Extraoral Imaging Kit

Abstract

An extraoral imaging device (2) comprising a support (4) provided with a mouthpiece (9) defining a mouthpiece opening (17), and an image acquisition device (5) attached to the support and comprising a camera (35) for acquiring at least one image of a dental scene visible through the mouthpiece opening (17); a display device (3) comprising a screen for displaying an image representing the scene acquired by the image acquisition device; wherein the image acquisition device comprises an additional screen and / or support defining an imaging chamber (15), and the image acquisition device is at least partially, preferably entirely, housed within the imaging chamber; an imaging kit (1) is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kit for photographing an image of a dental scene from a perspective outside the mouth and visualizing the corresponding image.

Background Art

[0002] For example, from International Publication No. 2016 / 066651 (A1), the progress of an orthodontic model generated from images of a patient's lower dental arch and upper dental arch obtained before the implementation of orthodontic treatment is compared with the images of the dental arch obtained during the process of orthodontic treatment, and it is known to monitor the progress of the patient's orthodontic treatment.

[0003] Images of the dental arch can be obtained using an imaging device comprising an image acquisition device and a mouthpiece. Examples of such imaging devices are described in European Patent Application Publication No. 3391810 (A1) and International Publication No. 2022 / 008533 (A1), which comprise a tubular hollow support, carry a mouthpiece at one end, and have a mobile phone equipped with a camera directed towards the patient's mouth for photographing an image of the dental arch attached at the opposite end. The image can then be transmitted to an orthodontist or dentist, who can analyze the image directly or after appropriate digital processing.

[0004] However, patients using the devices of European Patent Application Publication No. 3391810 (A1) and International Publication No. 2022 / 008533 (A1) cannot directly observe the image being obtained on the screen of the mobile phone because the camera of the mobile phone is located on the opposite side of the screen. In addition, it may be necessary to press the touch screen of the phone in order to command the image to be taken. To avoid these problems, they have to use a mirror, which is impractical.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to improve this drawback.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to ● An apparatus for extraoral imaging, comprising ○ A support, ○ A mouthpiece that defines a mouthpiece opening and is carried by the support, ○ An image acquisition device attached to the support and comprising a camera for acquiring at least one image of a dental scene visible through the mouthpiece opening, ● A display device having a screen for displaying an image representing the scene acquired by the image acquisition device, and provides an apparatus The image acquisition device preferably comprises an additional screen and / or a support that defines an imaging chamber, and the image acquisition device is preferably at least partially, preferably entirely, housed within the imaging chamber, and proposes an imaging kit.

[0007] Thus, the user of the kit can directly view the image acquired by the image acquisition device immediately after its acquisition. For example, with the mouthpiece placed in the mouth, the user can easily check the quality of the image, such as contrast and / or brightness, and / or move the imaging device relative to the user's dental arch to acquire an image from a different perspective, such as a perspective more suitable for representing the dental scene.

[0008] In addition, the use of the kit according to the present invention can reduce the light pollution caused by the use of a mirror. As described above, mirror observation is generally performed in a bathroom where specific strong lighting is usually associated with the mirror and can interfere with image acquisition.

[0009] An "extraoral" image is acquired using an imaging device such that the image acquisition device is outside the user's oral cavity in an operating configuration where the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth. Extraoral images are acquired from a position remote from the oral cavity.

[0010] The display device is preferably movable relative to the imaging device.

[0011] The display device can be selected from a mobile phone, a digital tablet, a desktop computer, especially a portable one, or a television, especially a connected one. The display screen can be touch-sensitive.

[0012] Preferably, the kit includes a communication module for transferring an image acquired by the image capturing device to the display device. The communication module can be a wireless communication module that uses, in particular, an OTA, such as the Wifi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) data transfer protocol. In particular, the image capturing device may include a transmitter for transmitting the image acquired by the image acquisition device, and the display device may include a receiver for receiving the image.

[0013] In one embodiment, the communication module includes a data transmission cable, such as a USB type, for connecting the image capturing device to the display device, and the image capturing device and the display device each include a connection socket for inserting the data transmission cable.

[0014] The kit may further include a control module for triggering image acquisition. The image capturing device and / or the display device may include the control module.

[0015] The control module preferably includes a computer program including instructions for guiding the user to position the image capturing device at at least one image acquisition position, and a processor for executing the computer program. In particular, in a variant where the acquisition device is housed within an image capture chamber, the control module is housed within the display device.

