System and Method for the Design, Creation and Installation of Prostheses

Abstract

An improved system and method for the design, creation and installation of implant-supported dental prostheses is provided. A network accessible portal facilitates communication among a dental professional, a scanning center, a manufacturing center and others in the design and production of a dental drill guide and prosthesis, utilizing cone beam imaging, a rotatable 3-dimension representation of a patient's jaw, virtual placement of one or more implants and virtual testing prior to manufacture. Dental professionals may access the portal on a subscription or non-subscription basis.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A computer-assisted method of creating an oral prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
 electronically scanning a target jaw area where a patient needs a prosthesis to create a three-dimensional digital representation of the target jaw space including representations of upper and lower jaws;   using a computer, processing the digital representation of the target jaw space to create a digital simulation of a closed position of the jaws and electronically calculate boundaries of a space available for a prosthesis at a prosthesis placement location when the jaws are closed;   displaying the three-dimensional digital representation for an operator and receiving an electronic input from the operator selecting an implant placement location in response to the display of the digital representation; and   electronically generating a three-dimensional digital model of the implant prosthesis based on the calculated boundaries and storing the digital model for use by an automated manufacturing system, whereby the automated manufacturing system is enabled to generate the prosthesis configured to fit the selected prosthesis placement location according to the digital model.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the three-dimensional digital representation of the target jaw area comprises a three-dimensional volumetric watertight model.