Scanning techniques for dentistry

Abstract

An example method include the following operations: obtaining intraoral data from an intraoral scan, where the intraoral data represents a first part of a surface of edentulous gingiva; obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva having implant locators attached thereto, where the extraoral data represents a second part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva, and where the extraoral scan is performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner having an adapter configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the intraoral data and extraoral data. The computer graphics represent the edentulous gingiva.

Description

[0001] SCANNING TECHNIQUES FOR DENTISTRY

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 698,997, which was filed on September 25, 2024, and which was titled “Scanning Techniques For Dentistry”. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 698,997 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] This specification describes example implementations of scanning techniques for dentistry.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Full arch implant-based digital restoration is a premium solution for fully edentulous patients. The procedure can require high accuracy since the margin for error on position and orientation for long-span screw-retained restorations can be tight. An error in determining the position or orientation of implants in the patient’s oral cavity may result in a non-passively fitting prosthesis that will at best cause patient discomfort and at worst need to be discarded and started anew.

[0008] Acquisition of the positions and orientations may be performed using an intraoral scan of the patient’s oral cavity with implant locators attached to the patient’s dental implants. The dental implants’ positions and orientations are determined from the position and orientation of the implant locators based on the intraoral scan.

[0009] Intraoral scans traditionally covered only a portion of the patient’s gingiva. Data from different intraoral scans of different parts of the patient’s gingiva was combined to create an image or model of the patient’s whole gingiva. For example, in some cases, models of different parts of the patient’s gingiva were “stitched” together to create a model of the patient’s whole gingiva. Models created in this manner can be prone to error. For example, combining multiple models can result in distortions in the resulting combined model, which may not accurately reflect the implants’ positions and orientations. Such distortions thus can adversely affect the manufacture and fit of the prosthesis.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] An example method include the following operations: obtaining intraoral data from an intraoral scan, where the intraoral data represents a first part of a surface of edentulous gingiva; obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva having implant locators attached thereto, where the extraoral data represents a second part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva, and where the extraoral scan is performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner having an adapter configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the intraoral data and extraoral data. The computer graphics represent the edentulous gingiva. The example method may include one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

[0012] The method may include processing the intraoral data relative to the extraoral data so that the first part of the surface overlays a corresponding portion of the second part of the surface. The intraoral data may be based on a first intraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva without the implant locators attached thereto and a second intraoral scan of the implant locators attached to the edentulous gingiva.

[0013] The extraoral scan may be performed prior to the intraoral scan such that the extraoral data is obtained before the intraoral data. The method may include processing the intraoral data relative to the extraoral data such that the first part of the surface overlays a corresponding portion of the second part of the surface.

[0014] The intraoral scan and the extraoral scan may be performed using a same intraoral scanner with and without an adapter. The extraoral scan may capture multiple implant locators in single images from either outside or inside the patient’s oral cavity.

[0015] The intraoral data may be first intraoral data. The method may include obtaining second intraoral data from an intraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva having implant locators attached thereto. The computer graphics may be generated based also on the second intraoral data. The adapter may be configured to increase the field of view of the intraoral scanner so that the field of view encompasses multiple implant locators. The method may include augmenting the extraoral data using the intraoral data to incorporate features from the oral cavity represented in the intraoral data into the extraoral data.

[0016] One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media may store instructions that are executable by one or more processing devices to perform the foregoing method alone or in combination with one or more of the foregoing features.

[0017] An example method includes obtaining intraoral data from an intraoral scan, where the intraoral data represents a surface of edentulous gingiva of a patient having implants in place and of a temporary prosthesis inside an oral cavity of the patient; obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of the temporary prosthesis having implant locators attached thereto that fits onto the surface of edentulous gingiva, where the extraoral scan is performed while the temporary prosthesis is outside of the oral cavity of the patient, where the extraoral scan has been performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner with or without an adapter that makes it possible to increase the field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the intraoral data and extraoral data. The computer graphics represent the edentulous gingiva. The example method may include one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

[0018] The extraoral scan of the temporary prosthesis may be performed while the temporary prosthesis is outside of a mouth of a patient having the edentulous gingiva. The intraoral scan and the extraoral scan may be performed using a same intraoral scanner. The extraoral scan may be performed using an extraoral scanner that is different from the intraoral scanner. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media may store instructions that are executable by one or more processing devices to perform the foregoing method alone or in combination with one or more of the foregoing features.

[0019] An example method includes obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of a temporary prosthesis having implant locators attached thereto that fits onto a surface of edentulous gingiva of a patient, where the extraoral scan has been performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner having an adapter configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on extraoral data. The computer graphics represent the temporary prosthesis and an implant locator. The extraoral scan of the temporary prosthesis is performed while the temporary prosthesis is outside of an oral cavity of the patient. The example method may include one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

[0020] The extraoral scan may be performed using an intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner may be adapted to perform extraoral scanning. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media may store instructions that are executable by one or more processing devices to perform the foregoing method alone or in combination with one or more of the foregoing features.

[0021] An example adapter is for use with an intraoral scanner. The intraoral scanner is configured to perform optical scanning inside an oral cavity of a patient. The intraoral scanner has a scanning aperture to direct at an object to capture data based on optical scanning of the object. The adapter includes an attachment configured to removably connect to the intraoral scanner proximate to the scanning aperture; and an optical system within the attachment that is between the scanning surface and the object when the attachment is connected to the intraoral scanner. The example adapter may include one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination.

[0022] The attachment may be configured to hold the optical system in place during scanning. The optical system may be configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner to capture data usable to generate an image of the object including multiple implant locators in a single image. The optical system may include one or more of: a divergent lens, a convergent lens, a Fresnel or freeform lens, an afocal lens system, a convex mirror, a cylindrical or freeform mirror, or an optical prism.

[0023] Any two or more of the features described in this specification, including in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described in this specification.

