Tracked motion-based dental occlusion surface estimation for crown restoration

This study presents a modelling method to generate individual occlusal surfaces utilizing the coupler points of opposing teeth as tracked from his/her chewing movements. An optical tracking device is used to track and collect discrete data from an individual's chewing movements. Accurate registration between the optical tracking system and the upper and lower dental casts is performed by use of a specially-designed tracking plate. A personalized occlusal surface is built from the extracted coupler points according to registered rigid body movements. The proposed theory-based modelling outcome provides crucial information for customized false teeth fabrication and, with higher analysis, could be used for diagnosis and biomechanical studies. The presented system overcomes many of the deficiencies and provides an alternative tool of the widely used conventional mechanical articulators in present-day dental clinics.