Align Technology, Inc.
METHOD FOR SUB-GINGIVAL INTRAORAL SCANNING

Abstract:

Methods and systems are described that receive intraoral scan data in response to an optical scan of a surface of the tooth and a material disposed between the tooth and a gingiva surrounding the tooth, the material separating the surrounding gingiva from the tooth and covering a sub-gingival surface of the tooth. The received intraoral scan data is processed to differentiate the first optical scan data associated with the sub-gingival surface of the tooth and the second optical scan data associated with the material covering the sub-gingival surface of the tooth. The three-dimensional model of the tooth is generated based on the first optical scan data that is associated with the sub-gingival surface of the tooth and the third optical scan data associated with the tooth surface that is not covered by the material such that the three-dimensional model of the tooth includes the sub-gingival surface of the tooth.