[0024] At least part of the devices, systems, and processes described in this specification may be configured or controlled by executing, on one or more processing devices, instructions that are stored on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media. Examples of non-transitory machine-readable storage media include read-only memory, an optical disk drive, memory disk drive, and random access memory. At least part of the devices, systems, and processes described in this specification may be configured or controlled using a computing system comprised of one or more processing devices and memory storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processing devices to perform various control operations. The devices, systems, and processes described in this specification may be configured, for example, through design, construction, composition, arrangement, placement, programming, operation, activation, deactivation, and / or control.

[0025] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0026] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom jaw of a patient showing example dental implants and an example prosthesis holding false teeth.

[0028] Fig. 2 is an image of an example oral cavity having example implant locators installed therein.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an example intraoral scanner having an example adapter connected thereto, with the example adapter shown as transparent.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a side view of example components of an example implementation of the adapter in dashed line and the example intraoral scanner.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an example system with which the example processes described herein may be implemented.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing example operations included in an example process for generating computer graphics showing the positions, the orientations, or both the positions and orientations of dental implants in a patient.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing example operations included in another example process for generating computer graphics showing the positions, the orientations, or both the positions and orientations of dental implants in a patient. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing example operations included in another example process for generating computer graphics showing the positions, the orientations, or both the positions and orientations of dental implants in a patient.

[0034] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing example operations included in another example process for generating computer graphics showing the positions, the orientations, or both the positions and orientations of dental implants in a patient.

[0035] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an example prosthesis holding false teeth.

[0036] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing example operations included in another example process for generating computer graphics based on an extraoral scan performed outside the oral cavity of a patient.

[0037] Fig. 12 is a side view of example components of another example implementation of the adapter in dashed line and the example intraoral scanner.

[0038] Fig. 13 is an example scan showing a top view of an intraoral cavity of a patient with a temporary prosthesis installed.

[0039] Fig. 14 is an example scan showing a side view of a temporary prosthesis with implant locators installed.

[0040] Fig. 15 is an example composite computer graphic that is based on the scans of Figs. 13 and 14.

[0041] Like reference numerals in different figures indicate like elements.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Described herein are examples of scanning techniques for dentistry. The scanning techniques described herein may be used for various purposes but may have particular use in determining the position and / or orientation of implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are intended to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth.

[0044] Fig. 1 illustrates how an example prosthesis 100 containing false teeth 103 is secured to the edentulous gingiva 101 of a patient’s lower jaw 102. “Edentulous” refers to a portion of a dental arch with one or more missing teeth. For example, a patient can have teeth on his or her dental arch but still have an edentulous portion of the dental arch. A dental arch is the curved structure that holds teeth and includes supporting gum and alveolar bone. Note that only a subset of teeth are shown on prosthesis 100 for the sake of illustration.

[0045] Prosthesis 100 includes a frame 105 that holds teeth 103 and receptacles 106. The receptacles 106 mate to abutments 107b on corresponding implants 107 secured in the patient’s jaw. Prosthesis 100 may be secured to the patient’s jaw through fasteners, such as screws 109, that secure the receptacles to respective implants via the abutments and thus, that secure the prosthesis to the implants.

[0046] In this example, each implant, such as implant 107, contains a screw portion 107a or other structure that sits within the patient’s jaw and that secures the implant to the jaw. Each implant also includes a head 107c, which may be recessed below the gumline or which may protrude above the gumline, on which an abutment 107b is mounted or otherwise connected. Each abutment 107b is configured - e.g., sized and / or shaped - to fit within a respective receptacle of prosthesis 100 and to secure to the prosthesis using fastener, such as a screw 109.

[0047] As noted, the implants are secured to the patient’s jaw prior to installation of the prosthesis. The positions and orientations of the implants (e.g., the locations and / or directions of the implants within the oral cavity) are therefore generally known; however, their precise positions and orientations are needed to manufacture and install the prosthesis. Precise positions and orientations of the implants may deviate from their expected positions and orientations due to unexpected changes in position and orientation during installation and / or movement following installation. The example scanning techniques described herein may be used to identify the precise positions and orientations of the implants and, in particular, of the implant heads to which the abutments mate.

[0048] Referring to Fig. 2, an example implant locator 201 is a physical attachment, which may have a mostly cylindrical shape. In some examples, an implant locator may be attached directly to an implant in the patient’s oral cavity 202 or to a proximal surface of a temporary restoration, e.g., a temporary prosthesis that is produced to fit into a patient’s oral cavity prior to installation of the final prosthesis.

[0049] A temporary prosthesis is typically used when the immediate placement of a final prosthesis is not yet possible. The temporary prosthesis is intended to mimic the final prosthesis as closely as possible, and will include receptacles and abutments of the type described above to connect to corresponding implants. The temporary prosthesis provides the patient with a functional and aesthetic replacement for their missing teeth while allowing the implant sites to stabilize and heal following installation.

[0050] The implant locators are at a same position as the implants in the patient’s jaw and are oriented parallel to those implants. Accordingly, the implant locators may be scanned to determine the positions, the orientations, or both the positions and orientations of dental implants in a patient. An implant locator may be scanned using a scanner, such as a three-dimensional (3D) scanner or a two-dimensional (2D) scanner. The position and orientation of each implant locator may be determined based on the resulting scan data.

[0051] Two types of scans may be performed using the techniques described herein. These include an intraoral scan and an extraoral scan.

[0052] The intraoral scan may be performed using an intraoral scanner that can be manipulated inside a patient’s oral cavity I mouth. The intraoral scan can thus capture data for objects within the oral cavity from different positions within the oral cavity, including behind the back part of the patient’s gingiva. In an example, light from a scanner may be projected from inside the oral cavity onto objects inside the oral cavity, such as the patient’s gingiva and implant locators, and reflected to the scanner. The scanner may be configured to generate data representing those objects based on reflected light. Software associated with the scanner receives this data and generates 2D image(s) of, or 3D model(s) of, the oral cavity including the objects.

