Dynamic Gingival Attachment Point Modeling for Orthodontic Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental appliances struggle to accommodate changes in gingival tissue due to orthodontic tooth movement, oral hygiene, periodontal surgery, and dental eruption, leading to reduced fit and performance over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for dynamically modeling and remodeling virtual gingival tissue using gingival attachment points, rather than static gingival lines, to create orthodontic appliances that adapt to changing tissue contours, ensuring accurate fit and improved aesthetics and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a static gingival line model is used for appliance design, then the appliance can be manufactured with a fixed configuration, but the appliance fit deteriorates as gingival tissue changes during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static gingival line model to a dynamic gingival attachment point model. The gingival attachment point is defined at the base of the gingival pocket and remains relatively stable during treatment, while the gingival line changes. This allows the appliance configuration to adapt dynamically to tissue changes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through predetermined attachment point locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reference parameter from the gingival line (which changes during treatment) to the gingival attachment point (which remains relatively stable). By measuring pocket depth from the gingival line to establish the attachment point location, and using this attachment point as the reference for appliance design, the system maintains reliable fit despite tissue changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the appliance is designed to fit the initial gingival contour, then the initial fit is accurate, but the appliance becomes misaligned as teeth move and gingiva remodels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the gingival attachment point locations based on initial pocket depth measurements before treatment begins. These attachment points are established as fixed reference points for appliance design, allowing the appliance to be manufactured with precise fit while inherently accounting for expected tissue changes during treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback by using pocket depth measurements to establish the relationship between the gingival line and attachment points. This feedback mechanism allows the system to account for tissue changes and adjust the appliance design accordingly, maintaining adaptability while ensuring precise initial fit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gingival attachment points are used instead of gingival lines, then the model can accommodate tissue changes, but the complexity of measuring and establishing attachment points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the gingival pocket depth as an intermediary measurement to bridge the gingival line and the gingival attachment point. By measuring the pocket depth from the easily accessible gingival line to establish the attachment point location, the system simplifies the process of determining attachment points while maintaining model adaptability to tissue changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are provided for modeling gingiva. One method embodiment includes scanning a patient's teeth and gums, or a physical model thereof, to obtain location data, developing a digital model via a computing device, where the model represents a dentition and gingiva from the location data, defining in the model a gingival line at an intersection between at least one tooth and at least a portion of its surrounding gums, measuring a gingival pocket depth at a number of reference locations, and establishing in the model one or more gingival attachment points at the pocket depth from the gingival line.