3D Tooth Shade Matching via Digital Region Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tooth shade matching in dental restorations are prone to human error due to the reliance on manual estimation and lack of accurate representation of anatomical regions, leading to inconsistencies in color shade decisions across different areas of the tooth.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a digital three-dimensional representation of the tooth to match shade tabs by determining correspondences between anatomical regions on the tooth and a common tooth shape, computing color differences using these correspondences, and recording the label with the smallest difference to accurately reproduce the color gradient of shade tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual estimation using shade tabs is used, then the process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and consistency of color shade decisions deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of physical shade tabs by scanning them with a 3D scanner. These digital shade tabs include color information and anatomical region mappings that can be processed computationally. This copying approach eliminates the need for manual visual estimation while preserving the reference standards, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex new hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visual shade matching with an automated computational system. The system uses 3D scanning, image processing, and automated comparison algorithms to determine color shades, substituting human visual estimation and manual decision-making with machine-based automation. This increases accuracy while managing system complexity through software-based solutions
2Measurement precision
If shade information is taken from a specific region on the tooth, then the measurement is straightforward, but the representation of the overall tooth color gradient deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tooth surface into multiple anatomical regions (e.g., incisal, middle, cervical thirds) and analyzes the color characteristics of each region separately. By segmenting the tooth and comparing corresponding regions with the digital shade tab, the system captures the overall color gradient while maintaining manageable analysis complexity through systematic regional breakdown
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from analyzing a single point or small region to analyzing the entire tooth surface in three dimensions. By using 3D scanning and mapping color information across the complete tooth geometry, the system captures the full color gradient in multiple dimensions, improving overall representation while using computational methods to manage the increased data complexity
3Measurement precision
If the entire tooth surface is analyzed, then the overall color gradient is captured, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the shade tab images during creation, organizing color information by anatomical regions and storing them in a structured digital format. This preliminary organization allows for rapid retrieval and comparison during the actual shade matching process, reducing processing time while maintaining comprehensive analysis of the entire tooth surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different analysis approaches to different anatomical regions of the tooth based on their specific characteristics. By tailoring the comparison methodology to local regional features (e.g., accounting for natural color variations in different thirds of the tooth), the system achieves high accuracy without uniformly applying complex processing to all areas, thereby reducing overall processing time
Data Source
AI summary
A shade matching method for a tooth obtains a plurality of digitized tooth shade references, obtains a three-dimensional (3D) surface representation of a tooth and associated color information defined on the three-dimensional (3D) surface, selects a region on the three-dimensional (3D) surface representation of the tooth, determines a plurality of correspondences with the common tooth shape of all the tooth shade references, computes color difference with each of the tooth shade reference from the plurality of tooth shade references, and records the label corresponding to the shade reference with a smallest difference.