Intra-oral imaging system and method for dimensional measurement below the gumline

摘要

A non-invasive method for evaluating the degree of healing around a prosthetic device or implant that is obscured by tissue employs a source of imaging radiation that illuminates an area of bone or tissue around the prosthetic device or implant. The method comprises obtaining first and second images representing the bone or tissue taken at different times; determining reference points identifying similar image positions in the first and second images; registering the first and second images by utilizing the reference points, thereby producing first and second registered images; utilizing the registered images in a subtractive process to determine the differences between the first and second images; and utilizing the differences between the first and second images to generate measurements of bone or tissue growth over time around the site of the prosthetic device or implant, thereby measuring the extent of healing around the prosthetic device or implant.