Dentistry – Method or material for testing – treating – restoring – or... – Crown
Patent
1996-08-06
1999-08-17
Lewis, Ralph A.
Dentistry
Method or material for testing, treating, restoring, or...
Crown
36447403, A61C 1300
Patent
active
059384468
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a product which can be used in the human body, preferably a dental bridge, with the aid of a model comprising different parts, for example preparations. The method uses a scanning unit by means of which the contours of the parts read off and represented by electrical, preferably digital, representations. Also included is a computer unit (micro-processor) which operates with data or information items which can be related to the representations and which are arranged in files. With the aid of a computer program, for example of the example, of a CAD program, the computer processes the data in cooperation with an operator in order to create, on a computer screen, a construction based on the read-off representations. The computer can also provide processing information items representing the construction and which are used in equipment for manufacturing or machining of the construction, which can, in this case be made in the form of a blank, for example of titanium.
The invention also relates to a device for implementing method. The invention furthermore deals with a device for scanning parts of a model, preferably a model in the form of a dental bridge or equivalent dental product with parts in the form of one or more preparations, for manufacture of a construction. A digital representation, obtained as a result of the scanning or reading, of the contours of the parts or preparations is obtained from the scanning unit and supplied to the computer. Also included in the representation are data concerning the mutual positions of the parts or the preparations on the model in question. The computer unit creates on the screen, as a function of the supplied representation and with the aid of a program, for example a CAD program, and in cooperation with a user or operator, a construction, for example a dental bridge, which is based on the model.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the manufacture of dental bridges, for it is already known to use a scanning unit and computer for simulating a construction based on the scanning. The computer can also, in a known manner case, calculate machining coordinates for production of the construction in question.
However, there is a need to be able to produce dental bridges, for instance, in a relatively technically simple and computerized manner. Thus, it is important to indicate correctly not only the different shapes of the dental bridges, but also the relationship between the parts, at the same time as using an appropriate and rapid scanning function. The present invention solves this problem, among others.
In the manufacture of dental products, it has been advantageous to use for scanning a scanning unit in which the reading function (the beam, needle, etc) is directed obliquely to the axis of the respective dental bridge part, and to rotate the dental bridge part and its axis during the scanning. In this way, it is possible to operate in the polar coordinates system, which reduces reading times, data quantities, etc., and despite which, allows complicated contours to be read off. However, there is a clear problem in combining such a tracer principle with computer-aided construction in accordance with the above. The invention solves this problem too.
It is important that known equipment, such as scanning apparatuses, computers, computer programs, etc., could be used. Thus, for example, it is advantageous if standard software can be used. The invention also solves this problem and permits the use of known of CAD programs for producing the construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The feature characterizing a method according to the present invention is that the position of the respective preparation in the construction is determined using an apparatus or levelling apparatus which operates separately from the scanning unit, at least from the functional point of view. The apparatus generates information items which can be related to the positions of the preparations and which are run concurrently w
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patent: 5440496 (1995-08-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 5497336 (1996-03-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 5587912 (1996-12-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 5607305 (1997-03-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 5652709 (1997-07-01), Andersson et al.
Andersson Matts
Persson Magnus
Lewis Ralph A.
Nobel Biocare AB
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