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

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an oral image processing device and an oral image processing method. In an embodiment, the oral image processing method may comprise the steps of: acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent 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 first movement direction which is a direction toward the selected selection point.

Description

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

[0001] The disclosed embodiment relates to an oral image processing device and an oral image processing method, and more particularly, to an oral image processing device and an oral image processing method for moving teeth in an oral image.

[0002] Dental CAD / CAM (Dental Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology is widely used in treatments such as orthodontics. The most important aspect of CAD / CAM dental treatment is obtaining precise 3D data on the shape of the target object, such as the patient's teeth, gums, and jawbone. The advantage of utilizing 3D data obtained from the target object during dental treatment is that it allows for precise calculations by a computer. For example, methods such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and optical scanning can be used to obtain 3D data of the target object in dental CAD / CAM dental treatment.

[0003] In orthodontic treatment, such as orthodontic treatment, it is possible to provide orthodontic simulations of the expected tooth shape during orthodontic treatment to determine the appropriate treatment method before proceeding with the treatment. Orthodontic simulations can be used to provide patients with orthodontic simulations through various scenarios, such as tooth reduction (interproximal reduction: IPR, hereinafter referred to as "IPR"), tooth extraction, and tooth movement. Furthermore, orthodontic simulations can predict the gaps that may occur between orthodontic teeth after orthodontic treatment, such as interproximal spaces (black triangles), and can be used to virtually adjust the interproximal spaces by performing IPR to remove these gaps.

[0004] The disclosed embodiment aims to provide an oral image processing device that selects a selection point located between two adjacent teeth and moves at least one adjacent tooth by an acquired target movement amount, and a device that performs an operation accordingly.

[0005] In one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include a step of acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth. The method for processing an oral image may include a step of acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point from among a plurality of selection points positioned between two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth. The method for processing an oral image may include a step of acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selection point. The method for processing an oral image may 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 one embodiment, the oral image processing method may further include a step of providing a user input interface for inputting a target movement amount. The oral image processing method may obtain the target movement amount through the user input interface.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include a step of selecting at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved, wherein at least one selected point is located in a direction toward at least one adjacent tooth based on at least one adjacent tooth. The method for processing an oral image may include a step of moving the target tooth in a direction toward at least one adjacent tooth.

[0008] In one embodiment, the at least one adjacent tooth may include at least one of a first adjacent tooth distally adjacent from the selected at least one selection point or a second adjacent tooth mesially adjacent from the selected at least one selection point.

[0009] In one embodiment, the method for processing an oral image may include, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth, selecting a first tooth to be moved, which is located distally from the first adjacent tooth, as the target tooth to be moved. The method for processing an oral image may include, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a second adjacent tooth, selecting a second tooth to be moved, which is located mesially from the second adjacent tooth to a dental midline, as the target tooth to be moved. The method for processing an oral image may include, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, selecting a first tooth to be moved and a second tooth to be moved as the target teeth to be moved.

[0010] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may further include, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, the step of moving the first adjacent tooth to the selected at least one selected point by a first displacement amount, and the step of moving the second adjacent tooth to the selected at least one selected point by a second displacement amount. The sum of the first displacement amount and the second displacement amount may be equal to the target displacement amount.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be a preset ratio, or the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be proportional to the distance from the tooth centerline to at least one selected point.

[0012] In one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include displaying a color of at least one adjacent tooth among a plurality of teeth and a color of a tooth to be moved as distinct from the colors of the remaining teeth among the plurality of teeth.

[0013] In one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include a step of obtaining a dental arch line corresponding to a plurality of teeth from an oral image. The method for processing an oral image may include a step of moving at least one adjacent tooth moved in a first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

[0014] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may repeat the steps of moving at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction and moving at least one adjacent tooth in the second movement direction so that at least one adjacent tooth can be positioned closer to the dental arch line.

[0015] An oral image processing device according to one embodiment may include a memory storing at least one instruction and at least one processor executing at least one instruction stored in the memory. The at least one processor may acquire an oral image including a plurality of teeth. The at least one processor may acquire a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth. The at least one processor may acquire a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point. The at least one processor may move the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point.

[0016] In one embodiment, at least one processor may provide a user input interface for inputting a target movement amount to the user. At least one processor may obtain the target movement amount through the user input interface.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one processor may select at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved, the tooth being located in a direction toward at least one adjacent tooth from at least one selection point selected based on at least one adjacent tooth. The at least one processor may move the target tooth toward the at least one adjacent tooth.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one adjacent tooth may include at least one of a first adjacent tooth distally adjacent from the selected at least one selection point or a second adjacent tooth mesially adjacent from the selected at least one selection point.

[0019] In one embodiment, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth, at least one processor can select a first tooth to be moved, which is located distally from the first adjacent tooth, as the target tooth to be moved. When at least one adjacent tooth includes a second adjacent tooth, at least one processor can select a second tooth to be moved, which is located mesially from the second adjacent tooth to a dental midline, as the target tooth to be moved. When at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, at least one processor can select the first tooth to be moved and the second tooth to be moved as the target teeth to be moved.

[0020] In one embodiment, if at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, at least one processor may move the first adjacent tooth to the selected at least one selection point by a first movement amount. At least one processor may move the second adjacent tooth to the selected at least one selection point by a second movement amount. The sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount may be equal to the target movement amount.

[0021] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be a preset ratio, or the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be proportional to the distance from the tooth centerline to at least one selected point.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least one processor may obtain a dental arch line corresponding to a plurality of teeth from an oral image. The at least one processor may move at least one adjacent tooth moved in a first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one processor may repeatedly move at least one adjacent tooth in a first movement direction and move at least one adjacent tooth in a second movement direction so that at least one adjacent tooth is positioned closer to the dental arch line.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon at least one instruction to be executed by at least one processor of an oral image processing device, wherein the at least one instruction is executed by at least one processor of the oral image processing device, such that the oral image processing device can obtain an oral image including a plurality of teeth, obtain a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth, obtain 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 movement direction toward the selected selection point.

[0025] The oral image processing device and oral image processing method according to the disclosed embodiment can move at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to an identified selection point by a target movement amount in the direction of the identified selection point. Accordingly, an oral image can be acquired after the at least one adjacent tooth has moved by the target movement amount toward the identified selection point.

