Preventing interference between tooth models

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed to prevent interference between two physical tooth models in a physical dental arch model by acquiring the coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models and digitally representing the surfaces of each of the two physical tooth models by a mesh of points in three dimensions using the acquired coordinates. The meshes representing the surfaces of the two physical tooth models intersect at least at one point to form an overlapping portion. The method also includes calculating the depth of the overlapping portion between the two meshes to quantify the interference of the two physical tooth models.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method for preventing interference between two physical tooth models coupled to a base about one or more pins so as to form a physical model of an arrangement of teeth, the method comprising:
 generating digital representations of two physical tooth models;   receiving position data of the digital representations of the two physical tooth models;   predicting the interference of the two physical tooth models based at least in part on the position data; and   selecting an adjusted pin configuration for a physical model of an arrangement of teeth so as to avoid the predicted interference.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wherein the digital representations of the two physical tooth models intersect to form an overlapping portion according to the position data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein predicting the interference of the two physical tooth models is based at least in part on the overlapping portion between the digital representations. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising acquiring coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said acquiring comprises measuring the positions of points on the surfaces of an impression representing a patient's teeth. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein generating said representations comprises generating digital meshes of points in three dimensions, wherein the meshes represent the surfaces of the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the meshes are generated using coordinates of a plurality of points on the surfaces of the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the meshes are triangular meshes in three dimensions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the meshes comprises at least one mesh opening having three, four or five nodes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising making an adjustment to eliminate the interference when the two physical tooth models are mounted to a base. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said making comprises adjusting the position or orientation of at least one of the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said making comprises selecting configurations of first features of the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising fabricating the physical tooth models having the selected configurations of first features. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the configurations of first features are selected in accordance with a depth of the overlapping portion between the two physical tooth models. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said making comprises selecting the positions and orientations of second features on a base to prevent interference between the two physical tooth models when they are mounted to the base with the assistance of the second features. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising fabricating the base having the selected positions and orientations of the second features. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said making comprises digitally adjusting at least one of the digital representations. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising adjusting the position or orientation of at least one of the two physical tooth models in accordance with the digital adjustment to the at least one of the digital representations. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising adjusting a configuration of at least one of the first features of the two physical tooth models in accordance with the digital adjustment to the at least one of the digital representations. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said generating comprises calculating a depth of the overlapping portion between the digital representations, and wherein said making comprises adjusting the position or orientation of at least one the two physical tooth models in accordance with the calculated depth to prevent the interference between the two physical tooth models.