Orthodontic Tooth Movement Visualization via Surface-Volume Registration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthodontic planning methods fail to account for the effects of tooth changes on tooth roots and jaw joints, lacking connection to the underlying bony anatomy, which is crucial for effective treatment planning.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves creating an optical surface data set of the changed tooth position, registering it with tomographic data, and computationally modeling the transformation of individual teeth, including their roots, to visualize the anatomical impact of planned or actual changes, using either optical scanning or computational simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plaster models and optical surface scanning are used for orthodontic planning, then the planning process becomes simpler and more accessible, but the method fails to account for the effects of tooth repositioning on tooth roots and jaw joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the optical surface data set within the tomographic data set by registering the surface data with the volumetric CT data. The surface data representing tooth positions is nested into the corresponding anatomical context provided by the CT scan, allowing visualization of tooth movements relative to roots and jaw joints without requiring separate complex imaging procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the optical surface data set as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple planning models and complex anatomical imaging. This surface data, when registered with the tomographic data, serves as a mediator to transfer tooth position information into the anatomical context, enabling consideration of root and joint effects while maintaining planning simplicity.
2Loss of information
If tomographic data is acquired to visualize anatomical structures, then anatomical information becomes available, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical surface scanning system with the tomographic imaging system by registering the two data sets. This combination allows the system to leverage the simplicity of optical scanning for surface geometry while integrating the anatomical detail of CT data, achieving comprehensive anatomical visualization without requiring both systems to operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the anatomical structures by registering the optical surface data with the tomographic data. This copying process allows the system to represent anatomical information in a simplified, processed format that can be visualized and analyzed without requiring repeated complex imaging procedures, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple volume data sets are acquired to monitor treatment progress, then anatomical changes can be visualized, but the time and resources required for data acquisition increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary registration of the optical surface data set with the tomographic data set at the planning stage. This preliminary action establishes a spatial relationship that can be reused during treatment monitoring, eliminating the need to re-acquire and re-register volumetric data at each follow-up visit, thus saving time while maintaining monitoring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from volumetric anatomical data to surface geometry data for monitoring purposes. By using optical surface scanning to capture tooth positions and registering these against the pre-acquired tomographic data, the system can monitor treatment progress without requiring repeated CT scans, reducing acquisition time while maintaining reliability through the preserved spatial relationship.
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
Enables convenient and cost-effective consideration of individual anatomical conditions during orthodontic planning and follow-up checks, allowing visualization of tooth movements relative to jaw anatomy without the need for new volume data sets, facilitating informed treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
a surface data set is created using an optical scanning method, in particular from the changed tooth position in the patient's mouth
Implementation Method 2
a volume data set created on the patient is computationally modeled into a modified volume data set based on this surface data, which characterizes the change. For this purpose, the surface dataset describing the changed situation is superimposed on the tomographic data, thus registering it.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
A method for representing a change in a tooth position in a jaw, wherein: a volume data record of an initial position of multiple teeth in the upper or lower jaw is produced; a surface data record is produced after a real or virtual change in the tooth position, said surface data record containing surface data of the teeth and at least of parts of the jaw comprised by the volume data record in the modified tooth position; the surface data record is referenced with the volume data record by means of a reference structure visible in the surface data record, said reference structure not being affected by the change, wherein, after the referencing step, the change in the tooth position is computationally transformed into the volume data record; the boundary surfaces of the teeth determined from the volume data record are brought into register with surface data of the corresponding teeth from the surface data record; tooth structures contained in the volume data record during the transformation and concealed beneath the surface are computationally moved correspondingly; and a modified volume record is output as a representation, said volume record comprising the computationally determined change in the tooth position.