3D Dental Preparation Model Hole Closure via Angle-Based Extrapolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional digital preparation models of teeth often contain holes in the bottom section due to incomplete or erroneous scan data, which hinder their use for planning dental restoration elements and may require repeated scans without guarantee of improvement.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method to close holes in the bottom section of a three-dimensional digital preparation model by determining a preparation angle and extrapolating the bottom section using this angle, ensuring a stepless edge for accurate scanning and completion of the model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scan data is acquired to create a three-dimensional digital preparation model, then the model can be used for planning dental restoration elements, but holes may appear in the bottom section due to incomplete or erroneous scan data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of holes in the bottom section before final model completion, identifying areas with incomplete scan data. By detecting holes early and applying extrapolation based on preparation angles, the system proactively completes the model rather than waiting for repeat scans, thus resolving the contradiction between model reliability and information loss.
2Loss of information
If the bottom section is scanned to ensure complete data acquisition, then model completeness improves, but scanning accuracy deteriorates due to the challenging geometry of the bottom section
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing scan data and geometric relationships within the model itself to automatically complete missing areas. By calculating preparation angles from available data and extrapolating to fill holes, the method makes the system self-sufficient, eliminating the need for challenging repeat scans of the bottom section while maintaining model completeness.
3Reliability
If repeated scans are performed to improve model quality, then data completeness may increase, but time consumption increases and there is no guarantee of improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical scanning process with a computational method. Instead of physically rescanning the bottom section (mechanical action), the system uses algorithms to detect holes, calculate preparation angles, and extrapolate missing geometry (computational action). This substitution eliminates time-consuming repeat scans while reliably improving model quality through automated completion.
4Extent of automation
If the preparation angle is used to extrapolate the bottom section, then holes can be automatically closed, but the method requires accurate determination of the preparation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to ensure accurate preparation angle determination. By continuously refining the angle calculation based on detected geometric features and validating the extrapolation results against the overall model geometry, the system maintains high precision in the preparation angle measurement, enabling reliable automatic completion while preserving measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for closing one or more holes in a bottom section of a three-dimensional digital preparation model of a preparation of a tooth. The tooth is prepared for receiving a dental restoration element with a lower limit of the bottom section of the preparation being prepared in form of a stepless edge. The method comprises receiving the three-dimensional digital preparation model of the prepared tooth. One or more holes of the three-dimensional digital preparation model to be closed are detected within the bottom section. A preparation angle used for preparing the bottom section is determined and the detected one or more holes are closed. The closing comprises an extrapolation of the bottom section into the holes using the determined preparation angle.