[0053] An intraoral scanner may have a relatively small scanning volume, for example only and not as a limitation, in the range of 10x10x10 millimeters (mm) to 30x30x30mm, meaning that data for objects in the patient’s oral cavity can be captured in such a volume. As a result, in the context of dental restoration, implementations of an intraoral scanner may be able to scan only a portion of the patient’s gingiva. Different parts of the gingiva, including the implant locators, may be scanned using the intraoral scanner. Data from different scans of different parts of the patient’s gingiva may be combined in software to create an image or model of the patient’s whole gingiva with or without implant locators. Intraoral scans may also scan a temporary prosthesis installed in an oral cavity. Data from different scans of different parts of the temporary prosthesis may be combined in software to create an image or model of the temporary prosthesis.

[0054] Examples of intraoral scanners that may be used include, but are not limited to. the 3Shape TRIOS® scanner and the Virtuo Vivo™ scanner by Straumann®.

[0055] An extraoral scan is typically performed using a scanner that can be manipulated outside of the patient’s oral cavity. The extraoral scan can thus capture data for objects within the oral cavity from different positions outside the oral cavity. But, in some cases, the extraoral scan cannot capture images of objects within the oral cavity that cannot be seen from outside the oral cavity. In an example, light from a scanner is projected from outside the oral cavity onto objects inside the oral cavity, such as the patient’s gingiva and the implant locators, and the resulting reflected light is used to generate data representing those objects. Extraoral scans may also scan a temporary prosthesis installed in an oral cavity in this same manner. Software associated with the scanner obtains this data and generates one or more 2D images of, or one or more 3D models of, the oral cavity including any objects therein.

[0056] An extraoral scanner may have a relatively large scanning volume, for example and not as a limitation, in the range of 50x50x50mm to 100x100x100mm, meaning that data for objects in the patient’s oral cavity can be captured in a substantial volume of the patient’s oral cavity. As a result, in the context of dental restoration, a single extraoral scan can capture multiple implant locators and a greater portion of the patient’s gingiva than a single intraoral scan. As a result, fewer extraoral scans may be needed for a given patient.

[0057] Examples of extraoral scanners dedicated to scanning fully or partially edentulous patients or scanning a dental arch in vivo that may be used to implement the example techniques described herein include, but are not limited to, those provided by PICdental® or Imetric 4D Imaging Sari, among others.

[0058] In some implementations, the scanning techniques described herein may use an intraoral scanner to perform intraoral scans and an extraoral scanner to perform extraoral scans. In some implementations, the scanning techniques described herein may use an intraoral scanner to perform intraoral scans and an intraoral scanner to perform extraoral scans. In some implementations, to use an intraoral scanner to perform extraoral scans, an adapter may be connected to the intraoral scanner. In some implementations an intraoral scanner may perform extraoral scans without the use of such an adapter, e.g., a typical intraoral scanner may be used. Accordingly, in all cases where an adapter is used herein on an intraoral scanner, the intraoral scanner may be used without such an adapter.

[0059] An example adapter 300 is shown in Fig. 3. Adapter 300 is shown as transparent for illustration’s sake only; in practice, adapter 300 is typically not transparent. Adapter 300 includes an attachment 310 configured to removably connect to an end 301 of intraoral scanner 302. More specifically, intraoral scanner 302 is configured to be held by a technician to guide a scanning aperture 304 of the intraoral scanner 302 within the patient’s oral cavity. The intraoral scanner includes a light source and optics, among other components (not shown). Light from the light source passes through or by the optics and then through the scanning aperture 304 onto objects within the oral cavity. The adapter fits over the intraoral scanner at or near an end thereof containing scanning aperture 304. For example, the attachment may slide onto the intraoral scanner or screw onto the intraoral scanner.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 4, an adapter 300 may hold or contain optics, such as, but not limited to, a divergent lens 400, e.g., a lens having negative effective focal length. The optics is located between the scanning aperture 304 of the intraoral scanner 302 and an object to be scanned. As shown in Fig. 4, divergent lens 400 is configured so that light from the intraoral scanner that reaches the lens diverges to illuminate an object to be scanned and so that light reflected from the object converges onto a receiver in the intraoral scanner. The adapter thus expands the scanning volume 421 of the intraoral scanner relative to the scanning volute of the intraoral scanner without the adapter. In some implementations, the adapter expands the scanning volume of the intraoral scanner to a scanning volume commensurate with that of an extraoral scanner. For example, the scanning volume of the intraoral scanner with the adapter attached may have a height / width / depth of 50x50x50mm at a distance of 80mm or more. This range may be varied by using optics that produces different magnification.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 12, an example adapter 300 may employ a convex mirror 420 in place of a divergent lens, e.g., a mirror having a surface 422 that is curved or rounded outward like the exterior of a sphere or circle. As above, the optics, here the mirror, is located along an optical path between the scanning aperture 304 of the intraoral scanner 302 and an object to be scanned. As shown in Fig. 12, convex mirror 420 is configured so that light from the intraoral scanner that reaches the mirror diverges to illuminate an object to be scanned and so that light reflected from the object converges onto a receiver in the intraoral scanner. The adapter thus expands the scanning volume 421 of the intraoral scanner relative to an intraoral scanner without the adapter. In some implementations, the adapter expands the scanning volume of the intraoral scanner to a scanning volume commensurate with that of an extraoral scanner. For example, the scanning volume of the intraoral scanner with the adapter attached may have a height / width / depth of 50x50x50mm at a distance of 80mm or more. This range may be varied by using optics that produces different magnification.

[0062] In some implementations, the optics used to expand the scanning volume may include one or more of a divergent lens, a convergent lens, a Fresnel or freeform lens, an afocal lens system, a convex, cylindrical or freeform mirror, an optical prism, or any combination of two or more of these optical components.

[0063] The processes described herein may be performed using, and / or controlled by, a control system, such as control system 500 of Fig. 5. Example control system 500 includes memory 505 storing executable instructions 506 , e.g., software, for use with, e.g., for controlling, intraoral scanner 501 and extraoral scanner 502, which may be of the types described herein with or without an adapter, as appropriate. In some implementations, the same software program may be used to control optical scanners 501 and 502. In some implementations, different software programs 501a and 502a may be for use with - e.g., used to control and process data from - respective optical scanners 501 and 502. In some implementations, executable instructions 506 may include additional software to process and / or combine outputs of software 501a and 502a to implement the processes described herein. In some implementations, executable instructions 506 may include additional software to process data from one scanner for use with data from the other scanner.

