Oral cavity image processing device, oral cavity image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

The invention discloses an oral cavity image processing device and an oral cavity image processing method. In one embodiment, the oral cavity image processing method may comprise the steps of: acquiring an oral cavity image comprising a plurality of teeth; acquiring a selection signal, wherein the selection signal is used for selecting at least one selection point from a plurality of selection points between two adjacent teeth in the plurality of teeth; acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and moving the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction, which is a direction toward the selected selection point.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an oral image processing apparatus and an oral image processing method, and more particularly, to an oral image processing apparatus and an oral image processing method for moving teeth in a mobile oral image. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a treatment such as orthodontic treatment, a dental computer aided design / computer aided manufacturing (CAD / CAM) technique is widely used. When dental treatment is performed using CAD / CAM, it is most important to acquire accurate three-dimensional data for the shape of an object such as a patient's teeth, gums, and jaw. When dental treatment is performed, using three-dimensional data acquired from an object has the advantage that accurate calculation can be performed by a computer. For example, when dental treatment is performed using dental CAD / CAM, in order to acquire three-dimensional data of an object, a method such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and optical scanning can be used.

[0003] When dental treatment such as orthodontic treatment is performed, in order to determine an appropriate treatment method before orthodontic treatment is performed, an orthodontic simulation of a tooth shape expected at the time of orthodontic treatment can be provided. When orthodontic treatment is performed using an orthodontic simulation, a patient can be provided with an orthodontic simulation through various scenarios such as interproximal reduction (IPR, hereinafter referred to as "IPR"), tooth extraction, tooth movement, and the like. In addition, through the orthodontic simulation, a gap between corrected teeth that can occur after orthodontic treatment, such as an interdental gap similar to a black triangle, can be predicted, and the interdental gap can be adjusted by virtually performing IPR for eliminating the gap. SUMMARY

[0004] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION The disclosed embodiments aim to provide an oral image processing apparatus that selects a selection point located between two adjacent teeth and moves at least one adjacent tooth by an acquired target movement amount, and an apparatus that performs a corresponding action.

[0005] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS The oral image processing method according to an embodiment can include a step of acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth. The oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point from among a plurality of selection points located between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth. The oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selection point. The oral image processing method can include a step of moving the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point.

[0006] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can further include a step of providing a user input interface capable of inputting the target movement amount. In the oral image processing method, the target movement amount can be acquired through the user input interface.

[0007] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of selecting at least one tooth located in a direction from the selected at least one selection point toward at least one adjacent tooth with the at least one adjacent tooth as a reference as a movement target tooth. The oral image processing method can include a step of moving the movement target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth.

[0008] In an embodiment, the at least one adjacent tooth can include at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selection point in a distal direction and a second adjacent tooth in a mesial direction. In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of selecting, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, a first movement tooth located in the distal direction with the first adjacent tooth as a reference as a movement target tooth. The oral image processing method can include a step of selecting, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, a second movement tooth located in the mesial direction up to a dental midline with the second adjacent tooth as a reference as a movement target tooth. The oral image processing method can include a step of selecting, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, the first movement tooth and the second movement tooth as movement target teeth.

[0009] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can further include a step of, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, moving the first adjacent tooth by a first movement amount toward the selected at least one selection point and moving the second adjacent tooth by a second movement amount toward the selected at least one selection point. The sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount can be equal to the target movement amount.

[0010] In an embodiment, a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can be a preset ratio, or a ratio of the first movement amount with respect to the second movement amount can be proportional to a distance from a center line of the teeth to the at least one selected point.

[0011] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of distinguishing and displaying a color of at least one adjacent tooth among the plurality of teeth and a color of the movement target tooth from colors of the remaining teeth among the plurality of teeth.

[0012] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the oral image. The oral image processing method can include a step of moving at least one adjacent tooth in a first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

[0013] In an embodiment, in the oral image processing method, the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction and the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth in the second movement direction can be repeated so that at least one adjacent tooth can be positioned close to the dental arch line.

[0014] The oral image processing apparatus according to an embodiment can include a memory to store at least one instruction, and at least one processor to execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory. The at least one processor can acquire an oral image including a plurality of teeth. The at least one processor can acquire a selection signal for selecting at least one selected point from among a plurality of selected points positioned between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth. The at least one processor can acquire a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selected point. The at least one processor can move at least one adjacent tooth in a first movement direction toward the selected selected point by the target movement amount.

[0015] In an embodiment, the at least one processor can provide a user input interface capable of inputting the target movement amount to a user. The at least one processor can acquire the target movement amount through the user input interface.

[0016] In an embodiment, the at least one processor can select at least one tooth positioned in a direction from the selected at least one selected point toward at least one adjacent tooth as a movement target tooth with reference to at least one adjacent tooth. The at least one processor can move the movement target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth.

[0017] In an embodiment, at least one adjacent tooth can include at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selected point in a far-center direction and a second adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selected point in a near-center direction.

[0018] In an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, the at least one processor can select a first moving tooth located in a far-center direction with reference to the first adjacent tooth as a moving target tooth. When the at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor can select a second moving tooth located in a near-center direction up to the dental centerline with reference to the second adjacent tooth as a moving target tooth. When the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor can select the first moving tooth and the second moving tooth as moving target teeth.

[0019] In an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor can move the first adjacent tooth toward the at least one selected point by a first movement amount. The at least one processor can move the second adjacent tooth toward the at least one selected point by a second movement amount. A sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount can be equal to the target movement amount.

[0020] In an embodiment, a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can be a preset ratio, or a ratio of the first movement amount with respect to the second movement amount can be proportional to a distance from the dental centerline to the at least one selected point.

[0021] In an embodiment, the at least one processor can acquire a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the oral image. The at least one processor can move the at least one adjacent tooth moved in the first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

[0022] In an embodiment, the at least one processor can repeatedly move the at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction and move the at least one adjacent tooth in the second movement direction to enable the at least one adjacent tooth to be located near the dental arch line.

[0023] As an embodiment of the disclosure, in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which at least one instruction executed by at least one processor of an oral image processing apparatus is recorded, when the at least one instruction is executed by the at least one processor of the oral image processing apparatus, the oral image processing apparatus performs the following operations: acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selected point from among a plurality of selection points located between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth; acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and moving the at least one adjacent tooth in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point by the target movement amount.

[0024] Inventive Effects According to the oral image processing apparatus and the oral image processing method of the disclosed embodiments, at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected point can be moved toward the selected point by a target movement amount. Thus, an oral image in which the at least one adjacent tooth is moved toward the selected point by the target movement amount can be obtained.

