Root Canal Extension Direction Display for Minimizing Tooth Tissue Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current root canal treatment methods require extensive cutting away of healthy tooth areas to visually recognize the root canal orifice, as existing technologies fail to accurately guide cutting tools along the curved shape of the root canal, leading to inefficient and damaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A root canal treating display device that uses three-dimensional information from X-ray CT images to create and display the root canal extension direction, guiding the cutting tool accurately along the root canal's shape, minimizing the healthy area to be cut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If CT image capturing is performed to visualize the root canal orifice position, then the position information can be obtained, but extensive cutting away of healthy tooth areas is still required to visually recognize the root canal orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating a three-dimensional tooth model from CT data before the actual root canal treatment, and by providing guidance information in advance that shows the root canal orifice position and extension direction, thereby avoiding the need for extensive exploratory cutting during the treatment procedure
Solution Approach 2:
A three-dimensional tooth model serves as an intermediary between the CT data and the actual treatment. This model visually represents the root canal orifice position and extension direction, acting as a guide that mediates between the diagnostic information and the surgical procedure, eliminating the need for extensive healthy tooth removal
2Ease of operation
If a guide system with template is used to guide the cutting tool, then the cutting path can be guided, but the template is designed for straight holes while root canals are curved making it difficult to follow the curved shape
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies curvature by representing the root canal extension direction as a curved line rather than a straight line in the three-dimensional tooth model. This curved representation accurately follows the natural curvature of the root canal, allowing the cutting tool to be guided along the correct curved path instead of forcing a straight-line approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the tooth and root canal structure from CT data. This virtual model is then used to plan and guide the actual cutting procedure, allowing the curved root canal path to be accurately replicated in the treatment without requiring a physical template that would need to match the curved geometry
3Device complexity
If the root canal extension direction is not displayed, then the display system is simpler, but the cutting tool cannot be accurately guided along the root canal
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional CT slices to a three-dimensional tooth model that displays the root canal extension direction as a spatial curve. This dimensional enhancement provides comprehensive directional information that guides the cutting tool in three-dimensional space, improving positioning accuracy while the graphical user interface maintains operational simplicity
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 device accurately guides the cutting tool along the root canal, minimizing the healthy tooth area removed and enhancing the precision of root canal treatments by clearly displaying the root canal extension direction in relation to the tooth image.
Implementation Method 1
A subject is located between an X-ray generator and an X-ray detector. While the X-ray generator and the X-ray detector are revolved around the subject, a cone-like X-ray is directed toward the subject from the X-ray generator. The X-ray detection results are collected by the X-ray detector, and three-dimensional data is re-constructed based on the collected X-ray detection results.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention has an object of providing a root canal treating display device, a root canal treating unit, and a dental image display method that minimize a healthy area of a tooth to be cut and guide a cutting tool to a desired root canal R in a root canal treatment. A root canal treating display device includes a three-dimensional information storage unit 15a that stores three-dimensional information including information on a root canal R of teeth, the three-dimensional information being acquired by an X-ray CT image capturing device 60; a target tooth specification operation unit 12a that specifies the tooth as a target of interest; a tooth image processing unit 11a that creates a tooth image I of the tooth; a monitor 13 that displays the tooth image I; and a root canal extension direction processing unit 11b that creates a root canal extension direction image Id showing a root canal extension direction along the root canal R of the tooth based on the three-dimensional information, and displays the root canal extension direction image Id on the monitor 13 as overlapping, and in correspondence with, the tooth image I.