Automated Dental Appliance Modeling via Patient Anatomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for designing dental appliances are time-consuming and dependent on the skill of technicians, as they require manual editing of electronic models to fit accurately on patient-specific anatomy, which can lead to inefficiencies and suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates electronic models of dental appliances based on patient-specific anatomy and statistical data, using a management system to monitor automated and interactive processes, allowing for efficient design and fabrication of customized dental appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual editing of electronic models is used to fit dental appliances to patient anatomy, then customization and fit accuracy are improved, but design time and skill dependency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy (electronic model) of the patient's preparation site and surrounding anatomy through scanning or imaging. This digital replica can be manipulated and modified without physical constraints, allowing automated algorithms to generate the appliance design based on the copied geometry, thereby reducing manual editing time while maintaining fit accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts geometric parameters of the appliance design based on input from the electronic model of the preparation site. By changing parameters such as appliance shape, size, and orientation through automated calculations rather than manual editing, the system achieves accurate fit while significantly reducing design time and skill dependency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual editing of electronic models is used to design dental appliances, then customization is improved, but technician skill dependency and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the electronic model and automated algorithms to generate the appliance design independently without requiring skilled technicians to manually edit the model. The automated process adapts the design to patient anatomy through computer-based calculations, reducing both skill dependency and process complexity while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/manual process of technician-based model editing with an automated computer-based system. This substitution eliminates the need for manual manipulation of electronic models and replaces it with algorithm-driven design generation, thereby reducing process complexity and skill requirements while preserving customization.
3Productivity
If standard electronic models from image libraries are used, then design speed is improved, but fit accuracy and patient-specific customization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by generating the appliance design specifically tailored to the local geometry of the patient's preparation site and surrounding anatomy. Rather than using a generic standard model, the automated process adapts the design to match the unique local characteristics of each patient's oral structure, ensuring optimal fit accuracy while maintaining efficient design speed through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic models of components of dental appliances can be generated based on the outer surface of an electronic model of the dental appliance. The outer surface may be generated based on the dentition and anatomy of the patient. For example, automated processes may identify landmarks in the anatomy and define the outer surface based on the identified landmarks. Alternatively, the outer surface may be generated based on statistical data. A management system coordinates automated processes with interactive processes to facilitate collaboration of remotely located technicians and equipment in generating electronic models.