Virtual Dental Bridge Alignment for Jaw Arch Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing dental bridges is challenging due to the arch of a patient's jaw, leading to alignment issues with interconnected dental units.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using neural networks, such as ResNet and U-Net, to reconstruct virtual dental bridges by receiving 3D virtual models of patient jaws, determining occlusion directions, aligning the models to a standard position, and generating precise pontic positions within a virtual hat representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If interconnected elements are added to a dental bridge, then the bridge can restore more teeth, but alignment issues with the patient's jaw arch become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing virtual positioning and alignment of dental units in a digital environment before actual manufacturing. The system pre-calculates the optimal positions of multiple dental units along the jaw arch using 3D imaging data, allowing designers to adjust alignment issues before physical production begins. This prevents alignment problems from carrying through to the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copying by creating virtual 3D models of the patient's jaw arch and dental units. Instead of working directly with physical components that are difficult to adjust, the system creates accurate digital copies that can be easily manipulated, positioned, and aligned in software. This virtual copying allows for precise alignment of multiple dental units without the constraints of physical handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual design methods are used for dental bridges, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but time consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical design methods with an automated computer-based system. Instead of physically manipulating models and making manual adjustments, the system uses software algorithms to automatically position and align dental units based on 3D scan data. This substitution maintains design flexibility through digital manipulation while dramatically reducing the time required for bridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing digital modification of key parameters such as tooth position, orientation, and spacing in the virtual model. The system can adjust multiple parameters simultaneously and recalculate alignment automatically, providing flexibility comparable to manual methods but executed much faster through computational algorithms rather than iterative physical adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system for dental bridge reconstructions include receiving an order for a plurality of single dental units for reconstruction, receiving a 3D virtual model of each jaw of a patient's dentition, and providing virtual reconstructions of the plurality of single dental units as part of a virtual dental bridge.