COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD OF PLANNING A RESTORATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT

Abstract

In a method of planning a restorative dental treatment for a patient, at least two dental restorations are digitally constructed (20). In the process, an optimum specification (40) for the insertion of the restorations into the mouth of the patient is calculated (30), wherein the optimum specification for the insertion of the restorations comprises an optimum sequence of the restorations to be inserted; if applicable, including optimum insertion paths for the restorations to be inserted.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for planning a restorative dental treatment for a patient, comprising the steps of: digitally constructing at least two dental restorations; calculating a specification for the insertion of the at least two restorations into p mouth of the patient, wherein the specification for the insertion of the at least two restorations incudes an order of the at least two restorations to be inserted, if applicable including insertion paths for the at least two restorations to be inserted, c. calculating geometries for the at least two restorations, d. identifying potential conflicts for possible insertion sequences and if applicable, possible insertion paths, and e. outputting an available optimum specification for the insertion of the at least two restorations, wherein the optimum specification allows an insertion of the at least two restorations without conflicts, or repetition of steps c.-e., if no optimum specification is possible.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion paths are straight and/or curved.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion paths comprise rotations.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion paths comprise insertion directions.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculation of the optimum specification for the insertion of the at least two restorations accounts for the at least two restorations to be inserted not being deformed.

6. The method according to claim, wherein the calculation of the optimum specification for the insertion of the at least two restorations accounts for a possible adjustment in the construction of the geometries of the at least two restorations.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the construction of the at West two restorations with abutments, the abutments are one-piece abutments.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out within the framework of a computer-assisted design program and/or production program for the planning and/or production of dental restorations.

13. (canceled)

14. A Computer-program for implementing the method according to claim 1.

15. A Machine-readable data storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1—is a schematic flow chart of the method according to the invention in a preferred embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 2—is an illustration of adjustments in the construction of the restorations in problematic insertion situations; and

[0029] FIG. 3—is an illustration of a modification of the insertion paths in problematic insertion situations.

[0030] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the sequence of an embodiment of the method for planning a restorative dental treatment, wherein an optimum specification for the insertion of the restorations is determined. After the start 10 of the method, which is in particular integrated into a CAD/CAM system, geometries for the dental restorations are calculated and constructed in a per se known manner in Step 20. The subsequent query 30 determines whether potential conflicts are to be expected for possible insertion sequences and, if applicable, for possible insertion paths. The calculation of an optimum specification for the insertion sequence in particular accounts for external constraints, for example, implant insertion directions or already existing attachments, and accounts for adjacent tooth contacts. When identifying potential conflicts, for example, all possible sequences for the insertion of the restorations can be determined first and the insertion thereof can be simulated, for example, on a stump situation. An examination of the tangent direction determined by the interproximal contact situation, for example, can be conducted as well. A workable insertion sequence can thus be identified; if necessary taking into account specific insertion paths (rotations, insertion directions, etc.). If different paths are possible, one particularly suitable and advantageous specification, which can be particularly simply and quickly realized by the user, for example, can be selected. The optimum specification will be output by the system as a guide for the user, for example using sketches and/or in written form, in Step 40. If a number of workable variants are obtained for the specification for inserting the restorations, a number of guides can be output that can be used alternatively. If the query in Step 30 shows that there is no optimum specification or that the insertion of the restorations under the given conditions is not possible without further adjustments, it is possible to return to Step 20 and carry out an adjustment of the geometries. The algorithm then starts over from the beginning, wherein one or more of the restorations can be adjusted accordingly to make an unproblematic insertion of the restorations into the mouth of the patient under new conditions possible.

[0031] This proposal calculation for the insertion of the restorations that accounts for the different options for the insertion sequence, and, if applicable, the insertion paths or insertion directions, ensures that the dentist can use the best possible tooth shapes, even if the contact situation is unfavorable. According to the invention, a particular insertion sequence is calculated and specified to avoid the need to compromise with respect to the tooth shape and the contact regions. Therefore, the optimum restoration shape does not have to be compromised for reasons of insertability, because an indirect insertion sequence, which is sometimes required as a result of the tooth shape, can be calculated and implemented in practice. The method allows the automatic generation of a guide for the treating dentist with the insertion sequence and, if applicable, the specific insertion paths automatically derived by the system, which the treating dentist can use as basis for the treatment, for example on a screen or as a printout.

[0032] The method can also be used, for example for the calculation of abutments (implant structures), to decide whether a one-piece abutment solution or a two-part abutment solution is most suitable for the case in question. Because of the additional cement or adhesive gaps that can thereby be avoided, one-piece abutment solutions are generally preferred. Problems can arise during the insertion of one-piece abutment solutions, however, which can be modeled and recognized in advance using the method according to the invention. To solve the problem, a possibly indirect insertion sequence for the restorations including the abutment can be calculated using the method according to the invention. If no suitable insertion sequence or suitable specification for the insertion of the restorations including the one-piece abutment is possible, a two-part abutment solution can be used, if appropriate.

[0033] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a difficult insertion situation with a strongly inclined curve of Spee, wherein the curve of Spee describes an arc which connects the cutting edges and cusps in the dentition (sagittal compensation curve). The curve of Spee, which must be taken into account in restorations for functional reasons, can lead to problematic insertion situations (Sub-figure A). These problems (undercuts) are identified in the simulation of the insertion of the restorations (order of the teeth 1, 2, 3) during the simulation within the scope of the method according to the invention and, in this case, cannot even be corrected by varying the insertion sequence. In this case, the conflicts are accounted for in advance within the scope of the method according to the invention, with adjustments to the geometry of the restorations (Tooth 2) (Sub-figure B).

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates the case in which problematic situations can be solved by varying the insertion paths. Due to the undercut situation of the inlay 4 to be inserted into the natural tooth 5, direct insertion in a straight line is not possible. The insertion is only possible with a rotation of the inlay 4 to be inserted. This situation can, in a similar manner, be applied to situations with a plurality of restorations.