[0026] The oral image processing device and oral image processing method according to the disclosed embodiment can increase user convenience by providing a tooth model according to a target tooth removal amount.

[0027] The present invention can be readily understood by the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals refer to structural elements.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an oral image processing device and method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an oral image processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an oral image processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a plurality of teeth identified from an oral image according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calculating a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for generating bounding boxes of each of two adjacent teeth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating the center points of each bounding box and generating a connecting line connecting the center points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a method for calculating a contact point and a selection point where a mesh of two teeth and a connecting line meet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining selecting one selection point among a plurality of selection points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 9b is a diagram for explaining selecting two or more selection points among a plurality of selection points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a target tooth to be moved and moving the selected target tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 11A is a drawing for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth and a moving target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 11b is a drawing for explaining selection of a second adjacent tooth and a moving target tooth corresponding to the second adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 11c is a drawing for explaining selection of a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, and a moving target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 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 one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating moving at least one adjacent point to an identified selection point by a target movement amount according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating moving at least one adjacent tooth to a dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining the direction of moving at least one adjacent tooth to the dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining moving at least one adjacent tooth to the dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] This specification clarifies the scope of the present invention and explains the principles of the invention and discloses embodiments thereof to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

[0049] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and any content that is general in the technical field to which the present invention pertains or that overlaps between embodiments is omitted. The term "part" (or "portion") used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and depending on the embodiments, multiple "parts" may be implemented as a single unit (element), or a single "part" may include multiple elements. The operating principles and embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0050] In this specification, an image may include an image representing at least one tooth or an oral cavity including at least one tooth (hereinafter, “oral image”).

[0051] In addition, in this specification, an image may be a two-dimensional image of an object, a three-dimensional model representing the object in three dimensions, or a three-dimensional image. In addition, in this specification, an image may mean data required to express an object two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, for example, raw data acquired from at least one image sensor. Specifically, raw data is data acquired to create an image, and may be data (e.g., two-dimensional data) acquired from at least one image sensor included in a three-dimensional scanner when scanning an object using a three-dimensional scanner.

[0052] In this specification, the "oral image" may be composed of various polygonal meshes. For example, when two-dimensional data is acquired using an oral scanner, the data processing device may calculate the coordinates of multiple illuminated surface points using a triangulation method. As the amount of scanned data increases by moving the surface of the object using the oral scanner, the coordinates of the surface points may be accumulated. As a result of this image acquisition, a point cloud of vertices can be identified, representing the extent of the surface. Points within the point cloud may represent actual measured points on the three-dimensional surface of the object. The surface structure may be approximated by forming a polygonal mesh in which adjacent vertices of the point cloud are connected by line segments. The polygonal mesh may be determined in various ways, such as triangular, quadrilateral, or pentagonal meshes. The polygons of such a mesh model and the relationships between neighboring polygons can be used to extract features of the tooth boundary, such as curvature, minimum curvature, edges, and spatial relationships.

[0053] Hereinafter, embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining an oral image processing device and method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an oral image processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the oral image processing method according to the present disclosure can be performed by an oral image processing device (1000). In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain an oral image including a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120). In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain an oral image from a three-dimensional scanner.

[0056] In one embodiment, the oral image may be an image generated by a 3D scanner that scans an object including at least one of a human oral cavity, an artificial structure, or a plaster model modeling an oral cavity or an artificial structure. In one embodiment, the 3D scanner may include a handheld oral scanner that a user holds and moves with their hand to scan the object. In addition, the 3D scanner may include a table-type scanner that scans the object by using the rotation of a table. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the 3D scanner may include scanners of various shapes capable of acquiring an oral image.

[0057] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing device (1000) may also obtain pre-generated oral images from a cloud server or an external storage device.

[0058] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) may include a display (1100). The oral image processing device (1000) may display a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120), gingiva, and dental arch line (200), etc., identified based on an acquired oral image, on the display (1100) and provide the display to a user using the oral image processing device (1000).

[0059] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can display images for each step in the process of processing an oral image on a display (1100) and provide them to the user.

[0060] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can display a plurality of selection points (300), a selected selection point, at least one adjacent tooth (110), and a movement target tooth (120) on a display (1100) and provide the display to the user.

[0061] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can display the target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth on a display (1100) and provide it to the user.

[0062] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can display an image on the display (1100) that shows at least one adjacent tooth (110) moved by a target movement amount to at least one selected point, and provide the image to the user.

[0063] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can display an image of the target tooth (120) being moved in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth (110) on the display (1100) and provide it to the user after the at least one adjacent tooth (110) has been moved.

[0064] Below, the operation of each step of the oral image processing device (1000) will be described.

[0065] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can identify a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) from an oral image. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that 12 teeth are identified from an oral image, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0066] In addition, the oral image processing device (1000) can identify not only a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) but also gingiva, dental arch line (200), etc. from the oral image. In one embodiment, the 'dental arch' may mean an arch-shaped structure in which a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) placed on each of the maxilla and the mandible are arranged.

[0067] In one embodiment, the dental arch line (200) may be a line corresponding to the dental arch. In one embodiment, the dental arch line (200) may be a line that contacts a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) arranged along the dental arch. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The dental arch line (200) may be arbitrarily set. The dental arch line (200) may be set as a line along which a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) are to be arranged.

[0068] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can calculate a plurality of selection points (300) located between two adjacent teeth among a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120).

[0069] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a selection signal including information for selecting one of the plurality of selection points (300). In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can generate a selection signal when one of the plurality of selection points (300) is selected.

[0070] In one embodiment, when one of the plurality of selection points (300) is selected through a user interface (UI) provided to the user, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a selection signal. In one embodiment, when the user selects one of the plurality of selection points (300) by clicking on it through a mouse cursor, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a selection signal.

[0071] The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing device (1000) may also obtain a selection signal including information that two or more selection points are selected from among a plurality of selection points (300). In one embodiment, when a user selects two or more selection points from among a plurality of selection points (300) by dragging them using a plurality of mouse cursors, the oral image processing device (1000) may obtain a selection signal including information that two or more selection points are selected.

[0072] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and when the display (1100) includes a touch interface, when the user touches and selects one of the plurality of selection points (300) displayed on the display (1100), the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a selection signal.