[0025] According to the oral image processing apparatus and the oral image processing method of the disclosed embodiments, a tooth model according to a target proximal surface enamel reduction amount is provided, thereby improving user convenience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The present application can be easily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals denote structural elements.

[0027] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an oral image processing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an oral image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an oral image processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of teeth recognized from an oral image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of calculating a plurality of selected points located between adjacent two teeth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a boundary box for each of the adjacent two teeth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a center point of each boundary box and generating a center line connecting the center points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a contact point at which a connection line intersects a mesh of the two teeth and a selected point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 9a FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of selecting one selected point from among a plurality of selected points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 9bis a diagram for explaining selection of two or more selection points from among a plurality of selection points according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method of selecting a movement target tooth and moving the selected movement target tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 11a is a diagram for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth and a movement target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 11b is a diagram for explaining selection of a second adjacent tooth and a movement target tooth corresponding to the second adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 11c is a diagram for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth, a second adjacent tooth, and movement target teeth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 12 is a flowchart for explaining movement amounts of a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth when the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth are selected according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining movement of at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount toward an identified selection point according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 15 is a flowchart for explaining movement of at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining a direction of movement of at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining movement of at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] This specification discloses the scope of the invention and enables those skilled in the art to carry out the invention by describing the principles of the invention and disclosing embodiments thereof. The disclosed embodiments can be implemented in various forms.

[0048] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals in the drawings designate the same elements. The specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general matters or repeated matters between the embodiments are omitted. The term "unit" used in the specification can be implemented by software or hardware, and a plurality of "units" can be implemented as one element or one "unit" can include a plurality of elements according to various embodiments. The principle of the present application and the embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] In the present specification, an image can include an image representing at least one tooth or a mouth including at least one tooth (hereinafter referred to as "mouth image").

[0050] Further, in the present specification, an image can be a two-dimensional image of an object or a three-dimensional model or a three-dimensional image stereoscopically presenting an object. Further, in the present specification, an image can refer to data required to express an object in two dimensions or three dimensions, for example, raw data acquired by at least one image sensor, etc. Specifically, raw data is data acquired to generate an image, and when an object is scanned using a three-dimensional scanner, can be data (for example, two-dimensional data) acquired by at least one image sensor included in the three-dimensional scanner.

[0051] In the present specification, a "mouth image" can be composed of a variety of polygonal meshes. For example, when two-dimensional data is acquired using a mouth scanner, a data processing apparatus can calculate coordinates of a plurality of illuminated surface points by a triangulation method. By moving and scanning along the surface of an object using a mouth scanner, the coordinates of the surface points can be accumulated as the amount of scanning data increases. As a result of such image acquisition, a point cloud of vertices can be identified, thereby representing the range of the surface. The points in the point cloud can represent actual measured points on the three-dimensional surface of an object. The surface structure can be approximately represented by connecting adjacent vertices in the point cloud with line segments to form a polygonal mesh. The polygonal mesh can be variously determined, for example, a triangular mesh, a quadrilateral mesh, a pentagonal mesh, etc. The polygons in such a mesh model and the relationship between adjacent polygons can be used to extract features of a tooth boundary, for example, curvature, minimum curvature, edges, and spatial relationships, etc.

[0052] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a mouth image processing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a mouth image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2The oral image processing method according to the present disclosure can be performed by the oral image processing apparatus 1000. In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire an oral image including a plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120. In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the oral image from a three-dimensional scanner.

[0055] In an embodiment, the oral image can also be an image generated by a three-dimensional scanner that scans an object including at least one of a human oral cavity, a prosthetic structure, and a plaster model based on a mold of the oral cavity or the prosthetic structure. In an embodiment, the three-dimensional scanner can include a handheld oral scanner that is held and moved by a user to scan the object. Also, the three-dimensional scanner can include a table scanner that rotates using a turntable to scan the object. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the three-dimensional scanner can include various forms of scanners capable of acquiring an oral image.

[0056] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a pre-generated oral image from a cloud server or an external storage device.

[0057] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can include a display 1100. The oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120, gingiva, and an arch line 200, etc. that are identified based on the acquired oral image on the display 1100 and provide the same to a user using the oral image processing apparatus 1000.

[0058] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display images of each step in the process of processing the oral image on the display 1100 and provide the same to the user.

[0059] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display the plurality of selection points 300, the selected selection point, the at least one adjacent tooth 110, and the target tooth 120 to be moved on the display 1100 and provide the same to the user.

[0060] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display the target movement amount of the at least one adjacent tooth on the display 1100 and provide the same to the user.

[0061] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display an image in which the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved by the target movement amount to the at least one identified selection point on the display 1100 and provide the same to the user.

[0062] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can display an image of the target tooth 120 moved in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth 110 after the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved on the display 1100 and provide the image to the user.

[0063] The operation of each step of the oral image processing apparatus 1000 will be described below.

[0064] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can identify a plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 from the oral image. Figure 1 Twelve teeth identified from the oral image are shown in FIG. 1, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0065] In addition, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can identify not only the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 but also a gum, a dental arch line 200, etc. from the oral image. In an embodiment, the "dental arch" can refer to an arch-shaped structure formed by the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 arranged in the maxilla and the mandible, respectively.

[0066] In an embodiment, the dental arch line 200 can be a line corresponding to the dental arch. In an embodiment, the dental arch line 200 can be a line in contact with the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 arranged along the dental arch. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The dental arch line 200 can be arbitrarily set. The dental arch line 200 can be set as a line for arranging the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120.

[0067] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can calculate a plurality of selection points 300 between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120.

[0068] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a selection signal including information about selection of one selection point from among the plurality of selection points 300. In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can generate the selection signal according to selection of one selection point from among the plurality of selection points 300.

[0069] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the selection signal when one selection point is selected from among the plurality of selection points 300 through a user interface (UI) provided to the user. In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the selection signal when one selection point is selected from among the plurality of selection points 300 by the user clicking the mouse cursor.

[0070] The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a selection signal including information of selecting two or more selection points from among the plurality of selection points 300. In an embodiment, when the user selects two or more selection points from among the plurality of selection points 300 using a plurality of mouse cursors in a drag manner, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a selection signal including information of selecting two or more selection points.

[0071] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and when the display 1100 includes a touch interface, if the user touches and selects one selection point from among the plurality of selection points 300 displayed on the display 1100, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a selection signal.

