Method and Apparatus for Shape Analysis, Storage and Retrieval of 3D Models with Application to Automactic Dental Restoration Design

摘要

A method for compact and descriptive representation of teeth shape, or other shapes, in terms of characteristic curves and its application to generation of automatic designs within dental CAD software or other software is provided. In an embodiment, a method includes capturing tooth shape by a network of characteristic curves, such as margin lines. In an embodiment, a method includes compactly encoding curves as strings, which then can be indexed and searched efficiently by similarity. In an embodiment, a method includes retrieving high quality crown design proposals from a case repository based on similarity of margin line.

主权项

1. A method for generating a design proposal for a tooth restoration comprising computer-implemented steps for
a. obtaining data for a tooth preparation that comprises a chain code for an encoded margin line of a tooth preparation; b. accessing a case repository of previously designed dental restoration cases, wherein each case comprises a chain code for an encoded margin line and a digital 3D model of a restoration; c. searching the case repository by measuring similarity between the chain code of the tooth preparation and the chain codes of the previously designed dental restorations, and indexing at least a portion of the previously designed dental restorations by similarity measurements; d. retrieving a plurality of digital 3D models of the previously designed dental restorations as design proposals for the tooth preparation based on the similarity measurements of the chain codes; and e. selecting one design proposal as a tooth restoration proposal.