Virtual Surface Tooth Segmentation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In orthodontics, the segmentation of tooth surfaces from surrounding structures in digital data is challenging due to variability in tooth size and shape, particularly with jagged or worn chewing surfaces, which complicates automated computer recognition and manual segmentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method is employed where a virtual surface identifies a portion of a tooth surface, and then the remaining mouth surface is analyzed to define boundaries, leveraging user knowledge and reducing errors by excluding crown surfaces, thus accelerating the segmentation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated computer recognition is used for tooth segmentation, then processing speed is improved, but accuracy deteriorates due to variability in tooth size, shape, and jagged chewing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A virtual surface is introduced as an intermediary element to assist in identifying tooth surfaces. The virtual surface acts as a mediator between the complex raw data and the segmentation algorithm, providing a simplified reference framework that improves recognition accuracy without sacrificing processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The method performs preliminary actions by using the virtual surface to pre-identify portions of tooth surfaces before the main segmentation process. This preliminary identification simplifies the subsequent boundary detection task, allowing the algorithm to focus computational resources on challenging areas while maintaining overall speed
2Measurement precision
If manual segmentation is used to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial automation selectively - fully automated processing is used for simple, clear tooth surfaces where high speed is sufficient, while manual or enhanced automated processing is applied only to complex areas with jagged surfaces or ambiguous boundaries. This partial action approach achieves high accuracy where needed without sacrificing overall productivity
3Reliability
If the entire mouth surface is analyzed for segmentation, then completeness is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis is segmented into distinct regions based on the virtual surface framework. Rather than uniformly processing the entire mouth surface, the system divides it into identified tooth portions and surrounding structures, applying different processing strategies to each segment. This reduces overall computational complexity while maintaining completeness through systematic coverage of all regions
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Computer-implemented method of simulating a collision between a first virtual tooth and a second virtual tooth comprising: receiving into the computer digital data defining, in three-dimensional space, the first virtual tooth and the second virtual tooth; receiving permissible movement input data directed to permissible movement of the first virtual tooth along or about a first axis; using the computer's processor, simulating, in three-dimensional space, bringing the first virtual tooth into contact with the second virtual tooth while constraining movement of the first virtual tooth based on the permissible movement input data, wherein the movement of the first virtual tooth is accompanied with an automatic movement that forces the first virtual tooth along or about an axis different from the first axis until the first virtual tooth contacts one or more neighboring teeth; and displaying, in a user interface of a display, data resulting from the simulation.