3D modeling for custom dental prosthodontics

Our client is a dental professional with decades of experience and passion for innovative dentistry approaches. The client’s dental clinic is spanning a selection of services – cosmetic, preventative, restorative, implantology – but soon there’s more to come.

We are currently working on building a breakthrough dental product – a solution for creating occlusal guards:

• By uploading 3D scans of the patient’s jaw
• And processing those scans by using AI techniques to print high-quality splints

Our objectives focused around:

• Develop a robust solution for processing 3D scans
• Integrate an efficient system for generating occlusal rims that provides both consistency and precision
• Deliver an intuitive experience by introducing
  • automated measurement
  • intelligent preprocessing
• Lay a solid groundwork for future AI implementation for future 3D printing in prosthodontics

The finished project iteration introduces semi-automation by leveraging animation software to generate 3D models by processing patient scans and analyzing anatomical landmarks.

The concept:

Data preprocessing

• The process starts with unit conversion to ensure consistent measurements (in millimeters)
• And then proceeds with proper positioning to align 3D geometry by using reference points

At the final stage, the solution is programmed to calculate surface normal to ensure accurate interactions.

Building upper and lower occlusal guards

Material trimming to remove any excesses from generated base plates
Muscle avoidance to prevent any interference with muscles
Final refinement to adjust 3D models after the initial construction
Shim integration to allow shim fine-tuning

To note: the construction of upper and lower occlusal splints is individual.

Data export

• Default export of built 3D models in .STL file format
• Custom export of the 3D models by defining output paths, filenames, formats, and metadata

By leveraging AI techniques, we’ll automate the process even further.

Full automation

At the next stages, we’re planning on transitioning to comprehensive, full automation by using AI techniques, thereby enabling 3D dental model generation without limitations.

At this project stage, our team:

• Conducted a discovery phase to determine the feasibility of full or semi-automation
• Developed a reusable tool by using animation software
• Enabled the manual adjustment of parameters
• Designed a scalable workflow that lays the foundation to introduce AI automation

At the next stages, our engineers are aiming at introducing AI techniques:

• Short-term adjustments
  • to improve interface elements and allow manual tuning
  • and enhance data preprocessing
• Long-term integration by gathering larger datasets
  • to automate the workflow with minimal human interactions by training our algorithm
  • and transition the workflow to entirely AI-based automation

Data preprocessing

Given variations in equipment, patient scans typically come with noise or distortions, which means poor input.

We resolve this challenge:

• By using unit conversion for consistency
• And using native tools to detect and fill the gaps in scan while preserving anatomical accuracy

Further fine-tuning

Making corrections for precision during trimming and avoidance of muscles is another sophisticated problem.

We resolved this challenge:

• By using predefined boundaries around landmarks to omit any interference
• And allowing manual adjustment for balance between automation and control

In its current state, our solution directly addresses the demand for precision and efficiency in prosthodontics:

• No more human error – by leveraging a procedural animation software, dental professionals can expect consistent results across workflows, without defects and remodeling
• Way less manual work – by automating 3D modeling, from preprocessing to exporting the models, dental facilities can minimize manual intervention and optimize resource utilization

Looking forward, the project is setting the stage for integrating AI capabilities for high-quality dental modeling. Fully automated, the solution is thought to lay the foundation for continued business innovation and growth through accuracy and efficiency.