Phantom model of teeth set, method of evaluating scanning precision of scanner using the same, and method of evaluating 3D printing precision using the same

Abstract

A phantom model of teeth set, a method for evaluating the scanning accuracy of a scanner using the same model, and a method for evaluating the 3D printing precision of a printer using the same model is disclosed. The disclosed phantom model of teeth set comprises a base layer and a layer of teeth set comprising a tooth model as positioned on the base layer, and the tooth model may be constructed such that a shape observed in one direction differs from shapes viewed in the other direction.

Claims

1. A phantom model of teeth set comprising: a base layer; and a layer of teeth set that includes a tooth model that is put on the base layer, wherein the tooth model is set up in such a way that the shape observed in one direction differs from the shape observed in the other, wherein the phantom model of teeth set has several tooth models, and each tooth model is constructed in such a way that a form viewed in a random direction differs from shapes observed in other dental models in a random direction, and wherein the phantom model of teeth set is constructed in such a way that the forms viewed from the front, rear, planar, left, and right-side shapes of the phantom model of teeth set differ from the corresponding shapes of other dental models.

2. The phantom model of teeth set of claim 1, wherein the tooth model includes three-dimensional location data.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The phantom model of teeth set of claim 1, wherein the base layer is formed like a human gum.

6. The phantom model of teeth set of claim 1 wherein the base layer comprises a first base layer and a second base layer, with the second base layer being designed to stack on top of the first base layer and the layer of teeth set being positioned on top of the second base layer.

7. The phantom model of teeth set of claim 1 which further includes a pattern placed on at least one of the base layer or tooth models.

8. The phantom model of teeth set of claim 1 which includes a base layer and tooth model made of metal.

9. A method of measuring the scanning precision of a scanner includes: utilizing a CAD application to create a virtual phantom model of teeth set with three-dimensional position data (S10-1); utilizing a 3D processing approach to create an actual phantom model of teeth set based on the sketched virtual phantom model of teeth set (S20-1); acquiring scan data by scanning an actual phantom model of teeth set with a non-contact extraoral scanner (S30-1); and comprising the step (S40-1) of assessing the scanning precision of the non-contact extraoral scanner by comparing its scan data to the three-dimensional position data of the virtual dental phantom model, wherein both the virtual phantom model and the actual phantom model of teeth sets consist of at least one dental model, and wherein the actual phantom model of teeth set is a phantom model of teeth set according to claim 1.

10. The method of measuring the scanning precision of a scanner of claim 9, wherein further includes the step (S25) of obtaining three-dimensional position data of the actual phantom model of teeth set by scanning the actual phantom model of teeth set manufactured in the step (S20-1) with a contact-type extraoral scanner between the step (S20-1) and the step (S30-1), wherein instead of comparing the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner with the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set in step S40-1, it is compared with the three-dimensional position data of the actual phantom of teeth set.

11. The method of measuring the scanning precision of a scanner of claim 9 which additionally includes scanning of the actual phantom model of teeth set manufactured in the step (S20-1) with an intraoral scanner to obtain scan data (S50-1) after the step (S40-1) and comparing the obtained scan data of the intraoral scanner with the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner obtained in the step (S30-1) to evaluate the scanning precision of the intraoral scanner (S60-1).

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A method of measuring the 3D printing precision includes steps of: constructing a virtual phantom model of teeth set having three-dimensional position data using a CAD program (S10-2); 3D-printing a physical phantom model of teeth set based on the drawn virtual phantom model of teeth set (S20-2); collecting scan data by scanning the constructed actual phantom model of teeth set (S30-2); and comprising the step (S40-2) of assessing the accuracy of the 3D printing by comparing the scan data of the scanner with the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set, wherein both the virtual phantom model and the actual phantom model of teeth sets contain one or more teeth models, and wherein the actual phantom model of teeth set is the phantom model of teeth set in accordance with claim 1.

16. The method of measuring 3D printing precision of claim 15, wherein the scanner is a contact or non-contact oral or extraoral scanner.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1aa to 1ad are perspective views of the phantom model of teeth set according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 1ae is a front view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 1af is a rear view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 1ag is a plane view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 1ah is a bottom view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 1ai is a right-side view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 1aj is a left-side view of the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 1b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 1.

