System and method for scanning an intraoral cavity

Abstract

According to the invention, a method and system are provided for scanning, and for facilitating scanning of, an intraoral cavity. The target parts of the intraoral cavity that it is desired to have scanned are identified, and the spatial s relationships between a scanning device and the target parts of the intraoral cavity suitable for enabling said target parts to be scanned by said scanning device, are also identified or otherwise determined. These relationships are then displayed, and the displayed relationships are used as a guide for scanning the intraoral cavity.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A dental scanning system, the system comprising:
 an intraoral scanning device;   an input interface configured to receive a user input;   a processor, wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive, from the input interface, parameters for a dental scan to be performed; 
 access a database of stored dental scanning protocols, wherein the database comprises a plurality of dental scanning protocols associated with various characteristics; 
 retrieve a selected scanning protocol from the plurality of dental scanning protocols, wherein the selected scanning protocol is selected based on similarities between the determined parameters and the various characteristics; and 
 provide instructions to the intraoral scanning device for performing the dental scan based on the selected scanning protocol, wherein performing the dental scan comprises determining spatial relationships between the scanning device and target parts of a patient's intraoral cavity. 
   
     
     
         3 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the parameters comprise at least one of a scanner model, scanner characteristics, procedure type, target dental site, and the patient's age. 
     
     
         4 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the parameters comprise an identification of a target dental site; and wherein the selected scanning protocol is configured to scan the target dental site at a higher resolution. 
     
     
         5 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the parameters comprise an identification of a corresponding procedure type; wherein the procedure type is orthodontic treatment; and wherein the selected scanning protocol is configured to scan the patient's full dentition 
     
     
         6 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the parameters comprise an identification of a corresponding procedure type; wherein the procedure type is a dental restoration; and wherein the selected scanning protocol is configured to scan one or more of a dental preparation. 
     
     
         7 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the instructions comprise providing for overlap of image data collected; and wherein the processor is configured to generate a composite 3D virtual model based at least in part on the overlap of image data collected. 
     
     
         8 . The dental scanning system of  claim 7 , further comprising a display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to display the composite 3D virtual model. 
     
     
         9 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , wherein the instructions comprise optimal spacing between a scanner head of the intraoral scanner device and a dental surface to be scanned. 
     
     
         10 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , further comprising a display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to display a series of indica corresponding to dental surfaces to be scanned. 
     
     
         11 . The dental scanning system of  claim 2 , further comprising a display screen, wherein the display screen is configured to display user guidance for performing the dental scan based on the selected scanning protocol. 
     
     
         12 . A method of performing a dental scan of a patient, the method comprising:
 determining parameters for a dental scan to be performed;   accessing a database of stored dental scanning protocols, wherein the database comprises a plurality of dental scanning protocols associated with various characteristics;   selecting one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols based on similarities between the determined parameters and the various characteristics; and   performing the dental scan using the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols, wherein performing the dental scan comprises determining spatial relationships between a scanning device and target parts of the patient's intraoral cavity.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprises at least one of a scanner model, scanner characteristics, procedure type, target dental site, and the patient's age. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprises an identification of a target dental site; and wherein the target dental site corresponds to a dental site at which a prothesis is to be implanted. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprises an identification of a target dental site; and wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols is configured to scan the target dental site at a higher resolution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprises an identification of a corresponding procedure type; wherein the procedure type is orthodontic treatment; and wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols is configured to scan the patient's full dentition. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the parameters comprises an identification of a corresponding procedure type, wherein the procedure type is a dental restoration; and wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols is configured to scan one or more of a dental preparation. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols comprises a plurality of scanning stations spatially associated with dental surfaces of target and ancillary parts of the patient's oral cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols is configured to provide for overlap of image data collected; and wherein the scanning protocol generates a composite 3D virtual model based at least in part on the overlap of image data collected. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols comprises optimal spacing between a scanner head of the scanner device and a dental surface to be scanned. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein performing the dental scan comprises following a series of indicia displayed on a monitor; wherein the series of indicia is determined by the selected one of the plurality of dental scanning protocols; and wherein the series of indicia corresponds to dental surfaces to be scanned.