[0073] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) may select at least one adjacent tooth (110) adjacent to at least one selection point based on a selection signal. FIG. 1 illustrates a first adjacent tooth selected in a distal direction from at least one selection point among a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0074] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can select at least one adjacent tooth (110) in at least one direction of the mesial direction or the distal direction from at least one selection point.

[0075] In one embodiment, 'at least one adjacent tooth (110)' may be a tooth that moves by a target movement amount to be described later in a direction toward at least one selection point.

[0076] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can select at least one tooth (120) to be moved, based on at least one adjacent tooth (110), at least one tooth located in a direction toward at least one adjacent tooth (110) from at least one selection point.

[0077] In one embodiment, the 'target tooth (120) to be moved' may be a tooth that is moved in the direction of at least one adjacent tooth (110) to maintain a gap with the at least one adjacent tooth (110) after moving the at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the direction toward at least one selection point. In one embodiment, when the target tooth (120) to be moved includes two or more teeth, the target teeth (120) to be moved may be moved to maintain a gap between them.

[0078] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth (110). In one embodiment, the 'target movement amount' may be a movement amount that moves at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the direction of a selected selection point.

[0079] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain a target movement amount by an operation of inputting a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth (110).

[0080] In one embodiment, when a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth (110) is input through a UI provided to a user, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain the target movement amount. In one embodiment, when a user inputs the target movement amount into an input box in which a numerical value of the target movement amount can be input, or when the user inputs the target movement amount using a sliding bar in which the size of the target movement amount can be adjusted, the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain the target movement amount. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the oral image processing device (1000) can obtain the target movement amount even when the target movement amount is input by another method.

[0081] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can move at least one adjacent tooth (110) by a target movement amount in a direction (500) toward a selected selection point. Hereinafter, the direction toward the selected selection point is referred to as a first movement direction (500).

[0082] The oral image processing device (1000) can provide the user with an image in which at least one adjacent tooth (110) has moved by a target amount to a selected selection point. The user can confirm an image in which at least one adjacent tooth has moved by a target amount to the selected selection point.

[0083] In one embodiment, the user can check the results of tooth movement after interproximal reduction (IPR) or tooth movement through orthodontic treatment through the oral image processing device (1000) and the oral image processing method, and decide whether to perform interproximal reduction or orthodontic treatment. In addition, in one embodiment, the user can check the results of tooth movement after tooth extraction through the oral image processing device (1000) and the oral image processing method, and decide whether to perform tooth extraction.

[0084] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) may move at least one adjacent tooth (110) in a first movement direction (500) by a target movement amount, and then move at least one adjacent tooth (110) in a direction (600) toward the dental arch line (200). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the direction toward the dental arch line (200) is referred to as a second movement direction (600).

[0085] In one embodiment, when moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) by a target amount in the first movement direction (500), at least one adjacent tooth (110) may move away from the dental arch line (200) compared to before the movement. Accordingly, the oral image processing device (0100) may move at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the first movement direction (500) and then move at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the second movement direction (600) so that at least one adjacent tooth (110) comes into contact with the dental arch line (200).

[0086] In one embodiment, when moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the second movement direction (600), the amount by which the at least one adjacent tooth (110) moves in the first movement direction (500) may be different from the target amount of movement. Accordingly, the oral image processing device (1000) may move the at least one adjacent tooth (110) again in the first movement direction (500).

[0087] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can repeat the operation of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) in a first movement direction (500) and the operation of moving it in a second movement direction (600). A detailed description will be provided below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19.

[0088] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) can move at least one adjacent tooth (110) by a target movement amount in a first movement direction (500) and then move the target tooth (120) to be moved in a direction (700) toward the at least one adjacent tooth (110). In this way, even if the at least one adjacent tooth (110) is moved by the target movement amount, the gap between the at least one adjacent tooth (110) and the target tooth (120) to be moved can be maintained compared to before the movement.

[0089] Hereinafter, the oral image processing device (1000) and the oral image processing method will be described in detail.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) may include a display (1100), a memory (1200), at least one processor (1300), a communication interface (1400), and a user interface (1500).

[0091] In one embodiment, not all of the components illustrated in FIG. 2 are essential components. The oral image processing device (1000) may be implemented with more components than those illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be implemented with fewer components.

[0092] In one embodiment, the display (1100), memory (1200), at least one processor (1300), communication interface (1400), and user interface (1500) may each be electrically and / or physically connected to one another.

[0093] In one embodiment, the oral image processing device (1000) may be a computing device such as a smart phone, laptop computer, desktop computer, PDA, tablet PC, etc., but is not limited thereto. In addition, the oral image processing device (1000) may also exist in the form of a server (or server device) for processing oral images.

[0094] In one embodiment, the display (1100) can display an oral image. In one embodiment, the display (1100) can display an oral image processed under the control of at least one processor (1300). In one embodiment, the display (1100) can display images corresponding to a step of processing an oral image under the control of at least one processor (1300).

[0095] In one embodiment, the display (1100) may display a user interface screen including an oral cavity image processed by at least one processor (1300). Additionally, in one embodiment, the display (1100) may display a user interface screen including information related to a patient's dental treatment.

[0096] In one embodiment, the memory (1200) may store commands, program codes, or various types of modules for performing functions or operations of the oral image processing device (1000).

[0097] In one embodiment, the memory (1200) may store a tooth identification module (1210), an adjacent tooth selection module (1220), and a tooth movement module (1230). However, not all of the modules illustrated in FIG. 2 are required modules. The memory (1200) may store more or fewer modules than the modules illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0098] A 'module' included in the memory (1200) may refer to a unit that processes a function or operation performed by at least one processor (1300). The 'module' included in the memory (1200) may be implemented as software such as instructions, algorithms, data structures, or program codes.

[0099] In one embodiment, the tooth identification module (1210) may be configured with instructions or program codes related to an operation or function of identifying a plurality of teeth based on an oral image acquired through the communication interface (1400). In one embodiment, the tooth identification module (1210) may further include instructions or program codes related to an operation or function of identifying gingiva, dental arch lines, and tooth centerlines based on the oral image.

[0100] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can identify a plurality of teeth, gingiva, dental arch line, and tooth centerline from an oral cavity image by executing a tooth identification module (1210).

