Dental Prosthetic Margin Imaging via Soft Tissue Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental prosthetic impression techniques face challenges in accurately capturing the preparation margin due to interference from soft gingival tissue, leading to ill-fitting prosthetics and potential complications such as infection or tooth shifting.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the registration of 3D dental impression image data with 3D x-ray image data to remove soft tissue interference, allowing for precise imaging and production of dental prosthetics by distinguishing and removing soft tissue data from the impression images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If packing cord is used to displace gingival tissue, then the preparation margin becomes exposed, but the process becomes time-consuming and causes patient pain and potential gingival damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation margin exposureVSAvoidretraction process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes soft tissue from the digital impression data using image processing algorithms, separating the soft tissue components from the hard tooth structure in the 3D scan. This digital extraction eliminates the need for physical retraction methods while preserving the preparation margin geometry for prosthetic fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical retraction methods (packing cord, retraction paste) with a digital image processing system that uses algorithms to identify and remove soft tissue from optical scans. This substitution eliminates mechanical intervention in the gingival tissue while achieving the same goal of exposing the preparation margin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If packing cord is used to displace gingival tissue, then the preparation margin becomes exposed, but significant patient pain and irreversible gingival damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation margin exposureVSAvoidpatient pain and gingival damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical retraction methods that cause tissue trauma with a non-contact optical scanning and digital image processing system. The system captures 3D data and uses algorithms to differentiate and remove soft tissue, eliminating mechanical stress on the gingiva while accurately exposing the preparation margin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the oral cavity using optical scanning, then processes this digital replica to remove soft tissue. This copying approach allows examination and measurement of the preparation margin without physical contact with or damage to the actual gingival tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If gingival retraction paste is used, then temporary tissue separation is achieved, but the retraction is not permanent and tissue rebounds to interfere with the impression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation margin exposureVSAvoidretraction duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts soft tissue from the digital impression data through image processing, creating a permanent digital separation between soft and hard tissues. This digital extraction achieves lasting exposure of the preparation margin without the temporary nature of chemical retraction pastes that allow tissue rebound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes chemical retraction methods with digital image processing that permanently separates soft tissue from the preparation margin in the digital model. The algorithmic removal of soft tissue components creates a stable, non-rebounding exposure suitable for accurate prosthetic fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8897526B2Method, system, and computer-readable medium for uncovering and planning an accurate dental preparation

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH CORP LEGAL

AI summary

A procedure for creating a dental prosthetic includes registering three-dimensional (3D) dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site, and removing image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data. A system for producing a dental prosthetic includes at least one processor operable to register 3D dental impression image data of a tooth restoration site and 3D x-ray image data of the tooth restoration site and remove image data corresponding to soft tissue in the tooth restoration site from the 3D dental impression image data.