Abstract:
A processor implemented prosthodontia system employs digital imaging of a restoration site and surrounding areas of an oral cavity and digital sampling of colorimetric values of tooth surfaces. The processor selects digital image data representative of a tooth surface configuration corresponding to the tooth number of the tooth to be restored and generates a three dimensional image of the restoration, with colorimetric values. Data comprising the shape and colorimetric values of the restoration is transmitted to a fabrication station for processor controlled fabrication through implementation of, for example, a three dimensional jet printing system employing particulate porcelain, polymeric dental composite, etc., and a binder, solvent or reactant and which builds a preform in successive layers of incremental cross sectional heighths. The shaped and colored preform is then hardened to produce a restoration having the specified size, shape and colorimetric values.
Abstract:
Imaging that uses glare to confirm proper measurement of a sample. An imaging device (20) illuminates an object (22) and generates glare (i.e., specular reflection, diffuse reflection or a combination of the two) off the object's surface, which is displayed on a display as a glare artifact (25, 27). The location of the glare artifact (25, 27) is compared to a predetermined location (30, 32) to establish adjustment to obtain a desired angular orientation. The imaging device (22) optionally highlights the glare artifact and steers a user to obtain the desired presentation angle. In two other embodiments, the spatial relationship between the imaging device and the object is time-varied. In one, the imaging device monitors changing glare and acquires a measurement when a desired glare is detected. In the other, the imaging device captures multiple images including varying glare artifacts and analyzes the images to select a preferred image having a glare artifact indicative of a desired angular orientation.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the color of teeth, whereby the image of a tooth (1) is recorded by means of an image recording device and the image signals derived therefrom are evaluated. According to the invention, the image of the tooth (1) is recorded with a CCD camera, a reference element (3) is simultaneously recorded with the tooth (1) during every image recording, the color vector (Ra) of said tooth being defined as precisely as possible within the color space and known; the image signals obtained from the tooth (1) and the reference element (3) are assembled to form a (color) image; the color vector (Zg) of the tooth (1) detected from the (color) image and the color vector (Rg) of the reference element (3) detected from the (color) image are linked to determine a color vector (Za) of the tooth (1) and the color vector (Za) is then made available for further evaluation as a representative tooth color of at least one tooth.
Abstract:
A digital camera (12) connects to a tooth shade analyzer subsystem, e.g., a digital video processor (14), and a color display monitor for the electronic determination of the color of patient's teeth. Preliminarily, the camera captures (26) a series of digital color images of tooth shades corresponding to reference shade guides (34), and electronically compares the reference shades to an image of the patient's tooth. In a preferred embodiment the comparison is done over a set of pseudo-pixels, each corresponding to a group of pixels in an high-resolution camera. Once a match is found, it is communicated to a user of the system (52). In a specific embodiment the camera is equipped with a sleeve and illumination subsystems that help reduce the variations in the color of digital images due to external factors.
Abstract:
The invention is a colorimeter (1) for measurement of the color of an object. The colorimeter (1) comprises a hand-held probe which is similar in size and shape to a large writing pen and provides the capability of measuring the color of a spot or target on, or within, the surface of an object. A measurement is made while placing the tip (3) of the probe against, or in close proximity to, the surface of the object. The colorimeter (1) generates from a single measurement three color data points representing the reflectance of the spot measured at the wavelengths of three primary colors. From those data points, a microprocessor can perform analyses yielding a single color value represented in various standard formats, or it can compare the measured values with a preloaded table of values. The colorimeter (1) can then present the results on a liquid crystal display (4). The colorimeter (1) contains multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) for successively emitting light of different colors toward a target, a light sensor for receiving light reflected from the target, and a light pipe for directing light from the LEDs to the target. The display may be an integral part of the probe or contained in a separate display module connected to the probe by an electrical cable.
Abstract:
A patient's dental prosthesis (e.g., a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) is made by acquiring an image (42) of the patient's teeth that contains black (54) and white (58) normalization references. These references are black, and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the image. The image is then normalized in accordance with normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image (60) is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image (60) to selected shade standards (62). The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image (66). The tooth shade analysis, and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth.
Abstract:
Color measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics (7) are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic (5) and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics (7) to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe (1) with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip (340) for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base.
Abstract:
A method of computerised colour matching for articles where articles are photographed, using a still video camera, against a set of reference colours. The photographs are stored on a diskette (34) which is read on a recorder (54). The compouter (55) compares the set of reference colours against an absolute set of colours and generates a compensation factor which is applied to the photographed colours to produce a corrected photograph. Areas of the corrected photograph may be selected for computer enhancement and a computer generated map may be produced to enable the colour of other articles to be matched to the photographed articles.
Abstract:
The invention makes it possible to determine the colour to be given particularly to a dental prosthesis from the measurement of the colour of adjacent teeth in the mouth of the patient. An optical fiber instrument (44) senses the light reflected by a tooth (50) and transmits the light to the input of a spectrocolorimeter (12, 14) associated with a microprocessor (10) in order to determine the spectral reflectance diffused by the tooth and to calculate the trichromatic components of its apparent colours for various types of lighting. The invention applies particularly to the determination of colours of dental prostheses.