Method and device for commissioning production of dental prosthesis

Abstract

A method for commissioning production of a dental prosthesis according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise the steps of: generating a case for which production of the dental prosthesis is to be commissioned; determining a dental laboratory to which the case is to be commissioned among a plurality of dental laboratories; on the basis of the determined dental laboratory, selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to a first user interface; providing the first user interface for presenting the selected dental prosthesis-related information in a selectable manner; and commissioning the production of the dental prosthesis to the determined dental laboratory on the basis of selected dental prosthesis-related information.

Description

Method and device for requesting the fabrication of dental prosthetics

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and device for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis.

[0002] The dental care and dental laboratory services sectors are evolving alongside continuous technological innovation and industry changes. Today, dentists have access to a variety of treatment options and advanced technologies, enabling them to more effectively manage and treat patients' oral health. This, in turn, is driving a growing desire among dentists and dental laboratories to provide patients with the best possible dental experience.

[0003] Recent technological advancements have led to the proliferation of various CAD systems, management systems, and intraoral scanning devices. To establish and manage individualized treatment plans for patients, dentists must effectively utilize various dental CAD systems, 3D scanners, and dental materials.

[0004] However, since the form and function of each device are not compatible with each other, the problem is how to minimize the convenience and possibility of errors when dentists use them.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is an object of the present invention to solve the problem of a user incorrectly selecting a type of prosthesis not provided by a dental laboratory.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the purpose is to eliminate inconvenience caused by different functions and options for each design tool.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is an object of the present invention to solve compatibility problems that arise due to the use of different design tools between dental hospitals and dental laboratories.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the purpose is to minimize user errors resulting from the provision of unnecessary information.

[0009] However, the problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and may include purposes that are not mentioned but can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0010] Hereinafter, specific means for achieving the purpose of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] A method for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: creating a case for requesting the production of the dental prosthesis; determining a dental laboratory to request the case from among a plurality of dental laboratories; selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to a first user interface based on the determined dental laboratory; providing the first user interface for selectively presenting the selected dental prosthesis-related information; and requesting the production of the dental prosthesis to the determined dental laboratory based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information.

[0012] In the method described above, the step of selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface based on the determined dental laboratory may include a step of selecting dental prosthesis-related information associated with a dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the determined dental laboratory.

[0013] In the method described above, the dental prosthesis-related information may include at least one of tooth type information, type, method, material, and shade of the dental prosthesis.

[0014] In the above-described method, the dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the above-determined dental laboratory may be registered in advance on a predetermined server.

[0015] In the method described above, the step of providing the first user interface may include a step of providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default in the first user interface.

[0016] In the method described above, the first design tool available in the determined dental laboratory may be different from the basic design tool.

[0017] In the method described above, options not provided in the first design tool may be disabled in the basic design tool.

[0018] In the method described above, the step of providing the first user interface may include the step of providing any one of one or more design tools available in the determined dental laboratory as a design tool to be used in the first user interface.

[0019] The above-described method may further include the steps of: obtaining first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the basic design tool; converting the first prosthesis design data into a basic data format and storing it; and, when an object using a second design tool different from the first design tool requests the first prosthesis design data, the step of converting the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format into a data format of the second design tool and providing it.

[0020] The method described above further includes a step of obtaining first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the basic design tool, wherein the extension of the first prosthesis design data may be a common extension usable in a second design tool different from the first design tool.

[0021] In the method described above, the step of requesting the fabrication of the dental prosthesis may include the step of determining a scan sequence to be performed on the patient based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information; and the step of providing a second user interface according to the determined scan sequence.

[0022] In the method described above, the second user interface may include at least one of an interface for confirming the determined scan sequence and an interface for presenting guidelines for the determined scan sequence.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a dental prosthesis manufacturing request device comprises: a memory storing a dental prosthesis manufacturing request program; and a processor controlling the memory, wherein the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program is executed by the processor to generate a case for requesting manufacturing of a dental prosthesis, determine a dental laboratory to request the case from among a plurality of dental laboratories, select dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to a first user interface based on the determined dental laboratory, provide the first user interface for selectively presenting the selected dental prosthesis-related information, and request the determined dental laboratory to manufacture the dental prosthesis based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information.