[0072] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can select at least one adjacent tooth 110 adjacent to at least one selection point based on the selection signal. Although Figure 1 Although a first adjacent tooth adjacent to at least one selection point in a telecentric direction is illustrated in the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0073] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can select a tooth adjacent to at least one selection point in at least one of a telecentric direction or a paracentric direction as at least one adjacent tooth 110.

[0074] In an embodiment, the "at least one adjacent tooth 110" can be a tooth moved by a target movement amount in a direction toward at least one selection point, as described below.

[0075] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can select at least one tooth located in a direction from at least one selection point toward at least one adjacent tooth 110 as a movement target tooth 120 with reference to at least one adjacent tooth 110.

[0076] In an embodiment, the "movement target tooth 120" can refer to a tooth moved in a direction of at least one adjacent tooth 110 in order to maintain a gap with at least one adjacent tooth 110 after moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a direction toward at least one selection point. In an embodiment, when the movement target tooth 120 includes two or more teeth, the movement target tooth 120 can also move in order to maintain a gap with each other.

[0077] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth 110. In an embodiment, the "target movement amount" can refer to a movement amount of moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a direction of a selected selection point.

[0078] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the target movement amount by an action of inputting the target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth 110.

[0079] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the target movement amount when the target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth 110 is input through a UI provided to a user. In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the target movement amount when the user inputs the target movement amount in an input box in which a value of the target movement amount can be input, or the user inputs the target movement amount using a slide bar that can adjust a size of the target movement amount. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can acquire the target movement amount even in a case where the target movement amount is input through other methods.

[0080] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can move at least one adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount in a direction 500 toward the selected selection point. Hereinafter, the direction toward the selected selection point will be referred to as a first movement direction 500.

[0081] The oral image processing apparatus 1000 can provide an image in which at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved by the target movement amount toward the selected selection point to a user. The user can confirm the image in which at least one adjacent tooth is moved by the target movement amount toward the selected selection point.

[0082] The user can confirm a result of tooth movement after Inter Proximal Reduction (IPR) or a result of tooth movement achieved through orthodontic treatment, and determine whether to perform IPR or orthodontic treatment, by the oral image processing apparatus 1000 and the oral image processing method in an embodiment. In addition, the user can also confirm a result of tooth movement after extraction of a tooth, and determine whether to perform extraction of the tooth, by the oral image processing apparatus 1000 and the oral image processing method in an embodiment.

[0083] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can move at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a direction 600 toward the dental arch line 200 after moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount in the first movement direction 500. Hereinafter, the direction toward the dental arch line 200 will be referred to as a second movement direction 600 for convenience of explanation.

[0084] In one embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved by the target movement amount in the first movement direction 500, the at least one adjacent tooth 110 can be away from the dental arch line 200 compared to before the movement. Thus, the oral image processing apparatus 0100 can move the at least one adjacent tooth 110 in the second movement direction 600 after moving the at least one adjacent tooth 110 in the first movement direction 500, so that the at least one adjacent tooth 110 comes into contact with the dental arch line 200.

[0085] In one embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved in the second movement direction 600, the movement amount of the at least one adjacent tooth 110 when moved in the first movement direction 500 can be different from the target movement amount. Thus, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can move the at least one adjacent tooth 110 again in the first movement direction 500.

[0086] In one embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can repeatedly perform the action of moving the at least one adjacent tooth 110 in the first movement direction 500 and the action of moving in the second movement direction 600. Hereinafter, a specific description will be made in Figure 15 to Figure 1 9.

[0087] In one embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can move the movement target tooth 120 in the direction 700 toward the at least one adjacent tooth 110 after moving the at least one adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount in the first movement direction 500. In this way, even if the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved by the target movement amount, the distance between the at least one adjacent tooth 110 and the movement target tooth 120 can be maintained compared to before the movement.

[0088] Hereinafter, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 and the oral image processing method will be described in detail.

[0089] Referring to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can include a display 1100, a memory 1200, at least one processor 1300, a communication interface 1400, and a user interface 1500.

[0090] In one embodiment, not all of the constituent elements shown in Figure 2 are essential. The oral image processing apparatus 1000 can be implemented by more constituent elements than Figure 2 shown, or by fewer constituent elements than Figure 2 shown.

[0091] In one embodiment, the display 1100, the memory 1200, the at least one processor 1300, the communication interface 1400, and the user interface 1500 can be connected to each other by electrical and / or physical means.

[0092] In an embodiment, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can be a smart phone, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, or the like computing device, but is not limited thereto. Also, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can exist in the form of a server (or a server apparatus) for processing an oral image, or the like.

[0093] In an embodiment, the display 1100 can display an oral image. In an embodiment, the display 1100 can display a processed oral image according to a control of the at least one processor 1300. In an embodiment, the display 1100 can display an image corresponding to a step for processing an oral image according to a control of the at least one processor 1300.

[0094] In an embodiment, the display 1100 can display a user interface screen including an oral image processed by the at least one processor 1300. Also, in an embodiment, the display 1100 can display a user interface screen including information related to a dental treatment of a patient.

[0095] In an embodiment, the storage 1200 can store instructions, program codes, or various types of modules for performing functions or actions of the oral image processing apparatus 1000.

[0096] In an embodiment, the storage 1200 can store a tooth recognition module 1210, a neighboring tooth selection module 1220, and a tooth movement module 1230. However, not all of the modules shown in FIG. 12 are essential. The storage 1200 can store more modules than those shown in FIG. 12, or can store less modules than those shown in FIG. 12. Figure 2 In an embodiment, the storage 1200 can store more modules than those shown in FIG. 12, or can store less modules than those shown in FIG. 12. Figure 2 In an embodiment, the storage 1200 can store more modules than those shown in FIG. 12, or can store less modules than those shown in FIG. 12. Figure 2 In an embodiment, the storage 1200 can store more modules than those shown in FIG. 12, or can store less modules than those shown in FIG. 12.

[0097] The "module" included in the storage 1200 can refer to a unit for processing functions or actions performed by the at least one processor 1300. The "module" included in the storage 1200 can be implemented by software such as instructions, algorithms, data structures, or program codes.

[0098] In an embodiment, the tooth recognition module 1210 can be configured as instructions or program codes related to an action or function of recognizing a plurality of teeth based on an oral image acquired through the communication interface 1400. In an embodiment, the tooth recognition module 1210 can further include instructions or program codes related to an action or function of recognizing a gum, a dental arch line, and a tooth center line based on an oral image.

