| abstract |
The present invention provides methods for acquiring and utilizing time-based 3d jaw motion images (4d datasets) to enhance the computer-aided design (CAD) of dental devices, which may include dental restorations, oral prostheses, and oral appliances. These 4d datasets may be used directly to provide a jaw motion model suitable for enhanced CAD or, they may be used to derive mathematical expressions that are then used to drive a motion simulation. The methods of the invention are based on acquiring time-based 3d images (a 4d sequence) of the upper and lower teeth, with each 3d frame in the time sequence capturing some upper and lower arch anatomy (the oral anatomy). Each image in the 4d sequence may therefore contain an accurate record of the relationship between the upper and lower arch in three dimensions. |