Digital Tooth Arch Line Adjustment for Precise Orthodontic Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthodontic treatment plans face challenges in providing precise prosthetic treatments due to errors in manufacturing plaster casts, and there is a need for methods to modify treatment plans based on individual patient needs by adjusting tooth data.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method and device that generate a second arch line different from a pre-generated first arch line, allowing target teeth to be moved in buccal and mesial directions to align tooth data precisely, using virtual lines to determine the shortest distance and parallel movement without rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If plaster cast manufacturing is used to obtain oral cavity information, then traditional orthodontic treatment can be performed, but manufacturing errors reduce precision of the treatment product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of oral cavity informationVSAvoidreliability of treatment product
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical plaster cast copying with digital 3D scanning copying. Instead of manually creating physical models that introduce manufacturing errors, the system creates digital copies of the oral cavity through scanning, eliminating manual manufacturing errors and improving precision throughout the treatment planning process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical plaster cast manufacturing system with a digital scanning and data processing system. The mechanical processes of impression taking and model creation are replaced by optical scanning and computational geometry operations, eliminating mechanical errors and enabling precise digital manipulation of tooth arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard arch line generation is used, then treatment planning can proceed, but individual patient needs cannot be adequately addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization of treatment planVSAvoidcomplexity of arch line modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the arch line into multiple controllable points that can be independently adjusted. By dividing the continuous arch line curve into discrete control points, the system enables localized modifications to accommodate individual patient needs while maintaining overall arch integrity, making customization more adaptable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static arch line into a dynamic structure that can be flexibly modified. The arch line becomes adjustable and reconfigurable through digital manipulation of control points, allowing the treatment plan to adapt to individual patient requirements without being constrained by a fixed predetermined form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If tooth data is moved along the arch line, then treatment plan modification is achieved, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of treatment plan modificationVSAvoidcomplexity of calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual lines as intermediary elements that simplify tooth movement calculations. Instead of directly computing complex three-dimensional tooth repositioning, the system uses virtual lines connecting teeth to the arch line as mediators, reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy in treatment plan modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calculations to establish virtual lines and determine movement directions before actual tooth repositioning. By pre-calculating the geometric relationships and movement vectors, the system simplifies subsequent tooth movement operations and reduces overall computational complexity during treatment plan implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If conventional tooth arrangement methods are used, then basic alignment is achieved, but precise positioning without overlapping or gaps is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of tooth positioningVSAvoidtime for iteration and adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect and correct tooth positioning errors. The system continuously monitors tooth positions relative to the arch line and adjacent teeth, providing real-time feedback to prevent overlapping and gaps, eliminating the need for iterative manual adjustments and reducing time loss while improving positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4238530B1Data processing method and data processing device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 MEDIT CORP
  • EP4238530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4238530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4238530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a data processing method and a data processing device. The data processing method, according to the present disclosure, comprises: generating, based on tooth data, a first arch line which is a spline curve in contact with contours of a plurality of teeth constituting the tooth data; generating, from the first arch line, a second arch line that is different from the first arch line; and moving a target tooth, which is to be moved, among the tooth data toward the second arch line according to an input signal of a user.