PLANNING

FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure pertains in general to the field of dentistry. More particularly the disclosure relates to a method and system for dental treatment planning.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter a method is provided for generating a dental treatment plan. The method includes receiving data pertaining to preoperative condition of a patient and desired outcome of the treatment plan; selecting from a database of stored dental treatment plans at least a portion of at least one treatment plan having parameters corresponding to parameters of said data; extracting at least one feature from the selected dental treatment plan; and generating a dental surgical and/or restorative treatment plan with the extracted feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the disclosure and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating of the planning system for generating a dental treatment plan in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating of the planning system for generating a dental treatment plan in accordance with another example of the presently disclosed subject matter; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for dental treatment planning carried out by the system of Fig. 1 or 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating of the planning system for generating a dental treatment plan in accordance with an example of the presently disclosed subject matter. The planning system 10a includes a plurality of user’s ports 12, each being configured to input data, such as intraoral imaging data of at least a segment of a jawbone, for example CT scan, etc. The ports 12 can be further configured to perform at least some steps of planning a treatment plan, as described hereinafter in connection with Fig. 3. That is to say, the port can be equipped with a dental planning software.

The system 10a further includes a database server 15 having a plurality of stored dental treatment plans for various segments of the oral cavity. The treatment plans, can include data related to prosthetic setup, various views extracted from the imaging data inputted by the user’s ports 12, and data related to the implant dimension, parameters, such as dimension, disposition, etc..

The system 10a further includes a processor 18 configured for receiving the input data from the ports 12, and for matching at least one of the stored plans with the imaging data of the segment of the oral cavity inputted by one of the user’s ports 12. The processor 18 can be further configured for forming a dental treatment plan for the selected segment, in accordance with the data of the stored treatment plans. That is to say, the system can be configured to provide a dental treatment plan to a certain segment of the oral cavity, by comparing the data of the required planning with previous dental treatment plans formed for similar conditions. Since the treatment plan includes many layers of data, including prosthetic selection and setup, and implant parameters, the system can compare one or more of the required layers of data, with corresponding data used in one of the previous dental treatment plans.

The processor 18 can further be configured to form the dental plan in accordance with a set of rules, such as permitted location of an implant or prosthetic tooth etc. these rules are in addition to the data extracted from the database server 15. The set of rules can be predetermined by the system or can be a dynamic set of rules created by the system, for example by self-learning of dental planning rules. Self-learning of these rules can be carried out by analyzing plans stored in the database 15, and determining certain rules which statistically applied in these plans, such as minimum distance between implants etc.

According to an example, the system can provide the user with a number of proposed plans, allowing the user to select one of the treatment plans. The system can be configured to point out key differences between the proposed plans, facilitating thereby selection of one or more plans.

The system can thus be utilized for facilitating generation of a portion or the entire treatment plan, by extracting features of previous treatment plans stored in a database. The selection of the previous treatment plans is carried out by comparing parameters of the dental condition of the patient with corresponding parameters of a previous treatment plan stored in a database.

With reference to Fig. 2, according to another example of the presently disclosed subject matter, the system 10b is configured to allow the user to modify the proposed plan, such that the plan meets the specific requirements of the user. Furthermore, according to this example, the plan selected by the user, is stored back in the database server 15 for future reference. This way, the database server 15 is constantly receiving the most updated treatment plans, and is configured to produce the most up to date treatment plans by self-learning the contemporary common practice. The database server 15 can be configured to determine whether or not a modification of a user is to be considered as a change in the common practice or just a subjective selection of that user. For example, if the system detects that a similar modification is carried out by a certain amount of users within a certain period of time, such modification can be considered as a change in the contemporary common practice, and should be therefore suggested in future plans.

That is to say, since approaches to dental treatment plans are typically changing, as new techniques are implemented, or new researches are made, the system, is configured for self-learning of these new approaches and is automatically updated by the user’s selection of plans, or modification of existing plans. The processor 18 can thus be configured to prioritize plans which were recently selected by practitioners, reflecting the concurrent trend in dental treatment plans. In addition, the above self-learning feature can be utilized to form customized treatment plans. I.e. since forming dental treatment plans may vary depending on the user’s approach and practice, the system 10b according to an example can be configured to store the plans selected and implemented by the user, and form future dental treatment plans in accordance with the user’s preferences. This way, the system can be configured for self-learning of the user’s preferences and approaches to the building of a dental treatment plan.

According to an example, the system 10b can be configured to form a complete treatment plan, and output a design of a treatment protocol. Alternatively, the system 10 can be configured to assist a user in forming a treatment plan with a designated planning software, by suggesting various portions of the plan in accordance with corresponding portions in plans stored in the database 15.

As shown in Fig. 3, the forming of a treatment plan can be carried out by the processor 18 and can include the following steps: First, the user inputs into the port 12, which can be equipped with a planning software, data related to the preoperative condition of the patient and desired outcome of the treatment plan (block 110). I.e. the input stage can include CT scans, panoramic X-rays and Status X-rays. In addition, the input can include other clinical images, impressions, intraoral scans and 3D facial imaging. The input may further include pre-operative planning data such as as well as other requests from the patient, such as smile design etc. Finally, a case description can be inserted for future retrieval.

Once all the relevant data is inputted by the user, the processor analyzes the input data. The analysis can include integration of all input files (block 112) i.e. extracting all the data from the various input files and images, and gathering the relevant parameters inputted by the user.