[0025] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 1.

[0026] FIG. 2b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 1.

[0027] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 2.

[0028] FIG. 3b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 2.

IMPLEMENTATION MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of the phantom model of teeth set according to one embodiment of the present invention and referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] In the current specifications, the term “tooth model” refers to an artificial tooth-shaped structure.

[0031] In addition, for the purposes of these specifications, “three-dimensional location data” refers to the spatial coordinates of any point, where the position of a point in space is defined as an ordered pair of three actual values (x, y, z). If the spatial coordinates of all points on the phantom model of teeth set are collected, it is possible to determine not only the overall form of the dental phantom model but also the position and 3D size of each tooth model as well as the distance between tooth models.

[0032] Moreover, for the purposes of this standard, “scan data” refers to 3D location data acquired by scanning with a scanner.

[0033] In addition, the term “virtual dental phantom model” in the current specification refers to a phantom model of teeth set (i.e., a drawing file such as CAD) made with a drawing application such as CAD.

[0034] The phrase “actual dental phantom model” in this specification also refers to a phantom model of teeth set with a physical shape constructed of a substance such as metal.

[0035] FIG. 1aa to 1ad are perspective views of a phantom model of teeth set according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1ae is a front view of the phantom model of teeth (100) set of FIG. 1; FIG. 1af is a rear view of the phantom model of teeth set (100) of FIG. 1; FIG. 1ag is a plane view of the phantom model of teeth set (100) of FIG. 1; FIG. 1ah is a bottom view of the phantom model of teeth set (100) of FIG. 1; FIG. 1ai is a right-side view of the phantom model of teeth set (100) of FIG. 1; and FIG. 1aj is a left-side view of the phantom model of teeth set (100) of FIG. 1.

[0036] In reference to FIG. 1, a phantom model of teeth set (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the base layers (110 and 120) and a layer of teeth set (130).

[0037] The base layers (110 and 120) may include the first base layer (110) and the second base layer (120).

[0038] On top of the first base layer (110) that is to be stepped, the second base layer (120) may be constructed. Specifically, the width and length of the second base layer (120) can be made to be less than those of the first base layer (110).

[0039] Additionally, the second base layer (120) may further include one or more patterns (P1 and P2).

[0040] These patterns assist in further enhancing the dental phantom model's (100) scannability.

[0041] For instance, the patterns (P1 and P2) may have a star shape, a wavy shape, a dumbbell shape, or a polygon shape (triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon).

[0042] Moreover, when there are several patterns (P1 and P2), at least some of the patterns may be the same or at least some of the patterns may be different.

[0043] The patterns (P1 and P2) may also be grooves and/or protrusions.

[0044] In addition, the base layers (110 and 120) may be shaped to resemble a human gum.

[0045] In addition, metal may be included in the basal layers (110 and 120). As described previously, base layers (110 and 120) containing metals may alter (eg, improve) scanning characteristics.

[0046] The layer of teeth set (130) may be placed on the second base layer (120).

[0047] Also, the layer of teeth set (130) may include one or more tooth models. The layer of teeth set (130), for instance, may have one, two, or more tooth models. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, the layer of teeth set (130) may have eight tooth models (131˜138).

[0048] Each tooth model (131˜138) may be configured so that the shape observed in one direction differs from the form viewed in the opposite way. For instance, if each tooth model (131˜138) has several faces (e.g., three or four), each tooth model (131˜138) may be designed so that the form of each face is distinct from the shape of the other faces.

[0049] Additionally, three-dimensional position data may be created for each of the tooth models (131˜138). For example, each tooth model (131˜138) may be made using a 3D processing method (e.g., 3D printing, metal milling, etc.) and a computer-aided design (CAD) tool that generates a virtual phantom model of teeth set with three-dimensional position data. In contrast, due to the uneven form of natural teeth, it is not possible to assemble 3D position data in a dental model created by impression taking.