[0024] In the above-described device, selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface may include selecting dental prosthesis-related information associated with a dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the determined dental laboratory.

[0025] In the above-described device, the dental prosthesis-related information may include at least one of tooth type information, type, method, material, and shade of the dental prosthesis.

[0026] In the above-described device, providing the first user interface includes providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default in the first user interface, and the first design tool available in the determined dental laboratory is different from the basic design tool, and options not provided in the first design tool can be disabled in the basic design tool.

[0027] In the above-described device, providing the first user interface includes providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default to the first user interface, and the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program may be further configured to be executed by the processor to obtain first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the basic design tool, convert the first prosthesis design data into a basic data format and store it, and, when an object using a second design tool different from the first design tool requests the first prosthesis design data, convert the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format into a data format of the second design tool and provide it.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by first determining a dental laboratory to which a dental prosthesis will be commissioned for production, and then determining dental prosthesis-related information based on the determined dental laboratory, the problem of a user incorrectly selecting a type of prosthesis not provided by the dental laboratory can be solved.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a user interface that utilizes a design tool used by a dental laboratory that requests the production of a dental prosthesis, inconvenience caused by different functions and options for each design tool can be resolved.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by converting prosthesis design data created using a first design tool to be executable in a second design tool different from the first design tool, or by creating an extension of the prosthesis design data as a common extension, compatibility issues that arise due to the use of different design tools between a dental hospital and a dental laboratory can be resolved.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, information provided through the user interface varies depending on the dental laboratory, design tool, prosthesis type, scan sequence, etc. selected by the user, thereby minimizing user errors resulting from provision of unnecessary information.

[0032] However, the effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0033] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a dental prosthesis manufacturing request device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the functions of a dental prosthesis manufacturing request program according to one embodiment.

[0036] Figures 3 and 4 are examples showing screens and functions provided by different design tools.

[0037] Figure 5 is an example of a screen showing a dental laboratory registering a design tool in use in advance.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates an example of providing a type of dental prosthesis regardless of the services available in a dental laboratory.

[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of providing a user with a type of dental prosthesis based on a dental laboratory determined using a laboratory-type synchronization unit according to one embodiment.

[0040] FIGS. 8 and 9 are examples of user interfaces that the type-scan synchronization unit provides to a user when the user selects an inlay as the type of prosthesis according to one embodiment.

[0041] FIGS. 10 and 11 are examples of user interfaces provided by the type-scan synchronization unit to a user when the user selects a custom abutment and implant crown as the type of prosthesis according to one embodiment.

[0042] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis using a dental prosthesis production request program according to one embodiment.

[0043] The various embodiments described in this specification are exemplified for the purpose of clearly explaining the technical concept of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limited to specific embodiments. The technical concept of the present disclosure includes various modifications, equivalents, alternatives, and embodiments selectively combined from all or part of the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments presented below or the specific descriptions thereof.

[0044] Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, unless otherwise defined, may have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0045] As used herein, expressions such as "includes," "may include," "comprises," "may have," "have," and "may have" indicate the presence of a target feature (e.g., a function, operation, or component), but do not exclude the presence of other additional features. In other words, such expressions should be understood as open-ended terms that imply the possibility of including a second embodiment.

[0046] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When a part of the specification is said to include a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that other components may be included, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0047] Also, the term 'module' or 'part' used in the specification means a software or hardware component, and the 'module' or 'part' performs certain roles. However, the 'module' or 'part' is not limited to software or hardware. The 'module' or 'part' may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the 'module' or 'part' may include at least one of components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables. The functionality provided within the components and 'modules' or 'parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and 'modules' or 'parts', or further separated into additional components and 'modules' or 'parts'.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a 'module' or 'unit' may be implemented as a processor and a memory. 'Processor' should be broadly construed to include a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. In some circumstances, a 'processor' may also refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like. A 'processor' may also refer to a combination of processing devices, such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such combination of configurations. In addition, 'memory' should be broadly construed to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. 'Memory' may refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with the processor if the processor can read information from, and / or write information to, the memory. Memory integrated in a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

[0049] As used herein, the expressions “first,” “second,” or “first,” “second,” etc., unless the context indicates otherwise, are used to refer to multiple similar objects and to distinguish one object from another, and do not limit the order or importance among the objects.

