Detecting and monitoring development of a dental condition

Abstract

A method, user interface and system for detecting and monitoring development of a dental condition. In particular, detecting and monitoring such a development by comparing digital 3D representations of the patient's set of teeth recorded at a first and a second point in time. For example, determining tooth movement for at least one tooth between the first and second point in time based on derived distances.

1 . A method for determining an orientation and position of a dental implant arranged in a patient's jawbone, the method comprising
 obtaining a digital 3D representation of a healing abutment that is arranged in the dental implant;   aligning a CAD model of the healing abutment with the obtained digital 3D representation of the healing abutment;   determining an orientation and position of the obtained digital 3D representation of the healing abutment based on the alignment of the CAD model and obtained digital 3D representation; and   deriving an orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw based on the determined orientation and position of the obtained digital 3D representation.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein deriving the orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw is based on a code providing information relating to the healing abutment. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the information comprises shape and size of the healing abutment. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein deriving the orientation and position of the dental implant is performed during osseointegration of the dental implant in the patient's jaw. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the healing abutment, corresponding to the digital 3D representation, arranged in the dental implant comprises the healing abutment being firmly attached to the dental implant such that a change in the dental implant position and orientation results in a corresponding change in the position and orientation of the healing abutment. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising deriving orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw for digital 3D representations of the healing abutment at different times during the osseointegration. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising detecting change in orientation and position of the dental implant during the osseointegration based on comparing orientation and position of the dental implant derived for the different times. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising raising an alarm when the detected change in the orientation and position of the dental implant exceeds a value during the osseointegration. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising designing an abutment and crown in response to the change in the dental implant position and orientation during the osseointegration. 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product comprising program code means for causing a data processing system to perform method for determining an orientation and position of a dental implant arranged in a patient's jawbone, the method comprising
 obtaining a digital 3D representation of a healing abutment that is arranged in the dental implant;   aligning a CAD model of the healing abutment with the obtained digital 3D representation of the healing abutment;   determining an orientation and position of the obtained digital 3D representation of the healing abutment based on the alignment of the CAD model and obtained digital 3D representation; and   deriving an orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw based on the determined orientation and position of the obtained digital 3D representation.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein deriving the orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw is based on a code providing information relating to the healing abutment. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product according to  claim 11 , wherein the information comprises shape and size of the healing abutment. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein deriving the orientation and position of the dental implant is performed during osseointegration of the dental implant in the patient's jaw. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein the healing abutment, corresponding to the digital 3D representation, arranged in the dental implant comprises the healing abutment being firmly attached to the dental implant such that a change in the dental implant position and orientation results in a corresponding change in the position and orientation of the healing abutment. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product according to  claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises deriving orientation and position of the dental implant in the patient's jaw for digital 3D representations of the healing abutment at different times during the osseointegration. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product according to  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises detecting change in orientation and position of the dental implant during the osseointegration based on comparing orientation and position of the dental implant derived for the different times. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises raising an alarm when the detected change in the orientation and position of the dental implant exceeds a value during the osseointegration. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises designing an abutment and crown in response to the change in the dental implant position and orientation during the osseointegration.