comprising one or more of contact points, marginal ridges, cusps, fossa.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 161 words

54 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for measuring orthodontic parameters of a patient, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to measure with the help of a grid orthodontic parameters of a patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to automatically measure said orthodontic parameters of said patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to manually measure said orthodontic parameters of said patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 161 words

54 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for measuring orthodontic parameters of a patient, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to measure with the help of a grid orthodontic parameters of a patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to automatically measure said orthodontic parameters of said patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to manually measure said orthodontic parameters of said patient in 2D (two dimension) model or 3D (three dimension) model.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 157 words

55 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for orienting teeth for planning orthodontic treatment of a patient, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to orient said patient's dentition within said patient's craniofacial complex in 2D (two dimensional) model of said patient; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to orient said patient's dentition within said patient's craniofacial complex in 3D (three dimensional) model of said patient; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to move between 2D (two dimensional) model of said patient and 3D (three dimensional) model of said patient.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 157 words

55 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for orienting teeth for planning orthodontic treatment of a patient, wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to orient said patient's dentition within said patient's craniofacial complex in 2D (two dimensional) model of said patient; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to orient said patient's dentition within said patient's craniofacial complex in 3D (three dimensional) model of said patient; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to move between 2D (two dimensional) model of said patient and 3D (three dimensional) model of said patient.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 133 words

56 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for enabling orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with , wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select an alignment object from said patient's orthodontic model; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select a reference object from said patient's orthodontic model; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to automatically align said alignment object with said reference object.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 133 words

56 . An orthodontic treatment planning workstation comprising a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient, said digitized records including image data, and a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools for access to said digitized records for enabling orthodontic treatment planning of a patient with , wherein said set of instructions include: a) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select an alignment object from said patient's orthodontic model; b) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to select a reference object from said patient's orthodontic model; and c) instructions providing graphical user interface tools for allowing the user to automatically align said alignment object with said reference object.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 35 words

57 . The workstation of claim 56 , wherein the reference object is a tooth and wherein the alignment object is a plane indicated on the virtual patient via user interaction with the user interface.

Method and system for integrated orthodontic treatment planning using unified workstation

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