Intraoral Scanning for Dental Preparation Surface Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental prosthesis preparation methods often require additional appointments due to fit issues, leading to costly and time-consuming adjustments, and may result in unnecessary removal of healthy tissue to ensure a proper fit.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for evaluating a dental preparation surface using intraoral scanning and 3D modeling to assess attainable and minimum thicknesses, allowing adjustments to be made in a single session, ensuring accurate prosthesis design without over-preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dental practitioner removes more material from the prosthesis site to ensure proper fit, then the reliability of prosthesis fitting is improved, but healthy tissue is unnecessarily removed and the prosthesis site is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of the preparation surface using intraoral scanning and 3D modeling before prosthesis manufacturing. This allows the practitioner to assess whether the prepared surface will accommodate the prosthesis with adequate thickness, and make adjustments to the preparation surface in advance, avoiding both over-preparation and the need for additional appointments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback about the preparation surface quality by comparing the scanned 3D model against required thickness specifications. This feedback loop allows the practitioner to evaluate the preparation surface and make real-time adjustments, ensuring proper fit without removing excessive healthy tissue.
2Reliability
If an additional appointment is scheduled to redo the preparation, then the prosthesis fitting reliability is improved, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation of the preparation surface is performed preliminarily during the same appointment when the preparation is done. By scanning and analyzing the preparation surface immediately after preparation, the system provides feedback that allows the practitioner to make necessary adjustments before leaving the patient, eliminating the need for a second appointment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous evaluation and adjustment of the preparation surface within the same appointment. The intraoral scanning, 3D modeling, and thickness evaluation are performed sequentially without interrupting the treatment flow, allowing the practitioner to complete the entire preparation and evaluation process in one continuous session.
3Productivity
If conventional preparation methods are used without digital evaluation, then the process is simpler and faster, but fit issues arise requiring additional appointments
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces conventional mechanical measurement methods with digital intraoral scanning and 3D modeling. Instead of using physical rulers or visual estimation, the system captures a digital impression and performs automated thickness calculations, providing more accurate and reliable evaluation of the preparation surface while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (3D model) of the preparation surface that can be evaluated repeatedly without physically touching or altering the actual tooth preparation. This digital replica allows for precise measurement and analysis of thickness dimensions, ensuring proper fit while preserving the original preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and system of evaluating a dental preparation surface, including obtaining a digital oral situation and/or a portion thereof including a preparation surface, evaluating an attainable thickness based on the preparation surface and surroundings and comparing the attainable thickness to minimum thickness.