[0050] As used herein, the expressions "A, B, and C," "A, B, or C," "A, B, and / or C," or "at least one of A, B, and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and / or C," "at least one selected from A, B, and C," "at least one selected from A, B, or C," "at least one selected from A, B, and / or C," and the like can mean each listed item or all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, "at least one selected from A and B" can refer to (1) A, (2) at least one of A, (3) B, (4) at least one of B, (5) at least one of A and at least one of B, (6) at least one of A and B, (7) at least one of B and A, and (8) both A and B.

[0051] The expression "based on" as used herein is used to describe one or more factors that influence a decision, act of judgment, or action described in a phrase or sentence containing the expression, and this expression does not exclude additional factors that influence the decision, act of judgment, or action.

[0052] As used herein, the expression that a component (e.g., a first component) is “connected” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component) may mean that the component is directly connected or connected to the other component, as well as connected or connected via a new other component (e.g., a third component).

[0053] The expression "configured to" used herein may have the meanings of "set to", "having the ability to", "modified to", "made to", "capable of", etc., depending on the context. The expression is not limited to the meaning of "specifically designed in hardware", and for example, a processor configured to perform a specific operation may mean a generic-purpose processor that can perform the specific operation by executing software.

[0054] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the attached drawings and the description of the drawings, identical or substantially equivalent components may be assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of various embodiments below, duplicate descriptions of identical or corresponding components may be omitted, but this does not mean that the corresponding components are not included in the embodiments.

[0055]

[0056] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a dental prosthesis manufacturing request device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 1, a dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100) is for requesting the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis to a dental laboratory (i.e., a predetermined device within a dental laboratory, hereinafter collectively referred to as a dental laboratory), and may include a memory (110), a processor (120), and a transmitter / receiver (130).

[0058] The dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100) may include a personal computer (PC), a notebook, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a wearable device, etc., and may include all types of devices that can connect to a wired / wireless network. The dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100) may be a general-purpose device having various uses or functions in addition to the purpose of requesting the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis, but in the present disclosure, for the convenience of explanation, the content related to the request for the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis will be mainly described.

[0059] The memory (110) may store patient information, information used to request the production of a dental prosthesis, and a dental prosthesis production request program (200) for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the information used to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis may include one or more of patient information, a list of at least one dental laboratory from which the fabrication of the dental prosthesis can be requested, the type of dental prosthesis provided by each of the at least one dental laboratory, and the type and options of design tools (e.g., CAD programs) used by each of the at least one dental laboratory.

[0061] The processor (120) can execute a dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200) stored in the memory (110). The processor (120) executes the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200), thereby creating a case for requesting the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis, determining a dental laboratory from among a plurality of dental laboratories to request the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis, selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to a first user interface based on the determined dental laboratory, providing a first user interface for selectively presenting the selected dental prosthesis-related information, performing a scan of a patient's teeth and surrounding tissues based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information, and transmitting at least one of patient information, dental prosthesis-related information, and scan data to the determined dental laboratory, thereby requesting the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis to the determined dental laboratory. The functions and / or operations of the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0062] The processor (120) can request a dental laboratory to manufacture a dental prosthesis using a transceiver (130). The transceiver (130) can communicate with the dental laboratory via a network (not shown). A network may refer to a connection structure that enables information exchange between each node, such as a plurality of terminals and servers. For example, the network may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet (WWW), a wired and wireless data communication network, a telephone network, a wired and wireless television communication network, a controller area network (CAN), and Ethernet.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating the functions of a dental prosthesis manufacturing request program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, a dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when executed by a processor (120), may operate to implement one or more modules including a manufacturing request processing unit (210), a dental laboratory-type synchronization unit (220), a dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230), and a type-scan synchronization unit (240).

