AR Dental Tool Feedback for Real-Time Plaque Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental tools lack the capability to provide real-time visual feedback and analysis of oral health conditions, such as plaque, gum color changes, tooth movement, and potential respiratory issues, limiting user awareness and professional intervention.

Innovation Solution

A video toothbrush equipped with a camera, UV light, and image analysis modules that transmit video to a mobile device for real-time analysis and augmentation, including plaque detection, gum color monitoring, tooth movement tracking, and respiratory condition assessment, with overlay information on the display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional dental tools are used, then the device complexity is low, but the information feedback capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral health information feedbackVSAvoiddental tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single dental tool: a camera for capturing oral images, a UV light for plaque detection, and a processing system for real-time analysis. This merging of components enables comprehensive oral health monitoring while maintaining ease of use through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback by analyzing captured images, detecting plaque accumulation and oral conditions, then providing immediate visual feedback through augmented reality overlays on a mobile device. This closed-loop feedback enables users to see their oral health status instantly and adjust brushing accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If real-time video analysis is implemented, then the measurement precision of oral health conditions is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaque detection accuracyVSAvoidvideo processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads oral health reference data and detection algorithms into the mobile device before use. This preliminary preparation enables rapid real-time analysis of captured images without requiring complex cloud processing, thus maintaining high measurement precision while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or laboratory-based oral analysis systems with digital image processing and computer vision algorithms. This substitution enables precise plaque detection and oral condition monitoring through software-based analysis of standard video feeds, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detection functions are added, then the versatility of the dental tool is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoral health monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dental tool is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating a camera for general oral imaging, a UV light for specific plaque detection, and an AI processing system that can analyze multiple oral conditions simultaneously. This universal design enables the single device to perform diverse functions including cavity detection, gum health monitoring, and plaque tracking without requiring multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users and healthcare providers to receive immediate feedback on oral health, facilitating better hygiene practices and timely professional intervention, enhancing oral health management.

Implementation Method 1

one or more lights, such as white LEDs, or the like, may further be used to illuminate the dental instrument insert 504 and/or the patient's oral cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

analyzing the video to determine a quantity of plaque

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence detection: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20260076529A1Augmented reality display for a dental tool

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 ONVI INC

AI summary

A dental tool system includes a dental tool having a camera, a UV light, and a working implement. The system also includes associated software that receives a video of the user's teeth captured by the dental tool camera, analyzes the video to determine a quantity of plaque on the plurality of teeth, superimposes icons at unclean locations so the icons are visible to the user in a substantially real-time display of the user's teeth and removes the icons after the user sufficiently brushes the unclean locations.