System for the comparative analysis of orthodontic bite positions using dual-parameter determination

Abstract

Computer-implemented data processing system for the comparative analysis of orthodontic treatment effects, including: a) an input interface (110) configured to receive b) a first parameter determination module (120), configured to c) a second parameter determination module (130), configured to d) a differential analysis module (140), configured to calculate a e) an output interface (150) configured to provide the difference profile as a diagnostic data set for the evaluation of orthodontic treatment effects.

Description

II. Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a data processing system and an orthodontic difference profile in the field of orthodontic diagnostics, in particular for the quantitative evaluation of the effect of orthodontic appliances on patient-specific temporomandibular joint parameters by comparative analysis of habitual and therapeutic bite positions. III. State of the art

[0002] The evaluation of orthodontic treatment effects in clinical practice is predominantly qualitative: The practitioner visually and manually assesses whether an appliance establishes the desired jaw relationship. Objective, quantitative measures for the treatment effect on temporomandibular joint kinematics do not exist. Functional orthodontic appliances (activators, Fraenkel functional regulators, bionators, twin blocks, and feed-through double plates) work via a therapeutic construction bite, which guides the jaws into a corrected position. Whether and to what extent this positional change influences the condylar parameters is not yet quantified. Existing approaches to evaluating orthodontic treatments are limited to: cephalometric measurements (two-dimensional, using radiation), model analyses (space analysis, Bolton analysis, Angle classification), and subjective clinical assessment of the bite position. and optional axiography before and after treatment (rarely performed, as it is complex and expensive).

[0003] None of the known systems automatically calculate the effect of a therapeutic bite position on the patient's individual condylar parameters. An objective, quantitative measure is lacking that answers the question: How does this appliance change the temporomandibular joint kinematics of this specific patient?

[0004] Furthermore, there is no system that automatically derives evidence-based recommendations from a collection of analyzed cases regarding which type of equipment is likely to produce the best results given a specific initial finding. IV. Objective of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a data processing system that automatically, quantitatively and reproducibly determines the effect of orthodontic appliances on the patient-specific temporomandibular joint parameters by comparative parameter determination from habitual and therapeutic bite positions.

[0006] Furthermore, an orthodontic difference profile should be created, which serves as a standardized diagnostic data set for the evaluation, comparison and longitudinal tracking of orthodontic treatment effects, and which enables an evidence-based appliance recommendation based on a reference database. V. Solution to the task

[0007] The task is solved by the data processing system according to claim 1, the orthodontic difference profile according to claim 11 and the arrangement according to claim 14. 1. Dual parameter determination

[0008] The system performs two independent parameter measurements for the same patient: one from the habitual bite position (how the patient normally bites) and one from the therapeutic bite position (how the appliance positions the jaw). Both measurements utilize the same inverse solver procedure: virtual articulation with variable parameters, movement simulation, cost-function evaluation, and optimization. The result is two complete parameter sets, each with four temporomandibular joint parameters and associated quality indicators. 2. Differential analysis

[0009] The differential analysis module calculates the signed difference for each parameter: Delta-HKN = HKN(therapeutic) - HKN(habitual), Delta-Bennett, Delta-ISS, Delta-IKA. Additionally, Delta-CMK is calculated. A negative Delta-CMK value means: The therapeutic bite position is more consistent with the temporomandibular joint parameters than the habitual one – the appliance improves the occlusion from the perspective of condylar kinematics. 3. Tooth-specific differential residues

[0010] For each of the up to 28 teeth, the change in the local residual tissue is determined. This allows for precise identification of which teeth are moved into a more favorable position by the appliance and which are worsened. This enables a differentiated assessment instead of a general yes / no statement. 4. Reference database and equipment recommendation

[0011] With each analyzed case-equipment combination, a reference database grows. For a new patient case, the system can compare the habitual parameters with the database and predict which types of equipment have achieved the best results with similar initial findings. This is not an AI-based prediction, but a deterministic comparison: a nearest-neighbor search in the parameter space with documented treatment outcomes. 5. Batch processing

[0012] The system can automatically process a large number of patient cases sequentially. This enables retrospective studies on archived data: hundreds of cases with construction bite scans can be automatically analyzed to build the reference database and gain population-based insights into appliance effectiveness. 6. Browser-based implementation

[0013] A preferred implementation method is entirely browser-based. Both parameter settings are client-side. The dental geometries do not leave the user's computer (GDPR compliance). VI. List of reference symbols 10 Habitual geometry theorem (OK / UK in habitual bite) 11 Therapeutic geometry set (OK / UK in K-Bite) 20 Difference profile (output) 21 parameter set habitually 22 therapeutic parameter sets 23 Delta values ​​(differences) 24 tooth-specific differential residues 100 Data processing system (total system) 110 Input interface 120 First parameter determination module (habitual) 130 Second parameter determination module (therapeutic) 140 Differential Analysis Module 150 output interface 160 Reference Database Module 170 Batch processing module VII. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 \-- System block diagram: Data flow through modules 110-170, from the two geometry sets (10, 11) via the parallel parameter determination (120, 130) and difference analysis (140) to the difference profile (20). Fig. 2 \-- Flowchart: Dual solver workflow with parallel parameter determination, difference calculation and optional reference database comparison. Fig. 3 -- Representation of a difference profile: Left, habitual parameter set (21), right, therapeutic parameter set (22), center, delta values ​​(23) with color-coded assessment (green = improvement, red = deterioration, gray = neutral). Below, tooth-specific differential residuals (24) as a tooth chart. VIII. Summary