[0099] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can identify a plurality of teeth, a gum, an arch line, and a tooth center line from the oral image by executing the tooth identification module 1210.

[0100] In an embodiment, the adjacent tooth selection module 1230 can be configured with instructions or program codes related to an action or function of selecting at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected one selection point based on a selection signal including information for selecting one selection point from among a plurality of selection points.

[0101] In an embodiment, the adjacent tooth selection module 1230 can be configured with instructions or program codes related to an action or function of selecting at least one adjacent tooth from among a second adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected one selection point in a centripetal direction and a first adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected one selection point in a centrifugal direction, according to a position of the selected one selection point within the oral cavity.

[0102] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can select at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected one selection point by executing the adjacent tooth selection module 1230.

[0103] In an embodiment, the tooth movement module 1230 can be configured with instructions or program codes related to an action or function of moving the at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount in a direction toward the selected one selection point based on the acquired target movement amount. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount in a direction toward the selected selection point by executing the tooth movement module 1230.

[0104] In an embodiment, the tooth movement module 1230 can further include instructions or program codes related to an action or function of moving the at least one adjacent tooth in an arch line direction. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the at least one adjacent tooth in an arch line direction after moving the at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount in a direction toward the selected one selection point by executing the tooth movement module 1230.

[0105] In an embodiment, the tooth movement module 1230 can further include instructions or program codes related to an action or function of moving the movement target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the movement target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth after moving the at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount in a direction toward the selected selection point by executing the tooth movement module 1230.

[0106] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the memory 1200 can further store a module configured to store instructions or program codes related to an action or function of generating a selection signal in response to an action of selecting at least one selection point from among a plurality of selection points.

[0107] In addition, the memory 1200 can further store a selection point calculation module configured to store instructions or program codes related to an action or function of calculating a plurality of selection points respectively located between adjacent two teeth based on a plurality of teeth.

[0108] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can be composed of at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphic processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a neural processing unit, and an artificial intelligence (AI) dedicated processor designed specifically for learning and processing of AI, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can execute various types of modules stored in the memory 1200. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can execute a tooth recognition module 1210, a neighboring tooth selection module 1230, and a tooth movement module 1230 stored in the memory 1200. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can execute at least one instruction constituting various types of modules stored in the memory 1200.

[0110] In an embodiment, the communication interface 1400 can perform data communication with an external server or at least one external electronic device (e.g., an oral scanner, a desktop scanner, or an external medical device, etc.) under the control of the at least one processor 1300. In an embodiment, the communication interface 1400 can perform data communication with the server or other peripheral electronic devices using at least one of data communication methods including a wired local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Broadband Internet (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP), Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig), and radio frequency (RF) communication.

[0111] In an embodiment, the communication interface 1400 can include at least one port for connection with an external electronic device (e.g., an oral scanner, etc.) through a wired cable to perform wired communication with the external electronic device. The communication interface 1400 can communicate with the external electronic device connected through a wired connection through the at least one port.

[0112] In an embodiment, the user interface 1500 can receive a user input for controlling the oral image processing device 1000. The user interface 1500 can include a user input device such as a touch interface having a touch screen for sensing a user touch, a button receiving a user pressing operation, a mouse or a keyboard for designating or selecting a certain point on a user interface screen, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0113] The user interface 1500 according to an embodiment can receive a user input for selecting one selection point from among a plurality of selection points. In addition, the user interface 1500 can receive a user input for inputting a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth.

[0114] Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining an oral image processing method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.Figure 3 The oral image processing method shown can be performed by the oral image processing device 1000.

[0115] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 (S100). In the step of acquiring the oral image (S100), the at least one processor 1300 can acquire the oral image through the communication interface 1400. In an embodiment, the oral image can be an image acquired through a three-dimensional scanner. The oral image can also be an image stored in a library.

[0116] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 from the acquired oral image (S200). In an embodiment, the step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 (S200) can further include a step of identifying a gum, a tooth center line, and a dental arch line. In the step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120, the at least one processor 1300 can identify the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120, or identify the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120, the gum, the tooth center line, and the dental arch line, by executing the tooth identification module 1210. In an embodiment, Figure 3 The step of acquiring the oral image (S100) and the step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 from the oral image (S200) in the oral image processing method are shown separately, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the step of acquiring the oral image (S100) and the step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 from the oral image (S200) can also be completed in one step.

[0117] Hereinafter, the step of identifying the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 (S200) will be described in Figure 4 .

[0118] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point from a plurality of selection points (S300). In the step of acquiring the selection signal (S300), the at least one processor 1300 can acquire the selection signal generated according to a user input received through the user interface 1500. Hereinafter, the step of acquiring the selection signal (S300) will be described in Figure 9a and Figure 9b .

[0119] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point (S400). In the step of acquiring the target movement amount (S400), the at least one processor 1300 can acquire the target movement amount through the user interface 1500. Hereinafter, the step of acquiring the target movement amount (S400) will be described in Figure 13

[0120] In an embodiment, Figure 3 The step of acquiring the selection signal (S300) and the step of acquiring the target movement amount (S400) are sequentially illustrated in the oral image processing method according to an embodiment of the disclosure, but the oral image processing method of the disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, in the oral image processing method, the step of acquiring the selection signal can also be performed after the step of acquiring the target movement amount.

[0121] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of moving at least one adjacent tooth by a target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selection point based on the target movement amount (S500). In the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount (S500), the at least one processor 1300 can move at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a direction toward the selection point by executing the tooth movement module 1230. Hereinafter, the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount (S500) will be described in Figure 14

[0122] However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can further include a step of calculating a plurality of selection points located between adjacent two teeth based on the plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120 identified. Hereinafter, the step of calculating the plurality of selection points will be described in Figure 5 to Figure 8

[0123] In addition, in an embodiment, the oral image processing method can further include a step of selecting at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can identify at least one selection point from among the plurality of selection points based on coordinate information of a user input, a region of a user input, an area and a shape of the region, etc., included in the acquired selection signal. The at least one processor 1300 can select at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the identified at least one selection point according to a preset reference. Hereinafter, the step of selecting at least one adjacent tooth (S500) will be described in Figure 10 to Figure 11c

[0124] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a plurality of teeth identified from an oral image according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Figure 1 ​​​​Structures explained in the above-described drawings are the same as those explained in the above-described drawings, and the same reference numerals are assigned thereto, and repeated explanations are omitted.

