Orthodontic Aligner Cavities for Un-Erupted Tooth Shape Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic aligners struggle to accurately predict the shape of un-erupted or partially erupted teeth, leading to discomfort and potential interference with tooth eruption, as they often use generic tooth shapes that do not resemble the actual tooth morphology.
Innovation Solution
The use of 3D descriptors and automated agents to identify representative tooth shapes based on anatomical identifiers, allowing for the creation of virtual 3D tooth models that can guide the design of orthodontic appliances with customized cavities that accommodate un-erupted teeth without interfering with their eruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional generic tooth shapes are used in orthodontic aligners, then the design process is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the aligners cause discomfort and may interfere with tooth eruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the future shape of un-erupted teeth before the aligner is manufactured. Using 3D descriptors and automated agents, the system anticipates the erupted tooth morphology and incorporates this information into the aligner design in advance, preventing discomfort and eruption interference before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of tooth shape representation from generic standardized forms to patient-specific predicted shapes. By transforming the tooth shape parameters based on individual anatomical identifiers and 3D descriptors, the system creates customized cavities that match the actual erupted tooth morphology, eliminating discomfort while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Productivity
If generic tooth shapes are used for un-erupted teeth, then the design process is faster and simpler, but the tooth shape prediction accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual tooth shape prediction methods with an automated computational system using 3D descriptors and machine learning-based automated agents. This substitution maintains high design speed while dramatically improving prediction accuracy, as the automated system can process anatomical identifiers and generate precise tooth shape predictions without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates accurate virtual copies of the future erupted tooth shape by analyzing anatomical identifiers and existing tooth data. These virtual 3D models serve as precise templates for designing the aligner cavities, enabling fast reproduction of accurate tooth shapes without manual intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional generic tooth shape cavities are used, then manufacturing is easier, but the cavities do not resemble actual tooth morphology
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing the cavity shape to match the specific anatomical characteristics of each patient's teeth. Rather than using a uniform generic shape for all teeth, the system generates location-specific, tooth-type-specific cavity geometries that reflect the actual morphology of each erupted tooth, while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The example systems, methods, and/or computer-readable media described herein help with design of highly accurate models of un-erupted or partially erupted teeth and help fabricate of aligners for un-erupted or partially erupted teeth. Automated agents that use machine learning models to parametrically represent three-dimensional (3d) virtual representations of teeth as 3D descriptors in a 3D descriptor space are provided herein. In some implementations, the automated agents described herein provide instructions to fabricate aligners for at least partially un-erupted teeth using representative 3D descriptor(s) of a tooth type.