Dental Arch Contour Modification via Freehand Line Drawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for modifying dental arch contour curves in dental treatment planning are inefficient, requiring point-by-point input which is slow and cumbersome, especially when designing restorations for upper or lower teeth arches.
Innovation Solution
A method allowing users to intuitively modify visible teeth arch contour curves by drawing lines on a display, where the drawn line determines the new shape of the curve, with the system projecting and deforming the three-dimensional model accordingly, enabling quick visualization of modifications to incisal or gingiva border curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If point-by-point input method is used to modify dental arch contour curves, then modification precision can be achieved, but the operation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical point-by-point input method with a freehand drawing interface where users can sketch contour curves directly on the display. This substitution transforms the modification process from discrete point selection to continuous line drawing, dramatically reducing operation time while maintaining precision through digital smoothing algorithms that process the drawn lines into accurate contour curves.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional modification methods are used, then accuracy can be maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome point-by-point input
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical point-input devices with a touch-based freehand drawing interface, allowing users to naturally sketch contour curves as if drawing on paper. The digital processing system then converts these intuitive drawings into precise mathematical representations of the desired tooth arch contours, combining ease of operation with curve accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that acts as a mediator between the user's freehand drawing and the final precise contour curve. This intermediary system includes algorithms that smooth, refine, and mathematically process the drawn lines, transforming rough user input into accurate dental arch representations without requiring the user to manually precise-point each location.
3Shape
If detailed point-by-point modification is performed, then shape accuracy improves, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step point-input mechanisms with a simple freehand drawing interface. The system complexity is shifted from the user interaction layer to the background processing layer, where automated algorithms handle the conversion of drawn lines into precise contour curves, maintaining shape accuracy while simplifying the user-facing interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer implemented method for modifying a digital three-dimensional model (3) of a dentition comprising:displaying an image of the dentition by applying a virtual camera to the three-dimensional model to render the image for a display (1);acquiring a line drawn by a user on the image on the display (1);projecting the acquired line, using the virtual camera (4), to a three-dimensional projection surface (7) approximating the shape of the dental arches and extending the upper and lower dental arches to cover any opening therebetween;obtaining visible teeth arch contour curves, namely incisal curve and gingiva border curve, of the upper and lower teeth arches, and projecting the teeth arch contour curves to the projection surface;selecting one of the teeth arch contour curves as teeth arch contour curve to be modified and selecting the other teeth arch contour curve of the same teeth arch or a curve derived therefrom as a baseline curve;deforming all teeth belonging to the selected contour curve to be modified along the projected line in the three-dimensional model of the dentition in a length direction such that at least parts of the selected contour curve to be modified, after deformation and projection to the projection surface, coincide with the projected line and any remaining parts of the selected contour curve to be modified are located between the projected line and the baseline curve, whereas the baseline curve remains unaffected by the deformation.