AI-Based 3D Tooth-Part Identification for Dental Checkups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental checkup methods require practitioners to manually identify tooth types and parts, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to incorrect medical records.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus and method that utilizes AI technology to identify tooth types and parts using three-dimensional data, generating precise results that can be displayed and recorded electronically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a practitioner manually identifies tooth parts during dental checkup, then the examination can be performed with human judgment, but the checkup time increases and error rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidcheckup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the three-dimensional scanning device to automatically identify tooth parts without requiring practitioner intervention. The computing unit processes the scanned three-dimensional data and autonomously determines tooth part information, eliminating the time-consuming manual identification process while maintaining high accuracy through automated algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of practitioner identification with an automated computational system. The computing unit uses three-dimensional data processing and image generation to substitute human visual inspection and manual recording, thereby reducing checkup time while preserving identification reliability through systematic automated analysis.

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

2Ease of operation

If a practitioner manually identifies tooth parts, then flexibility in judgment is maintained, but identification precision decreases due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtooth part identification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating three-dimensional images and identifying tooth parts without practitioner intervention. This eliminates human error in identification while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system handles the complex analysis autonomously based on the scanned data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a three-dimensional digital copy of the tooth structure, which can be analyzed multiple times without degradation. This digital replica allows for precise automated measurement and identification, eliminating the variability inherent in manual human inspection while preserving the ability to re-examine the data if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated identification is implemented, then checkup time is reduced, but system complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The three-dimensional scanning device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a scanning apparatus and an automated identification system. The computing unit integrates multiple functions including data processing, three-dimensional image generation, and tooth part identification, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity through consolidated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computing unit as an intermediary between the scanning device and the output display. This intermediary handles the complex computational tasks of three-dimensional reconstruction and tooth part identification, allowing the physical scanning device to remain relatively simple while achieving high productivity through sophisticated intermediate processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4621794A1Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and data processing program
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 J MORITA MANUFACTURING CORP
  • EP4621794A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621794A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621794A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data processing apparatus includes: an input unit configured to acquire three-dimensional data including three-dimensional position information corresponding to each of a plurality of points representing a surface shape of intraoral objects including a tooth; a computing unit configured to perform a process for identifying each of a plurality of parts of the tooth, based on the three-dimensional data acquired by the input unit; and an output unit configured to output a result of the process performed by the computing unit.