3D Tooth Preparation Surface for Minimal Removal and Pulp Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental technologies lack an efficient method for determining a preparation surface of a tooth that balances the removal of tooth mass with the requirements for bonding a dental restoration element and providing sufficient space, while ensuring compliance with occlusion and protecting the pulp chamber.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a three-dimensional digital tooth model and a restorative tooth model is used to determine preparation reference surfaces, considering basic preparation depth, restoration thickness, and occlusion, while excluding the pulp chamber and ensuring sufficient space for the restoration element, using machine learning for adjustments and virtual articulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the preparation surface is determined to remove sufficient tooth mass for bonding, then the bonding strength is improved, but the tooth structure is weakened and pulp chamber is at risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidtooth structure weakening

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by receiving and processing three-dimensional digital models of the tooth and restorative element before determining the preparation surface. The system pre-calculates the optimal preparation depth and surface geometry based on virtual modeling, allowing precise control of tooth mass removal to achieve sufficient bonding strength while preserving tooth structure and protecting the pulp chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If the preparation depth is increased to provide space for restoration, then the restoration space is improved, but the tooth mass loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration spaceVSAvoidtooth mass loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the preparation depth parameter based on the specific requirements of the restorative element. The system receives parameters including restorative element thickness and uses these to dynamically determine the optimal preparation depth, ensuring sufficient space for the restoration while minimizing unnecessary tooth mass removal through precise digital control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the preparation surface is precisely determined to protect pulp chamber, then the tooth protection is improved, but the measurement and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulp chamber protectionVSAvoidpreparation surface determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement and detection systems with a digital computer-based approach. The system uses three-dimensional digital models and computational algorithms to precisely determine the preparation surface, substituting physical measurement tools with virtual modeling and processing capabilities that can accurately protect the pulp chamber through digital precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the preparation surface is determined to meet restoration requirements, then the restoration bonding is improved, but the tooth damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration bondingVSAvoidtooth damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by receiving and processing multiple parameters including restorative element properties, tooth geometry, and occlusion data. The system continuously adjusts the preparation surface determination based on these feedback inputs, ensuring that bonding requirements are met while minimizing tooth damage risk through iterative optimization of the preparation design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12567221B2Determining a preparation surface

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 EXOCAD

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a preparation surface of a tooth for preparing the tooth for receiving a dental restoration element. The method comprises receiving a three-dimensional digital tooth model, a three-dimensional digital restorative tooth model, a definition of a restoration area, a first value selected for a basic preparation depth of the preparation, and a second value selected for a restoration thickness of the dental restoration element. The method further comprises determining a first reference surface using the selected first value, determining a second reference surface using the selected second value, determining one or more preparation reference surface sections using the first and second reference surface, and determining the preparation surface of the tooth using the determined one or more preparation reference surface sections.