[0125] Referring to Figure 4 , a plurality of teeth 100, a dental arch line 200, and a tooth center line 800 identified from the oral image are shown. In an embodiment, a gum can also be identified from the oral image. At this time, the tooth center line can be a line passing through the left first tooth 400 and the right first tooth 410. Specifically, the tooth center line can be a line passing through the left first tooth of the upper jaw and the right first tooth of the upper jaw, or a line passing through the left first tooth of the lower jaw and the right first tooth of the lower jaw.

[0126] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of teeth 100, the configuration, the shape of the dental arch line 200, the position of the tooth center line 800, etc. can be identified from the oral image. The at least one processor 1300 can perform a processing action of the oral image described later based on the identified plurality of teeth 100, the dental arch line 200, the tooth center line 800, etc.

[0127] Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining a method of calculating a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a bounding box of each of two adjacent teeth according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a center point of each bounding box and generating a connection line connecting the center points according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a contact point at which the connection line intersects a mesh of the two teeth and a selection point according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 Structures and steps explained in the above-described drawings are the same as those explained in the above-described drawings, and the same reference numerals are assigned thereto, and repeated explanations are omitted.

[0128] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The oral image processing method can further include a step of calculating a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth based on the identified plurality of teeth 100, 110, 120.

[0129] In an embodiment, the step of calculating the plurality of selection points can include a step of generating a bounding box 111, 112 of each of two adjacent teeth 101, 102 (S210). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth are shown in Figure 6 to Figure 8

[0130] ​In an embodiment, the bounding boxes 111, 112 of the adjacent two teeth 101, 102, respectively, can be generated based on the meshes of the adjacent two teeth 101, 102, respectively. The bounding boxes in the shape of a straight hexahedron can be generated by connecting the points having the maximum coordinate values and the points having the minimum coordinate values in the meshes constituting the adjacent two teeth 101, 102. In an embodiment, the bounding boxes can include all the meshes constituting the teeth 101, 102, respectively, and can refer to the smallest boxes in volume.

[0131] In an embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points can include a step of calculating a center point 121, 122 of each of the bounding boxes 111, 112 (S220). In an embodiment, the center point 121, 122 of each of the bounding boxes 111, 112 can be defined as a diagonal center of the respective bounding box 111, 112.

[0132] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 7 In an embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points can include a step of generating a connection line 130 for connecting each of the calculated center points 121, 122 (S230). In an embodiment, the connection line 130 can refer to a line generated in such a manner as to pass through two center points 121, 122 included in the respective bounding boxes 111, 112.

[0133] In an embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points can include a step of detecting two intersection points 141, 142 at which the connection line 130 intersects the meshes of the adjacent two teeth 101, 102, respectively (S240). In an embodiment, the two intersection points 141, 142 can be points at which the meshes of the two teeth 101, 102 intersect the connection line 130.

[0134] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 8 In an embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points can include a step of calculating a point 160 corresponding to a middle point of a line 150 connecting the two intersection points as one of the selection points 160 (S350).

[0135] In an embodiment, the line 150 connecting the two intersection points can be a line generated in such a manner as to pass through the two intersection points. In an embodiment, the step of calculating as one of the selection points 160 (S350) can further include a step of orthographically projecting the point corresponding to the middle point of the line 150 connecting the two intersection points onto the gum 900, thereby calculating as one of the selection points 160.

[0136] Figure 9a is a diagram for explaining selection of one of a plurality of selection points according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 9bis a diagram for illustrating selection of two or more selection points from a plurality of selection points according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same configuration as that illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 4 the same configuration as that illustrated in

[0137] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 9a , Figure 9a is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. FIG. 10A illustrates a plurality of teeth 100, an arch line 200, a plurality of selection points 300, and one selection point 350 selected from the plurality of selection points 300 based on a selection signal.

[0138] In an embodiment, the selection signal can be a signal generated based on an action of the user clicking at least one selection point 350 from among the plurality of selection points 300 through the user interface 1500 or an action of selecting at least one selection point 350 by dragging.

[0139] In an embodiment, Figure 9a is illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In an embodiment, the selected one selection point 350 corresponds to a point between two teeth having a relatively large gap between the two adjacent teeth from among the plurality of teeth 100. In an embodiment, the user can view a result of movement of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected point after movement by selecting a selection point corresponding to a relatively large gap between two adjacent teeth from among the plurality of selection points 300 identified based on the acquired oral cavity image and the plurality of teeth 100 and the calculated plurality of selection points 300.

[0140] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 9b , Figure 9b is illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B. FIG. 12A illustrates a plurality of teeth 100, an arch line 200, a plurality of selection points 300, and three selection points 351, 352, and 353 selected from the plurality of selection points 300 based on a selection signal.

[0141] In an embodiment, the selection signal can be a signal generated based on an action of the user selecting three selection points 351, 352, and 353 from among the plurality of selection points 300. The selection signal can be a signal generated by an action of the user sequentially clicking at three selection points 350 from among the plurality of selection points 300 or an action of selecting three selection points 350 by dragging.

[0142] In Figure 9a and Figure 9bIn the middle, it is shown that the selected at least one selection point is located at a position corresponding to the position between two teeth having a relatively large gap between adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth 100. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The user can select at least one selection point around at least one adjacent tooth to be moved from among the plurality of selection points 300 without considering the gap between the adjacent teeth, and the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can identify at least one selection point based on a selection signal generated according to the action.

[0143] In addition, as Figure 9b shown, the selected at least one selection point can also include a selection point corresponding to a position having a relatively large gap between adjacent teeth with respect to the gaps between other teeth and other selection points adjacent to the selection point.

[0144] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, selection of one selection point 350 from among the plurality of selection points 300 based on the selection signal will be described.

[0145] Figure 10 is a flowchart for explaining a method of selecting a movement target tooth and moving the selected movement target tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same steps as those explained in Figure 3 , the same reference numerals will be given and repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0146] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , and Figure 10 , the oral image processing method can include a step of selecting at least one tooth located in a direction from the selection point toward the at least one adjacent tooth as a movement target tooth with reference to the at least one adjacent tooth (S600). In an embodiment, the step of selecting at least one tooth as a movement target tooth (S600) can be performed after the step of moving the at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction (S500).

[0147] In the step of selecting at least one tooth as a movement target tooth (S600), the at least one processor 1300 can select at least one tooth located in a direction from the selection point toward the at least one adjacent tooth as a movement target tooth with reference to the at least one adjacent tooth.

[0148] Hereinafter, regarding the step of selecting at least one tooth as a movement target tooth (S600), it will be explained in Figure 11a to Figure 11c .

