Automated Tooth Library Selection for Dental Appliance Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for designing dental appliances, such as dentures and veneers, are time-consuming and imprecise, relying heavily on technician visual inspection and manual manipulation of tooth libraries, leading to imperfect fits and increased costs due to rework and adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A computer-automated system that uses machine learning models and AI algorithms to identify and select tooth libraries based on patient-specific measurements, scoring, and fitting criteria, reducing the need for manual review and improving accuracy and efficiency in dental appliance design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual inspection and manipulation of tooth libraries is used, then technician expertise can be applied to select appropriate teeth, but the process is time-consuming and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visual inspection and manipulation with an automated computer-based system that uses machine learning models and AI algorithms to identify tooth landmarks, determine measurements, and select appropriate tooth libraries, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining or improving selection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the computer automatically performs tooth library selection without requiring technician intervention for manual review, using algorithms that independently analyze patient data, compare it against tooth libraries, and generate selections based on predefined criteria
2Reliability
If manual manipulation of tooth libraries is used, then flexibility in selection is maintained, but variability and rework increase leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computer automatically evaluates selected tooth libraries against multiple criteria including anatomical fit, aesthetic outcomes, and functional requirements, then refines selections iteratively to ensure high quality while maintaining consistent results that reduce rework and variability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the selection process by using automated algorithms that evaluate multiple quantitative parameters (tooth measurements, spacing, arch dimensions) simultaneously, replacing subjective manual assessment with objective parameter-based selection that improves reliability and reduces variability
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive manual review of tooth libraries is performed, then selection accuracy can be improved, but technician dependency increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual review processes with automated computer-based analysis that uses machine learning models to accurately identify tooth landmarks and measurements, reducing the need for highly skilled technician intervention while maintaining or improving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated analysis of patient data and tooth library comparisons before technician review, pre-processing and narrowing down options so that technicians only need to verify rather than perform comprehensive manual review, thereby reducing dependency while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for selecting a tooth library for auto-designing a dental appliance. A method includes receiving, by a computer system, patient tooth data including a scan of the patient's teeth, identifying markers on the teeth in the patient tooth data, such as opposing tooth edges, determining teeth measurements based on the markers, such as determining a width between the opposing tooth edges, and selecting, from a static tooth library data store, a subset of tooth libraries based on the teeth measurements and based on: identifying at least one tooth library having respective tooth width measurements within a threshold range of the determined width of the tooth in the patient tooth data, and adding the identified at least one tooth library to the subset of tooth libraries. The method also includes selecting a candidate tooth library from the subset based on the candidate tooth library satisfying dental-appliance-fit criteria.