US Patent 7942672 Gingiva modeling

Embodiments are provided for modeling gingiva. One method embodiment includes scanning a patient's teeth and gums, or a physical model thereof, to obtain location data, developing a digital model via a computing device, where the model represents a dentition and gingiva from the location data, defining in the model a gingival line at an intersection between at least one tooth and at least a portion of its surrounding gums, measuring a gingival pocket depth at a number of reference locations, and establishing in the model one or more gingival attachment points at the pocket depth from the gingival line.