[0149] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of moving the movement target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth (S700).

[0150] In the step of moving the moving target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth (S700), the at least one processor 1300 can move the moving target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth. Accordingly, compared to before moving the at least one adjacent tooth, it is possible to prevent the gap between the at least one adjacent tooth and the moving target tooth from increasing.

[0151] In an embodiment, the direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth can be a direction from a center point of a bounding box of the moving target tooth toward a center point of a bounding box of the at least one adjacent tooth.

[0152] In an embodiment, after the step of moving the moving target tooth in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth (S700), the oral image processing method can include a step of moving the moving target tooth in a direction toward an arch line.

[0153] In an embodiment, as the moving target tooth is moved toward the at least one adjacent tooth, a gap between the moving target tooth and the arch line can change. Accordingly, it is possible to move the moving target tooth in a direction toward the arch line, thereby maintaining the gap between the moving target tooth and the arch line.

[0154] Hereinafter, regarding the direction toward the arch line, a description will be made in Figure 16 .

[0155] Figure 11a is a diagram for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth and a moving target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same configuration as explained in Figure 4 and Figure 9a , the same reference numerals will be given and a repeated description will be omitted.

[0156] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 11a , in an embodiment, the at least one adjacent tooth can include at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent in a telecentric direction and a second adjacent tooth adjacent in a centric direction from the selected one selection point.

[0157] In an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, in the step of selecting the moving target tooth, a first moving tooth located in the telecentric direction from the first adjacent tooth can be selected as the moving target tooth.

[0158] In an embodiment, when the first adjacent tooth 110 located in the telecentric direction from the selection point 350 is selected as the adjacent tooth of the selection point 350, the at least one processor 1300 can select the first moving tooth 120 located in the telecentric direction from the first adjacent tooth 110 among the plurality of teeth as the moving target tooth. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can select all the teeth 120 located in the telecentric direction from the first adjacent tooth 110 as the moving target tooth.

[0159] Figure 11b FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining selection of a second adjacent tooth and a moving target tooth corresponding to the second adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the disclosure. For the same configuration as explained in FIGS. 1 to 3, the same reference numerals will be given and repeated explanation will be omitted. Figure 4 、 Figure 9a and Figure 11a

[0160] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, Figure 2 and Figure 11b In an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, in the step of selecting the moving target tooth, the first moving tooth located in the telecentric direction up to the tooth center line from the first adjacent tooth can be selected as the moving target tooth. The at least one processor 1300 can select the second adjacent tooth 110_1 adjacent to the identified one selection point 350 in the centric direction as the adjacent tooth of the selection point 350.

[0161] In an embodiment, when the second adjacent tooth 110_1 located in the centric direction from the selection point 350 is selected as the adjacent tooth of the selection point 350, the at least one processor 1300 can select the second moving tooth 120_1 located in the centric direction from the second adjacent tooth 110_1 among the plurality of teeth as the moving target tooth. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can select all the teeth 120_1 located in the centric direction up to the tooth center line 800 from the second adjacent tooth 110_1 as the moving target tooth.

[0162] Figure 11c FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth, a second adjacent tooth, and a moving target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same configuration as explained in FIGS. 1 to 4, the same reference numerals will be given and repeated explanation will be omitted. Figure 4 、 Figure 9a 、 Figure 11a and Figure 11b

[0163] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, Figure 2 and Figure 11c ​​In an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, in the selecting the target tooth to move, the first tooth to move and the second tooth to move can be selected as the target tooth to move. The at least one processor 1300 can select the first adjacent tooth 110 adjacent to the selected point 350 in the far-center direction and the second adjacent tooth 110_1 adjacent to the selected point 350 in the near-center direction as the adjacent tooth of the selected point 350.

[0164] In an embodiment, when the first adjacent tooth 110 and the second adjacent tooth 110_1 of the selected point 350 are selected as the adjacent tooth of the selected point 350, the at least one processor 1300 can select the first tooth to move 120 located in the far-center direction from the first adjacent tooth 110 and the second tooth to move 120_1 located in the near-center direction from the second adjacent tooth 110_1 as the target tooth to move among the plurality of teeth. In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can select all teeth 120 located in the far-center direction from the first adjacent tooth 110 and all teeth 120_1 located in the near-center direction up to the tooth center line 800 from the second adjacent tooth 110_1 as the target tooth to move.

[0165] Figure 12 is a flowchart for explaining the amount of movement of the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth when the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth are selected according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, the same steps as those explained in Figure 3 and Figure 10 will be given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0166] Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 10 , Figure 11c and Figure 12 , in an embodiment, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth 110 and the second adjacent tooth 110_1, the oral image processing method can include a step of moving the first adjacent tooth 110 toward the selected selected point 350 by a first movement amount and moving the second adjacent tooth 120 toward the selected selected point 350 by a second movement amount (S510).

[0167] In an embodiment, the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a ratio signal including information related to a ratio of the first movement amount and the second movement amount (S410).

[0168] In an embodiment, in the step of acquiring the ratio signal (S410), the at least one processor 1300 can acquire a ratio signal generated based on a user input received through the user interface 1500. In an embodiment, the ratio signal can be a signal generated based on an action of the user inputting, through the user interface 1500, a ratio of a first movement amount of moving the first adjacent tooth 110 to a second movement amount of moving the second adjacent tooth 110_1 in the target movement amount.

[0169] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can also be a preset ratio. The ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can also be pre-set by the user using the oral image processing apparatus 1000 (refer to Figure 2

[0170] Further, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can also be determined according to a distance from the dental center line 800 to the selected selection point 350. In an embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can be proportional to the distance from the dental center line 800 to the selected selection point 350. In an embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount can also be determined according to tooth numbers of two adjacent teeth in which the selected selection point 350 is located. In an embodiment, the larger the tooth numbers of the two adjacent teeth, the second movement amount can be greater than the first movement amount. In an embodiment, the smaller the tooth numbers of the two adjacent teeth, the first movement amount can be greater than the second movement amount.

[0171] In an embodiment, the sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount can be equal to the target movement amount.

[0172] Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same configuration as explained in Figure 1 and Figure 11a , the same reference numerals will be assigned and repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0173] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 13 , at least one adjacent tooth 110 adjacent to at least one selected selection point 350 of a plurality of selection points and a movement target tooth 120 are shown. The at least one processor 1300 can control the display 1100 to display a user input interface 401, 402 in which a target movement amount of the at least one adjacent tooth 110 can be input corresponding to the at least one selected selection point 350.

