3D Tooth Arch Modeling for Customized Orthodontic Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthodontic planning software lacks the ability to accurately and efficiently determine customized orthodontic treatment plans due to the use of generic 3D tooth models that do not account for the unique shapes and locations of individual patients' teeth, requiring time-consuming manual adjustments by medical professionals.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of 3D models of a patient's teeth to identify feature points, generate an arch shape based on these points, and allow user input to modify control points for determining a new arch shape, thereby efficiently aligning teeth into a target configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional orthodontic treatment planning software uses generic 3D models, then the software is easier to operate and requires less expertise, but the precision and accuracy of determining customized treatment plans deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of determining target tooth positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment planning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the treatment planning process into distinct modules: importing patient-specific 3D tooth models, determining arch shapes, identifying control points, and calculating target positions. This modular approach maintains precision while making the system more manageable and less intimidating for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining arch shapes from imported 3D tooth models and pre-calculating control points before the user begins treatment planning. This automation reduces the expertise required while maintaining high precision in target position determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional methods rely on generic 3D models, then the software is easier to use, but the ability to represent unique tooth shapes and positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capability for individual patientsVSAvoidease of treatment planning process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by using patient-specific 3D tooth models that capture the unique geometry and characteristics of each individual's teeth, rather than generic models. This allows the software to adapt to each patient's unique anatomy while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates accurate digital copies of the patient's actual tooth geometry through 3D scanning and modeling. These copies preserve the unique shapes and positions of each tooth, enabling customized treatment planning without requiring the user to manually recreate each tooth's geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If conventional orthodontic planning requires high expertise, then the measurement precision improves, but the time required for planning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of treatment planning processVSAvoidtime required for determining target positions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining arch shapes and control points from imported 3D tooth models without requiring extensive user intervention or expertise. This automation maintains high measurement precision while dramatically reducing the time required for treatment planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical expertise-based approach with an automated computational system that uses algorithms to determine arch shapes and calculate target positions. This substitution eliminates the need for users to have deep orthodontic expertise while maintaining or improving precision and reducing planning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12611287B2Techniques for determining patient teeth positions for orthodontics

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 LIGHTFORCE ORTHODONTICS INC

AI summary

Techniques are described for moving and aligning groups of teeth, including the teeth of an entire arch, for orthodontic treatment planning. One or more 3D models each representing one of a plurality of the patient's teeth may be analyzed to identify feature points that represent clinically relevant reference points on the tooth. An arch shape may be generated based on the feature points. One or more control points, which characterize the path of the arch shape, may then be generated (e.g., from the identified feature points). A user may provide input that modifies the positions of one or more of the control points to adjust the arrangement of teeth, thereby producing a new arch shape, and new positions of the teeth may be determined according to the new arch shape.