Translucent Dental Material Selection Using Optical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental restoration methods fail to accurately account for the influence of underlying tooth structure on the final shade of dental restorations when translucent materials are used without an opaque layer, leading to inconsistent color matching.
Innovation Solution
A CAD/CAM system that includes a three-dimensional measuring camera and optical sensor to measure the tooth structure, coupled with reference data on translucent dental materials, calculates the appropriate material for a dental restoration based on the tooth's optical properties and desired appearance, ensuring accurate color matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If translucent dental materials are used without an opaque layer, then the durability and aesthetic quality of the restoration is improved, but the color matching accuracy deteriorates due to the influence of underlying tooth structure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the underlying tooth structure's optical properties before selecting the restoration material. By measuring the tooth's color, translucency, and brightness in advance, the system can pre-calculate the appropriate material properties needed to achieve the desired final restoration color, thereby compensating for the tooth structure's influence before the restoration is even fabricated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model or copy of the underlying tooth structure's optical characteristics through measurement. This digital representation is then used in calculations to predict how different restoration materials will interact with the measured tooth properties, allowing accurate color matching without needing to physically test multiple material combinations on the actual tooth.
2Ease of operation
If commercial shade guides are used for color selection, then the process is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to limited shade options and user-dependent factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/manual process of visual shade guide comparison with an automated optical measurement and calculation system. Instead of relying on users to visually match colors against physical shade tabs, the system uses optical sensors to measure the underlying tooth structure and calculates the appropriate restoration material properties, eliminating human eye strain and anatomical limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from discrete, limited shade categories in commercial guides to continuous, precise measurement of optical parameters. By measuring and calculating specific parameters like color values, translucency, and brightness, the system can determine exact material properties needed rather than selecting from predetermined shade categories, thereby achieving superior color matching precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If an opaque layer is used in dental restoration fabrication, then the influence of underlying tooth structure is masked, but the aesthetic quality and natural appearance of the restoration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the restoration material to have spatially varying properties that locally compensate for the underlying tooth structure's influence. By calculating the specific optical properties needed in different regions of the restoration based on the measured tooth structure, the system can create a restoration that maintains natural appearance while achieving consistent color, effectively applying different optical characteristics to different local areas.
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
This method allows for precise and consistent color matching of dental restorations to the surrounding teeth, even without an opaque layer, by using reference data specific to the materials, tooth structures, and layering, resulting in improved shade matching accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring camera, which may be the three-dimensional measuring camera, with an optical sensor, measures the relevant optical properties of the basic dental structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for selecting dental constructions using translucent materials that match an individual's preexisting tooth appearance uses a set of reference templates. The reference templates are constructed from layers of various translucent dental materials positioned on bases constructed from actual or simulated tooth structures. The layers of translucent materials have a thickness that varies in increments that correspond to the likely thicknesses of the materials when used in dental constructions. A reference table is created based upon color measurements of each of the reference templates. A color measurement of the individual's preexisting teeth is then compared to the reference table to determine which particular dental construction will most closely match the individuals preexisting teeth.