Orthodontic Appliance Delivery With Root-Apex Rotation Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aligner technologies lack biomechanics modeling, leading to unpredictable tooth movement, requiring over-correction, interproximal enamel reduction, and lengthy treatments, and rely on attachments for 3D control, which can be invasive and uncomfortable for patients.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that generates orthodontic treatment plans by restricting tooth adjustments to centers of rotation around the root apex, minimizing changes to the root apex position, and using biomechanically optimized aligners to facilitate natural tooth movement without fixed attachments or interproximal enamel reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current aligner technologies are used without biomechanics modeling, then the appliance design is simpler, but tooth movement becomes unpredictable and requires over-correction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biomechanics modeling and simulation of tooth movement before actual treatment begins. Treatment plans are simulated in silico to predict tooth movement outcomes, allowing clinicians to optimize aligner designs beforehand and avoid unpredictable results during actual treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where simulated tooth movement results are used to iteratively refine and optimize aligner designs. The simulation provides feedback on whether predicted movements match desired outcomes, allowing for adjustments to be made before clinical implementation.
2Productivity
If traditional aligner methods are used, then the treatment approach is simpler, but treatment duration becomes lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary optimization of treatment plans through biomechanics simulation before clinical treatment begins. By pre-calculating optimal tooth movement paths and aligner designs, the system eliminates the need for lengthy trial-and-error adjustments during actual treatment, thereby reducing overall treatment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic biomechanics modeling to simulate and optimize tooth movement trajectories. By modeling the dynamic interaction between aligners and teeth, the system can predict and optimize treatment timelines, identifying the most efficient sequence of movements to achieve desired outcomes in minimal time.
3Manufacturing precision
If attachments are used for 3D control of tooth movement, then control precision is improved, but patient comfort and invasiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical attachment system with a computational biomechanics model. Instead of using physical attachments bonded to teeth for control, the system uses in silico simulation to predict and optimize tooth movement, eliminating the need for invasive attachments while maintaining control precision through virtual modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or digital twin of the patient's dentition to simulate tooth movement. This digital model allows for precise 3D control planning without requiring physical attachments on the actual teeth, thereby maintaining control precision while eliminating patient discomfort associated with attachments.
4Adaptability or versatility
If interproximal enamel reduction is performed, then space for tooth movement is created, but tooth structure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary biomechanics simulation to accurately predict the exact amount of space required for tooth movement. By pre-calculating movement trajectories and final positions, the system can determine whether interproximal reduction is truly necessary or if alternative movement paths exist that preserve more tooth structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the amount of interproximal reduction to the minimum necessary amount rather than performing excessive reduction. By using biomechanics simulation to precisely calculate required space, the system applies only the partial amount of reduction needed, avoiding unnecessary loss of tooth structure while still achieving the desired tooth movement.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, electronic devices and computer-readable media for orthodontic appliances include: generating final positions for each of the plurality of teeth represented in an orthodontic data set, including restricting the adjustments to the initial position of each tooth to adjustments having a centre of rotation substantially about the root apex point of the respective tooth; generating a series of intermediate teeth positions between the initial positions for each of the plurality of teeth represented in the first orthodontic data and final positions for each of the plurality of teeth, the series of intermediate positions comprising at least part of a treatment plan; and generating data from which orthodontic appliances, which facilitate movement through the intermediate tooth positions, can be produced.