[0065] The manufacturing request progress unit (210), the dental laboratory-type synchronization unit (220), the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230), and the type-scan synchronization unit (240) illustrated in FIG. 2 are conceptually divided into functions of the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200) to easily explain the functions of the program, but are not limited thereto. That is, the functions of the manufacturing request progress unit (210), the dental laboratory-type synchronization unit (220), the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230), and the type-scan synchronization unit (240) can be merged / separated, and can be implemented as a series of commands included in one program, or some modules can be configured as hardware.

[0066] In one embodiment, the production request processing unit (210) may perform a production request process for a dental prosthesis. The production request processing unit (210) may perform the following process to request the production of a dental prosthesis to a dental laboratory.

[0067] First, the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can create a case for requesting the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis. To this end, the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can receive patient information from the user. If the patient information entered by the user already exists in the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200) (for example, if the patient information entered by the user is already stored in the memory (110), the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can create a case for the already existing patient information or reuse a previously created case. On the other hand, if the patient information entered by the user does not exist in the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200), the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can create a case for the registered patient information while newly registering the patient information in the dental prosthesis manufacturing request program (200). In the present disclosure, the user may be a person who controls the dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100) and requests the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis to a dental laboratory (for example, a dentist, a nurse, etc.).

[0068] Thereafter, the production request processing unit (210) may determine a dental laboratory from among a plurality of dental laboratories to be commissioned with the production of a dental prosthesis, and may determine dental prosthesis-related information to be commissioned to the determined dental laboratory. At this time, according to one embodiment, the production request processing unit (210) may first determine a dental laboratory to be commissioned with the production of a dental prosthesis, provide a first user interface that selectably presents the selected dental prosthesis-related information, and receive a user selection of the dental prosthesis-related information through the first user interface. Then, based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information, the production of a dental prosthesis may be commissioned to the determined dental laboratory.

[0069] In one embodiment, information related to a dental prosthesis may include at least one of tooth type information, a type, a method, a material, and a shade of the dental prosthesis. The tooth type information includes information on the number of the tooth to be treated, and the type of the dental prosthesis may include a type of prosthetic treatment, such as an inlay, an onlay, a coping, a crown, an implant crown, a veneer, and the like. The method of the dental prosthesis may include a method of fixing the dental prosthesis, such as a cement type, a screw type, a SCRP (Screw Cement retained Prosthesis) type, and the like. The material of the dental prosthesis may include gold, ceramic, zirconia, PFM (Porcelain Fused to Metal), and the like. The shade of the dental prosthesis may refer to the color of the dental prosthesis.

[0070] Conventional dental prosthesis fabrication request devices first determine dental prosthesis-related information and then determine the dental laboratory to which the dental prosthesis will be fabricated. However, in this case, all services are displayed to the user for selection regardless of the services actually provided by the dental laboratory, which often causes the user to select a service that the dental laboratory does not provide. In contrast, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fabrication request processing unit (210) first determines the dental laboratory to which the dental prosthesis will be fabricated, and only the dental prosthesis-related information provided by the determined dental laboratory can be selectively provided through the first user interface. That is, by dynamically providing dental prosthesis-related information based on the dental laboratory selected by the user, the user's mistake of selecting the wrong dental prosthesis can be reduced. A specific method for determining dental prosthesis-related information based on the dental laboratory will be described in more detail with reference to the laboratory-type synchronization unit (220) described below.

[0071] In addition, the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can guide the user to perform a scan of the patient's teeth and surrounding tissues based on the dental prosthesis-related information selected by the user. For example, the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can present content guiding the sequence for performing an oral scan using a 3D oral scanner on the user interface. In addition, the manufacturing request processing unit (210) can receive scan data acquired according to the guided sequence. This scan data can be received through a wired or wireless network connection with the 3D oral scanner.