Next, the prosthetic setup (block 114) is created for example, placing virtual teeth, instead of the missing teeth, or may further include plan to extract existing teeth so as to allow inserting the dental prosthesis (block 116). It is appreciated that the prosthetic setup can be planned in connection with a single tooth replacement, partially edentulous or fully edentulous. As explained herein above, the processor 18 can suggest to the user one or more prosthetic setups, in accordance with corresponding plans stored in the database server 15. Alternatively, this step can be fully automated, i.e. the processor 18 determines the required prosthetic setup in accordance with corresponding plans stored in the database server 15. Once the type, size and disposition of the prosthesis is determined, the system defines the implant required for supporting the prosthesis, i.e., the crown restoration.

In addition, the bite registration with the opposing arch is set, and the amount of required lip support is determined.

Defining the required implant can be carried out by setting various views and sections of the oral cavity such as a panoramic curve (block 118) and forming various views of the site of interest including panoramic, orthogonal, tangential and axial views or any other views required for the treatment plan (block 120). These steps can be carried out by the user using the planning software via port 12, or automatically by the processor 18 forming the required views in accordance with corresponding plans stored in the database server 15. Obviously, in case the entire planning process is automated, the step of generating views can be omitted.

In order to allow determining the length and disposition of the implant, the patient’s anatomical structures are drawn (block 122), which may include drawing of the nerve canals, blood vessels, and teeth, such that the edge of the implant does not reach the canal or the blood vessels or other teeth. Drawing the nerve canals for example, can be carried out by indicating the edge point of the roots in proximity of site of interest, and by connecting between these edge points. Alternately, the processor 18 can be configured to assess the location of the nerve canals by utilizing thresholding of the bone density, i.e. detecting areas where the bone density is lower.

Further, the planning system creates that treatment plan in accordance with previous plans stored in the database. Firstly, the distribution of the planned prosthetic set up and corresponding implants is determined (block 124), i.e. the locations in the mouth where the prosthetic tooth is to be inserted is determined, following which the location of the implant to support the prosthetic tooth is determined.

In addition, the type of implant and dimensions thereof are determined (block 126), such that the implant properly supports the prosthetic tooth. Next, the implant orientation is set (block 128), i.e. the disposition of the implant with respect to other teeth, or other implants is set.

Since roots of adjacent teeth, sometimes extend with an angle, the distance between the implant and the adjacent root may vary along the length of the implant. In addition, in some cases, the implant may also be disposed in an angle, such that the minimum distance between the implant and the adjacent root is maintained. As in previous steps, the disposition of the implant with respect to other teeth, or other implants may be carried out by comparing dispositions of implants in plans stored in the database server 15.

The dental planning can further include determining the implant direction i.e. path of insertion of the implant.

Once the position of the implant is completed, the planning system selects implant dimensions (block 130), such as height, diameter and angulation, and determines the component which couples the prosthetic tooth to the implant, i.e. the abutment (block 132). In accordance with the data of the implant and prosthetic tooth, the full prosthetic design is created (block 134) which includes all the parameters of the various component of the implant and prosthetic tooth.

Finally, the planning system provides the layout of the treatment plan (block 136), which includes the overall data of the plan as well as the specific data related to the prosthetic parameters, the surgical plans, implants data and other related data.

Once the treatment plan is completed, a surgical guide, a template or any other kind of surgical stent, can be designed, facilitating accurate osteotomy, drilling and implant insertion. The surgical guide is prepared in accordance with the required location of the implant, as well as the disposition and size thereof. The surgical guide may include a certain thickness set by design protocols in accordance with tooth and tissue anatomy. The software can also control other parameters of the guide such as material, thickness, strength and stability etc. These parameters can be designed by utilizing surgical guide designed in treatment plans stored in the database server 15. Alternatively, the surgical plan can be carried out by other methods rather than utilizing a surgical guide such as real time navigation and others.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the order by which the system forms the above planning steps can vary. This may be as a result of the user’s input or type of request, the inputted parameters the system’s requirements or a dynamic set of rules created by the system, for example by self-learning of dental planning rules. For example, the system may be configured to start the planning process by first determining the implant’s dimension and disposition and only then designing the prosthetic tooth. The system can also be configured to select the order of the planning steps by the input inserted by the user or by parameters of the required plan. For example, in a case where a dental plan for forming few prosthetic teeth adjacent to one another the system may be configured to start the planning process by first determining the required corresponding implants.

Accordingly, either portions of the treatment plans or the entire treatment plan can be carried out by comparing features of the plan to corresponding plans stored in the database server 15, such that the planning process or portions thereof are carried out automatically. It is appreciated that for selecting corresponding treatment plans stored in the database server 15 various parameters can be evaluated, such as the number and locations of the missing teeth, the size and shape of the jawbone, the age and sex of the patient. In addition, as explained hereinabove, selection of corresponding treatment plans stored in the database server 15 can be in accordance with the user’ s preferences, such as previous plans selected or formed by the user, or by a group of practitioners which the user selects.

According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter there is provided a system for generating a dental treatment plan. The system includes a database having set of rules, such as permitted location of an implant or prosthetic tooth etc.

The system further includes a processor configured for receiving data pertaining to preoperative condition of a patient and desired outcome of the treatment plan. The processor is further configured for generating a dental treatment plan in accordance with the data and the set of rules. The set of rules can be predetermined by the system or can be a periodically updated. According to an example some or all of the rules in the set of rules can be determined by the system, for example by self-learning of dental planning rules in accordance with previous plans. Self-learning of these rules can be carried out by analyzing plans stored in the database, and determining certain rules which are applied in these plans, such as minimum distance between implants, etc.

Those skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.