[0016] A computer program may include instructions for processing an acquired image in order to provide at least one piece of information to a user. The information can be made audible, for example, in the form of an audio message, to position an apparatus relative to the user's dental arch to achieve a predetermined acquisition position and / or orientation and, optionally, to specify to the user the number of images to be acquired. Optionally, the image acquisition device and / or the display device may further comprise a speaker for broadcasting the information. The information may be visual and may be displayed on a screen alongside or visually superimposed on the displayed image.

[0017] The information may be selected from the number of images to be acquired, information regarding the setting of the support geometry, the orientation of the support, and / or the positioning of the user's mouth on the mouthpiece.

[0018] The computer program may further include instructions for requesting and / or waiting for a user action, for example, to trigger image acquisition. For example, after execution by a processor, the computer program may require pressing an area of a touch screen of a display device. In another example, it may wait for an audio command from the user. In particular, for this purpose, the image acquisition device and / or the display device may comprise a microphone.

[0019] The control module may comprise an actuator and may be configured to trigger image acquisition by an acquisition device following actuation of the actuator. For example, the actuator is electrically connected to the acquisition device. The actuator is, for example, a push button. It may be carried by a support.

[0020] The control module may be configured to detect the presence of a pattern and / or an object within a scene viewed by a camera and to trigger image acquisition as soon as the pattern and / or object is detected. Pattern and / or object detection is performed, for example, using a deep learning algorithm or computer vision techniques.

[0021] The control module is preferably configured to trigger the transfer of an image acquired by the image capturing device to the display device. The image transfer can be configured to be executed in real time, that is, the screen can be configured to display the image acquired by the acquisition device in real time. "Real time" is understood to mean that the time between image acquisition and display is less than 1 second, or further less than 500 ms, or further less than 10 ms.

[0022] According to a variant in which the display device includes a control module, the control module can, in particular, transmit at least one control signal to the image capturing device via a communication module.

[0023] The image capturing device and / or the display device may be provided with a storage module such as a hard disk or a flash memory to digitally store the image acquired by the acquisition device.

[0024] The camera may have a focal length of 25 mm to 90 mm, preferably 30 mm to 45 mm.

[0025] The focal length of the camera may be fixed, which enables the use of a compact camera. In a variant, the camera may be provided with an autofocus system for changing the focal length.

[0026] The camera may extend along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support, or may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the support. The line of sight of the camera may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support, or may coincide therewith.

[0027] The image acquisition device may be provided with a plurality of cameras, or may be composed of a plurality of cameras. The cameras are arranged along different lines of sight and each can acquire a different view of the same dental scene. Thus, the image acquisition device can provide a stereoscopic view of the dental scene. The cameras may have the same focal length.

[0028] The image acquisition device may be fixed to the mouthpiece. In this way, the image capturing device is enabled to capture images under similar conditions at different times during the orthodontic process. Similar acquisition conditions include the position and relative orientation of the image acquisition device with respect to the patient's teeth. In one embodiment, the image acquisition device may be movable with respect to the mouthpiece.

[0029] The support may include a hollow support portion extending in the longitudinal direction, and the mouthpiece may extend the hollow support portion. The hollow support portion may be grippable. The hollow support portion may be characterized by ridges and / or recesses shaped to ensure optimal gripping of the image capturing device.

[0030] In the operating configuration, the image capturing device is shaped such that the hollow support portion is at least partially, preferably entirely, outside the user's mouth.

[0031] The hollow support portion can be made of cardboard, or preferably a thermoplastic material.

[0032] The hollow support portion can take the form of a housing opening extending longitudinally substantially outwardly only through the mouthpiece opening and, optionally, can pass through a ventilation opening, for example, on the opposite longitudinal side of the mouthpiece opening. The ventilation opening facilitates the discharge of moist air exhaled by the user in the operating configuration of the image capturing device. The hollow support portion can be substantially cylindrical in shape.

[0033] The hollow support portion may include, for example, a solid bottom wall on the opposite longitudinal side of the mouthpiece opening. The image acquisition device may be in contact with or attached to the rear wall.

[0034] The hollow support portion may be sandwiched between the mouthpiece and the image acquisition device.

[0035] Preferably, the hollow support part defines an image capturing chamber. Alternatively, preferably, the image acquisition device according to the second embodiment described below is separated from the image capturing chamber.

[0036] The length of the hollow support part measured along the longitudinal axis is less than 15 cm, preferably less than 10 cm.

[0037] At least the hollow support part, or further the support body, can be telescopic, that is, its length measured along its longitudinal axis is variable. For example, it is composed of a plurality of parts that slide relative to each other.