[0101] In one embodiment, the adjacent selection module (1230) may be configured with instructions or program codes relating to an operation or function of selecting at least one adjacent point adjacent to a selected selection point based on a selection signal including information for selecting one selection point among a plurality of selection points.

[0102] In one embodiment, the adjacent tooth selection module (1230) may be configured with instructions or program codes relating to an operation or function of selecting at least one adjacent tooth among a second adjacent tooth mesially adjacent to a selected selection point or a first adjacent tooth distally adjacent to a selected selection point, depending on the location of the selected selection point within the oral cavity.

[0103] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may execute an adjacent selection module (1230) to select at least one adjacent point adjacent to a selected selection point.

[0104] In one embodiment, the tooth movement module (1230) may be configured with instructions or program codes relating to an operation or function of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a direction toward a selected selection point based on the acquired target movement amount. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may move at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a direction toward the selected selection point by executing the tooth movement module (1230).

[0105] In one embodiment, the tooth movement module (1230) may further include instructions or program codes relating to an action or function of moving at least one adjacent tooth in the direction of the dental arch line. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may execute the tooth movement module (1230) to move at least one adjacent tooth in the direction of the selected one selected point by a target movement amount and then move it in the direction of the dental arch line.

[0106] In one embodiment, the tooth movement module (1230) may further include instructions or program codes relating to an action or function of moving a target tooth in the direction of at least one adjacent tooth. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may execute the tooth movement module (1230) to move at least one adjacent tooth in the direction of a selected selection point by a target movement amount, and then move the target tooth in the direction of at least one adjacent tooth.

[0107] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the memory (1200) may further store a module comprising instructions or program codes for an operation or function of generating a selection signal in response to an operation of selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points.

[0108] Additionally, the memory (1200) may further store a selection point calculation module comprising instructions or program codes for an operation or function of calculating a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth, based on a plurality of teeth.

[0109] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may be configured as at least one of a Central Processing Unit, a microprocessor, a Graphic Processing Unit, an Application Processor (AP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), a Digital Signal Processor (DSPs), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPDs), a Programmable Logic Device (PLDs), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs), and a Neural Processing Unit or an artificial intelligence (AI) processor designed with a hardware structure specialized for learning and processing an artificial intelligence (AI) model, but is not limited thereto.

[0110] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can execute various types of modules stored in the memory (1200). In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can execute a tooth identification module (1210), an adjacent tooth selection module (1230), and a tooth movement module (1230) stored in the memory (1200). In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can execute at least one command constituting various types of modules stored in the memory (1200).

[0111] In one embodiment, the communication interface (1400) may perform data communication with an external server or at least one external electronic device (e.g., an oral scanner, a table scanner, an external medical device, etc.) under the control of at least one processor (1300). In one embodiment, the communication interface (1400) may perform data communication with the server or other peripheral electronic devices using at least one of data communication methods including wired LAN, 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 RF communication.

[0112] In one embodiment, the communication interface (1400) may include at least one port for connecting to an external electronic device (e.g., an oral scanner) via a wired cable to communicate with the external electronic device. The communication interface (1400) may communicate with the external electronic device via the wired connection through the at least one port.

[0113] In one embodiment, the user interface (1500) may receive user input for controlling the oral image processing device (1000). The user interface (1500) may include, but is not limited to, a user input device including a touch interface for detecting a user's touch, a button for receiving a user's push operation, a mouse or keyboard for specifying or selecting a point on a user interface screen, and the like.

[0114] A user interface (1500) according to one embodiment may receive a user input for selecting one of a plurality of selection points. Additionally, the user interface (1500) may receive a user input for entering a target movement amount of at least one adjacent point.

[0115] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an oral image processing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The oral image processing method illustrated in FIG. 3 can be performed by an oral image processing device (1000).

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, in one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include a step (S100) of acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120). In the step (S100) of acquiring an oral image, at least one processor (1300) may acquire the oral image via a communication interface (1400). In one embodiment, the oral image may be an image acquired via a 3D scanner. The oral image may also be an image stored in a library.

[0117] In one embodiment, a method for processing an oral image may include a step (S200) of identifying a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) from an acquired oral image. In one embodiment, the step (S200) of identifying the plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) may further include a step of identifying gingiva, a tooth centerline, and a dental arch line. In the step of identifying the plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120), at least one processor (1300) may execute a tooth identification module (1210) to identify the plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) or the plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120), the gingiva, the tooth centerline, and the dental arch line. In one embodiment, the step (S100) of acquiring an oral image and the step (S200) of identifying a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) from the oral image in the oral image processing method of FIG. 3 are depicted as distinct, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the step (S100) of acquiring an oral image and the step (S200) of identifying a plurality of teeth (100, 110, 120) from the oral image may be performed in a single step.

[0118] Hereinafter, the step (S200) of identifying multiple teeth (100, 110, 120) will be described later in FIG. 4.

[0119] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S300) of obtaining a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points. In the step (S300) of obtaining the selection signal, at least one processor (1300) may obtain a selection signal generated based on a user input provided through a user interface (1500). The step (S300) of obtaining the selection signal will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0120] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S400) of obtaining a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to a selected selection point. In the step (S400) of obtaining the target movement amount, at least one processor (1300) may obtain the target movement amount through a user interface (1500). The step (S400) of obtaining the target movement amount will be described below with reference to FIG. 13.

[0121] In one embodiment, the step of obtaining a selection signal (S300) and the step of obtaining a target movement amount (S400) are sequentially illustrated in FIG. 3, but the oral image processing method of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, in the oral image processing method, the step of obtaining a selection signal may be performed after the step of obtaining a target movement amount.

[0122] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S500) of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward a selection point based on a target movement amount. In the step (S500) of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount, at least one processor (1300) may execute a tooth movement module (1230) to move at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a direction toward the selection point. Hereinafter, the step (S500) of moving at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount will be described later with reference to FIG. 14.

[0123] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may 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). The step of calculating the plurality of selection points will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0124] In addition, in one embodiment, the oral image processing method may further include a step of selecting at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may identify at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points based on coordinate information of the user input included in the acquired selection signal, the area of ​​the user input, the area and shape of the area, etc. At least one processor (1300) may select at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the identified at least one selection point according to a preset criterion. Hereinafter, the step (S500) of selecting at least one adjacent tooth will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 to 11C.

