Orthodontic Planning Systems Using Digital Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic treatments using traditional methods are lengthy, uncomfortable, and aesthetically unappealing, with inaccuracies in gum geometry modeling leading to mismatched aligners and potential errors in tooth movement, resulting in patient discomfort and increased costs due to the complexity of 3D scanning and computerized planning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving digital scanning of a patient's dentition, planning incremental tooth movements, and fabricating aligners using 3D printing techniques, which includes simulating a rolling ball process to determine tooth boundaries, assigning hard and soft regions, and using a tooth movement control system to synchronize tooth movement, allowing for precise and synchronized tooth movement correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional braces with archwires are used to apply mechanical force for tooth movement, then orthodontic treatment can be achieved, but treatment time becomes excessively long (24 months on average) and patient comfort deteriorates due to pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple digital stages, with each aligner representing a discrete incremental tooth movement stage. The overall treatment plan divides complex tooth movements into manageable sequential steps, each achieved by a separate clear aligner appliance rather than continuous force application from traditional braces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical brace-and-archwire system with a digital planning and clear aligner system. Digital models and software replace physical wax-ups and manual appliance fabrication, enabling more precise control over force application and treatment progression while reducing overall treatment time.
2Reliability
If traditional braces are used for orthodontic treatment, then tooth movement can be achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and patient comfort worsens due to the visible and uncomfortable nature of braces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visible mechanical brace system with invisible clear aligners fabricated from digital designs. The digital planning system eliminates the need for traditional metal brackets and archwires, substituting them with transparent plastic appliances that are customized for each patient's anatomy and treatment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies or virtual models of the patient's dentition that are used to plan and simulate the entire treatment process before fabrication. These digital twins allow for precise prediction of treatment outcomes and enable customization of each aligner without requiring physical trial appliances.
3Manufacturing precision
If 3D scanning and computerized planning are used to improve treatment precision, then manufacturing precision of aligners improves, but device complexity increases due to the complexity of the scanning and planning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual impression-taking and physical model fabrication with digital 3D scanning and computerized planning systems. This substitution enables highly precise capture of dental anatomy and accurate simulation of tooth movements, while the digital workflow simplifies the overall process compared to multiple manual steps required by traditional methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for treating teeth to correct for malocclusions. This may be accomplished in one variation by receiving a scanned dental model of a subject's dentition, determining a treatment plan having a plurality of incremental movements for repositioning one or more teeth of the subject's dentition, and fabricating one or more aligners correlating to a first subset of the plurality of incremental movements.