Dental Aligner Planning via Crown-Root Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic treatments for dental alignment fail to consider the impact of root movements and surrounding tissue conditions, leading to potential root collisions, bone damage, and sub-optimal tooth movement due to ignoring the root environment and varying bone densities.
Innovation Solution
A dental image processing protocol that classifies and segments medical images to generate a 3D model of teeth and surrounding tissues, determining metrics for bone characteristics and tooth movements, allowing for the fabrication of dental aligners that account for the unique periodontal bone density and thickness of each patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional braces or clear aligners are used to gradually move teeth crowns to desired positions, then aesthetic and functional outcomes are improved, but root collisions and bone damage occur due to ignoring root movements and surrounding tissue conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tooth into two distinct parts: the crown and the root. By separately modeling and simulating the movement of each part, the system can independently analyze crown positioning for aesthetics and function while simultaneously evaluating root movement trajectories to prevent collisions with adjacent roots and surrounding bone structures. This segmentation allows the treatment plan to address both aesthetic goals and safety constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a 3D finite element model as an intermediary computational representation that bridges the gap between desired crown positions and actual feasible tooth movements. This virtual model incorporates surrounding soft and hard tissues, allowing the system to simulate and evaluate the complex interaction between moving teeth and surrounding structures before actual treatment, thereby preventing harmful effects.
2Manufacturing precision
If crown position is determined based on aesthetic and functional ideals, then aesthetic and functional outcomes are improved, but the impact of root movement and root environment is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources and modeling approaches into a unified 3D finite element model. This includes combining crown geometry, root morphology, surrounding soft tissue structures, and hard tissue (bone) density information into a single integrated computational model. By merging these elements, the system preserves and utilizes information about the root environment and bone characteristics while determining precise crown positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates variable bone density parameters into the finite element model, allowing the simulation to account for heterogeneous bone characteristics throughout the jaw structure. The system adjusts movement predictions based on local bone density variations, ensuring that crown positioning precision is achieved while respecting the mechanical constraints imposed by different bone regions.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform tooth movement is applied without considering individual bone density variations, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but sub-optimal tooth movement occurs due to ignoring varying bone densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different mechanical properties and resistance parameters to different regions of the bone based on their local density characteristics. The finite element model divides the bone into multiple elements with varying properties, allowing the simulation to predict that teeth in dense bone regions will move more slowly or require different forces compared to teeth in less dense regions. This local differentiation optimizes treatment effectiveness while maintaining a unified computational approach.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a dental image processing protocol for the design of dental aligners. Specifically, the dental image processing protocol aids in the determination of tooth movements during realignment, based on an initial position and a final position, and on characteristics of the periodontal environment. Therefore, planned tooth movements reflect both crown movement and root movement within biological structures of the alveolar process.