Automated Dental Margin Line Detection via 3D Scan Intersection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CAD software for dental restoration design requires manual setting of the restoration margin line, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when designing digital restorations for unprepared teeth.

Innovation Solution

A method that automates the process of setting the restoration margin line by deriving it from the intersection of digital 3D representations of unprepared teeth and digital teeth anatomies, allowing for minimal manual interaction, using computer-implemented algorithms to create a digital restoration design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual setting of restoration margin line is used, then precision of margin line placement is improved, but time consumption and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration margin line placement precisionVSAvoidtime consumption for design process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic margin line detection and restoration design generation without requiring manual user input for these tasks. The computer-implemented algorithms autonomously process the 3D dental data to identify margin lines and create restoration designs, eliminating the need for operators to manually trace or define these critical geometric features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (using mouse to mark points, manually tracing margin lines) with automated computer vision algorithms and image processing techniques. The system uses digital image analysis to automatically detect margin lines from 3D dental scans, substituting human manual operations with automated computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual setting of restoration margin line is used, then flexibility in handling complex cases is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling flexibility for complex dental casesVSAvoidoperational simplicity of CAD software

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously handles complex margin line detection and restoration design generation without requiring user expertise or manual intervention. The algorithms automatically adapt to different dental anatomies and restoration types, performing what would traditionally require skilled manual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system provides a universal solution that handles various types of dental restorations (crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays) and different dental conditions through the same algorithmic framework. The system universally applies margin line detection and restoration design generation across diverse clinical scenarios without requiring separate manual procedures for each case type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated algorithms are used, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration design creation speedVSAvoidrestoration margin line accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sophisticated computer vision algorithms and image processing techniques to automatically detect margin lines with high precision. These computational methods analyze 3D dental scan data to identify margin line locations accurately, replacing manual measurement methods while maintaining or improving precision through automated image analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates accurate digital copies of the actual dental anatomy from 3D scans, then uses these digital models to precisely identify margin lines and generate restoration designs. The digital reproduction of dental structures allows for precise automated measurement and design without sacrificing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10743968B2Creating a digital restoration design

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 3SHAPE AS

AI summary

A method, a system and a user interface for creating a digital restoration design for the manufacture of a dental restoration for one or more of a patient's teeth where minimal manual interaction is required when setting the restoration margin line includes obtaining a digital 3D representation of the patient's unprepared teeth; obtaining a set of one or more digital teeth anatomies; arranging the digital teeth anatomies and the digital 3D representation according to a preferred relative arrangement and creating a digital restoration design including a restoration margin line, where the restoration margin line is derived at least partly from an intersection of the digital 3D representation and the digital teeth anatomies.