Digital Artificial Teeth Design for Occlusal Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing artificial teeth are labor-intensive, costly, and inefficient, often resulting in poor aesthetics and functional issues due to the ambiguity of occlusal angles and the need for extensive hand-crafted tooth forms to accommodate diverse patient needs.
Innovation Solution
A method for digitally designing artificial teeth using 3D digital models, where the occlusal surface of posterior teeth is modified by adjusting the occlusal depth while maintaining the sub-occlusal surface unchanged, allowing for consistent and efficient production of teeth that fit various occlusal schemes, using computer-aided design and virtual dental articulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hand-crafted physical tooth forms are used to accommodate diverse occlusal schemes, then adaptability to patient needs is improved, but labor intensity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the occlusal angle parameter (ranging from 0 to 40 degrees) in digital tooth form designs. This allows a single digital base model to generate multiple tooth forms with different occlusal characteristics, accommodating diverse patient needs without requiring separate hand-crafted physical models for each variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying and replication of tooth form models. A master digital tooth form is created once and then copied/modified to produce multiple variations with different occlusal angles. This digital copying process eliminates the need to hand-craft each tooth form individually, significantly reducing labor intensity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of physical tooth forms with different occlusal angles are hand-crafted, then versatility for diverse patients is improved, but time and labor investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-designing a comprehensive digital library of tooth forms with various occlusal angles (0-40 degrees) and morphological variations before actual patient treatment. When a patient needs assessment is complete, the appropriate pre-designed digital model can be quickly selected and customized, eliminating the time-consuming process of hand-crafting tooth forms from scratch for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal digital base models that can serve multiple functions and be adapted to different patients. A single digital tooth form library contains models that can accommodate various occlusal schemes and patient anatomies, allowing one digital model to replace multiple hand-crafted physical model sets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional digital methods modify entire tooth forms, then design flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision of occlusal surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tooth form into distinct regions: the occlusal surface and the sub-occlusal body. Only the occlusal surface geometry is modified to achieve different occlusal angles and contact patterns, while the sub-occlusal portion remains unchanged. This segmented approach maintains the precision of the critical occlusal surface while providing flexibility in occlusal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying modifications only to specific local regions of the tooth form - specifically the occlusal third - while leaving the remaining structure intact. This allows precise control over occlusal characteristics without compromising the overall tooth form integrity or requiring redesign of the entire tooth, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision where it matters most.
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to methods for digitally designing artificial teeth for use in a dental prosthesis and/or dental restoration. Methods of designing natural-looking, functional artificial teeth, based on computer-aided design, utilize reference dentition articulated in a predetermined occlusal scheme as a basis for effective design. In particular, the occlusal surfaces of posterior artificial teeth are designed in a digital environment to provide effective, consistent functional set-up and performance, especially across a variety of occlusal schemes, in the preparation of dental prostheses.