[0038] In a variant, the support body further comprises a grippable support part attached to the hollow support part, so that as a result, the device can be handled by gripping the grippable support part.

[0039] The grippable support part can extend in the longitudinal direction and project laterally from the hollow support part.

[0040] Preferably, the hollow support part is arranged between the mouthpiece and the grippable support part.

[0041] The hollow support part can be attached to the grippable support part, for example removably. Preferably, the grippable support part and the hollow support part form a monolithic assembly.

[0042] The grippable support part can define a cavity and include a cover for closing the cavity. The device can comprise a printed circuit board and / or a battery for controlling the image acquisition device and / or supplying power to the image acquisition device, and these are preferably housed in the cavity. The cavity can also be made watertight, in particular by means of one or more seals.

[0043] Furthermore, the battery may be built-in. It can be charged by induction or by a wired connection such as USB. It can be directly powered by a wired electrical connection to an external power source.

[0044] The hollow support portion and / or the grippable support portion may be at least partially covered by a flexible material that facilitates gripping, such as a thermoplastic elastomer known as "TPE", in particular a thermoplastic rubber known as "TPR" such as styrene-butadiene-styrene, or a thermoplastic polyurethane known as "TPU".

[0045] The mouthpiece is preferably shaped to move the user's upper and lower lips up and down, preferably rounded, in the operating configuration of the imaging device in which the mouthpiece is introduced into the mouth of the imaging device user so as to maximize the surface of the teeth visible to the imaging device. "Up" and "down" refer to the directions along the vertical axis when the user of the imaging device is standing upright. Preferably, the mouthpiece is shaped such that at least a part of at least the incisors, preferably the canines and / or molars, of the upper and lower dental arches are visible to the camera when the mouthpiece is in at least one position in the operating configuration of the imaging device in which the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth, and the upper and lower lips are moved upward and downward, preferably rounded.

[0046] The mouthpiece can be integral with a support, particularly a hollow support portion. In other words, the mouthpiece and the support, particularly the hollow support portion, can be obtained together in the same manufacturing operation. The hollow support portion and the mouthpiece can be manufactured by molding and / or additive manufacturing.

[0047] Alternatively, the mouthpiece can be attached to the hollow support portion. It can be attached to the support, particularly the hollow support portion. For example, it can be snap-fastened, screwed, or adhered to the support, particularly the hollow support portion. Alternatively, the mouthpiece can be removably attached to the support, particularly the hollow support portion, for example by magnetic coupling, by a surface fastener, or by a form fit between the support, particularly the hollow support portion and the mouthpiece. Advantageously, different mouthpieces of different sizes can be attached onto the support, particularly onto the hollow support portion, and thus it is possible to select the mouthpiece that is most suitable for the mouth morphology of each user.

[0048] Preferably, the surface area covered by the mouthpiece opening is greater than 2 cm 2 more preferably greater than 3 cm 2 more preferably greater than 5 cm 2 more preferably greater than 10 cm 2 more preferably greater than 15 cm 2 more preferably greater than, for example, about 19 cm 2 and is. The surface area is preferably less than 30 cm 2 more preferably less than 25 cm 2 and is less than. This area is measured transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The contour of the mouthpiece opening can be defined by observing the imaging device along the longitudinal axis from a position on the opposite side of the imaging device along the longitudinal axis.

[0049] The imaging device can include a mirror attached to the support such that the image acquisition device acquires a composite image including a direct image of the mouthpiece opening and an image of the mouthpiece opening reflected by the mirror. Thus, in the service configuration, the image acquisition device sees a composite image including a direct image of the teeth directly observed through the mouthpiece opening and a reflected image of the teeth reflected by the mirror.

[0050] Alternatively, the imaging device may include a light source arranged to shine through the mouthpiece opening.

[0051] The light source may include at least one lamp, in particular a light emitting diode lamp, and / or a flash unit.

[0052] The light source is preferably arranged inside the image capture chamber.

[0053] The image capture device may comprise a control module for monitoring the characteristics of the radiation emitted by the light source, in particular in response to the light radiation received through the mouthpiece opening. For example, the control module can be configured such that more than 50%, more than 90%, or even substantially 100% of the radiation received by the mouthpiece opening comes from the light source.

[0054] In particular, the image capture device may comprise several light sources and several cameras, and each light source is arranged to illuminate the optical field of the corresponding camera. The light source can be housed inside the housing.