[0064] In some implementations, control system 500 may be or include a computing system comprised of one or more processing devices 509, examples of which are described herein, to execute instructions 506 to perform at least part of the operations of the processes described herein.

[0065] Fig. 6 shows example operations included in an example process 600 for determining the position and / or orientation of implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are configured to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth.

[0066] Process 600 includes performing one or more intraoral scans of the patient’s oral cavity to register (601 ) the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches. The one or more intraoral scans are performed with the patient’s natural teeth, if any, in place. The one or more intraoral scans may be performed with a temporary prosthesis in place. This knowledge may be useful when designing a permanent prostheses that include one or more false teeth. More specifically, knowing the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower arches enables design of a prosthesis that is both functional and natural-looking.

[0067] Following this first intraoral scanning, one or more of the patient’s teeth optionally may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva and / or the temporary prosthesis may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva. Implants, such as those shown in Fig. 1 , are installed in the patient’s jaw. In some implementations, the abutments (e.g., 107b) may be installed on the implant at the same time as the prosthesis, not when installing the implants. These operations may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques. With the implants in place, process 600 includes performing (602) one or more intraoral scans of the surface of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. The intraoral scans may include multiple scans of the front, back, and top of the edentulous gingiva surface at various orientations. At least some of these scans are performed from inside the patient’s oral cavity. The intraoral scans may be performed by a technician using an intraoral scanner 501 examples of which are described herein. The intraoral scans may be performed without adapter 300 (Figs. 3, 4, 12) connected to the intraoral scanner.

[0068] Process 600 includes obtaining (603) data, referred to as intraoral data, from the one or more intraoral scans of the edentulous gingiva surface. The intraoral data represents multiple parts of the surface of the edentulous gingiva, including the emergence profile around the head of each implant. The emergence profile includes a model of the head of each implant that emerged from the edentulous gingiva or that is recessed within the edentulous gingiva. Each part of the surface of the edentulous gingiva corresponds to a portion of the edentulous gingiva captured in a separate intraoral scan. The combined intraoral data may be used to generate a 3D model of part of the edentulous gingiva. The intraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software 501a associated with the intraoral scanner.

[0069] Thereafter, a dental professional installs implant locators, examples of which are described with respect to Fig. 2, on the heads of the dental implants.

[0070] Process 600 includes performing (604) one or more extraoral scans of the gingival surface of the patient with the implant locators installed. The extraoral scans include scans of the edentulous gingiva from outside the patient’s oral cavity and are performed to capture data representing as much of the edentulous gingiva as possible along with the positions and / or orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The extraoral scan(s) may be performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner 502 or (ii) an intraoral scanner 501 adapted to be used as an extraoral scanner. For example, an intraoral scanner 302 having an adapter 300 of the type described herein and shown in Figs. 3, 4, 12 may adapt the intraoral scanner to perform the extraoral scans. As explained above, the extraoral scans generally capture a larger portion of the edentulous gingiva (including, e.g., multiple implant locators in a single scan image) than intraoral scans and therefore, fewer extraoral scans than intraoral scans may be performed.

[0071] Process 600 includes obtaining (605) data, referred to as extraoral data, from the extraoral scan(s) of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto. The extraoral data for each scan performed by the extraoral scanner represents a part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva that may be larger than the part represented by data for a single scan performed by an intraoral scanner. As such, when the extraoral data is combined, or stitched together, if necessary, there is less of a likelihood of distortion than is the case when combination of the intraoral data.

[0072] In some implementations, the extraoral scanner may perform a single scan to capture extraoral data representing an entirety of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto. For example, the extraoral data may represent a 3D model of all or part of the edentulous gingiva. The extraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software associated with whichever scanner performed the extraoral scan. For example, if the intraoral scanner performed the extraoral scan, then the extraoral data is sent to the same software (e.g., 501a, Fig. 5) to which the intraoral data was sent. If an extraoral scanner performed the extraoral scan, then the extraoral data may be sent to software (e.g., 502a, Fig. 5) that is different from the software (e.g., 501a, Fig. 5) that controls the intraoral scanner.

[0073] In this example, individual intraoral scans cover only a portion of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. Data from different intraoral scans of different parts of the patient’s edentulous gingiva may be combined to create an image or model of the patient’s whole edentulous gingiva. However, this can lead to distortion for reasons explained above. To address this distortion, both the intraoral data and the extraoral data are used to generate computer graphics, such as a 3D model, multiple 2D images, or both, of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. For example, a control system 500, such as a computing system or one or more processing devices, examples of which are described herein, obtains both the intraoral data and the extraoral data.

[0074] The control system 500 analyzes (606) the intraoral data and the extraoral data to identify common or related features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva in both data sets. For example, the control system may identify implant heads in the intraoral data and the implant locators attached to those implant heads in the extraoral data. The control system may then align (607) features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva (which include artificial features connected to or protruding from the gingiva) represented by the intraoral data to features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva represented by the extraoral data. This may be done, for example, by aligning the location of each implant head to each corresponding implant locator. In some implementations, the control system may process the intraoral data and / or the extraoral data so that a surface of the patient’s gingiva defined by the intraoral data overlays a same surface of the patient’s gingiva defined by the extraoral data. These operations may be performed for intraoral data obtained in each intraoral scan and for extraoral data obtained from each extraoral scan in cases that there has been more than one extraoral scan. In some implementations, the control system may identify structural features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva to assist in the alignment or to perform the alignment. Structural features may include, but are not limited to, shapes of the patient’s dental arch or other structures in the gum that are distinctive.

[0075] By aligning features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva represented by the intraoral data to the extraoral data, distortions produced when intraoral data alone is used to generate computer graphics representations of the patient’s edentulous gingiva can be addressed. For example, there may be fewer or no distortions using the example scanning technique than when intraoral data alone is used to generate computer graphics of a patient’s edentulous gingiva.

[0076] Computer graphics, such as one or more 2D images and / or one or more 3D models are generated (608) by the control system using the intraoral and extraoral data. The computer graphics are then output (609) on a display device. The computer graphics may identify the position and / or location of each implant in the patient’s oral cavity.