[0050] In addition, each tooth model (131˜138) may be built so that the floor area (i.e., the area of the face in contact with the second base layer (120)) imitates the floor area of the corresponding natural tooth. For instance, the floor area of the tooth model (131) is greater than the floor area of the tooth model (132) which mimics actual teeth in terms of floor space.

[0051] Moreover, each tooth model may be designed to simulate natural dental trauma, such as enamel fracture, crown fracture, root fracture, tooth dislocation, tooth transection, fracture, and gingival injury.

[0052] Additionally, the phantom model of teeth set has many tooth models. Each tooth model (e.g., 131) may be set so that a shape seen in a random direction differs from shapes of other teeth models (e.g., 132˜138), respectively.

[0053] For example, referring to FIGS. 1ae, 1ag, 1ai, and 1aj, each tooth model (e.g., 131) has the shapes observed from the front, back, planar, left and right-side shapes of the phantom model of teeth set (100) that may be constructed to be different from the corresponding shapes of the other dental models (e.g., 132˜138) observed from the front, back, planar, left and right-side shapes of the phantom model of teeth set (100), respectively. Here, “corresponding shape” refers to the shape of a specific tooth model (e.g. 131) and the shape of additional teeth models (e.g., 132˜138) seen in the same direction.

[0054] Moreover, each of the tooth models (131˜138) may comprise one or more patterns (not shown).

[0055] The pattern aids in further enhancing the scannability of the phantom model of teeth set (100).

[0056] Moreover, each tooth model (131˜138) may contain metal. By including the metal in each tooth model (131˜138), the scanning characteristics may be altered (e.g., enhanced).

[0057] Following is a detailed description of a method for assessing the scanning precision of a scanner in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The scanning accuracy assessment method of the scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: generating a virtual phantom model of teeth set using three-dimensional position data using a computer-aided design (CAD) application (S10-1); using a 3D processing method (e.g., 3D printing, metal milling, etc.) to create an actual phantom model of teeth set based on a sketched virtual phantom model of teeth set (S20-1); obtaining scan data by scanning the created actual phantom model of teeth set with an extraoral non-contact scanner (S30-1) and comparing the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner with the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set (e.g. by overlapping), assessing the scanning precision of the non-contact extra-oral scanner (S40-1).

[0059] The virtual phantom model of teeth set may be a CAD file.

[0060] The non-contact extraoral scanner might be a model scanner, also known as a 3D scanner.

[0061] The greater the scanning accuracy of the non-contact extraoral scanner may be evaluated in step S40-1, the lower the deviation between the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner and the three-dimensional position data of the virtual dental phantom model.

[0062] In addition, the scanning precision evaluation method of the scanner may further include a step (S25) of obtaining three-dimensional position data of the actual phantom model of teeth set by scanning the actual phantom model of teeth set manufactured in the step (S20-1) with a contact-type extraoral scanner between the step (S20-1) and the step (S30-1). In this case, the step (S40-1) is conducted instead of comparing the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner with the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set and the scanning precision of the non-contact extraoral scanner may be determined by comparing it to the actual phantom model of teeth set's three-dimensional position data.

[0063] The contact extraoral scanner may be a 3D scanner.

[0064] In addition, the scanning precision evaluation method of the scanner, after step (S40-1), may include the following steps: scanning the actual phantom model of teeth set manufactured in step (S20-1) with an intraoral scanner to obtain scan data (S50-1) and comparing the acquired scan data of the intraoral scanner with the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner obtained in the step (S30-1) (e.g., by overlapping) to evaluate the scanning precision of the intraoral scanner (S60-1).

[0065] The greater the scanning precision of the intraoral scanner may be evaluated in step (S60-1) the lower the deviation between the scan data of the intraoral scanner and the scan data of the non-contact extraoral scanner.

[0066] The intraoral scanner may be a contact or non-contact 3D scanner.

[0067] The virtual phantom model of teeth set and the actual phantom model of teeth set, for example, may contain one or more dental models. The actual phantom model of teeth set in this scenario might be the previously described phantom model of teeth set (100).