[0055] In order to determine the color and / or translucency of the user's teeth, the image capture device may each comprise a colorimetric target and / or a translucency target attached to the support, and the image acquisition device views the target.

[0056] In addition, the image capture device may further comprise one or more additional cameras that can be arranged inside the user's oral cavity in at least one configuration of the image capture device to acquire at least one intraoral view of the lower dental arch and / or the upper dental arch, for example, to facilitate the capture of images of the lingual side of the teeth, the interdental space, caries control, or palate control. In particular, the image capture device can comprise a telescopic arm extending between a folded configuration and at least one deployed configuration, and the additional camera is attached to the telescopic arm. Preferably, in the folded configuration, the additional camera is fully housed inside the bracket. Preferably, in the operating configuration of the image capture device and the deployed position of the arm, the additional camera is arranged inside the user's oral cavity to acquire at least one intraoral view of the lower dental arch and / or the upper dental arch.

[0057] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described below, the image acquisition device is at least partially housed within the imaging chamber. Preferably, it also has a volume of less than 40 cm 3 In addition to the above-described features, according to this first embodiment, the kit can have any of the following features.

[0058] Preferably, the camera is less than 15 cm, preferably less than 7 cm, preferably less than 6 cm, and most preferably more than 2.5 cm from the dental opener.

[0059] The dental opener defines an upper support surface and / or a lower support surface for contacting and displacing the user's lower lip and / or upper lip, respectively, at the use position of the device where the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth. The distance between the mouthpiece and the image acquisition device is the minimum distance between the lower support surface of the mouthpiece and the image acquisition device, or between the upper support surface of the mouthpiece and the camera.

[0060] The image acquisition device may comprise an additional screen. Preferably, the image acquisition device does not have an additional display and / or a telephone communication unit. Preferably, the image acquisition device is not incorporated into a mobile phone. Preferably, the image acquisition device is different from a mobile phone.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the image acquisition device comprises an additional screen. In addition to the above-described features, according to this second embodiment, the kit can have any of the following features.

[0062] In particular, the imaging device can be of the type described in European Patent Application Publication No. 3391810 (A1) or International Publication No. 2022 / 008533 (A1).

[0063] Specifically, the image acquisition device is a mobile phone. The mobile phone can digitally store the above-described computer program.

[0064] Preferably, the image acquisition device is removably attached to the support. In particular, before attaching to the support, the acquisition device can be configured to detect the support from a distance of less than, for example, 10 cm in order to trigger the execution of a computer program.

[0065] For example, the support includes a detection element such as an RFID or NFC chip that can be detected by the image acquisition device.

[0066] The display device can be configured to stop the display on the additional screen. In a variant where the image acquisition device is a mobile phone, the display device can be configured to disable access to the mobile phone network to prevent the user from being interrupted by a phone call during image acquisition.

[0067] The kit according to the second embodiment may include any of the features of the kit according to the first embodiment, and vice versa.

[0068] The present invention further relates to a method of taking an extraoral image using the imaging kit described herein, a) grasping the support and positioning the mouthpiece in the user's mouth; b) acquiring at least one image of the user's mandibular dental arch and / or maxillary dental arch by the image acquisition device; c) displaying the image on a display device visible to the user.

[0069] Thus, since the user can directly visualize the image acquired by the image acquisition device, the positioning of the image acquisition device becomes very easy. The operator, who can be the user, can thus move the support to the desired and / or optimal acquisition position while viewing the corresponding image of the dental arch on the display device. Preferably, the method further includes the user moving the image acquisition device relative to the user's mouth, for example, as a result of observing the image displayed on the screen.

[0070] In step a), the positioning of the mouthpiece is moved so that the user's lower and upper lips are separated, enabling improved visibility of each of the lower and upper dental arches.

[0071] The gripping and / or positioning of the support can be carried out by an operator other than the user.

[0072] In step b), the user can be guided through the execution of a computer program as described above. Acquisition can be automatically triggered when the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth. The method may include measuring the light intensity within the imaging chamber and triggering image acquisition when the light intensity falls below a predetermined minimum light intensity.

[0073] Image acquisition can be triggered by the user or an operator other than the user, for example, in response to information supplied by a control module. The user can trigger acquisition by issuing a control command that is read by the imaging and / or display device. The control command is, for example, the actuation of a push button attached to the support or the pressure on the touch screen of the display device.

[0074] In step b), a plurality of images can be acquired. They can be acquired continuously, that is, the image acquisition device acquires images continuously, in particular at a fixed acquisition frequency, following a single acquisition trigger. The images can be displayed in real time on the display device according to step c).

