Iterative Digital Denture Design System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional process of manufacturing dentures is time-consuming, requires multiple patient visits, and is subjective to the skill and experience of dentists and lab technicians, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in selecting and placing teeth.
Innovation Solution
An iterative system that uses anatomical and aesthetic measurements from the patient to optimize denture base design and tooth selection through a series of rules applied to digital models, allowing for rapid fabrication and minimizing subjective choices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manual denture manufacturing process is used, then dentist and lab technician can apply their skill and experience to customize dentures, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple patient visits
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary digital scanning and modeling of the patient's oral anatomy before any physical denture fabrication. This preliminary digital action allows for pre-planning and optimization of tooth selection and placement, reducing the need for multiple iterative adjustments and patient visits during the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy (3D digital model) of the patient's oral cavity and anatomical features. This digital replica allows for virtual try-ins, simulations, and optimizations without requiring physical prototypes or multiple patient visits, significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining precision through iterative digital adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional manual denture manufacturing process is used, then dentures can be customized to patient needs, but the process requires multiple transmissions of data and models between dentist and lab
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the previously separate processes of dental impression taking, tooth selection, denture design, and fabrication into a single integrated digital workflow. The digital model serves as a common platform that connects all stages, eliminating the need for multiple physical data transmissions between dentist and lab while maintaining full customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital model created in the system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores anatomical data, guides tooth selection, enables virtual try-ins, facilitates design iterations, and provides fabrication instructions. This multi-functional digital representation simplifies the overall process by replacing multiple specialized physical artifacts with a single versatile digital model.
3Reliability
If traditional manual denture manufacturing process is used, then adjustments can be made based on patient feedback, but errors introduced at each step must be corrected through additional visits
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the digital model and virtual denture design are continuously refined based on simulated performance and predicted patient feedback. This digital feedback mechanism allows for error detection and correction before physical fabrication, improving reliability while reducing the need for corrective visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary error detection and correction in the digital domain before physical fabrication. By simulating the denture fit and function digitally, potential issues are identified and resolved in advance, simplifying the actual manufacturing process and reducing the need for complex adjustments during patient visits.
Data Source
AI summary
System and processes for optimal selection of teeth for dentures based on the anatomical measurements and bite impressions of the patient. This information is applied in an iterative manner to rules that balance the anatomical and aesthetic considerations to select the best teeth for a patient. The system may also use this information in an iterative manner to rules that balance the anatomical and aesthetic considerations to design the optimal denture base for the patient as well.