CBCT Imaging of Dental Impressions for Digital 3D Model Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental imaging methods are labor-intensive, require multiple steps, and lack interactive functionality with diagnostic information, often resulting in errors and the need for multiple impressions, especially for applications like implant-supported crowns and orthodontic planning, which also risk precision and information loss due to the use of plaster casts.
Innovation Solution
A method using computed tomographic imaging to scan a negative dental impression with a radio-opaque transfer element, generating a digital 3D model that eliminates the need for plaster models, allowing for accurate digital manipulation and correction, and providing a combined model of the patient's teeth and transfer elements for implant, crown, and orthodontic planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional plaster cast methods are used to create dental study casts, then physical models of teeth and bite relationships can be obtained, but the process becomes labor-intensive, requires multiple steps, and increases the risk of errors and tolerance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information (teeth geometry and bite relationship) directly from the patient's mouth using an intraoral scanner, eliminating the intermediate plaster cast step. The scanner captures digital impressions and reconstructs 3D models directly, removing the complex manual processes of impression taking, pouring, and articulation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical plaster casting system with an optical scanning system. Instead of using physical impression materials, trays, and plaster, the system uses optical sensors to capture tooth surfaces and a computer to reconstruct 3D digital models, substituting mechanical processes with optical and computational methods.
2Loss of information
If multiple manual stages are used in conventional dental imaging, then comprehensive dental data can be collected, but errors and tolerance problems propagate from one step to the next
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary scanning of the teeth and bite relationship directly in the patient's mouth before any laboratory processing. The intraoral scanner captures all necessary geometric and positional data in a single session, establishing an accurate digital foundation that prevents error propagation in subsequent steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the patient's dentition and bite relationship through optical scanning. This digital model serves as a virtual replica that can be manipulated, analyzed, and used for treatment planning without physical handling, preserving information accuracy while eliminating manual copying errors.
3Reliability
If plaster study casts are used for implant planning and digital modeling, then baseline information can be obtained, but the process adds cost, delay, and risks potential loss of precision and information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts implant planning information directly from the digital scan data without requiring physical plaster casts. The 3D digital models provide all necessary baseline information for implant planning, eliminating the time-consuming steps of cast fabrication, transportation, and scanning while maintaining or improving data reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical plaster cast workflow with a digital workflow. The intraoral scanner captures data, software reconstructs 3D models, and clinicians plan treatments entirely in the digital domain, eliminating the time delays and potential precision losses associated with physical cast handling and multiple scanning steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional scanning methods are used on stone or plaster models, then digital models can be formed, but the extra step of forming physical casts adds cost and delay while risking potential loss of precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the digital modeling step directly from the impression-taking process. The intraoral scanner captures tooth geometry and bite relationship data in situ, allowing immediate digital model creation without the intermediate step of forming physical casts. This integration maintains precision while dramatically simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the impression-taking and digital modeling steps into a single integrated process. The intraoral scanner performs both functions simultaneously - capturing the dental impression and immediately processing it into a 3D digital model, eliminating the separate cast fabrication and scanning steps.
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
This approach reduces the complexity and labor of dental imaging by directly generating a digital 3D model from a single impression, enhancing accuracy and reducing the need for physical plaster models, while enabling precise planning and visualization for dental restorations.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining a plurality of projection images acquired by scanning a negative impression of the patient's teeth using a computed tomographic imaging apparatus
Implementation Method 2
forming a reconstructed volume from the plurality of projection images
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide the capability to determine a digital 3D model of a patient's teeth obtains projection images acquired by scanning a negative impression of the patient's teeth using a computed tomographic imaging apparatus, where the impression includes a radio-opaque transfer element for a dental implant or crown post. One exemplary method reconstructs, from the projection images, an air volume model within the reconstructed volume and bounded by a transition surface defined according to the negative impression. A transfer element volume model of the transfer element is defined, segmented from the air volume model and from the transition surface. A combined digital 3D model of the patient's teeth is formed according to the air volume model and transfer element volume model. At least a portion of the combined digital 3D model of the teeth is displayed.