Dental Image Display Overlaying CT Root Canal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental surgeons face challenges in accurately visualizing and navigating root canals during treatments due to the inability of conventional optical camera images to display internal tooth structures, leading to potential misalignment and damage during root canal procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dental image display device and method that overlays two-dimensional visible light images of a tooth with two-dimensional information from three-dimensional data, such as X-ray CT or MRI scans, to clearly show the root canal's position and size on a single display, allowing for precise alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If CT image capturing is performed to obtain information on the root canal inside the tooth, then the position and size of the root canal orifice can be shown, but the operator needs to imagine synthesizing the CT image and the optical camera image three-dimensionally, making it difficult to accurately grasp the position of the root canal orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical camera image showing the tooth surface with the CT image showing internal root canal structures into a single synthesized display. The processing section superimposes the CT image data onto the optical camera image, allowing the operator to view both external and internal structures simultaneously without needing to mentally synthesize them separately. This merging of information sources directly resolves the contradiction by making internal root canal position information easily accessible while maintaining visual context of the tooth surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent projects three-dimensional CT image data onto a two-dimensional display plane that aligns with the optical camera image. By converting the 3D volumetric data into a 2D representation that can be directly overlaid on the surface image, the system enables intuitive visualization of internal structures without requiring the operator to mentally rotate or synthesize 3D information. This dimensional transformation makes internal root canal positioning accurate and straightforward.
2Device complexity
If only optical camera or microscope is used to capture tooth surface image, then the treatment can be performed with simple equipment, but the root canal or like inside the tooth cannot be observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the simple optical camera imaging system with CT imaging capabilities in a integrated display system. Rather than requiring separate complex equipment for surface and internal imaging, the system combines both information sources into a single unified display that shows tooth surface and internal root canal structures simultaneously. This approach maintains the simplicity of using an optical camera while adding internal structure visualization through digital integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processing section as an intermediary that receives data from both the optical camera and CT imaging devices, then synthesizes and displays the combined information. This intermediary processing unit acts as a bridge between the simple optical imaging system and the complex CT system, allowing both to work together without requiring direct physical integration. The processing section overlays CT-derived root canal information onto the optical image, enabling internal structure observation while maintaining equipment simplicity.
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
Enables accurate and safe root canal treatments by providing a clear visual representation of internal tooth structures, reducing the risk of misalignment and damage to healthy tooth areas.
Implementation Method 1
an X ray is directed toward a tooth which is a target of interest to collect projection data
Implementation Method 2
an image of a tooth is captured by an optical camera generally referred to as an 'intraoral camera' in a direction in which the articulation face is observed
Data Source
AI summary
According to a dental image display device, a dental surgical operation device, and a dental image display method, a 2D captured image of a tooth as a surgical operation target that is captured with visible light in an articulation face direction, and an articulation face direction converted 2D image obtained as a result of displaying 3D information, which is acquired on the tooth and includes information on a root canal inside the tooth, two-dimensionally on a predetermined plane in the articulation face direction, are displayed in correspondence with each other on a monitor.