Orthodontic Occlusion Validation via Physical Articulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital orthodontic treatments lack effective methods to ensure functional occlusion and adequately address malocclusion between teeth during orthodontic treatments, leading to inadequate treatment plans and frequent aligner corrections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving data acquisition of patient anatomy, creation of a 3D model, and evaluation of functional occlusion using a physical model on a dental articulator, followed by virtual treatment planning and appliance creation, including adjustments for malocclusion and occlusal interferences, to ensure accurate and customized orthodontic treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital orthodontic treatments are used, then treatment planning efficiency is improved, but functional occlusion accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a physical articulator as an intermediary device between digital planning and final appliance delivery. The articulator physically mounts dental casts and reproduces patient-specific jaw movements, serving as a mediator that validates digital treatment plans against actual functional occlusion requirements before appliance fabrication begins
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary validation of the treatment plan by testing occlusion on the articulator with simulated appliances before actual appliance fabrication. This preliminary action identifies and corrects functional occlusion issues in the digital plan, preventing errors from propagating to the final appliances
2Loss of time
If fully digital workflows are implemented, then patient interactions are reduced, but occlusion evaluation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates physical copies of the patient's oral anatomy through dental casts and mounts them on a physical articulator. This copying approach preserves the ability to perform detailed occlusion evaluation and functional analysis without requiring repeated patient visits, as the articulator replicates the patient's specific jaw movements and occlusion characteristics
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital treatment planning is used, then treatment customization is improved, but malocclusion detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The physical articulator serves as an intermediary validation system that objectively detects malocclusion and functional interferences that may be missed in digital planning. It provides tactile and visual feedback on occlusion contacts during simulated jaw movements, enhancing the detection accuracy for customized treatment plans
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention may comprise a method for a treatment plan for orthodontic movement of natural teeth, the method comprising:Acquiring data of oral anatomy of a patient;Creating a treatment plan for the patient for orthodontic movement of natural teeth, the end result of the treatment plan for the patient being a 3D model;Printing out a physical model of 3D model;Mounting the physical model of the maxillary arch and mandibular arch of the patient's oral anatomy onto a dental articulator to evaluate if at least one of the following exists: 2) if the functional occlusion data of the patient is in centric relation or 2) if malocclusion exists between the maxillary arch and the mandibular arch;Applying any corrections to the 3D model from the step of determining if malocclusion exists, to create functional occlusion data;Combining the functional occlusion data with data of the oral anatomy of the patient to create a virtual treatment solution; and Creating orthodontic appliances from the virtual treatment solution.