[0174] ​In one embodiment, a user can input a target movement amount to user input interfaces 401, 402 via user interface 1500. In another embodiment, at least one processor 1300 can acquire a numerical signal including information about the target movement amount generated based on the input of the target movement amount to user input interfaces 401, 402.

[0175] In one embodiment, user input interfaces 401 and 402 may include a first user input interface 401 and a second user input interface 402. In one embodiment, the first user input interface 401 may be an interface providing an input box, in which the user can input a number corresponding to the target movement amount via a user interface such as a keyboard. In one embodiment, the second user input interface 402 may be an interface providing a slider, in which the user can move the slider via a user interface such as a mouse to correspond to the target movement amount. However, this disclosure is not limited to this; the user can input the target movement amount by entering a number in the input box of the first user input interface 401 via a touch interface, or by moving the slider of the second user input interface 402.

[0176] also, Figure 13 The illustration shows a case where one selection point 350 is selected from a plurality of selection points, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. When two or more selection points are selected from a plurality of selection points, in one embodiment, the numbers input to the first user input interface may also be set to the target movement amounts of two or more adjacent teeth adjacent to each selection point. Furthermore, two or more first user input interfaces corresponding to two or more selection points may also be shown.

[0177] In one embodiment, the target movement amount input by moving the slider on the second user input interface can also be set to the target movement amount of two or more adjacent teeth adjacent to each selection point.

[0178] Figure 14 This diagram illustrates how, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one adjacent tooth is moved toward an identified selection point by a target movement amount. Hereinafter, regarding... Figure 11a Structures that are identical to those described in the figures will be assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0179] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 For ease of explanation, Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 Part of the area is 1600.

[0180] In one embodiment, Figure 14A plurality of teeth, one selection point 350 selected based on the selection signal, the first adjacent tooth 110, and the movement target tooth 120 are shown.

[0181] In one embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount in the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350. In one embodiment, the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350 can be a direction from the first adjacent tooth 110 toward the one selection point 350. In one embodiment, the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350 can be a direction from a point on which a center point 111 of a bounding box of the first adjacent tooth 110 is orthogonally projected to the gum 900 (refer to FIG. 9) toward a center point 351 of the one selection point 350. Figure 8

[0182] In one embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 by the final movement amount 1710 in the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350. The at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 in the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350 until a difference between the final movement amount 1710 and the target movement amount is equal to or less than a preset first reference error amount. At this time, the smaller the first reference error amount is set, the higher the accuracy of the action of moving the first adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount can be. The larger the first reference error amount is set, the higher the speed of the action of moving the first adjacent tooth 110 by the target movement amount can be.

[0183] In one embodiment, Figure 14 Only the action of moving the first adjacent tooth 110 in the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350 is shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The at least one processor 1300 can also move the movement target tooth 120 in a direction toward the first adjacent tooth 110 after moving the first adjacent tooth 110 in the direction 1700 toward the one selection point 350. In this way, it is possible to prevent the gap between the movement target tooth 120 and the first adjacent tooth 110 from increasing. At this time, the direction toward the first adjacent tooth 110 can be a direction from a point on which a center point of a bounding box of the movement target tooth 120 is orthogonally projected to the gum 900 toward a point on which the center point 111 of the first adjacent tooth 110 is orthogonally projected to the gum 900.

[0184] In addition, for convenience of explanation, Figure 14 The movement action of the first adjacent tooth 110 and the movement target tooth 120 adjacent to the one selection point 350 in the telecentric direction is shown, but of course, it can also be applied to the movement action of the second adjacent tooth and the movement target tooth adjacent to the one selection point 350 in the telecentric direction.

[0185] Figure 16 ​is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of moving at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining a direction of moving at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0186] Hereinafter, for the configurations and steps identical to those explained in Figure 3 and Figure 10 , the same reference numerals will be given to the identical configurations and steps, and the repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0187] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 15 and Figure 16 , the oral image processing method can include a step of acquiring a dental arch line 200 corresponding to a plurality of teeth from an oral image (S260). The oral image processing method can include a step of moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 moved in a first moving direction in a second moving direction 1820 toward the dental arch line 200 (S520). However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the action of acquiring the dental arch line 200 from the oral image and the action of recognizing the plurality of teeth can also be completed in one step.

[0188] In an embodiment, after the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a first moving direction by a target movement amount (S500), the oral image processing method can include a step of moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a second moving direction 1820 (S520).

[0189] In an embodiment, in the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a first moving direction, the distance between the dental arch line 200 and at least one adjacent tooth 110 can change. In an embodiment, as at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved in a first moving direction, the distance between at least one adjacent tooth 110 and the dental arch line 200 can increase. Accordingly, by moving at least one adjacent tooth 110 in a second moving direction 1820, the distance between at least one adjacent tooth 110 and the dental arch line 200 can be maintained at the distance before at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved in a direction toward at least one selected point 350.

[0190] In an embodiment, the second moving direction 1820 can be calculated by using a total of three teeth including two teeth adjacent to both sides of at least one adjacent tooth 110 as a reference of at least one adjacent tooth 110. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, Figure 17 one adjacent tooth 110 is shown in

[0191] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can identify two teeth 100, 120 located on both sides of one adjacent tooth 110 with the one adjacent tooth 110 as a reference. The at least one processor 1300 can calculate a first center point 111 of a bounding box of the one adjacent tooth 110, a second center point 101 of a bounding box of the two teeth 100, 120, and a third center point 121 of a bounding box of the two teeth 100, 120. The at least one processor 1300 can orthogonally project the calculated first center point 111, the second center point 101, and the third center point 121, respectively, to the gum 900 (refer to FIG. 18) and then generate a virtual circle 1800 passing through the total of three orthogonally projected points. Figure 8

[0192] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can calculate a direction 1820 from a center point 1810 of the generated virtual circle 1800 toward a dental arch line 200 as a second moving direction 1820. At this time, the at least one processor 1300 can orthogonally project the dental arch line 200 to the gum 900 and then calculate a direction from the center point 1810 of the virtual circle 1800 toward the dental arch line orthogonally projected to the gum 900 as the second moving direction 1820.

[0193] Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining moving at least one adjacent tooth toward a dental arch line according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, for the same configuration as explained in Figure 11a and Figure 16 , the same reference numerals will be assigned and repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0194] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 13 and Figure 17 , FIG. 18 illustrates a partial area 1600 in Figure 13 for convenience of explanation.

