Oral scan image processing method and apparatus
The oral scan image processing method and apparatus improve the visibility of underscanned areas by identifying and correcting them through a secondary shape image integration, addressing the challenge of incomplete dental scanner scans.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUVITZ CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
Smart Images
Figure 2026089021000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to oral scan image processing, and more particularly, to an oral scan image processing method and apparatus capable of improving the visibility of an insufficiently scanned area.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, in a dental clinic or the like, the teeth or gum shape inside a patient's mouth is examined, and based on this, the patient's oral condition is diagnosed or a prosthesis is manufactured. In recent years, in order to obtain the shape of the teeth and gums inside the mouth, an optical intraoral scanner that optically scans and photographs the inside of the patient's mouth without physical contact to detect the shape of oral structures is used.
[0003] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a conventional optical intraoral scanner for dentistry. As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional oral scanner includes a measurement light source (12, measurement light source) that irradiates measurement light onto oral structures, an image detector (14, image detector) that detects reflected light formed by reflection of the measurement light by the oral structures, an oral scanner body (10) that houses the measurement light source (12) and the image detector (14), and a reflection mirror (16, reflection mirror) that reflects the measurement light generated by the measurement light source (12) and irradiates it onto oral structures, and reflects the reflected light reflected by the oral structures and guides it to the image detector (14), and an intraoral tip (18, intraoral tip) to which the reflection mirror is attached.
[0004] The intraoral tip (18) of the oral scanner is positioned inside the patient's mouth, and after irradiating measurement light to a predetermined region (5, region) inside the mouth using the measurement light source (12), the image detector (14) is used to detect the reflected light generated by reflection of the measurement light in the region (5). At this time, since the shape of the reflected light changes according to the shape of the oral structures, the three-dimensional shape of the oral structures can be detected by analyzing the reflected light.
[0005] As shown in Figure 1, the measurement light irradiated into the oral cavity via the oral tip (18) is small in size, so it can detect only a portion of the oral structure (5). Therefore, after obtaining three-dimensional shape data, i.e., a patch, for a portion of the oral structure (5), the adjacent region is scanned to obtain patches for the adjacent region, and the obtained multiple patches are connected to obtain a three-dimensional shape image of the entire oral structure.
[0006] In the case of such dental oral scanners, it is difficult to scan the narrow and complex structure of the oral cavity uniformly and without omissions with a limited number of scans, so insufficiently scanned areas are likely to occur in the resulting 3D shape image. Therefore, the user reviews the 3D shape image of the entire oral structure obtained by the oral scanner to identify the insufficiently scanned areas, rescans those areas to obtain additional 3D shape data for those areas, and then uses this to supplement the 3D shape image of the oral structure.
[0007] However, since there are generally many areas with insufficient scanning, it is difficult to accurately identify the locations of these numerous insufficient scanning areas from conventional 3D shape images of oral structures. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Registration No. 10-1874547 [Patent Document 2] Patent Registration No. 10-2033426 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an oral scan image processing method and apparatus that can easily identify the location of areas with insufficient scanning when obtaining a three-dimensional shape image of an oral structure using an oral scanner, and can improve the quality of the oral scan image. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a step (S10) in which an oral scanning unit (50) is positioned inside the oral cavity, and an oral structure is scanned to obtain a primary shape image (30) of the oral structure that includes one or more underscanned areas (32); a step (S20) in which any one underscanned area (32a) is selected from the one or more underscanned areas (32); a step (S20) in which a secondary shape image (40) is generated by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discriminative ability of the selected underscanned area (32a); and from the secondary shape image (40) The present invention provides an oral scan image processing method that includes the steps of: setting the position of the scan-deficient area (32a) (S40); once the position of the scan-deficient area (32a) is set, the selected scan-deficient area (32a) is additionally scanned to obtain an additional scan shape image of the scan-deficient area (32a) (S50); and integrating the obtained additional scan shape image of the scan-deficient area (32a) with the primary shape image (30) of the oral structure to obtain a tertiary shape image (42) in which the image of the scan-deficient area (32a) is complemented (S60).