[0072] Next, the production request processing unit (210) can request the production of a dental prosthesis to the selected dental laboratory by sending a production request form containing at least one of patient information, dental prosthesis-related information, and scan data to the selected dental laboratory. The production request form at this time may be a standardized production request form or a production request form in a format compatible with the design tool of the dental laboratory.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the dental laboratory-type synchronization unit (220) can select dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface based on the determined dental laboratory.

[0074] Specifically, when a user selects a dental laboratory from among multiple dental laboratories to request the production of a dental prosthesis, the dental laboratory-type synchronization unit (220) can selectively display only dental prosthesis-related information related to the dental prosthesis production service (including at least one of the type, method, material, and shade of the prosthesis) that the selected dental laboratory can provide on the first user interface so that the user can select it.

[0075] As a non-limiting example, if a dental laboratory that a user has selected to commission the fabrication of a dental prosthesis has registered only “Crown & Bridge” as the prosthesis types that it can provide, the laboratory-type synchronization unit (220) may present only prosthesis types related to crowns, such as “Crown” and “Implant Crown”, on the first user interface. Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if all prosthesis types that are not provided by the selected dental laboratory are displayed, the problem of the user incorrectly selecting a prosthesis type that is not provided by the dental laboratory may be prevented.

[0076] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of dental laboratories can register at least one of the types, methods, materials, and / or shades of prostheses that can be provided in advance in a predetermined dental prosthesis manufacturing server (not shown) that is linked to the dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100). That is, before a user selects a dental laboratory to request the manufacturing of a dental prosthesis using the dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100), each of the plurality of dental laboratories can register prosthesis-related services that can be provided.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may be configured to provide the user with a basic design tool by default via the first user interface. However, in this case, if the basic design tool includes an option (function) that is not provided by the first design tool available to the dental laboratory, the basic design tool may be provided with the option (function) disabled. Alternatively, even if such an option is not separately disabled, the option (function) that is not provided by the dental laboratory's design tool may be configured not to be provided to the dental laboratory.

[0078] According to another embodiment, when determining dental prosthesis-related information, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may display a design tool (e.g., a CAD program) for designing a dental prosthesis on a user interface based on a dental laboratory determined by the user. More specifically, when a user selects a dental laboratory from among a plurality of dental laboratories to request the production of a dental prosthesis, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may enable the user to select a design tool for designing a dental prosthesis based on the design tool used by the selected dental laboratory and display the selected design tool on the user interface. This is because each dental laboratory uses different design tools to produce dental prostheses, and each design tool may provide different options (functions). For example, when a dental laboratory uses two or more design tools, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may provide the user with the design tool used by the selected dental laboratory so that the user can select a desired design tool from among the two or more design tools.

[0079] To this end, according to one embodiment, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may register in advance the types and options (functions) of design tools being used by each of a plurality of dental laboratories in a predetermined dental prosthesis manufacturing server (not shown) linked to a dental prosthesis manufacturing request device (100).

[0080] FIGS. 3 and 4 are example screens showing screens and functions provided by different design tools according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is an example screen showing a screen for registering a design tool being used in advance by a dental laboratory according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the first design tool (DT1) of FIG. 3 and the second design tool (DT2) of FIG. 4 have completely different user interfaces and screen configurations, and accordingly, the functions provided to users (e.g., dentists, nurses, dental technicians, etc.) are also different. Furthermore, tooth information such as tooth numbers and names or abbreviations of various dental materials may also be different for each design tool. Accordingly, whether dental laboratories and dental hospitals use the same or compatible design tools is likely to be directly related to the quality of dental prostheses, and is an important factor for both users who request the production of dental prostheses and dental laboratories that perform the production.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of a plurality of dental laboratories can pre-register design tools available for use at the dental laboratory in a predetermined dental prosthesis manufacturing server (not shown) by selecting a check box corresponding to the design tool being used among a plurality of design tools (e.g., Design Tool #1 to #5, etc.).

[0083] Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) can enable prosthetic design data generated using a first design tool among a plurality of design tools to be executed using a second design tool among the plurality of design tools that is different from the first design tool. This allows for easy interchangeability of prosthetic design data between dental hospitals and dental laboratories that use different design tools.