[0195] In an embodiment, a plurality of teeth and a first adjacent tooth 110 are illustrated in Figure 17 . In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 in a first moving direction by a target moving amount and then move the first adjacent tooth 110 in a second moving direction 1820.

[0196] ​In an embodiment, the at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 in the second movement direction 1820. The at least one processor 1300 can move the first adjacent tooth 110 in the second movement direction 1820 until the distance 1900 between the first adjacent tooth 110 and the arch line 200 is equal to or less than a preset second reference error amount. At this time, the smaller the second reference error amount is set, the higher the accuracy of the operation of maintaining the gap between the first adjacent tooth 110 and the arch line 200 can be improved. The larger the second reference error amount is set, the higher the speed of the operation of maintaining the gap between the first adjacent tooth 110 and the arch line 200 can be improved.

[0197] In an embodiment, with reference to Figure 10 , Figure 14 , Figure 15 and Figure 17 , the oral image processing method can repeatedly perform the step of moving in the second movement direction 1820 until the final movement amount 1710 of the at least one adjacent tooth 110 moved in the first movement direction 1700 is equal to or less than the first reference error amount, and the distance 1900 between the at least one adjacent tooth 110 and the arch line 200 is equal to or less than the second reference error amount.

[0198] In this way, the oral image processing apparatus 1000 can provide a user with an oral image in which the at least one adjacent tooth 110 is moved by the input target movement amount toward the at least one selected point 350 within an error range, and the gap between the at least one adjacent tooth 110 and the arch line 200 is maintained within an error range.

[0199] The oral image processing method according to an embodiment can be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various computer units, and recorded in a computer-readable medium. In addition, an embodiment of the disclosure can be a computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon one or more programs including at least one instruction for executing the oral image processing method.

[0200] The computer-readable storage medium can include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. Examples of the computer-readable storage medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories.

[0201] Among them, the machine readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Among them, "non-transitory storage medium" means that the storage medium is a tangible device. In addition, the "non-transitory storage medium" can include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

[0202] According to an embodiment, the processing method of the oral image according to various embodiments disclosed herein can be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of machine readable storage medium (for example, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)). Alternatively, it can be distributed directly, online, between two user devices (for example, smartphones) through an application store (for example, Play Store, etc.). Specifically, the computer program product according to the disclosed embodiments can include a storage medium having recorded therein a program including at least one instruction for executing the processing method of the oral image according to the disclosed embodiments.

[0203] Although the above has been described in detail for each embodiment, the scope of the right of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present application defined by the appended claims also fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An oral image processing method characterized by comprising: comprising the steps of: acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point from a plurality of selection points located between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth; acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and moving the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a direction toward the selected selection point, i.e., a first movement direction.

2. The oral image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: providing a user input interface capable of inputting the target movement amount; and acquiring the target movement amount through the user input interface.

3. The oral image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: selecting at least one tooth located in a direction from the selected at least one selection point toward the at least one adjacent tooth with the at least one adjacent tooth as a reference as a movement target tooth; and moving the movement target tooth toward the at least one adjacent tooth.

4. The oral image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one adjacent tooth includes at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selection point in a far-center direction and a second adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selection point in a near-center direction.

5. The oral image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, selecting a first movement tooth located in the far-center direction with the first adjacent tooth as a reference as the movement target tooth; when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, selecting a second movement tooth located in the near-center direction up to a tooth center line with the second adjacent tooth as a reference as the movement target tooth; and when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, selecting the first movement tooth and the second movement tooth as the movement target tooth.

6. The oral image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, moving the first adjacent tooth toward the selected at least one selection point by a first movement amount and moving the second adjacent tooth toward the selected at least one selection point by a second movement amount, a sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount is equal to the target movement amount.

7. The oral image processing method according to claim 6, wherein a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount is a predetermined ratio, or a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount is proportional to a distance from a tooth center line to the selected at least one selection point.

8. The oral image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The color of the at least one adjacent tooth and the color of the target tooth are distinguished from the colors of the remaining teeth in the plurality of teeth.

9. The oral image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the oral image processing method further comprises the steps of: acquiring a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the oral image; and moving the at least one adjacent tooth in a second moving direction toward the dental arch line.

10. The oral image processing method according to claim 9, wherein in the oral image processing method, the step of moving the at least one adjacent tooth in the first moving direction and the step of moving the at least one adjacent tooth in the second moving direction are repeated to enable the at least one adjacent tooth to be positioned near the dental arch line.

11. An oral image processing apparatus, characterized by comprising: comprises: a memory configured to store at least one instruction; and at least one processor configured to execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory, the at least one processor is configured to: acquire an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquire a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point from a plurality of selection points positioned between adjacent teeth in the plurality of teeth; acquire a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and move the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first moving direction toward the selected selection point.

12. The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: provide a user input interface through which the target movement amount can be input to a user, acquire the target movement amount through the user input interface.

13. The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: select at least one tooth positioned in a direction from the selected at least one selection point toward the at least one adjacent tooth as a movement target tooth with reference to the at least one adjacent tooth, move the movement target tooth toward the at least one adjacent tooth.

14. The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one adjacent tooth includes at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selection point in a far-center direction and a second adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected at least one selection point in a near-center direction.

15. The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, the at least one processor selects a first movement tooth positioned in the far-center direction with reference to the first adjacent tooth as the movement target tooth, when the at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor selects a second movement tooth positioned in the near-center direction with reference to the second adjacent tooth up to a dental center line as the movement target tooth, ​ When the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor selects the first moving tooth and the second moving tooth as the moving target tooth. 16.The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein When the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, the at least one processor moves the first adjacent tooth by a first movement amount toward the at least one selected point, and moves the second adjacent tooth by a second movement amount toward the at least one selected point, a sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount is equal to the target movement amount. 17.The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount is a preset ratio, or a ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount is proportional to a distance from a tooth center line to the at least one selected point. 18.The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: acquire a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the oral image, move at least one adjacent tooth moved in the first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line. 19.The oral image processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: repeat the moving of the at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction and the moving of the at least one adjacent tooth in the second movement direction to enable the at least one adjacent tooth to be positioned near the dental arch line. 20.A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording at least one instruction executed by at least one processor of an oral image processing apparatus, wherein when the at least one instruction is executed by the at least one processor of the oral image processing apparatus, the oral image processing apparatus performs the following operations: acquires an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquires a selection signal for selecting at least one selected point from a plurality of selection points positioned between adjacent two teeth among the plurality of teeth; acquires a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and moves the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point. ​

Images