Oral Image Processing for Precise Orthodontic Tooth Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental CAD/CAM technologies lack efficient methods for accurately simulating and predicting tooth movement during orthodontic treatment, particularly in adjusting interproximal intervals and tooth extraction scenarios.

Innovation Solution

An oral image processing apparatus and method that selects a selection point between adjacent teeth and moves them by a target movement amount, utilizing user input to adjust tooth positions and align them with a dental arch line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used for orthodontic simulation and tooth movement prediction, then treatment planning can be performed, but the accuracy and efficiency of simulating tooth movement and interproximal interval adjustments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of tooth movement simulationVSAvoidefficiency of orthodontic simulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical simulation methods with automated computer-based image processing. The system automatically detects tooth positions, calculates movement vectors, and simulates tooth movement through software algorithms, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of physical models or complex mechanical simulation devices while improving both accuracy and efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of oral images and tooth structures that can be manipulated virtually. By generating accurate digital replicas of teeth and their positions, the system allows for precise simulation of tooth movement and interproximal interval changes without affecting actual teeth, enabling repeated simulations with different parameters for optimal treatment planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If complex simulation tools are developed to improve simulation accuracy, then tooth movement prediction becomes more precise, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of tooth movement predictionVSAvoidcomplexity of simulation tool
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional image processing system that performs multiple orthodontic simulation tasks using a unified platform. The same system can detect tooth positions, simulate movement in multiple directions, calculate interproximal intervals, and generate treatment predictions, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools for each function and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated feature detection and calculation capabilities that perform tasks independently without requiring manual intervention. The image processing algorithms automatically identify tooth boundaries, calculate movement vectors, and adjust simulation parameters based on input images, reducing the complexity of user operation while maintaining high prediction precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4729021A1Oral image processing device, oral image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 MEDIT CORP
  • EP4729021A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4729021A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4729021A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an oral image processing apparatus and an oral image processing method. In an embodiment, the oral image processing method may comprise the steps of: acquiring an oral image including a plurality of teeth; acquiring a selection signal for selecting at least one selection point among a plurality of selection points located between respective two adjacent teeth among the plurality of teeth; acquiring a target movement amount of at least one adjacent tooth adjacent to the selected selection point; and moving the at least one adjacent tooth by the target movement amount in a first movement direction which is a direction toward the selected selection point.