[0125] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of teeth identified from an oral image according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, components identical to those described in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of teeth (100), a dental arch line (200), and a tooth centerline (800) identified from an oral image are illustrated. In one embodiment, gingiva may further be identified from the oral image. In this case, the 'tooth centerline' may be a line passing between the first tooth (400) on the left and the first tooth (410) on the right. Specifically, the tooth centerline may be a line passing between the first tooth on the left of the upper jaw and the first tooth on the right of the upper jaw, or a line passing between the first tooth on the left of the lower jaw and the first tooth on the right of the lower jaw.

[0127] In one embodiment, the number, arrangement, shape of the dental arch line (200), position of the tooth center line (800), etc. of a plurality of teeth (100) can be identified from an oral image. At least one processor (1300) can perform a processing operation of the oral image, which will be described later, based on the identified plurality of teeth (100), dental arch line (200), tooth center line (800), etc.

[0128] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calculating a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for generating bounding boxes of each of two adjacent teeth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating center points of each of the bounding boxes and generating a connecting line connecting the center points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating a contact point and a selection point where a connecting line meets a mesh of two teeth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same configurations and steps as those described in FIGS. 1 and 3 are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0129] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the oral image processing method may 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).

[0130] In one embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points may include a step (S210) of generating bounding boxes (111, 112) of each of two adjacent teeth (101, 102). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth are illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0131] In one embodiment, the bounding boxes (111, 112) of each of two adjacent teeth (101, 102) may be generated based on the meshes of each of the two adjacent teeth (101, 102). A bounding box having a rectangular shape may be generated by connecting a point having a maximum coordinate value and a point having a minimum coordinate value of the meshes constituting the two adjacent teeth (101, 102). In one embodiment, the bounding box may include all of the meshes constituting each of the teeth (101, 102) and may mean a box having the smallest size.

[0132] In one embodiment, the step of calculating the plurality of selection points may include a step (S220) of calculating the center points (121, 122) of each of the bounding boxes (111, 112). In one embodiment, the center points (121, 122) of each of the bounding boxes (111, 112) may be defined as the diagonal centers of each of the bounding boxes (111, 112).

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, in one embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points may include a step (S230) of generating a connecting line (130) connecting each of the calculated center points (121, 122). In one embodiment, the connecting line (130) may mean a line generated so as to pass through both center points (121, 122) included in each of the bounding boxes (111, 112).

[0134] In one embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points may include a step (S240) of detecting two contact points (141, 142) where the meshes of each of two adjacent teeth (101, 102) meet the connecting line (130). In one embodiment, the two contact points (141, 142) may be points where the meshes of each of the two teeth (101, 102) and the connecting line (130) intersect.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, in one embodiment, the step of calculating a plurality of selection points may include a step (S350) of calculating a point (160) corresponding to the midpoint of a line (150) connecting two contact points as one of the plurality of selection points (160).

[0136] In one embodiment, the line (150) connecting the two contact points may be a line generated to pass through the two contact points. In one embodiment, the step (S350) of calculating one of the plurality of selection points as a selection point (160) may further include the step of calculating a point corresponding to the midpoint of the line (150) connecting the two contact points as a single selection point (160) by projecting it onto the gum (900).

[0137] FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating selecting one selection point among multiple selection points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating selecting two or more selection points among multiple selection points according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIGS. 1 and 4 are assigned the same reference numerals, and any redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0138] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 9A, FIG. 9A illustrates a plurality of teeth (100), a dental arch line (200), a plurality of selection points (300), and one selection point (350) selected based on a selection signal among the plurality of selection points (300).

[0139] In one embodiment, the selection signal may be a signal generated based on a user action of clicking or dragging at least one selection point (350) among a plurality of selection points (300) through a user interface (1500).

[0140] In one embodiment, FIG. 9A illustrates that a selected selection point (350) corresponds to a point located between two adjacent teeth among a plurality of teeth (100) having a relatively large gap between them. In one embodiment, a user may select a selection point corresponding to a point having a large gap between two adjacent teeth among a plurality of teeth (100) identified based on an acquired oral image and a plurality of calculated selection points (300), thereby viewing a result of movement of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected point.

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 9B, FIG. 9B illustrates a plurality of teeth (100), a dental arch line (200), a plurality of selection points (300), and three selection points (351, 352, 353) identified based on a selection signal among the plurality of selection points (300).

[0142] In one embodiment, the selection signal may be a signal generated based on an action of a user selecting three selection points (351, 352, 353) from among a plurality of selection points (300). The selection signal may be a signal generated by an action of a user selecting three selection points (350) from among a plurality of selection points (300) by clicking consecutively or by dragging.

[0143] In FIGS. 9A and 9B, at least one selected selection point is illustrated as being positioned corresponding to two teeth having a relatively large gap between adjacent teeth among a plurality of teeth (100). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Regardless of the gap between adjacent teeth, a user may select at least one selection point around at least one adjacent tooth to be moved among a plurality of selection points (300), and the oral image processing device (1000) may identify at least one selection point based on a selection signal generated by the corresponding operation.

[0144] Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9b, the selected at least one selection point may include a selection point corresponding to a position where the spacing between adjacent teeth is relatively larger than the spacing between other teeth, and other selection points adjacent to the selection point.

[0145] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is described that one selection point (350) among a plurality of selection points (300) is selected based on a selection signal.

[0146] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting a target tooth to be moved and moving the selected target tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, steps identical to those described in FIG. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0147] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 10, the oral image processing method may include a step (S600) of selecting at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved, based on at least one adjacent tooth, located in a direction from a selection point toward at least one adjacent tooth. In one embodiment, the step (S600) of selecting at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved may be performed after the step (S500) of moving at least one adjacent tooth in a first movement direction.

[0148] In the step (S600) of selecting at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved, at least one processor (1300) can select at least one tooth located in a direction toward at least one adjacent tooth from a selection point as a target tooth to be moved, based on at least one adjacent tooth.

[0149] Hereinafter, the step (S600) of selecting at least one tooth as a target tooth to be moved will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11a to 11c.

[0150] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S700) of moving a target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth.

