METHOD FOR INCORPORATING PHOTOGRAPHIC FACIAL IMAGES AND OR FILMS OF A PERSON INTO THE PLANNING OF ODONTOLOGICAL AND OR COSMETIC DENTAL TREATMENTS AND OR THE PREPARATION OF RESTORATIONS FOR SAID PERSON

Abstract

In a method for incorporating photographic facial images and/or films of a person into the preparation of odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatments and/or restorations for said person, the photographic facial images and/or films are produced using the camera function of a smart device. The user is guided through the production of the facial images and/or films with the aid of an application for the smart device, and the produced images and/or films are incorporated into software for a computer-assisted design of the treatments and/or restorations.

Claims

1. Method for incorporating photographic facial images and/or films of a person into the planning of odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatments and/or the preparation of restorations for said person, comprising the steps of: producing the photographic facial images and/or films using a camera function of a smart device, wherein a user of the method is guided through the production of the facial images and/or films with the aid of an application for the smart device, and incorporating the produced images and/or films into software for a computer-assisted design of the treatments and/or restorations.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the application for the smart device and the software communicate with and/or transfer data to one another wirelessly.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein a template for the positioning of a face and/or of a mouth region is provided in the display of the smart device for the guidance through the production of the facial images and/or films.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the guidance through the production of the photographic facial images and/or films specifies the recording of the person in different positions.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the guidance through the production of the photographic facial images and/or films specifies the recording of the person with and without a cheek retractor, respectively not smiling and smiling.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the guidance through the production of the photographic facial images and/or films specifies the recording of the person from a specific perspective.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the guidance through the production of the photographic facial images and/or films specifies the recording of the person from a variety of perspectives.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the software includes instructions to use the application on the smart device.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one check function is provided in the software and/or the application, which verifies and communicates to the user whether the facial images and/or films produced using the application with the smart device satisfy the requirements of the software and, if necessary, prompts the user to repeat the production of the facial images and/or films.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the software, the photographic facial images and/or films are incorporated into a digital visualization of the targeted result of the odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatments and/or restorations.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the software, the photographic facial images and/or films are incorporated into the production of a three-dimensional image of a face and/or of a mouth region of the person.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the software, the photographic facial images and/or films are incorporated into a Digital Smile Design.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information from the computer-assisted design of the treatments and/or restorations is forwarded to a dental facility.

14. Application for a smart device, wherein the application is configured for carrying out a method according to claim 1.

15. Computer program for a computer-assisted design of odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatments and/or restorations, wherein a method according to claim 1 is incorporated into the computer program.

16. Computer program for a computer-assisted design of odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatments and/or restorations, wherein an application for a smart device according to claim 14 is incorporated into the computer program.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Design examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. The individual features can hereby be realized individually or in combination with one another.

[0020] FIG. 1 schematic representation of the user interface of a smart device during the course of the application according to the invention with the specification of a template for the image of the face;

[0021] FIG. 2 schematic representation of the user interface of a smart device during the course of the application according to the invention with the specification of recording positions for the image of the face and

[0022] FIG. 3 schematic flow chart of the method for incorporating digital images of the face according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 schematically shows the user interface 10 of a smart device 20, the camera function of which is used to produce photographic images of the face (digital facial images and/or facial films). The smart device 20 in this example is a mobile phone. The figure illustrates a view of the application for the smart device 20 within the camera function of said smart device, by means of which the user is guided through the production of optimum images of the face. The produced images or films can thus be incorporated into software for a computer-assisted design of odontological and/or cosmetic dental treatment plans and/or restorations in a very user-friendly manner. At the same time, appropriate specifications and check functions of the application can ensure that optimum photographic recordings (images or films or videos), which are suitable for digital further processing within the CAD software, are produced. By means of the scene within the application shown in FIG. 1, with the display of a template 11 in the form of a mask, the user is prompted to position the face to be recorded in a correspondingly centered manner when recording. In the further course of the application, by changing the template 11, the user can be prompted to change the position of the head to be photographed or recorded; for example, to generate recordings in full profile and in semi-profile. If, within the framework of the application, not only images but alternatively or additionally films or videos are recorded, the user can be prompted, for example, by the display of arrows, to have the person to be recorded turn his head or to move the smart device 20 accordingly. FIG. 2 illustrates a scene within the application, wherein position points 13 are displayed along a central line 12 on the user interface 10 of the smart device 20, by means of which the user is prompted to take images at the various positions by moving the smart device 20. In order to generate image data for the production of a complex three-dimensional model, the user can further be prompted to also take images from positions above and below the central line 12 by means of arrows or the like. Additional prompts can further be directed to the user within the framework of the application, for example asking the person to be recorded to smile (with open or closed mouth) and/or to use a cheek retractor. These prompts can, for example, be in writing, visual or even audible.

[0024] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a possible flow chart for carrying out the method for incorporating the photographic facial images and/or films into a computer-assisted design of restorations and/or treatment plans (CAD software). The first step is the start 100 of the CAD software. Within the running of the program, the user can be asked whether a Digital Smile Design is to be carried out (Step 101). If this feature is requested, the user is asked to start the relevant application on a smart device (Step 102). The required instructions can subsequently be provided in both the CAD software and in the application. After the start of the application, the user is guided through the production of digital images of the face (images or films or videos) with the aid of appropriate prompts on the display of the smart device within the framework of the application according to the invention (Step 103). By means of a type of template in the camera function of the smart device, the user can be advised how to position the camera or the smart device to take an image that is ideal for the CAD software. This process is preferably repeated for a number of perspectives. This is preferably carried out with feedback or in mutual communication with the CAD software. The application of the smart device and the CAD software can preferably communicate with one another wirelessly, for example by means of integrated radio modules. It is, in particular, possible to check whether or not the recordings are suitable for further digital processing virtually in real time. If, within the context of a check function, it is for example determined that a recording is unsuitable, this can be displayed to the user immediately, so that the user has the opportunity to repeat and, if necessary, improve the recording. After and/or during the production of the facial images, the relevant data is transmitted to the CAD software or to a corresponding computer, on which the software is installed and runs (Step 104). The digital images of the face are incorporated in the CAD software, wherein the data can in particular be converted into a three-dimensional representation (model) (Step 105). The user can then continue the familiar digital design process for restorations and/or treatment plans in the CAD software, wherein the additional information of digital images of the face of the patient is now contained and incorporated here. A visualization of the data of the two-dimensional facial image or film, for example, that has been included in a three-dimensional representation, can subsequently be displayed. The user can thus, for example, design the restorations in such a way that they combine to an aesthetically pleasing smile and, at the same time, within the framework of a Digital Smile Design, for example provide the patient with a realistic preview of his future restoration (Step 106).

[0025] In order to provide this information to a dental technician so he can carry out the actual production of the restorations and/or treatment devices on this basis, the results of the CAD software, i.e. the design of the restorations and/or the orthodontic treatment plans, for example, can be forwarded, for example via an online portal.