Interactive dental restorative network

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assisting a dental practitioner in the dental restoration of a patient treatment area. The method includes forming a three-dimensional (3D) model represented in digital form of the treatment area to be restored, the model being formed during a first visit by the patient to a dentist's office; developing a preliminary treatment plan including a prostheses specification that is based, at least in part, on the 3D digital model of the treatment area; storing the 3D digital model and the preliminary treatment plan in a database along with the patient's record; and conferencing with other practitioners in order to determine whether the preliminary treatment plan is appropriate for the patient based on the dental data.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11 / 513,273 filed Aug. 31, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention is directed to methods, systems and devices for dental restoration wherein communication between the dentist and restoration laboratory are held in real time to discuss, finalize and optimize a treatment plan for a patient. More specifically, the invention is directed to an interactive computer-based system and method to enable the dentist and restoration laboratory to analyze color images of one or more teeth and teeth preparation so that a replacement tooth or crown can be particularly designed to precisely match the tooth that is to be replaced in certain clinical or cosmetic procedures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Restorative dentistry is the art and science of replacing or restoring lost tooth structure. The amount of tooth structure to be replaced determines w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a computer-based dental restoration system that allows a dentist to communicate with a practitioner through a network server and access digital representations of patient dental records and images. The system includes desktop or laptop computers for accessing and displaying the digital representations, as well as mobile devices like PDAs and cell phones. The system also includes information about materials, procedures, and preparations for dental restoration prostheses. The main technical effects of the system include improved communication between dentist and practitioner, easier access to patient data, and faster decision-making regarding dental restoration options.

Problems solved by technology

The choice of that path in the past was more simple, due to the limited number of materials and techniques available.

Dentists are now facing an overload of information in trying to decide which materials and procedures are the best suited for their particular cases.

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