[0151] In the step (S700) of moving the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth, at least one processor (1300) can move the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth. Accordingly, compared to before moving the at least one adjacent tooth, a gap between the at least one adjacent tooth and the target tooth can be prevented from widening.

[0152] In one embodiment, the direction toward at least one adjacent tooth may be a direction from the center point of the bounding box of the tooth to be moved toward the center point of the bounding box of at least one adjacent tooth.

[0153] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step of moving the target tooth toward a direction toward an arch line, after the step (S700) of moving the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth.

[0154] In one embodiment, the distance between the target tooth and the arch line can be changed by moving the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth. Accordingly, the distance between the target tooth and the arch line can be maintained by moving the target tooth toward the arch line.

[0155] Below, the direction toward the dental arch line will be described later in Fig. 16.

[0156] FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating the selection of a first adjacent tooth and a target tooth to be moved corresponding to the first adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIGS. 4 and 9A are assigned the same reference numerals, and any redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0157] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11A, in one embodiment, the at least one adjacent tooth may include at least one of a first adjacent tooth distally adjacent from the selected selection point or a second adjacent tooth distally adjacent from the selected selection point.

[0158] In one embodiment, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth, in the step of selecting a tooth to be moved, a first tooth to be moved located in a distal direction with respect to the first adjacent tooth may be selected as the tooth to be moved.

[0159] In one embodiment, when a first adjacent tooth (110) located in a centrifugal direction from a selection point (350) is selected as an adjacent tooth of the selection point (350), at least one processor (1300) may select a first tooth (120) located in a centrifugal direction from the first adjacent tooth (110) among a plurality of teeth as a tooth to be moved. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may select all teeth (120) located in a centrifugal direction from the first adjacent tooth (110) as teeth to be moved.

[0160] FIG. 11b is a diagram illustrating the selection of a second adjacent tooth and a target tooth to be moved corresponding to the second adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIGS. 4, 9a, and 11a are assigned the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0161] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11B, in one embodiment, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth, in the step of selecting a tooth to be moved, a first tooth located in a distal direction to the tooth centerline with respect to the first adjacent tooth may be selected as the tooth to be moved. At least one processor (1300) may select a second adjacent tooth (110_1) that is adjacent in a mesial direction from an identified selection point (350) as the adjacent tooth of the selection point (350).

[0162] In one embodiment, when the second adjacent tooth (110_1) located in the mesial direction from the selection point (350) is selected as the adjacent tooth of the selection point (350), at least one processor (1300) may select the second tooth (120_1) located in the mesial direction from the second adjacent tooth (110_1) among the plurality of teeth as the tooth to be moved. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may select all teeth (120_1) located in the mesial direction to the tooth center line (800) based on the second adjacent tooth (110_1) as the tooth to be moved.

[0163] FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating selection of a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, and a moving target tooth corresponding to the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIGS. 4, 9A, 11A, and 11B are given the same drawing reference numerals, and any redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0164] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11C, in one embodiment, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth and a second adjacent tooth, in the step of selecting a tooth to be moved, the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth may be selected as the teeth to be moved. At least one processor (1300) may select a first adjacent tooth (110) that is distally adjacent from an identified selection point (350) and a second adjacent tooth (110_1) that is mesially adjacent as the adjacent teeth of the selection point (350).

[0165] In one embodiment, when the first adjacent tooth (110) and the second adjacent tooth (110_1) of the selection point (350) are selected as the adjacent teeth of the selection point (350), at least one processor (1300) may select a first movable tooth (120) located in a distal direction from the first adjacent tooth (110) and a second movable tooth (120_1) located in a mesial direction from the second adjacent tooth (110_1) among the plurality of teeth as the target teeth to be moved. In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may select all teeth (120_1) located in a mesial direction to the tooth center line (800) based on all teeth (120) located in a distal direction from the first adjacent tooth (110) and the second adjacent tooth (110_1), as the target teeth to be moved.

[0166] Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating 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 one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, steps identical to those described in Figs. 3 and 10 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 3, 10, 11c and 12, in one embodiment, when at least one adjacent tooth includes a first adjacent tooth (110) and a second adjacent tooth (110_1), the oral image processing method may include a step (S510) of moving the first adjacent tooth (110) to the selected selection point (350) by a first movement amount and moving the second adjacent tooth (120) to the selected selection point (350) by a second movement amount.

[0168] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S410) of obtaining a ratio signal including information on a ratio of a first movement amount and a second movement amount.

[0169] In one embodiment, in the step of obtaining a ratio signal (S410), at least one processor (1300) may obtain a ratio signal generated based on a user input provided through a user interface (1500). In one embodiment, the ratio signal may be a signal generated based on an operation of a user inputting a ratio of a first movement amount for moving a first adjacent tooth (110) among target movement amounts and a second movement amount for moving a second adjacent tooth (110_1) through the user interface (1500).

[0170] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount and the second movement amount may be a preset ratio. The ratio of the first movement amount and the second movement amount may also be preset by a user using the oral image processing device (1000, see FIG. 2).

[0171] Additionally, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be determined according to the distance from the tooth centerline (800) to the selected selection point (350). In one embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be proportional to the distance from the tooth centerline (800) to the selected selection point (350). In one embodiment, the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount may be determined according to the tooth numbers of two adjacent teeth where the selected selection point (350) is located. In one embodiment, the second movement amount may be greater than the first movement amount as the tooth numbers of the two adjacent teeth are larger. In one embodiment, the first movement amount may be greater than the second movement amount as the tooth numbers of the two adjacent teeth are smaller.

[0172] In one embodiment, the sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount may be equal to the target movement amount.

[0173] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a target displacement amount of at least one adjacent tooth according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11a are given the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0174] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 13, at least one selected point (350) among a plurality of selected points, at least one adjacent adjacent tooth (110), and a tooth (120) to be moved are illustrated. At least one processor (1300) can control the display (1100) to display a user input interface (401, 402) that can input a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth (110) corresponding to the selected at least one selected point (350).

[0175] In one embodiment, a user may input a target movement amount into a user input interface (401, 402) via a user interface (1500). In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may obtain a numerical signal including information about the target movement amount, generated based on the input of the target movement amount into the user input interface (401, 402).