[0077] In implementations where the same intraoral scanner is used to perform both the intraoral scan and the extraoral scan, the same software, such as intraoral scanner software 501a, may obtain both the intraoral data and the extraoral data and to perform the processing described above. As a result, data transfers and conversions between the intraoral software and extraoral software need not be performed, thereby improving the efficiency of process 600. In implementations, where different scanners are used, processing may still be performed as described above using software for both the scanners, e.g., both software 501a and 502a. The contents of this paragraph also apply with respect to the descriptions of the processes described below.

[0078] In some implementations, the extraoral data may be augmented to include at least part of the intraoral data to incorporate features from the oral cavity represented in the intraoral data into the extraoral data.

[0079] Fig. 7 shows example operations included in another example process 700 for determining the position and / or orientation of implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are intended to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth.

[0080] Process 700 includes performing one or more intraoral scans of the patient’s oral cavity to register (701 ) the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches. This is the same or similar operation as operation 601 described with respect to process 600.

[0081] Following this first intraoral scanning, one or more of the patient’s teeth optionally may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva and / or the temporary prosthesis may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva. Implants, such as those shown in Fig. 1 , are installed in the patient’s jaw. In some implementations, the abutments (e.g., 107b) may be installed on the implant at the same time as the prosthesis, not when installing the implants. These operations may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques. These are the same or similar operations that are performed with respect to process 600.

[0082] Thereafter, a dental professional installs implant locators, examples of which are described herein, on the heads of the dental implants. This is the same or similar operation as described with respect to process 600.

[0083] Process 700 includes performing (702) one or more extraoral scans of the gingival surface of the patient with the implant locators installed. The extraoral scans include scans of the patient’s edentulous gingiva from outside the patient’s oral cavity and are performed to capture data representing as much of the edentulous gingiva as possible along with the position and / or orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The extraoral scan(s) may be performed using the intraoral scanner adapted to be used as an extraoral scanner, as described with respect to process 600.

[0084] Process 700 includes obtaining (703) data, referred to as extraoral data, from the extraoral scan(s) of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto. The extraoral data for each scan performed by the extraoral scanner represents a part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva that is generally larger than the part represented by a data for a single scan performed by an intraoral scanner, and may include images of multiple implant locators. As such, when the extraoral data is combined, or stitched together, if necessary, there is less of a likelihood of distortion than is the case during combination of the intraoral data.

[0085] In some implementations, the extraoral scanner may perform a single scan to capture extraoral data representing an entirety of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto. For example, the extraoral data may represent a 3D model of all or part of the edentulous gingiva and implant locators. The extraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software 502a associated with the extraoral scanner.

[0086] Process 700 includes performing (704) one or more intraoral scans of the surface of the patient’s edentulous gingiva with the implant locators installed using the same intraoral scanner that was used to perform the extraoral scan(s), but without the adapter attached to the intraoral scanner. The intraoral scans may include multiple scans of the front, back, and top of the edentulous gingiva surface, including implant locators, at various orientations from inside the patient’s oral cavity.

[0087] Process 700 includes obtaining (705) data, referred to as intraoral data, from the one or more intraoral scans of the gingival surface. The intraoral data includes data representing at least the portions of the patient’s edentulous gingiva that are missing from the extraoral scan performed by the same intraoral scanner. This may include, but is not limited to, data representing the back and top of the edentulous gingiva surface.

[0088] During the intraoral scans, the software 501a controlling the intraoral scanner is able to determine (706), during scanning, a location on the patient’s edentulous gingiva based on the data captured during the extraoral scan and the data captured during the intraoral scan. For example, the software may be able to match the same implant locator in the extraoral data and in the intraoral data based its position and / or orientation and / or proximity to structures in the oral cavity. As such, as that software 501a receives data from the intraoral scan, the software is able to augment (707), or fill-in, the portions of the extraoral data from the extraoral scan that are missing by including the intraoral data at locations in the extraoral data having missing gingival or other features. For example, the extraoral scan may not be able to obtain information about the back of the patient’s edentulous gingiva, whereas the intraoral scan can obtain this data.

[0089] Accordingly, the software 501a controlling the intraoral scanner receives this data during the intraoral scan and augments the extraoral data to generate a full data set that can be used to produce a 3D representation of the patient’s edentulous gingiva.

[0090] Accordingly, process 700 may not require operations to align features represented by the intraoral and extraoral data because the software 501a controlling the intraoral scanner simply augments the extraoral data using the intraoral data.

[0091] Computer graphics, such as one or more 2D images and / or one or more 3D models are generated (708) by the control system and output (709) on a display device. The computer graphics may identify the position and / or location of each implant in the patient’s oral cavity.

[0092] In some implementations, process 700 may be performed without implant locators installed on implants in a patient’s oral cavity. In these cases, features other than the implant locators may be used to determine the location of the intraoral scanner relative to the patient’s edentulous gingiva. For example, the heads 107c of the implants may be used as points of reference to identify common structures in both the intraoral data and the extraoral data. The shape of the patient’s arch, gums, bones, or other structures in the oral cavity may be used as points of reference.

[0093] Fig. 8 shows operations included in an example process 800 for determining the position and / or orientation of a implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are intended to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth.

[0094] Process 800 includes performing one or more intraoral scans of the patient’s oral cavity with the temporary prosthesis therein to register (801 ) the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches. This operation is the same as, or similar to, operation 601 described above for process 600. Following this first intraoral scanning, one or more of the patient’s teeth optionally may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva and / or the temporary prosthesis may be removed leaving partially or fully edentulous gingiva. Implants, such as those shown in Fig. 1 , are installed in the patient’s jaw. In some implementations, the abutments (e.g., 107b) may be installed on the implant at the same time as the prosthesis, not when installing the implants. These operations may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques. These are the same or similar operations that are performed with respect to process 600.

[0095] Process 800 includes performing (802) one or more intraoral scans of the surface of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. The intraoral scans may include scans of the front, back, and top of the edentulous gingiva surface at various orientations from inside the patient’s oral cavity. This operation is the same or similar to operation 602.