[0014] Disclosed are a computer-implemented data processing system (claims 1-10), an orthodontic difference profile (claims 11-13), and a browser-based arrangement (claim 14) for the comparative analysis of orthodontic treatment effects. The system automatically determines two sets of patient-specific temporomandibular joint (TMJ) parameters for the same patient—one from the habitual and one from the therapeutic bite position—and calculates a difference profile that quantifies the effect of the orthodontic appliance. A reference database enables evidence-based appliance recommendations. The invention provides, for the first time, an objective, quantitative measure of orthodontic treatment effects based on individual TMJ parameters.

Claims

Computer-implemented data processing system for the comparative analysis of orthodontic treatment effects, comprising: a) an input interface (110) configured for receiving b) a first parameter determination module (120) configured for c) a second parameter determination module (130) configured for d) a difference analysis module (140) configured for calculating a e) an output interface (150) configured for providing the difference profile as a diagnostic data set for the evaluation of orthodontic treatment effects. Data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the therapeutic bite position is generated by an orthodontic appliance, in particular by a functional orthodontic activator, a functional regulator, an occlusal plate, a bionator, a twin block, a twin block, an aligner or another removable or fixed orthodontic appliance, and wherein the second set of geometry represents a construction bite or therapeutic bite of the appliance. Data processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temporomandibular joint parameters include at least condylar inclination (CI), Bennett angle, lateral shift (ISS, Immediate Side Shift) or intercondylar distance (ICA), and wherein the difference profile contains the difference of each parameter between habitual and therapeutic bite position as a signed numerical value or as a percentage deviation value. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the differential analysis module (140) is further configured to calculate a quality indicator difference, in particular the difference of the CondylaMap constants (Delta-CMK) between habitual and therapeutic bite positions, wherein a reduction of the CMK value in the therapeutic bite position indicates improved consistency of the occlusion with the temporomandibular joint parameters. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the differential analysis module (140) is further configured to calculate tooth-specific differential residues, whereby for each tooth the change in the local residue between habitual and therapeutic bite position is determined and it is automatically identifiable which teeth are improved, worsened or unaffected by the therapeutic bite position. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a reference database module (160) containing a collection of difference profiles from previously analyzed patient cases, wherein the system is configured to compare the current difference profile with the stored profiles to identify similar cases and to make evidence-based predictions of the expected treatment success. Data processing system according to claim 6, wherein the reference database module (160) is configured to assign difference profiles to apparatus types, wherein for a new patient case, based on the habitual parameter set and the reference database, those apparatus types can be automatically identified which have achieved the best treatment results with similar initial findings. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a batch processing module (170) configured for automatic sequential analysis of multiple patient cases, wherein for each case both parameter determinations, the difference analysis and optionally the reference database comparison are automatically performed and the results are exported as a structured data set. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the system is further configured to automatically detect clinically implausible results, in particular when one or both sets of parameters exceed limit values ​​or the quality indicator exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the system issues a warning indicating severe malocclusion, missing teeth or insufficient scan data. Data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the system further comprises a normalization module or is coupled with a preceding normalization system that transforms the received dental geometries into a normalized coordinate system with respect to an automatically determined occlusal plane before the parameter determination and extracts functional occlusal surfaces by means of direction-dependent filtering. Orthodontic difference profile, stored on a computer-readable medium, comprising: a machine-readable data set containing for a patient at least a first set of patient-specific temporomandibular joint parameters of a habitual bite position and a second set of patient-specific temporomandibular joint parameters of a therapeutic bite position, further comprising the signed differences between the corresponding parameters of both sets as well as at least one quality indicator per parameter set, wherein the data set enables the quantitative evaluation of the effect of an orthodontic appliance on the patient's temporomandibular joint parameters. Orthodontic difference profile according to claim 11, further comprising tooth-specific difference residuals for each of the patient's up to 28 teeth, an appliance type identifier that designates the orthodontic appliance used, and optionally a reference to similar cases from a reference database. Orthodontic difference profile according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the difference profile is configured as input for at least one of the following downstream systems: a system for automatically recommending orthodontic appliances based on the reference database, a system for calculating patient-specific treatment goals based on the individual temporomandibular joint parameters, a system for generating 3D printing data for orthodontic appliances, or a system for monitoring progress by longitudinally comparing several difference profiles of the same patient. Arrangement for the comparative analysis of orthodontic treatment effects, comprising a data processing system according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the arrangement is executable as a browser-based application on a client computer and all processing steps are carried out client-side, so that the dental geometries do not leave the user's computer, or wherein the arrangement is installed as a local application on a terminal device.

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