[0011] The present invention also provides an oral scan image processing apparatus that includes: an oral scan unit (50) for optically scanning and photographing an oral structure to obtain a primary shape image (30) of the oral structure including a scan-deficient region (32); a data processing unit (52) for generating a secondary shape image (40) by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discriminability of the scan-deficient region (32a) selected by the user; and a data processing unit (52) for integrating an additional scan shape image of the selected scan-deficient region (32a) with the primary shape image (30) to generate a tertiary shape image (42) in which the image of the scan-deficient region (32a) is complemented; an output unit (54) for displaying the shape images (30, 40, 42) of the oral structure obtained by the data processing unit (52) on a screen; and an input unit (56) for inputting user commands including the selection of a scan-deficient region (32a). [Effects of the Invention]
[0012] According to the oral scan image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, when obtaining a three-dimensional shape image of an oral structure using an oral scanner, the location of areas with insufficient scanning can be easily identified, and the quality of the oral scan image can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] External perspective view of a conventional dental optical oral scanner. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the configuration of an oral scan image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A flowchart illustrating a method for forming oral scan images according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating a method for forming oral scan images according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an oral scan image processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 3 and 4 are a flowchart and a diagram illustrating an oral scan image processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, respectively. The oral scan image processing device according to the present invention is a device that obtains a three-dimensional image of a patient's oral cavity in order to assist in dental treatments such as orthodontics, prosthetic fabrication, and denture fabrication in dental clinics.
[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the oral scan image processing device according to the present invention includes an oral scan unit (50), a data processing unit (52), an output unit (54), and an input unit (56).
[0017] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, the oral scanning unit (50) optically scans and photographs oral structures, such as teeth, gums, maxilla, mandible, etc., to obtain a primary shape image (30, see A in Figure 4) of the oral structures that includes one or more insufficiently scanned areas (32). The oral scanning unit (50) can be, for example, a conventional three-dimensional (3D) oral scanner, a 3D model scanner, etc., as shown in Figure 1.
[0018] The data processing unit (52) processes the three-dimensional shape image of the oral structure obtained by the oral scanning unit (50), specifically improving or supplementing the image of the scan-deficient area (32) to generate an improved three-dimensional shape image of the oral structure (42, see D in Figure 4) necessary for the examination or treatment of the patient. The data processing unit (52) can be a computer processor capable of processing shape image data, i.e., identification, movement, comparison, matching, etc.
[0019] Specifically, the data processing unit (52) generates a secondary shape image (40) by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discrimination ability of the insufficient scan area (32a) selected by the user, and integrates the additional scan shape image of the insufficient scan area (32a) selected in the secondary shape image (40) with the primary shape image (30) to generate a tertiary shape image (42) in which the image of the insufficient scan area (32a) is complemented.
[0020] The output unit (54) is a device that displays on the screen the shape images (30, 40, 42) of the oral structure obtained by the data processing unit (52), that is, the processing process of the oral scan image and the shape images of the oral structure obtained thereby. The output unit (54) is, for example, a normal screen display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).
[0021] The input unit (56) is a device for inputting user commands including selection of the insufficient scan area (32a). The input unit (56) is, for example, a device for inputting user operation commands such as movement, rotation of the shape image of the oral structure, selection of the insufficient scan area, etc. to the user interface displayed on the screen of the output unit (54). As the input unit (56), for example, normal input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse can be used.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the oral scan image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. In order to form an oral scan image according to the present invention, first, the oral scan unit (50) is positioned inside the oral cavity, the oral structure is scanned, and a primary shape image (30) of the oral structure including one or more insufficient scan areas (32) is obtained (S10, see A in FIG. 4). For example, the primary shape image (30) is the one displayed on the output unit (54) after the shape image data of the oral structure obtained by the oral scan unit (50) is processed by the data processing unit (52) (see A in FIG. 4).
[0023] Here, the primary shape image (30) refers to an unprocessed three-dimensional shape image (30) that includes one or more scan-deficient regions (32) obtained by the primary, i.e., initial scan of the oral scanning unit (50). In the primary shape image (30), the scan-deficient regions (32) refer to regions where, due to insufficient scan data, a natural image of oral structures, i.e., teeth or gums, is not formed, resulting in insufficient or absent data (i.e., images), and displaying unnatural images such as white spaces.
[0024] Here, the scan-deficient area (32) may be identified by the user's eye from the primary shape image (30) based on their experience, or it may be identified from the primary shape image (30) by the software program of the data processing unit (52) and displayed on the output unit (54). In the example shown in Figure 4A, the scan-deficient area (32) recognized by the software program of the data processing unit (52) is shown by a blue arrow. In this case, the user can recognize that the scan-deficient area (32) exists in the area indicated by the arrow in Figure 4A.
[0025] Next, in order to perform an additional scan of the underscanned area, the user selects any one of the one or more underscanned areas (32a) (S20, see Figure 4B). In Figure 4B, the selected underscanned area (32a) is indicated by a green arrow.