[0084] In one example, the dental laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) can convert data acquired from multiple design tools into a predetermined basic data format, and, if necessary, can convert data stored in the basic data format into the data format of a design tool used in a dental laboratory or dental hospital and transmit it. For example, after first prosthesis design data acquired by a first design tool (different from the basic design tool) is converted into the basic data format and stored, when an object using a second design tool (e.g., a dental hospital, a dental laboratory, etc.) requests the first prosthesis design data, the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format can be converted into the data format of the second design tool and provided. Such data conversion can be performed using a data classification algorithm or through a pre-trained artificial neural network module, but is not limited to the method of data conversion.

[0085] In another example, the laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may convert the extension of the prosthesis design data generated using the first design tool so that it can be executed in the second design tool. Alternatively, the laboratory-design tool synchronization unit (230) may generate the prosthesis design data so that it has a common extension (e.g., .xml) that can be executed in both the first design tool and the second design tool.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the type-scan synchronization unit (240) may determine a scan sequence to be performed on a patient based on dental prosthesis-related information selected by the user, and provide the user with a second user interface according to the determined scan sequence.

[0087] More specifically, the type-scan synchronization unit (240) can determine a scan sequence based on the determined type of dental prosthesis and provide a second user interface to the user according to the determined scan sequence. Here, the second user interface can include at least one of an interface for confirming the determined scan sequence and an interface for presenting descriptions, guidelines, references, etc. for each scan sequence.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the scan sequence may include a scan sequence for at least one of the following: an order of the teeth to be scanned, for example, an upper jaw for photographing the upper teeth and the area around the upper teeth, a lower jaw for photographing the lower teeth and the area around the lower teeth, an occlusion for photographing the state in which the upper and lower teeth are interlocked, and a scan body (or abutment) for confirming the insertion depth and direction of a fixture inserted into the gingiva.

[0089] For example, if a user selects a general type such as an inlay, an onlay, or a crown as the type of dental prosthesis, the type-scan synchronization unit (240) may determine the scan sequence for maxilla, mandible, and occlusion, and provide the user with a user interface indicating that the maxilla, mandible, and occlusion will be scanned. Or, for example, if a user selects an implant type such as an implant crown or a custom abutment as the type of dental prosthesis, the type-scan synchronization unit (240) may determine the scan sequence for maxilla, mandible, occlusion, and scanbody, and provide the user with a user interface indicating that the maxilla, mandible, occlusion, and scanbody will be scanned.

[0090] FIG. 6 illustrates an example screen that provides a type of dental prosthesis regardless of the services available at a dental laboratory, and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of providing a type of dental prosthesis to a user based on a dental laboratory determined using a laboratory-type synchronization unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] Referring to Fig. 6, since the conventional dental prosthesis manufacturing request device first determines dental prosthesis-related information and then determines the dental laboratory to which the dental prosthesis will be requested to be manufactured, all services were displayed to the user through the first split screen (SD1) regardless of the services that the dental laboratory could actually provide.

[0092] In comparison, referring to FIG. 7, if “inlay,” “onlay,” “crown,” and “implant crown” as the types of prostheses that a dental laboratory can provide are pre-registered in a predetermined dental prosthesis manufacturing server (not shown), the laboratory-type synchronization unit (220) can display only “inlay,” “onlay,” “crown,” and “implant crown” that can be provided by the dental laboratory that is to be commissioned to manufacture the dental prosthesis among all prosthesis types through the second split screen (SD2).

[0093] FIGS. 8 and 9 are example screens of a user interface provided by a type-scan synchronization unit to a user when a user selects an inlay as a type of prosthesis according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are example screens of a user interface provided by a type-scan synchronization unit to a user when a user selects a custom abutment and an implant crown as a type of prosthesis according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when it is decided to manufacture an inlay of zirconia as a dental prosthesis for tooth number 23 (ST1) that is the object of prosthesis (OL1), the type-scan synchronization unit (240) can provide the user with a user interface (OT1) indicating that the maxilla, mandible, and occlusion corresponding to the general type will be scanned.

