Automatic Dental Feature Detection Using 3D Height Maps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic bracket placement techniques face challenges in accessing optimal surfaces for severely crowded teeth or obstructed areas, leading to inaccuracies and prolonged procedures due to difficulty in visualizing bracket positions and minimizing moisture contamination.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system for automatic detection of dental features like cusps, ridges, and grooves using 3D data projection into a 2D plane, forming a height map, and detecting specific points to improve accuracy and efficiency in orthodontic treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual bracket placement techniques are used, then the orthodontist can directly apply brackets to teeth, but the precision of bracket placement deteriorates due to difficulty in visualizing the bonding surface and determining optimal positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the patient's dentition through scanning, allowing virtual visualization and measurement of bonding surfaces. This digital replica enables precise bracket positioning to be planned and simulated before actual placement, eliminating the need to physically access and visualize difficult-to-reach teeth during the bonding procedure.
2Productivity
If the orthodontist manually positions brackets on obstructed teeth, then bracket application can proceed, but the time required for the procedure increases due to difficulty in visualizing and accessing the bonding surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary digital planning of bracket positions on a 3D scan of the patient's teeth before the actual bonding procedure. All measurements, visualizations, and position adjustments are completed in advance using the digital model, so that when the actual bracket placement occurs, the orthodontist can simply follow the pre-determined positions without time-consuming visual assessment during the procedure.
3Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of dental features is performed, then the orthodontist can assess tooth anatomy, but the accuracy deteriorates due to human error and the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement process with an automated digital system. The 3D scan data is processed by computer algorithms that automatically identify and measure dental features such as cusps, ridges, and grooves. This substitution of manual measurement with automated digital analysis eliminates human error and significantly reduces the time required for evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for automatic detection of dental features, such as cusps, ridges, and grooves, are disclosed. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method for automatic detection of dental features for an occlusal surface of a patient's tooth comprises receiving three dimensional data for the tooth's occlusal surface, projecting the three dimensional data into a two dimensional plane, forming a height map from the projected three dimensional data, and detecting a set of points from the height map.