[0075] Preferably, the display device is located at a distance of less than 5 m, further preferably less than 1 m, and preferably more than 20 cm from the image acquisition device.

[0076] Preferably, the method includes processing an image acquired at one position of the image acquisition device and preferably generating information for the user. Preferably, the information is displayed by the display device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0077] The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0078] FIG. 1 shows an example of an image capturing kit 1 according to the present invention.

[0079] The kit 1 includes an image capturing device 2 and a display device 3.

[0080] The image capturing device 2 includes a support 4 and an image acquisition device 5. The image acquisition device 5 can have a volume of less than 40 cm 3 As a result, a particularly compact image capturing device can be obtained.

[0081] The support 4 includes a hollow support portion 7. The device further includes a mouthpiece 9.

[0082] The hollow support portion 7 has a generally elongated tubular shape extending along the longitudinal axis X. The hollow support portion 7 includes a hollow tubular portion 11 and a bottom wall 13 that closes one longitudinal end of the tubular portion. The tubular portion 11 and the bottom wall 13 define an image capturing chamber 15 in which the image acquisition device 5 is accommodated.

[0083] The bottom wall 13 can be solid and can have ventilation openings passing through the bottom wall 13 in the form of, for example, cylindrical holes and / or grooves. In one embodiment, the hollow support portion 7 may not include such a bottom wall.

[0084] At least a part of the tubular portion 11, or the entire tubular portion as shown, preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X to facilitate the holding and handling of the hollow support portion.

[0085] The tubular portion 11 has at least one cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis X and is generally oval. Such a shape of the hollow support portion facilitates the gripping of the support and also substantially corresponds to the shape of the contour of the access opening to the user's oral cavity defined by the lower and upper lips when the user spreads and separates the user's lower and upper jaws.

[0086] The tubular portion 11 opens into the mouthpiece opening 17 at the other end opposite to the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall.

[0087] The contour 19 of the mouthpiece opening is shaped like a saddle. In other words, the contour 19 of the mouthpiece opening 17 has two opposing convex portions 21 connected by opposing concave portions 23 when viewed from two orthogonal directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

[0088] The shape of the mouthpiece opening is preferably adapted to the general shape of the user's dental arch.

[0089] The mouthpiece 9 is attached to the hollow support portion 7. In the illustrated example, it is made of the same material as the hollow support portion. Other configurations can be envisioned, for example, the mouthpiece is made of a different material than the hollow support portion and / or is attached to the hollow support portion.

[0090] The mouthpiece 9 preferably comprises two rigidly interconnected parts 25a to 25b that are symmetric with respect to the midplane, and these parts respectively define an inner support surface 27a and an outer support surface 27b for contacting and displacing the user's lower lip and / or upper lip at the operating position of the device where the mouthpiece is introduced into the user's mouth.

[0091] The mouthpiece 9 is a flange that projects radially outward from the longitudinal end of the tubular part on the opposite side of the bottom wall 13 of the tubular part 11.

[0092] The rim is ring-shaped and is shaped like a saddle. The contour of the flange is similar to the contour of the mouthpiece opening.

[0093] The image acquisition device 5 can be attached to the support 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support defines a housing 29 having a shape complementary to the image acquisition device 5 and includes a receptacle 28 in which the image acquisition device is received.

[0094] The receptacle includes, for example, a receptacle wall 31 having a semi-cylindrical shape. The receptacle wall 31 extends laterally between the inner surfaces on the opposite side of the tubular part and extends longitudinally from the bottom wall of the hollow support part.

[0095] The receptacle is integral with the hollow support part. Alternatively, the receptacle can be attached to the hollow support part.

[0096] The image acquisition device includes a housing 33 and two optical assemblies 34. Each optical assembly 34 includes a camera 35 and an LED lamp 37 that are entirely housed within the housing. The number of this camera and lamp is not limited.

[0097] The image acquisition device 5 further includes a USB - type connection socket 39 disposed in a recess having the thickness of the bottom wall 13. The socket enables the connection of a data transfer cable for transmitting the image captured by the camera 35 through the mouthpiece opening 17 to the display device 3.

[0098] Figs. 3 and 4 show a modified example of the image acquisition device 3 as described in European Patent Application Publication No. 3391810 (A1). The mouthpiece 9 is removably attached to a support 4 that can be telescopic. The image acquisition device 5 is removably attached to the support and is a mobile phone 40 having a screen 42 that is not directly visible to the user when the mouthpiece is inserted into the user's mouth.

