| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide methods using digital data representing a patient's oral structure for dental methods, such as methods of treatment analysis and methods of fabricating an orthodontic retainer.SOLUTION: A virtual model of a dental patient's dentition is provided by obtaining a digital file of the patient's teeth and orthodontic appliances connected to the teeth, and then combining data from the data file with other data that represents surfaces of the teeth underlying the appliances. The virtual model is useful in making a physical model of the patient's current dentition that can be used, for example, to make an orthodontic retainer. Advantageously, the retainer can be fabricated before the orthodontic appliances are disconnected from the patient's teeth and ready for use as soon as the patient's teeth reach their desired positions in the oral cavity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1 |