[0095] On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, when it is decided to manufacture a custom abutment and implant crown as a screw type dental prosthesis for tooth number 24 (ST2) that is the object of prosthesis (OL2), the type-scan synchronization unit (240) can provide the user with a user interface (OT2) indicating that the maxilla, mandible, occlusion, and scan body corresponding to the implant type will be scanned.

[0096] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis using a dental prosthesis production request program according to one embodiment.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, in step S1200, the production request processing unit (210) can create a case for requesting the production of a dental prosthesis.

[0098] In step S1210, the production request processing unit (210) can determine a dental laboratory to which the generated case will be requested. This decision can be made at the user's discretion.

[0099] In step S1220, dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface may be selected based on the determined dental laboratory. The selected dental prosthesis-related information may then be selectively presented to the first user interface.

[0100] Here, selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface may include selecting dental prosthesis-related information related to dental prosthesis manufacturing services provided by the determined dental laboratory. Furthermore, the dental prosthesis-related information may include at least one of tooth type information, type, method, material, and shade of the dental prosthesis.

[0101] In one embodiment, providing the first user interface may include providing a predefined basic design tool (e.g., a CAD program) as a default in the first user interface.

[0102] However, the default design tool provided in the first user interface may differ from the first design tool available in the selected dental laboratory. In this case, options not provided in the first design tool may be disabled in the default design tool.

[0103] In another embodiment, providing the first user interface may include providing any one or more design tools available at the determined dental laboratory as a design tool for use in the first user interface.

[0104] Meanwhile, each design tool may use different data formats. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, data compatibility between design tools can be provided even in such cases.

[0105] Specifically, in one embodiment, first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from a basic design tool is acquired, the first prosthesis design data is converted into a basic data format and stored, and when an object (e.g., a dental hospital, a dental laboratory, etc.) using a second design tool different from the first design tool requests the first prosthesis design data, the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format can be converted into a data format of the second design tool and provided.

[0106] In another embodiment, first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the basic design tool may be obtained, but the extension of the first prosthesis design data thus obtained may be generated to have a common extension (i.e., a common data format such as XML) that can also be used in a second design tool different from the first design tool.

[0107] In step S1230, the production request processing unit (210) can perform a scan of the patient's teeth and surrounding tissues based on dental prosthesis-related information selected by the user.

[0108] In step S1240, at least one of patient information, dental prosthesis-related information, and scan data may be transmitted to the determined dental laboratory, thereby requesting the determined dental laboratory to manufacture a dental prosthesis.

[0109] Meanwhile, requesting the fabrication of a dental prosthesis may include determining a scan sequence to be performed on the patient based on information related to the selected dental prosthesis, and providing a second user interface according to the determined scan sequence. Here, the second user interface may include at least one of an interface for confirming the determined scan sequence and an interface for providing guidelines for the determined scan sequence.

[0110]

[0111] It is obvious that each step or operation of the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be performed by a computer including one or more processors according to the execution of a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0112] The computer-executable instructions stored in the aforementioned recording medium can be implemented through a computer program programmed to perform each corresponding step, and such a computer program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium and executed by a processor. The computer-readable recording medium may be a non-transitory readable medium. In this case, the non-transitory readable medium means a medium that semi-permanently stores data and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, a cache, or a memory. Specifically, the programs for performing the various methods described above can be stored and provided in a non-transitory readable medium, such as semiconductor memory devices such as erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, optical-magnetic disks, and non-volatile memories including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROM disks.

[0113] The methods according to various examples disclosed in this document may be provided as 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)) or online through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0114] As described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0115] The features and advantages described in this specification are not exhaustive, and many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the drawings, specification, and claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in this specification has been primarily selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not be intended to delineate or circumscribe the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0116] The above description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed, nor to omit anything. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.

