Buccal Corridor Computation for Orthodontic Aligners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic procedures lack effective methods to improve the buccal corridor, an aesthetic criterion that affects the appearance of a patient's smile by adjusting the visible tooth angle and spacing between the buccal side of the teeth and the cheeks or lips.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and apparatuses, including software, to assess and improve a patient's buccal corridor by adjusting the visible tooth angle symmetrically and determining a treatment plan for orthodontic aligners to incrementally move teeth and optimize the buccal corridor width and area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional orthodontic procedures are used without buccal corridor assessment, then tooth alignment can be achieved, but the aesthetic appearance of the smile is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the buccal corridor using digital imaging and computational geometry before treatment planning. It calculates the buccal corridor width and area, determines optimal tooth positions, and generates treatment plans in advance, allowing the orthodontist to achieve both precise alignment and aesthetic optimization from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by visually displaying the calculated buccal corridor dimensions, generating before-and-after simulations, and allowing iterative adjustment of treatment plans. This feedback mechanism enables the orthodontist to refine the treatment plan to achieve optimal aesthetic results while maintaining alignment precision
2Ease of manufacture
If the visible tooth angle is adjusted to improve buccal corridor, then aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but the treatment plan complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan is segmented into multiple stages with specific objectives for each stage. The system divides the complex task of adjusting visible tooth angle into incremental steps, calculating optimal positions for different tooth groups (canines, premolars, molars) separately and then integrating them into a coordinated treatment sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts multiple parameters including tooth position coordinates, visible tooth angle, buccal corridor width, and treatment duration. It optimizes these parameters through computational algorithms to achieve aesthetic goals while managing treatment complexity through automated parameter optimization rather than manual adjustment of each parameter
3Manufacturing precision
If orthodontic aligners are used to adjust tooth position, then buccal corridor can be improved, but the treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary computational assessment and treatment planning before actual treatment begins. By pre-calculating optimal tooth positions, determining the sequence of aligner stages, and simulating treatment outcomes, the system creates an efficient treatment roadmap that minimizes unnecessary treatment time while ensuring buccal corridor optimization is achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment plan uses a continuous sequence of orthodontic aligners that progressively adjust tooth positions. Each aligner stage builds upon the previous one, maintaining continuous useful action toward the aesthetic goal without interruption or unnecessary delays, thereby optimizing the treatment duration
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for improving a patient's buccal corridor, including developing treatment plans and/or appliances to improve and enhance buccal corridor. Also described herein are methods of treating a patient's teeth to enhance the patient's buccal corridor.