Dental Restoration Design Using Virtual Tooth Library Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CAD/CAM dentistry methods are inefficient, requiring extensive time and limiting their use to larger dental laboratories, whereas advancements in software and imaging technologies have made it possible to achieve faster and more conservative dental restoration processes, particularly in chairside applications where immediate prostheses are needed.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for designing dental restorations involves providing a virtual three-dimensional representation of a patient's dentition, identifying preparation margins, aligning a virtual tooth library, and proposing an initial restoration design, which can be modified and used to manufacture the final restoration using intraoral scanning systems and milling machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional CAD/CAM dentistry methods are used, then dental restorations can be produced, but the process requires an inordinate amount of time and is limited to larger dental laboratories
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the dental restoration workflow into distinct modular components: intraoral scanning module, virtual tooth library module, design module, and milling module. Each module operates independently but integrates seamlessly, allowing the system to be implemented in smaller dental offices rather than requiring complete centralized laboratory systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying of tooth structures through intraoral scanning to create virtual models, replacing physical impressions and models. The virtual tooth library contains digital copies of standard tooth forms that can be rapidly applied and modified, significantly reducing the time required for restoration design compared to conventional manual methods.
2Loss of time
If conventional dental restoration processes are used, then restorations can be produced, but temporaries must be placed for one to several weeks while a dental laboratory produces the restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dental practitioners to perform restoration design and manufacturing in-house using integrated CAD/CAM equipment, eliminating the need to outsource to external dental laboratories. The practitioner can complete the entire workflow from scanning to milling within the dental office, reducing patient waiting time from weeks to hours or minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary design actions by automatically generating restoration designs based on the scanned tooth geometry and virtual tooth library matching. This preliminary design can be rapidly iterated and refined, allowing multiple design options to be evaluated before final manufacturing, all within the same appointment.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional tooth preparation methods are used, then restorations can be fitted, but significant tooth structure must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces conventional mechanical trial-and-fit methods with digital measurement and simulation. The intraoral scanner captures precise digital impressions, and the CAD software performs virtual try-ins to ensure optimal fit before any material is removed or restoration is fabricated. This digital approach allows for more conservative tooth preparation while maintaining precise restoration fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of restoration design parameters such as thickness, contour, and material properties in the digital environment. This enables optimization of the restoration design to achieve proper fit and function with minimal tooth structure removal, as the design can be iteratively refined based on digital simulations rather than requiring multiple physical trial appointments.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods of designing dental restorations and systems for performing the described methods are provided. In an embodiment, a method includes providing a virtual three dimensional representation of at least a portion of the patient's dentition that includes at least one preparation tooth, identifying a preparation margin on the virtual three dimensional representation, placing an arch form of a virtual tooth library in alignment with the virtual three dimensional representation, and proposing an initial restoration design based upon a tooth design obtained from the virtual tooth library.