3D Dental Library Alignment to Oral Scans Using Neural Landmarks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual alignment of 3D dental library models to 3D oral scan data increases work fatigue and decreases accuracy and productivity in manufacturing prostheses, implants, and braces, as well as dental instruments.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using neural networks to determine valid teeth, extract landmarks, and align 3D dental library models with 3D oral scan data, incorporating deep learning for enhanced accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment of 3D dental library models to 3D oral scan data is performed, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but work fatigue increases and accuracy and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical alignment process with an automated computer-based system that uses landmark extraction and mathematical transformation algorithms. The system automatically identifies corresponding landmarks on the dental library model and oral scan data, then computes alignment transformations, eliminating manual manipulation and significantly improving both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the alignment process to perform itself automatically without human intervention. The computer executes the entire workflow of landmark detection, correspondence matching, and transformation calculation autonomously, allowing the alignment task to serve itself and freeing dental professionals from this repetitive task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual alignment of 3D dental library models is performed, then professional judgment can be applied, but work fatigue increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system enables continuous processing of alignment tasks without the interruptions, fatigue, and variable speed inherent in manual operations. The computer can process multiple datasets sequentially or in parallel without break, maintaining consistent high-speed operation throughout the workflow and significantly reducing total time required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing manual alignment operations with automated computational processes, the system eliminates the time loss associated with human fatigue, repetitive strain, and manual calculation. The computer-based system performs landmark matching and transformation calculations instantaneously, dramatically accelerating the alignment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated alignment using neural networks is implemented, then work fatigue is reduced and productivity increases, but system complexity and initial setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a computer-based software system as an intermediary between the dental library models and oral scan data. This intermediary handles the complex neural network processing, landmark extraction, and alignment calculations, shielding users from the underlying complexity while delivering high productivity benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces simple manual alignment operations with a sophisticated automated system using neural networks and computational algorithms. While this increases system complexity, it also provides the productivity gains necessary for modern dental workflows, and the complexity is managed through specialized software that handles these tasks autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4239577B1Automated method for aligning three dimensional dental library model to three dimensional oral scan data and computer readable medium having program for performing the method
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 IMAGOWORKS INC
  • EP4239577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4239577B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4239577B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

An automated method for aligning a 3D dental library model to 3D oral scan data includes determining a valid tooth of the 3D oral scan data, extracting scan landmarks of the 3D oral scan data, loading a dental library model corresponding to the valid tooth of the 3D oral scan data, extracting library landmarks of the 3D dental library model, initial-aligning the 3D dental library model to the 3D oral scan data using the scan landmarks and the library landmarks and matching an individual tooth of the 3D dental library model and an individual tooth of the 3D oral scan data.