[0068] As another example, both the virtual and actual phantom models of teeth set may not include a dental model. In this instance, the virtual phantom model and the actual phantom model of teeth set may only comprise the base layers (110 and 120) and not the layer of teeth set (130) of the aforementioned phantom model of teeth set (100).

[0069] Following is a detailed description of a 3D printing precision evaluation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Method for evaluating the precision of 3D printing based on an embodiment of the present invention comprises the following steps: Using a CAD application, a virtual phantom model of teeth set with three-dimensional position data is created (S10-2); using 3D printing to create an actual phantom model of teeth set based on a sketched virtual phantom model of teeth set (S20-2); obtaining scan data by scanning the created actual phantom model of teeth set with a scanner (S30-2) and evaluating the precision of 3D printing by comparing the scan data of the scanner with the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set (S40-2).

[0071] A 3D printer is capable of performing the 3D printing.

[0072] When the precision of the scanner is high, it may indicate the precision of the 3D printer and when the precision of the 3D printer is high, it may indicate the precision of the scanner. When both the 3D printer's accuracy and the scanner's precision are low, it may indicate the total precision.

[0073] The scanner may be a contact or non-contact 3D intraoral or extraoral scanner.

[0074] The greater the precision of 3D printing may be measured in step (S40-2), the lower the discrepancy between the scan data of the extraoral scanner and the three-dimensional position data of the virtual phantom model of teeth set.

[0075] The virtual phantom model and the actual phantom model of teeth set, for instance, may contain one or more dental models. In this instance, the actual phantom model of teeth set (100) may be the one described above.

[0076] As another example, both the virtual and actual phantom models of teeth set may not include a dental model. In this instance, the virtual phantom model and the actual phantom model of teeth set may only comprise the base layers (110 and 120) and not the layer of teeth set (130) of the aforementioned phantom model of teeth set (100).

[0077] Following will be a description of the current invention with reference to the following examples, however, the present invention is not limited to these examples alone.

Example 1 and Reference Examples 1-2: Manufacturing of a Phantom Model of Teeth Set

[0078] The phantom model of teeth sets in the shapes shown in FIGS. 1ag, 2a, and 3a were manufactured using a CAD program and a 3D printer.

Examples of Evaluation

[0079] Each of the phantom models of teeth set was scanned using a 3Shape TRIOS 3 scanner to create a scanning image. The FIG. 1b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set produced in Example 1, FIG. 2b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set produced in Reference Example 1 and FIG. 3b is a scanning image of the phantom model of teeth set manufactured in Reference Example 2.

[0080] Using FIGS. 1ag and 1b as references, the scanned image of FIG. 1b (Example 1) demonstrated that the phantom model of teeth set is depicted in FIG. 1ag (Example 1) was flawlessly created.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, it was discovered that the scanning image of FIG. 2b (Reference Example 1) hardly resembled the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 2a (Reference Example 1).

[0082] Similarly, referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, it was discovered that the scanning image of FIG. 3b (Reference Example 2) resembled the phantom model of teeth set of FIG. 3a only vaguely (Reference Example 2).

[0083] Based on the above results, it can be proven that the phantom model of teeth set of Example 1 has outstanding scanning qualities and may thus be used as a standard dental pattern model for assessing the scanning accuracy of a scanner or the printing precision of 3D printing.

[0084] As observed in the scanning images of the phantom models of teeth set of Reference Examples 1 and 2, a phantom model of teeth set with a form even slightly different from the phantom model of teeth set of Example 1 has poor scanning qualities; hence, it is evident that this model cannot be used to evaluate the scanning quality of a scanner or the precision of 3D printing as a standard pattern model of teeth set.

[0085] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, although this is simply illustrative. Those with ordinary competence in the field will recognize that several changes and equivalent alternative embodiments are feasible.

[0086] Consequently, the extent of protection afforded by the present invention must be specified by the attached claims.

DESCRIPTION OF CODES

[0087]

TABLE-US-00001 100: Phantom Model of Teeth Set 110: The First Base Layer 120: The Second Base Layer 130: Layer of Teeth Set 131~138: Teeth Model