[0026] Thus, when any single scan-deficient region (32a) is selected, a secondary shape image (40) is generated by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discriminative power of the selected scan-deficient region (32a) (S30, see C in Figure 4).
[0027] Here, "movement" includes linear movement and rotational movement. For example, if the selected scan-deficient area (32a) is on the side of the primary shape image (30) of the oral structure (see Figure 4B), the selected scan-deficient area (32a) can be better identified by rotating the primary shape image (30) to generate a secondary shape image (40) in which the selected scan-deficient area (32a) is displayed relatively in front (see Figure 4C). The movement of the primary shape image (30) involves changing the direction and position of the primary shape image (30) displayed in the output unit (54), i.e., by rotating and / or moving it, so that the selected scan-deficient area (32a) and its surroundings can be better identified. The movement of the primary shape image (30) can be performed by user input and the software program of the data processing unit (52).
[0028] Furthermore, if necessary, the color of the selected scan-deficient region (32a) displayed in the secondary shape image (40) can be changed along with the movement of the primary shape image (30), or additional identification symbols can be added to further improve the identification ability of the selected scan-deficient region (32a).
[0029] In this way, after a secondary shape image (40) is generated with improved discrimination of the selected scan-deficient region (32a), the position of the scan-deficient region (32a) is set from the secondary shape image (40) (S40, C in Figure 4). In C in Figure 4, the position of the scan-deficient region (32a) displayed in the secondary shape image (40) is shown as a green dot. In other words, the user can more accurately confirm or set the position of the scan-deficient region (32a) from the secondary shape image (40) with improved discrimination of the scan-deficient region (32a).
[0030] In this way, once the position of the underscanned area (32a) is set, the oral scanning unit (50) uses this as a reference to perform an additional scan of the selected underscanned area (32a), thereby obtaining an additional scan shape image of the underscanned area (32a) (S50).
[0031] Finally, the additional scan shape image of the obtained underscanned region (32a) is integrated with the primary shape image (30) of the oral structure to complement the image of the underscanned region (32a), that is, to obtain a tertiary shape image (42) in which the visibility of the underscanned region (32a) is improved (S60, see D in Figure 4).
[0032] According to the present invention, by moving and displaying the shape image (30) of the oral structure in order to improve the identifiability of the underscanned area (32a) selected by the user, the location of the underscanned area can be easily identified, and a shape image (42) of the oral structure with improved visibility of the underscanned area (32a) can be obtained.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings and exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings or the embodiments described above. Reference numerals are used in the following claims to aid understanding, but the scope of the following claims is not limited to the reference numerals and contents shown in the drawings, and should be interpreted to encompass all variations of the exemplary embodiments, equivalent configurations and functions.
Claims
1. A step of positioning an oral scanning unit (50) inside the oral cavity, scanning the oral structure, and obtaining a primary shape image (30) of the oral structure that includes one or more areas (32) that are not scanned; A step in which any one scan-deficient region (32a) is selected from the one or more scan-deficient regions (32); A step in which a secondary shape image (40) is generated by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discriminative ability of the selected scan-deficient region (32a); A step in which the position of the scan-deficient region (32a) is set from the secondary shape image (40); The process involves setting the position of the underscanned area (32a), then performing an additional scan of the selected underscanned area (32a) to obtain an additional scan shape image of the underscanned area (32a); and An oral scan image processing method comprising the step of integrating the obtained additional scan shape image of the underscanned region (32a) with the primary shape image (30) of the oral structure to obtain a tertiary shape image (42) in which the image of the underscanned region (32a) is complemented.
2. The oral scan image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the scan under-scanned area (32) is identified by the user's experience from the primary shape image (30).
3. The oral scan image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the scan under-scanned area (32) is identified from the primary shape image (30) by a software program of the data processing unit (52).
4. Oral scanning unit (50) optically scans and photographs oral structures to obtain a primary shape image (30) of the oral structures, including areas with insufficient scanning (32); (i) A data processing unit (52) generates a secondary shape image (40) by moving the primary shape image (30) so as to improve the discriminability of the scan-deficient region (32a) selected by the user; and (ii) a data processing unit (52) that integrates the additional scan shape image of the selected scan-deficient region (32a) with the primary shape image (30) to generate a tertiary shape image (42) in which the image of the scan-deficient region (32a) is interpolated; An output unit (54) that displays shape images (30, 40, 42) of oral structures obtained by the data processing unit (52) on a screen; and An oral scan image processing device including an input unit (56) for inputting user commands, including the selection of an under-scanned area (32a).
5. The oral scan image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data processing unit (52) is a computer processor capable of processing shape image data.