[0096] Process 800 includes obtaining (803) data, referred to as first intraoral data, from the one or more intraoral scans of the gingival surface. The first intraoral data represents multiple parts of the surface of the edentulous gingiva, including the emergence profile around the head of each implant. Each part of the surface may correspond to a portion of the edentulous gingiva captured in a separate intraoral scan. For example, the first intraoral data may represent a 3D model of part of the edentulous gingiva. The first intraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software 501a associated with the intraoral scanner.

[0097] Thereafter, a dental professional installs implant locators, examples of which are described herein (see, e.g., Fig. 2), on the heads of the dental implants. This operation is the same as or similar to that described above for process 600.

[0098] Process 800 includes performing (804) one or more intraoral scans of the surface of the patient’s edentulous gingiva with the implant locators installed. The intraoral scans may include scans of the front, back, and top of the edentulous gingiva surface at various positions and orientations from inside the patient’s oral cavity with the implant locators installed. The intraoral scans may be performed by a technician using an intraoral scanner, examples of which are described herein.

[0099] Process 800 includes obtaining (805) data, referred to as second intraoral data, from the one or more intraoral scans of the gingival surface with the implant locators installed. As was case above, the second intraoral data represents multiple parts of the surface of the edentulous gingiva; however, this set of second intraoral data also includes the positions and orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The second intraoral data for this scan may have the same issues with respect to distortion as described above. As above, the second intraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software 501a associated with the intraoral scanner.

[0100] Process 800 includes performing (806) one or more extraoral scans of the gingival surface of the patient with the implant locators installed. As above, extraoral scans include scans of the edentulous gingiva from outside the patient’s oral cavity and are performed to capture data representing as much of the edentulous gingiva as possible along with the position and orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The extraoral scan(s) may be performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner adapted to be used as an extraoral scanner. This operation may be the same as, or similar to, that described above with respect to process 600.

[0101] Process 800 includes obtaining (807) data, referred to as extraoral data, from the extraoral scan(s) of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto. This operation may be the same as described above with respect to process 600.

[0102] As explained above, each intraoral scan covers only a portion of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. To address the potential distortion described above that may occur as a consequence, both the first and second intraoral data and the extraoral data are used to generate computer graphics, such as a 3D model, multiple 2D images, or both, of the patient’s edentulous gingiva. For example, a control system 500, such as a computing system or one or more processing devices, examples of which are described herein, obtains both the extraoral data and the first and second intraoral data.

[0103] The control system analyzes (808) the first and second intraoral data and the extraoral data to identify common or related features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva in all three data sets, including features connected thereto. For example, the control system may identify the implant heads in the first intraoral data and the implant locators in the second intraoral data and the extraoral data. The control system may then align (809) features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva represented by the intraoral data to features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva represented by the extraoral data. This may be done, for example, by aligning the location of each implant head to each corresponding implant locator. For example, the control system may process the first and second intraoral data and / or the extraoral data so that surface(s) of the patient’s gingiva defined by the first and second intraoral data overlay(s) a same surface of the patient’s gingiva defined by the extraoral data. In some implementations, the control system may identify common or related structural features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva in the first and second intraoral data and / or in the extraoral data to assist in the alignment or to perform the alignment. Structural features may include shapes of the patient’s dental arch or gum that are distinctive.

[0104] By aligning features of the patient’s edentulous gingiva represented by the intraoral data to the extraoral data, distortions produced when intraoral data alone is used to generate computer graphics representing of the patient’s edentulous gingiva can be addressed. The inclusion of intraoral data from two separate intraoral scans may improve the results. For example, there may be fewer or no distortions using the example scanning technique than when intraoral data alone is used to generate computer graphics of a patient’s edentulous gingiva.

[0105] Computer graphics, such as one or more 2D images and / or one or more 3D models are generated (810) by the control system and output (811 ) on a display device. The computer graphics may identify the position and / or location of each implant in the patient’s oral cavity.

[0106] In some implementations, operations 804, 805 and operations 802, 803 may be performed in reverse order. For example, the second intraoral data may be obtained before the first intraoral data is obtained. This may require the dental professional to install and remove the implant locators at different times than those described above.

[0107] Fig. 9 shows operations included in an example process 900 for determining the position and / or orientation of implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are intended to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth. Prior to process 900, implants, such as those shown in Fig. 1 , are installed in the patient’s jaw. These operations may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques.

[0108] Process 900 uses a temporary prosthesis as well, such as that shown in Fig. 10. More specifically, Fig. 10 shows an example temporary prosthesis 1000 having a reverse implant locator that is attached to the prosthesis itself outside the mouth. As shown, temporary prosthesis 1000 includes a contact surface 1001 , which comes into contact with the edentulous gingiva surface of a patient. Temporary prosthesis 1000 also includes reverse implant locators 1002, which are equivalent to implant locators 201 of Fig. 2 but mirrored with regard to the implant head. That is, the reverse implant are attached to the prosthesis rather than to the implant heads in the oral cavity.

[0109] Process 900 includes performing one or more intraoral scans of the patient’s oral cavity to register (901 ) the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches with the temporary prosthesis installed in the patient’s oral cavity. This operation is the same as described for process 600, except that the scan is performed with the temporary prosthesis in place rather than the patient’s natural teeth.

[0110] Process 900 includes performing (902) one or more intraoral scans of the surface of the patient’s oral cavity with the temporary prosthesis in place. The intraoral scans may include scans of the front, back, and top of the temporary prosthesis and any exposed gingival surface at various orientations from inside the patient’s oral cavity. The intraoral scans may be performed by a technician using an intraoral scanner examples of which are described herein. Fig. 13 shows such an example scan 1401 produced in this manner.

[0111] Process 900 includes obtaining (903) data, referred to as intraoral data, from the one or more intraoral scans of the gingival surface. The intraoral data may be sent to, and received by, software 501a associated with the intraoral scanner.

