3D Tooth Model Positioning via Reference Mark Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital tooth model scanning methods fail to accurately position teeth models, leading to incorrect fabrication of dental prostheses due to variations in scanning positions, resulting in optical illusions and unsatisfactory artificial teeth.

Innovation Solution

A digital three-dimensional tooth model system that includes an articulator, output unit, reference mark, tooth model unit, and tooth analyzer, which uses modularization and anatomically ideal reference lines to accurately position tooth models, enabling precise alignment and analysis of upper and lower jawbone models within the scanner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If scanning is performed at different positions using conventional tooth model scanner methods, then scanning flexibility is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because the tooth model position changes in the digital design program

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning flexibilityVSAvoidtooth model position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference mark as an intermediary element that is scanned together with the tooth model. This reference mark serves as a mediator that carries position information, allowing the system to track and compensate for position changes during scanning. The reference mark includes multiple marks at different positions that enable calculation of the tooth model's actual position in the digital space, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while allowing scanning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional scanning methods are used without position correction, then scanning process simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to optical illusions and incorrect anatomical positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning process simplicityVSAvoidanatomical position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scanned reference mark position information is used to calculate and determine the actual position of the tooth model in the digital design program. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically compensate for position deviations, ensuring that the tooth model is correctly positioned at anatomical landmarks even when scanned from different physical positions. The feedback process maintains reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If tooth models are not positioned at anatomically correct positions, then fabrication time is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in unsatisfactory dental prostheses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication speedVSAvoidanatomical position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the anatomical position information in the reference mark before scanning. The reference mark is designed with known geometric relationships and position information that allows the system to pre-calculate the correct positioning of the tooth model. This preliminary preparation enables automatic position correction during the scanning process, ensuring anatomical accuracy is achieved without requiring manual adjustment or repositioning, thus maintaining fabrication speed while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3875054B1Digital three-dimensional tooth model system
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 LEE WOO HYOUNG
  • EP3875054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3875054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3875054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a digital three-dimensional tooth model system. The digital three-dimensional tooth model system includes: an articulator mounted in a scan region of a tooth model scanner that creates virtual 3D tooth model data by scanning a tooth model and having a tooth model to be scanned installed thereon; an output unit connected to the articulator and matching and outputting position data of a tooth model scanned by the tooth model scanner and data storing anatomically ideal positions on an image; a reference mark composed of lines that can be vertically and horizontally analyzed; a tooth model unit composed of an upper jawbone tooth model and a lower jawbone tooth model designed by a digital tooth design program, and having modules each composed of the reference mark and the upper jawbone tooth model and the lower jawbone tooth model, respectively; and a tooth analyzer disposed between the upper jawbone tooth model and the lower jawbone tooth model. Accordingly, it is possible to increase accuracy by accurately positioning a tooth model in a peculiar scan region, using a tooth model scanner required to fabricate a digital three-dimensional tooth model at a dental clinic or a dental laboratory, and to enable smooth mastication and good pronunciation by enabling tooth models to be quickly and accurately engaged at ideal positions through modularization of a digital three-dimensional model and a reference line that enables positioning at anatomically ideal positions.