Root Analogue Dental Implant Modeling With Stochastic Lattices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dental implant industry faces challenges in adopting new technologies due to perceived low return on investment and the lack of a customizable, user-friendly, and highly repeatable protocol for the entire process of scanning to final root analogue implant manufacturing, despite advancements in digital scanning and additive manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automated method involving implicit modeling software to apply a stochastic volume lattice function throughout the digitally modeled root body, creating a fully-latticed digital root model for patient-specific dental implants, which is then manufactured using additive manufacturing, allowing for customizable strut architecture and porosity to enhance bone integration and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing with direct laser metal sintering is used to create patient-specific root analogue implants, then manufacturing flexibility and customization are improved, but device complexity and protocol standardization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex manufacturing protocol into distinct modular steps: (a) obtaining digital 3D model, (b) applying stochastic volume lattice function with implicit modeling software, (c) finalizing digital root model, and (d) additive manufacturing. This segmentation makes the complex process more manageable, repeatable, and easier to standardize while preserving customization capabilities at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by applying a stochastic volume lattice function that modifies the digital root model with controllable parameters including lattice type, size, distribution, and porosity. This allows customization of implant properties while maintaining a standardized modeling approach, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If a stochastic volume lattice function is applied throughout the digitally modeled root body, then osseointegration and bone integration are improved, but manufacturing precision and model complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a stochastic volume lattice function that creates varying lattice structures at different locations within the root model. The lattice parameters (size, density, distribution) can be locally adjusted to match specific bone quality requirements and stress distribution patterns, improving osseointegration while maintaining overall modeling precision through systematic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses implicit modeling software to systematically copy and replicate lattice patterns throughout the digital root model based on mathematical functions. This automated copying process maintains precision while creating the complex porous structure needed for bone integration, avoiding manual modeling errors.
3Strength
If patient-specific designs with biomimetic porous scaffolds are created, then stress shielding effects are reduced and bone integration is enhanced, but overall manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-designing the optimal lattice structure parameters before manufacturing. The implicit modeling software automatically generates the stochastic volume lattice configuration based on input parameters, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual design adjustments during surgery and reducing overall surgical time while maintaining mechanical optimization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in implants with improved osseointegration and mechanical stability, reducing stress shielding effects and overall surgical time by creating patient-specific designs with biomimetic porous scaffolds that closely match natural bone structures.
Implementation Method 1
using implicit modeling software, applying a stochastic volume lattice function to the digitally modeled root body to impart a lattice throughout a full volume of said root body
Implementation Method 2
The availability of high-quality CT scans and sophisticated segmentation software has enabled the reverse engineering of dental implants. This empowers the creation of patient-specific root analogue dental implants (RAI) by generating computer models that faithfully replicate anatomical tooth features. To streamline the manufacturing process, direct metal laser sintering, an additive manufacturing technique, can be utilized.
Implementation Method 3
direct metal laser sintering, an additive manufacturing technique, can be utilized. This technology directly translates the computer-generated model into a customized implant
Data Source
AI summary
Employment of a lattice structure modelling approach in the design and manufacture of root analogue dental implants enables creation of implants of fully latticed character that maintains load-bearing properties without yielding, while also decreasing stiffness and improving surface design to accelerate bone healing. A novel methodology, that is at least semi-automated, takes into account individual patient data from an initial scan of a patient tooth or tooth root and generates a fully latticed root analogue with optimal mechanical properties and internal and surface features, implemented through additive manufacturing. This denotes innovative advancement over existing approaches to root analogue dental implant, and also offers a solution to dental implantation cases that cannot be resolved by traditional methods.