[0112] Referring to Fig. 2, thereafter, a dental professional removes the temporary prosthesis and installs implant locators, examples of which are described herein, onto the receptacles 1001 of the temporary prosthesis 1000. In some implementations, the implant locators may be or include Straumann® RevEX™ scanbodies, which may be installed on the temporary prosthesis’s receptacle that mates to the head of each implant. Other types of implant locators may be used. The receptacles have the same orientation and location as the implants. So, knowing the positions and orientations of the receptacles is effectively the same as knowing the positions and orientations of the implants. Also, the temporary prosthesis has a contact surface 1001 configured to fit onto, and to contact, the gingival surface of a patient, so it has a complementary shape to the gingival surface. As such, scans of the contact surface of the temporary prosthesis provide information about the shape of the gingival surface of the patient.

[0113] Process 900 includes performing (904) one or more extraoral scans of the temporary prosthesis outside the patient’s oral cavity with the implant locators (1002) installed. The extraoral scans include scans of the contact surface of the temporary prosthesis outside the patient’s oral cavity and are performed to capture data representing as much of the contact surface of the prosthesis as possible along with the position and / or orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The extraoral scan(s) may be performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner that is, or is not, adapted to be used as an extraoral scanner. For example, an intraoral scanner having an adapter of the type described herein may be used to perform the extraoral scans. Fig. 14 shows such an example scan 1501 produced in this manner.

[0114] Process 900 includes obtaining (905) data, referred to as extraoral data, from the extraoral scan(s) of the temporary prosthesis having the implant locators attached thereto. The extraoral data for each scan performed by the extraoral scanner represents a part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva (as represented by the surface of the temporary prosthesis) that may be larger than the part represented by a data for a single scan performed by an intraoral scanner. As such, when the extraoral data is combined, or stitched together, if necessary, there is less of a likelihood of distortion than is the case during combination of the intraoral data. In some implementations, the extraoral scanner may perform a single scan of the temporary prosthesis to capture extraoral data representing an entirety of the edentulous gingiva as represented by the surface of the temporary prosthesis) having the implant locators attached thereto, as described above. In some implementations, the extraoral scanner may perform a single scan of the temporary prosthesis to capture extraoral data representing multiple (e.g., more than one, all, or fewer than all) implant locators in addition to all or part of the edentulous gingiva as represented by the surface of the temporary prosthesis).

[0115] The control system analyzes (906) the intraoral data and the extraoral data to identify common features of the temporary prosthesis obtained at 902, 903 and at 904, 905. For example, the control system may identify specific teeth in the intraoral data and the same ones in the extraoral data. The control system may then align (907) features of the patient’s temporary prosthesis represented by the intraoral data to features of the patient’s temporary prosthesis represented by the extraoral data. More specifically, the control system matches the features of portions of, e.g., teeth on the temporary prosthesis that were scanned in both the intraoral scan and the extraoral scan. Since the prosthesis was scanned extraorally, the scan includes of the bottom of the prosthesis, which can be matched to the placement of the implants in the intraoral scan.

[0116] Computer graphics, such as one or more 2D images and / or one or more 3D models are generated (908) by the control system and output (909) on a display device. The computer graphics may identify the position and / or location of each implant in the patient’s oral cavity. In some implementations, the intraoral data and extraoral data may be combined to generate a graphic 1601 of Fig. 15 of the patient’s gingiva.

[0117] Fig. 11 shows operations included in an example process 1100 for determining the position and / or orientation of implants in a patient’s oral cavity that are intended to support a prosthesis containing one or more false teeth.

[0118] Prior to process 1100, implants, such as those shown in Fig. 1 , are installed in the patient’s jaw. These operations may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques. Process 1100 uses a temporary prosthesis of the type described with respect to process 900 and Fig. 10.

[0119] Process 1100 includes performing one or more intraoral scans of the patient’s oral cavity to register (1101 ) the occlusal relationship between the patient’s upper and lower dental arches with the temporary prosthesis installed in the patient’s oral cavity. This operation is the same, or similar to, operation 601 , except that the scan is performed with the temporary prosthesis in place rather than the patient’s natural teeth.

[0120] Following this first intraoral scanning, the temporary prosthesis is removed. This operation may be performed using standard dental and surgical techniques. Thereafter, a dental professional installs implant locators, examples of which are described herein, onto the receptacles of the temporary prosthesis while the temporary prosthesis is outside of the patient’s oral cavity. In some implementations, the implant locators may be or include Straumann® RevEX™ scanbodies, which may be installed on a temporary prosthesis’s receptacle (106, Fig. 1 ) that mates to the head of each implant This is done while the prosthesis is outside of the patient’s oral cavity.

[0121] As described herein, the receptacles have the same orientations and positions as the implants. So, knowing the positions and orientations of the receptacles is effectively the same as knowing the positions and orientations of the implants. Also as described herein, the temporary prosthesis has a contact surface configured to fit onto, and to contact, the gingival surface of a patient, so it has a complementary shape to the gingival surface. As such, scans of the contact surface of the temporary prosthesis provide information about the shape of the gingival surface of the patient. This information, all of which may be obtained from the extraoral data, may be used to generate the 2D images or 3D model.

[0122] Process 1100 includes performing (1102) one or more extraoral scans of the temporary prosthesis with the implant locators installed. The extraoral scans include scans of the contact surface of the temporary prosthesis outside the patient’s oral cavity and are performed to capture data representing as much of the contact surface of the prosthesis as possible along with the position and orientations of the implant locators installed on the implants. The extraoral scan(s) may be performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner adapted to be used as an extraoral scanner. For example, an intraoral scanner having an adapter of the type described herein may be used to perform the extraoral scans.

[0123] Process 1100 includes obtaining (1103) data, referred to as extraoral data, from the extraoral scan(s) of the temporary prosthesis having the implant locators attached thereto. The extraoral data for each scan performed by the extraoral scanner represents a part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva that may be larger than the part represented by a data for a single scan performed by an intraoral scanner. As such, when the extraoral data is combined, or stitched together, if necessary, there is less of a likelihood of distortion than is the case during combination of the intraoral data. In some implementations, the extraoral scanner may perform a single scan of the temporary prosthesis to capture extraoral data representing an entirety of the edentulous gingiva having the implant locators attached thereto, as described above. The control system generates (1104) computer graphics, such as multiple 2D images or a 3D model, of the patient’s edentulous gingiva, including the positions and orientations of the implants, using the extraoral data. The generated computer graphics may be output (1105) to a display device, such as a computer monitor.

