Occlusion Evaluation Apparatus for Denture Masticatory Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods cannot separately measure the effect of occlusal geometry on masticatory ability in both natural and artificial teeth, and there is a lack of devices or methods to evaluate the masticatory ability of dentures based on their arrangement and occlusion, which affects chewing efficiency and necessitates a method to assess the appropriateness of dentures before use.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion evaluation apparatus comprising an input device, arithmetic device, and display device that inputs three-dimensional data of teeth geometries, calculates and displays the fluxion space between occlusal surfaces, and simulates occlusal conditions to evaluate masticatory ability independently of muscle power and chewing habits, allowing for quantification and comparison of denture performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a human subject actually masticates food to measure masticatory ability, then the measurement reflects real chewing performance, but the effects of muscular power, chewing habit, and occlusal geometry cannot be separately measured
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the masticatory system into independent components: muscular power, chewing habit, and occlusal geometry. By using a virtual articulator that can independently control and measure each component, the system separates these factors that were previously entangled in actual human mastication measurements, allowing individual evaluation of occlusal geometry effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the teeth and jaw system using three-dimensional data. This digital model (virtual dentition) replicates the occlusal geometry without requiring actual human mastication, allowing repeated measurements of occlusal effects while controlling for muscular and habitual variables through computational simulation.
2Ease of manufacture
If no device measures masticatory ability based on tooth arrangement and occlusion, then the measurement system remains simple, but the ability to evaluate denture appropriateness before use is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary evaluation of denture masticatory ability before actual use by measuring the virtual fluxion space during simulated occlusion. This allows denture design modifications to be optimized in advance based on quantitative data about occlusal geometry effects, without requiring post-installation patient measurements.
3Reliability
If denture masticatory ability is evaluated after use, then real patient performance is captured, but the time for replacement and quantitative evaluation of wear effects cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical process of actual denture use and post-use evaluation with a computational simulation system. The virtual articulator replicates occlusal movements and calculates fluxion space changes through computer processing, eliminating the need for patients to actually use the denture for evaluation purposes and enabling immediate quantitative analysis of wear effects.
Data Source
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AI summary
An occlusion evaluation apparatus capable of evaluating a masticatory ability depending on an occlusal geometry of teeth, reads three dimensional data of geometries of maxillary molar teeth (1, 2, 3, 4) and mandibular molar teeth (5, 6, 7, 8), and specifies a geometry of a flexion space (Va) defined by a plane (Sa) which includes two adjacent contact points (Pa) between the maxillary molar teeth (1, 2, 3, 4) and mandibular molar teeth (5, 6, 7, 8) and which is perpendicular to the occlusal plane, the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary molar teeth (1, 2, 3, 4,) and the occlusal surfaces of the mandibular molar teeth (5, 6, 7, 8).