[0176] In one embodiment, the user input interfaces (401, 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 that provides an input field in which a user can input a number corresponding to a target movement amount through a user interface such as a keyboard. In one embodiment, the second user input interface (402) may be an interface that provides a sliding bar in which a user can move to correspond to the target movement amount through a user interface such as a mouse. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the user may input the target movement amount by entering a number in an input field of the first user input interface (401) through a touch interface, or may input the target movement amount by moving the sliding bar of the second user input interface (402).

[0177] In addition, although FIG. 13 illustrates that one selection point (350) among a plurality of selection points is selected, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. If two or more selection points are selected among a plurality of selection points, in one embodiment, the number input into the first user input interface may be set as the target movement amount of two or more adjacent points adjacent to each selection point. In addition, two or more first user input interfaces corresponding to each of the two or more selection points may be displayed.

[0178] In one embodiment, the target movement amount input according to the movement of the sliding bar of the second user input interface may be set as the target movement amount of two or more adjacent points adjacent to each selection point.

[0179] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating moving at least one adjacent point to an identified selection point by a target movement amount according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same components as those described in FIG. 11a are assigned the same drawing reference numerals, and any redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0180] Referring to FIGS. 2, 13 and 14, a portion of FIG. 13 (1600) is illustrated in FIG. 14 for convenience of explanation.

[0181] In one embodiment, FIG. 14 illustrates a plurality of teeth, a selection point (350) selected based on a selection signal, a first adjacent tooth (110), and a target tooth (120) to be moved.

[0182] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may move the first adjacent tooth (110) by a target movement amount in a direction (1700) toward one selection point (350). In one embodiment, the direction (1700) toward one selection point (350) may be a direction from the first adjacent tooth (110) toward one selection point (350). In one embodiment, the direction (1700) toward one selection point (350) may be a direction from a point that is an orthogonal projection of the center point (111) of the bounding box of the first adjacent tooth (110) to the gum (900, see FIG. 8) toward the center point (351) of one selection point (350).

[0183] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can move the first adjacent tooth (110) in the direction (1700) toward one selection point (350) by the final movement amount (1710). The at least one processor (1300) can move the first adjacent tooth (110) in the direction (1700) toward one selection point (350) until a difference between the final movement amount (1710) and the target movement amount is equal to or smaller 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 operation of moving the first adjacent tooth (110) by the target movement amount. The larger the first reference error amount is set, the higher the speed of the operation of moving the first adjacent tooth (110) by the target movement amount.

[0184] In one embodiment, only the operation of moving the first adjacent tooth (110) toward one selection point (350) (1500) is illustrated in FIG. 14, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. At least one processor (1300) may move the first adjacent tooth (110) toward one selection point (350) (1700), and then move the target tooth (120) to be moved toward the first adjacent tooth (110). Through this, the gap between the target tooth (120) to be moved and the first adjacent tooth (110) can be prevented from widening. At this time, the direction toward the first adjacent tooth (110) may be a direction from a point where the center point of the bounding box of the target tooth (120) to be moved is projected onto the gingiva (900) to a point where the center point (111) of the first adjacent tooth (110) is projected onto the gingiva (900).

[0185] In addition, for convenience of explanation, in Fig. 14, the movement motion of the first adjacent tooth (110) and the target tooth (120) adjacent in the centrifugal direction from one selection point (350) is illustrated, but it is of course applicable to the movement motion of the second adjacent tooth and the target tooth adjacent in the mesial direction from one selection point (350).

[0186] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating moving at least one adjacent tooth to the dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a direction for moving at least one adjacent tooth to the dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0187] Hereinafter, the same configurations and steps as those described in FIGS. 3 and 10 are given the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0188] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 15, and 16, the oral image processing method may include a step (S260) of obtaining a dental arch line (200) corresponding to a plurality of teeth from the oral image. The oral image processing method may include a step (S520) of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) moved in a first movement direction in a second movement direction (1820) toward the dental arch line (200). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the operation of obtaining the dental arch line (200) from the oral image and the operation of identifying a plurality of teeth may be performed in one step.

[0189] In one embodiment, the oral image processing method may include a step (S520) of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) in a second movement direction (1820), after a step (S500) of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) by a target movement amount in a first movement direction.

[0190] In one embodiment, in the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the first movement direction, the distance between the dental arch line (200) and the at least one adjacent tooth (110) may vary. In one embodiment, as the at least one adjacent tooth (110) is moved in the first movement direction, the distance between the at least one adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200) may increase. Accordingly, by moving the at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the second movement direction (1820), the distance between the at least one adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200) may be maintained at the distance before moving the at least one adjacent tooth (110) in the direction toward the at least one selection point (350).

[0191] In one embodiment, the second movement direction (1820) can be calculated using a total of three teeth, including two teeth adjacent to at least one adjacent tooth (110) on either side of at least one adjacent tooth (110). For convenience of explanation, one adjacent tooth (110) is illustrated in FIG. 17 below.

[0192] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) can identify two teeth (100, 120) located on both sides of one adjacent tooth (110). At least one processor (1300) can calculate a first center point (111) of a bounding box of one adjacent tooth (110), and second and third center points (101, 121) of the bounding boxes of each of the two teeth (100, 120). At least one processor (1300) projects the calculated first to third center points (111, 101, 121) onto the gingiva (900, see FIG. 8), and then generates a virtual circle (1800) passing through a total of three projected points.

[0193] In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may calculate a direction (1820) from the center point (1810) of the generated virtual circle (1800) toward the dental arch line (200) as the second movement direction (1820). At this time, after the at least one processor (1300) projects the dental arch line (200) onto the gingiva (900), the direction from the center point (1810) of the virtual circle (1800) toward the dental arch line projected onto the gingiva (900) may be calculated as the second movement direction (1820).

[0194] Fig. 17 is a drawing for explaining moving at least one adjacent tooth to the dental arch line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those described in Figs. 11a and 16 are given the same drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0195] Referring to FIGS. 2, 13 and 17, a portion of FIG. 13 (1600) is illustrated in FIG. 18 for convenience of explanation.

[0196] In one embodiment, FIG. 17 illustrates a plurality of teeth, a first adjacent tooth (110). In one embodiment, at least one processor (1300) may move the first adjacent tooth (110) in a first movement direction by a target movement amount, and then move the first adjacent tooth (110) in a second movement direction (1820).