[0124] In some implementations, an intraoral scan may be performed and intraoral data produced by the intraoral scan may be augmented using extraoral scan data obtained by scanning the temporary prosthesis. For example, regions missing from the intraoral scans may be augmented using the extraoral scan data obtained by scanning the temporary prosthesis.

[0125] All or part of the systems and processes described herein including but not limited to processes 600, 700, 800, 900, 1100 and variants thereof may be configured and / or controlled at least in part by one or more computers using one or more computer programs tangibly embodied in one or more information carriers, such as in one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media. A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, part, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected.

[0126] Actions associated with configuring or controlling the systems and processes described herein can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to control or to perform all or some of the operations described herein. All or part of the systems and processes can be configured or controlled by special purpose logic circuitry, such as, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or embedded microprocessor(s) localized to the instrument hardware.

[0127] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only storage area or a random access storage area or both. Elements of a computer include one or more processors for executing instructions and one or more storage area devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from, or transfer data to, or both, one or more machine-readable storage media, such as mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Non-transitory machine-readable storage media suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile storage area, including by way of example, semiconductor storage area devices, such as EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable readonly memory), and flash storage area devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) and DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read-only memory).

[0128] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," "contains," "containing," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that systems, techniques, apparatus, structures, processes, or other subject matter described or claimed herein that includes, has, or contains an element or list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such systems, techniques, apparatus, structures, processes or other subject matter described or claimed herein.

[0129] All examples described herein are non-limiting.

[0130] In the description and claims provided herein, the adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like do not designate priority or order unless context suggests otherwise. Instead, these adjectives may be used solely to differentiate the nouns that they modify unless context suggests otherwise.

[0131] Elements of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements may be left out of the systems and processes described previously without adversely affecting their operation or the operation of the system in general. Furthermore, various separate elements may be combined into one or more individual elements to perform the functions described in this specification. Other implementations not specifically described in this specification are also within the scope of the following claims.

[0132] What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method comprising: obtaining intraoral data from an intraoral scan, the intraoral data representing a first part of a surface of edentulous gingiva; obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva having implant locators attached thereto, the extraoral data representing a second part of a surface of the edentulous gingiva, and the extraoral scan having been performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner having an adapter configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the intraoral data and extraoral data, the computer graphics representing the edentulous gingiva.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: processing the intraoral data relative to the extraoral data so that the first part of the surface overlays a corresponding portion of the second part of the surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intraoral data is based on a first intraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva without the implant locators attached thereto and a second intraoral scan of the implant locators attached to the edentulous gingiva.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extraoral scan is performed prior to the intraoral scan such that the extraoral data is obtained before the intraoral data; and wherein the method further comprises processing the intraoral data relative to the extraoral data such that the first part of the surface overlays a corresponding portion of the second part of the surface.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intraoral scan and the extraoral scan are performed using a same intraoral scanner with and without the adapter; and wherein the extraoral scan captures multiple implant locators in single images from either outside or inside the patient’s oral cavity.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intraoral data is first intraoral data and the method further comprises: obtaining second intraoral data from an intraoral scan of the edentulous gingiva having implant locators attached thereto; wherein the computer graphics are generated based also on the second intraoral data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the adapter is configured to increase the field of view of the intraoral scanner so that the field of view encompasses multiple implant locators.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising augmenting the extraoral data using the intraoral data to incorporate features from the oral cavity represented in the intraoral data into the extraoral data.

9. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processing devices to perform the method of claim 1.

10. A method comprising: obtaining intraoral data from an intraoral scan, the intraoral data representing a surface of edentulous gingiva of a patient having implants in place and of a temporary prosthesis inside an oral cavity of the patient; obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of the temporary prosthesis having implant locators attached thereto that fits onto the surface of edentulous gingiva, the extraoral scan being performed while the temporary prosthesis is outside of the oral cavity of the patient, the extraoral scan having been performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner with or without an adapter that makes it possible to increase the field of view of the intraoral scanner; andgenerating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the intraoral data and extraoral data, the computer graphics representing the edentulous gingiva.11 . The method of claim 10, wherein the intraoral scan and the extraoral scan are performed using a same intraoral scanner.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the extraoral scan is performed using an extraoral scanner that is different from the intraoral scanner.

13. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processing devices to perform the method of claim 10.

14. A method comprising: obtaining extraoral data from an extraoral scan of a temporary prosthesis having implant locators attached thereto that fits onto a surface of edentulous gingiva of a patient, the extraoral scan having been performed using either (i) an extraoral scanner or (ii) an intraoral scanner having an adapter configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner; and generating, using one or more processing devices, computer graphics based on the extraoral data, the computer graphics representing the temporary prosthesis and an implant locator; wherein the extraoral scan of the temporary prosthesis is performed while the temporary prosthesis is outside of an oral cavity of the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the extraoral scan is performed using an intraoral scanner.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the intraoral scanner is adapted to perform extraoral scanning.

17. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processing devices to perform the method of claim 14.

18. An adapter for use with an intraoral scanner, the intraoral scanner being configured to perform optical scanning inside an oral cavity of a patient, the intraoral scanner having a scanning aperture to direct at an object to capture data based on optical scanning of the object, the adapter comprising: an attachment configured to removably connect to the intraoral scanner proximate to the scanning aperture; and an optical system within the attachment that is between the scanning surface and the object when the attachment is connected to the intraoral scanner.

19. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the attachment is configured to hold the optical system in place during scanning.

20. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the optical system is configured to increase a field of view of the intraoral scanner to capture data usable to generate an image of the object including multiple implant locators in a single image.21 . The adapter of claim 18, wherein the optical system comprises one or more of: a divergent lens, a convergent lens, a Fresnel or freeform lens, an afocal lens system, a convex mirror, a cylindrical or freeform mirror, or an optical prism.