[0099] In the illustrated example, the display device 3 is a digital tablet 44 including a screen 46, a memory for storing digital data in which a computer program for guiding the acquisition of an image by the image acquisition device 2 is loaded, and a processor for executing the computer program. However, other types of display devices 3 are also possible. For example, the display device can be a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a connected television also known as a "smart TV". In particular, the display device can be a mobile phone, and the acquisition device can be another mobile phone.

[0100] The image can be transferred between the image - capturing device and the display by a cable. One end of the cable is connected to the connection socket 39 on the image - capturing device or mobile phone shown in Fig. 2, and the other end is connected to a connection socket on the digital tablet. Alternatively, data, especially images, can be transferred between the image - capturing device and the display device by a wireless link such as Wifi.

[0101] Fig. 5 shows an example of a method of implementing the method according to the present invention using the image - capturing kit according to the present invention as shown, for example, in Figs. 1 - 4.

[0102] To obtain an image of his / her dental arch, the user 50 holds the support 4, inserts the mouthpiece into his / her mouth, rounds his / her lips, and exposes the dental arch so that the user's dental arch can be seen by the image acquisition device 5 through the mouthpiece opening.

[0103] The user can also command the execution of a computer program on the display device. For example, the execution of the program triggers image acquisition by the image acquisition device 5 and real-time transfer of the image to the acquisition device via the connection cable 52. Therefore, the user can directly view the image acquired by the image capturing device 2 as indicated by the arrow V on the screen 46. As shown in the figure, this method can be easily and conveniently implemented by the user. When the image is acquired, the user can operate the support 4 to correct the position and orientation of the image acquisition device relative to the user's face to acquire a new image, and then directly view the new image on the screen 46 and evaluate the quality of the acquisition.

Claims

1. ● An extraoral imaging device (2), comprising: ○ A support (4); ○ A mouthpiece (9) that defines a mouthpiece opening (17) and is carried by the support; ○ An image acquisition device (5) attached to the support and comprising a camera (35) for acquiring at least one image of a dental scene visible through the mouthpiece opening (17); ● A display device (3) comprising a screen (46) for displaying an image representing the scene acquired by the image acquisition device; An imaging kit (1), wherein the image acquisition device comprises an additional screen (42) and / or the support that defines an imaging chamber (15), and wherein the image acquisition device is at least partially, preferably entirely, housed within the imaging chamber.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the display device is selected from a mobile phone, a digital tablet, a desktop computer, particularly a portable one, and a television, particularly a connected one.

3. The kit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a communication module for transferring an image acquired by the imaging device (2) to the display device (3).

4. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication module is particularly a wireless communication module by radio.

5. The kit according to claim 3, wherein the communication module comprises, for example, a USB type data transmission cable (52) for connecting the imaging device (2) to the display device, and wherein the imaging device (3) and the display device each comprise a connection socket for inserting the data transmission cable.

6. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a control module for triggering image acquisition.

7. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control module comprises a computer program including instructions for guiding the user to position the imaging device at at least one image acquisition position, and a processor for executing the computer program.

8. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the computer program includes instructions for processing the acquired image in order to provide at least one information item to the user.

9. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image acquisition device may be provided with several cameras (35) arranged along particularly different lines of sight, each for acquiring a different view of the same dental scene.

10. The image acquisition device has a volume of less than 40 cm ３ The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having a volume of less than 40 cm

11. The area of the surface covered by the mouthpiece opening is greater than 2 cm ２ The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the support includes a hollow support portion (11) extending in the longitudinal direction, and the mouthpiece (9) extends through the hollow support portion.

13. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mouthpiece (9) is integral with the hollow support portion or is detachably attached to the hollow support portion (11).

14. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the camera (35) is less than 15 cm, preferably less than 7 cm, more preferably less than 6 cm, and most preferably more than 2.5 cm from the mouthpiece (9).

15. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the image acquisition device (5) is not incorporated in a mobile phone and / or is different from a mobile phone.

16. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the image acquisition device includes an additional screen (42), particularly wherein the image acquisition device is a mobile phone (40).

17. A method of taking an extraoral image using the image taking kit according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising: a) gripping the support (4) and positioning the mouthpiece (9) inside the user's (50) mouth; b) acquiring at least one image of the user's mandibular dental arch and / or maxillary dental arch by the image acquisition device (5); c) displaying the image visible to the user (50) on the display device (3).

Images