[0197] In one embodiment, 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 dental arch line (200) is equal to or smaller 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 distance between the first adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200). The larger the second reference error amount is set, the higher the speed of the operation of maintaining the distance between the first adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200).

[0198] In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 10, 14, 15 and 17, the oral image processing method may repeat the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth (110) in a first movement direction (1700) such that the final movement amount (1710) is equal to or less than a first reference error amount, and the distance (1900) between at least one adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200) is equal to or less than a second reference error amount in a second movement direction (1820).

[0199] Through this, the oral image processing device (1000) can provide the user with an oral image in which at least one adjacent tooth (110) is moved to at least one selected point (350) by a target movement amount input within an error range, and the distance between at least one adjacent tooth (110) and the dental arch line (200) is maintained within an error range.

[0200] A method for processing oral images according to one embodiment may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed via various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be a computer-readable storage medium having recorded thereon one or more programs including at least one command for executing the method for processing oral images.

[0201] The above computer-readable storage medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Here, examples of the computer-readable storage medium may 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 commands such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories.

[0202] Here, the device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" may mean that the storage medium is a tangible device. Furthermore, the "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0203] According to one embodiment, the method for processing an oral image according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)). Alternatively, the computer program product may be distributed online (e.g., by download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store, etc.) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). Specifically, the computer program product according to the disclosed embodiment may include a storage medium having recorded thereon a program including at least one instruction for performing the method for processing an oral image according to the disclosed embodiment.

[0204] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

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

2. In paragraph 1, The above oral image processing method is, A step of providing a user input interface that can input the target movement amount; and An oral image processing method further comprising a step of obtaining the target movement amount through the user input interface.

3. In paragraph 1, The above oral image processing method is, A step of selecting at least one tooth located in a direction toward the at least one adjacent tooth from the at least one selected selection point as a target tooth to be moved based on the at least one adjacent tooth; and An oral image processing method further comprising a step of moving the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth.

4. In paragraph 3, At least one adjacent tooth above. An oral image processing method comprising at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent in a distal direction from the at least one selected selection point or a second adjacent tooth adjacent in a mesial direction.

5. In paragraph 4, The above oral image processing method is, If at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, A step of selecting a first tooth to be moved, located in the centrifugal direction based on the first adjacent tooth, as the tooth to be moved; If at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, A step of selecting a second tooth to be moved as the target tooth to be moved, the second tooth located in the mesial direction to the dental midline based on the second adjacent tooth; and If the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, An oral image processing method further comprising a step of selecting the first moving tooth and the second moving tooth as the moving target teeth.

6. In paragraph 4, The above oral image processing method is, If the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, Further comprising the step of moving the first adjacent tooth by a first movement amount to the at least one selected selection point, and moving the second adjacent tooth by a second movement amount to the at least one selected selection point, An oral image processing method wherein the sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount is equal to the target movement amount.

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

8. In paragraph 3, The above oral image processing method is, An oral image processing method further comprising the step of displaying the color of at least one adjacent tooth among the plurality of teeth and the color of the tooth to be moved so as to be distinct from the colors of the remaining teeth among the plurality of teeth.

9. In paragraph 1, The above oral image processing method is, A step of obtaining a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the oral image; and An oral image processing method further comprising the step of moving at least one adjacent tooth moved in the first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

10. In paragraph 9, The above oral image processing method is, so that at least one adjacent tooth can be positioned close to the dental arch line, An oral image processing method comprising repeating 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.

11. Oral image processing device, A memory that stores at least one instruction; and At least one processor configured to execute at least one instruction stored in the memory, At least one processor, Obtain an oral image containing multiple teeth, Obtain a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth, Obtain the target movement amount of at least one adjacent point adjacent to the above-mentioned selected selection point, An oral image processing device that moves at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point.

12. In paragraph 11, At least one processor, Provide a user input interface that allows the user to input the target movement amount, An oral image processing device that obtains the target movement amount through the user input interface.

13. In paragraph 11, At least one processor, Based on the at least one adjacent tooth, at least one tooth located in the direction from the at least one selected selection point to the at least one adjacent tooth is selected as the target tooth to be moved, An oral image processing device that moves the target tooth toward at least one adjacent tooth.

14. In paragraph 13, At least one adjacent tooth is, An oral image processing device comprising at least one of a first adjacent tooth adjacent in a distal direction from the at least one selected selection point or a second adjacent tooth adjacent in a mesial direction.

15. In paragraph 14, If at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth, At least one processor, Select the first tooth to be moved located in the centrifugal direction based on the first adjacent tooth as the tooth to be moved, If at least one adjacent tooth includes the second adjacent tooth, At least one processor, Based on the second adjacent tooth, the second tooth located in the mesial direction to the dental midline is selected as the tooth to be moved, If the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, An oral image processing device in which at least one processor selects the first moving tooth and the second moving tooth as the moving target teeth.

16. In paragraph 14, If the at least one adjacent tooth includes the first adjacent tooth and the second adjacent tooth, At least one processor, Move the first adjacent tooth by a first movement amount to the at least one selected selection point, and move the second adjacent tooth by a second movement amount to the at least one selected selection point, An oral image processing device in which the sum of the first movement amount and the second movement amount is equal to the target movement amount.

17. In paragraph 16, An oral image processing device wherein the ratio of the first movement amount and the second movement amount is a preset ratio or the ratio of the first movement amount to the second movement amount is proportional to the distance from the tooth center line to the at least one selected selection point.

18. In paragraph 11, At least one processor, Obtaining a dental arch line corresponding to the plurality of teeth from the above oral image, An oral image processing device that moves at least one adjacent tooth moved in the first movement direction in a second movement direction toward the dental arch line.

19. In paragraph 18, At least one processor, An oral image processing device that moves the at least one adjacent tooth in the first movement direction and moves the at least one adjacent tooth in the second movement direction so that the at least one adjacent tooth can be positioned close to the dental arch line.

20. In a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon at least one instruction executed by at least one processor of an oral image processing device, The oral image processing device is configured such that the at least one command is executed by the at least one processor of the oral image processing device, Obtain an oral image containing multiple teeth, Obtain a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth, Obtain the target movement amount of at least one adjacent point adjacent to the above-mentioned selected selection point, A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that moves at least one adjacent point by the target movement amount in a first movement direction toward the selected selection point.

Images