Digital 3D Tooth Shade Detection Using Texture Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining tooth shade in dental restorations are time-consuming and inaccurate, relying on manual comparison of pre-manufactured teeth and pictures, which fail to accurately match the natural tooth color and geometry.
Innovation Solution
A digital 3D representation of the tooth is obtained, combining shape and texture data to determine tooth shade values based on reference tooth shade values, allowing for precise selection of ceramic materials and creation of a shade profile for dental restorations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual comparison of pre-manufactured teeth and pictures is used to determine tooth shade, then the process is simple to perform, but the accuracy and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical comparison process with an automated digital image processing system. The system captures images of the tooth and reference shade samples, then uses computer algorithms to automatically analyze color values and determine the matching shade, eliminating manual observation and comparison while significantly improving both accuracy and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of the tooth and reference shade samples through photography. These digital images serve as replicas that can be processed by computer algorithms, allowing for precise measurement of color values (L*, a*, b*) and automated comparison without the limitations of manual visual assessment.
2Measurement precision
If manual determination of tooth shade is performed, then the equipment complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital imaging system with controlled lighting and computer-based color analysis to replace manual shade determination. The system uses standardized illumination to capture accurate tooth images, then processes these images through algorithms that calculate precise color values in the L*a*b* color space, ensuring consistent and reliable measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the subjective visual assessment of tooth shade into objective numerical parameters (L*, a*, b* values). By converting color information into quantifiable data, the system enables precise measurement and automated comparison, eliminating the variability inherent in manual evaluation while providing actionable numerical results.
3Productivity
If digital 3D representation with texture data is used to determine tooth shade, then the measurement precision and productivity improve, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual shade determination with an automated digital workflow. The system captures high-resolution images of the tooth with controlled lighting, processes these images through computer algorithms to extract color information, and rapidly determines the matching shade. This automated process significantly reduces determination time while managing complexity through standardized processing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing the tooth image with standardized lighting conditions and preprocessing the image data before shade analysis. The system prepares the digital representation with appropriate color calibration and normalization, ensuring that subsequent shade determination can proceed rapidly and accurately without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the matching process.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in a method, a user interface and a system for use in determining shade of a patient's tooth, wherein a digital 3D representation including shape data and texture data for the tooth is obtained. A tooth shade value for at least one point on the tooth is determined based on the texture data of the corresponding point of the digital 3D representation and on known texture values of one or more reference tooth shade values.