[0117] Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the detailed description, but is defined by any claims of the application based on this description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of this disclosure is illustrative and does not limit the scope of this disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. In the method of requesting the production of dental prosthetics, A step of creating a case for requesting the production of the above dental prosthesis; A step of determining a dental laboratory to which the case will be entrusted among multiple dental laboratories; A step of selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface based on the above-determined dental laboratory; A step of providing the first user interface for selectively presenting the selected dental prosthesis-related information; and A step of requesting the manufacturing of the dental prosthesis to the dental laboratory determined above based on the information related to the selected dental prosthesis. A method for requesting the fabrication of a dental prosthesis including:

2. In paragraph 1, Based on the dental laboratory determined above, the step of selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface is as follows: A step of selecting dental prosthesis-related information related to the dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the above-determined dental laboratory. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

3. In paragraph 2, The above dental prosthesis-related information includes at least one of tooth type information, type, method, material, and shade of the dental prosthesis. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

4. In paragraph 2, The dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the dental laboratory determined above is registered in advance on a designated server. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

5. In paragraph 1, The step of providing the first user interface comprises: A step of providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default to the first user interface is included. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

6. In paragraph 5, The first design tool available in the above-determined dental laboratory is different from the above-determined basic design tool. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

7. In paragraph 6, Options not provided in the above first design tool are disabled in the above basic design tool. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

8. In paragraph 1, The step of providing the first user interface comprises: A step of providing one or more design tools available in the above-determined dental laboratory as a design tool to be used in the first user interface. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

9. In paragraph 5, A step of obtaining first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the above basic design tool; A step of converting the first prosthesis design data into a basic data format and storing it; and When an object using a second design tool different from the first design tool requests the first prosthesis design data, a step of converting the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format into the data format of the second design tool and providing it A method for requesting the fabrication of a dental prosthesis including:

10. In paragraph 5, Further comprising a step of obtaining first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the above basic design tool, The extension of the above first prosthesis design data is a common extension that can be used in a second design tool that is different from the first design tool. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

11. In paragraph 1, The steps for requesting the production of the above dental prosthesis are: A step of determining a scan sequence to be performed on a patient based on the selected dental prosthesis-related information; and A step of providing a second user interface according to the above-determined scan sequence. A method for requesting the fabrication of a dental prosthesis including:

12. In paragraph 11, The second user interface is: At least one of an interface for confirming the determined scan sequence and an interface for providing guidelines for the determined scan sequence. How to request the fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

13. Memory in which the dental prosthesis production request program is stored; and including a processor that controls the above memory, The above dental prosthesis manufacturing request program is executed by the above processor, Create a case to request the production of dental prosthetics, Among multiple dental laboratories, decide which dental laboratory to entrust the case to, Based on the dental laboratory determined above, select dental prosthesis-related information to be provided to the first user interface, Provides the first user interface that selectively presents the selected dental prosthesis-related information, Based on the information related to the selected dental prosthesis, an operation is performed to request the manufacturing of the dental prosthesis to the determined dental laboratory. A device for requesting the production of dental prosthetics.

14. In paragraph 13, Selecting dental prosthesis-related information to be provided in the first user interface is as follows: Including selecting dental prosthesis-related information related to the dental prosthesis manufacturing service provided by the above-determined dental laboratory. A device for requesting the production of dental prosthetics.

15. In paragraph 14, The above dental prosthesis-related information includes at least one of tooth type information, type, method, material, and shade of the dental prosthesis. A device for requesting the production of dental prosthetics.

16. In paragraph 13, Providing the first user interface includes providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default in the first user interface, The first design tool available in the above-determined dental laboratory is different from the above-determined basic design tool, Options not provided in the above first design tool are disabled in the above basic design tool. A device for requesting the production of dental prosthetics.

17. In paragraph 13, Providing the first user interface includes providing a predetermined basic design tool as a default in the first user interface, The above dental prosthesis manufacturing request program is executed by the above processor, Obtaining first prosthesis design data generated using a first design tool different from the above basic design tool, Convert the above first prosthesis design data into a basic data format and save it, When an object using a second design tool different from the first design tool requests the first prosthesis design data, the first prosthesis design data stored in the basic data format is converted to the data format of the second design tool and provided. A device for requesting the production of dental prosthetics.

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