3D Dental Simulation Using Segmented Occlusal Contact Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental diagnostic methods struggle to accurately determine dynamic occlusal contact between upper and lower tooth rows during functions like mastication, lacking precision and efficiency in measuring three-dimensional shapes and integrating jaw movement data for simulation display.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a jaw movement sensor, an impression plate with impression material, and a three-dimensional shape measuring instrument to acquire and display the three-dimensional shapes of upper and lower tooth rows, allowing for rapid data acquisition and simulation of occlusal contact regions by using a program that calculates distances between tooth surfaces efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional three-dimensional shape measuring methods are used to determine occlusal contact, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the measurement time becomes excessively long (1200 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tooth row surface into multiple small regions or patches. Instead of calculating distances between all points on the entire tooth surfaces, the system segments the surfaces and performs distance calculations only for corresponding points in each segmented region. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing the computational complexity and time from 1200 seconds to approximately 3 seconds.
2Measurement precision
If occluding paper or special sheets are inserted between teeth to determine occlusion, then stationary occlusion contact can be determined, but dynamic occlusion contact during mastication or bruxism cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion method (occluding paper, special sheets) with a digital three-dimensional measurement system. By capturing the actual three-dimensional shapes of the upper and lower tooth rows and performing computational distance calculations, the system can determine both stationary and dynamic occlusion contacts without physical interference. This substitution enables versatile measurement across different functional states including mastication and bruxism.
3Ease of manufacture
If current digitalization methods are used for tooth row shapes, then technical work can be performed digitally, but the occlusal position relationship with actual occlusion remains inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary three-dimensional shape measurement of the tooth rows before digital processing. By first capturing the actual geometric data of the upper and lower tooth rows using three-dimensional measurement instruments, and then using this data as the foundation for subsequent digital occlusion analysis, the system ensures that the digitalization process starts with accurate positional information. This preliminary measurement action guarantees that the occlusal position relationship in digital models accurately reflects the actual occlusion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for quickly acquiring three-dimensional shape data of upper and lower tooth rows. The present invention provides a method for calculating a distance between the upper and lower tooth rows at a high speed, from the three-dimensional shape data of the upper and lower tooth rows thus acquired. Based on technology behind the above methods, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for performing simulation display of the three-dimensional shapes and an occlusal contact region of the upper and lower tooth rows at a high speed. A jaw movement sensor 30 is fitted to an examinee, and jaw movement data 35 on jaw movement of the examinee is acquired. An impression plate 20 including a rigid flat plate having a top surface and a bottom surface each coated with an impression material is inserted between upper and lower tooth rows of the examinee to which the jaw movement sensor 30 is fitted, and the examinee is guided to perform a temporary occlusion. Impressions left on the impression material 20 and a gauge mark provided on the rigid flat plate are measured by using a three-dimensional shape measuring instrument 25, whereby the three-dimensional shape data of the upper and lower tooth rows and gauge mark data are acquired. Simulation display of movement of the upper and lower tooth rows and occlusal contact regions of the examinee is performed based on the three-dimensional shape data of the upper and lower tooth rows and the gauge mark data, and jaw position data at a time of temporary occlusion and the jaw movement data.