阅读说明：本技术 牙齿受力测量系统及方法 (tooth stress measurement system and method ) 是由 张利恒 黄雷 于 2018-05-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请的一方面提供了一种牙齿受力测量系统,包括：N个牙齿模拟组件,其每一个包括牙体部分和连接部分,所述N个牙齿模拟组件如此排列,使得其牙体部分形成第一牙齿布局；N个力传感器,分别与所述N个牙齿模拟组件的连接部分一一对应地连接,以感应所述N个牙齿模拟组件的受力；以及第一支抗模拟装置,用于为所述N个牙齿模拟组件的至少之一的牙体部分提供支抗,其中,N为大于2的整数。(One aspect of the present application provides a dental force measurement system, comprising: n tooth simulation assemblies each including a tooth body portion and a connecting portion, the N tooth simulation assemblies being arranged such that the tooth body portions thereof form a first tooth arrangement; the N force sensors are respectively connected with the connecting parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence manner so as to sense the stress of the N tooth simulation assemblies; and a first anchorage simulation device for providing anchorage for a tooth body part of at least one of the N tooth simulation components, wherein N is an integer greater than 2.)

1. A dental force measurement system comprising:

N tooth simulation assemblies each including a tooth body portion and a connecting portion, the N tooth simulation assemblies being arranged such that the tooth body portions thereof form a first tooth arrangement;

The N force sensors are respectively connected with the connecting parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence manner so as to sense the stress of the N tooth simulation assemblies; and

first anchorage simulation means for providing an anchorage for a dental body portion of at least one of the N dental simulation components,

Wherein N is an integer greater than 2.

2. A dental force measuring system according to claim 1, further comprising: and the computer is connected with the N force sensors and is used for acquiring signals from the N force sensors and processing the signals so as to obtain the stress information of the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies.

3. a dental stress measuring system according to claim 2, wherein the computer is connected to the first anchorage simulation means for controlling it to provide anchorage to the dental body portion of at least one of the N dental simulation assemblies.

4. A dental stress measuring system according to claim 3, wherein the first anchorage simulation device comprises a suspension portion for suspending the traction member, the computer being adapted to control the orientation of the suspension portion of the first anchorage simulation device.

5. The dental stress measuring system of claim 1, wherein the N tooth simulation assemblies are respectively fixed to the N force sensors in a one-to-one correspondence, the N force sensors being fixed to the base.

6. A dental force measurement system according to claim 5, wherein the first anchorage simulation device is fixed to the base.

7. A dental force measurement system according to claim 1, wherein the N force sensors are six-dimensional force sensors.

8. a method of measuring forces on a tooth comprising:

Providing N dental simulation assemblies each comprising a dental body portion and a connecting portion, the N dental simulation assemblies being arranged such that the dental body portions thereof form a first dental layout;

Providing N force sensors which are respectively connected with the connecting parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence manner so as to sense the stress of the N tooth simulation assemblies;

Applying an anchorage tractive force to a dental body portion of at least one of the N dental simulation assemblies using a first anchorage simulation device, an

Acquiring signals from the N force sensors by using a computer, processing the signals to obtain a first group of stress data which represents the stress condition of the tooth body part of the N tooth simulation assemblies under the action of the anchorage traction force,

Wherein N is an integer greater than 2.

9. A method of measuring forces on a tooth as in claim 8, further comprising:

The computer graphically displays the dental jaws corresponding to the N dental simulation components and the three-dimensional models of the dental jaws corresponding to the N dental simulation components through a human-computer interaction interface; and

And the computer controls the first anchorage simulation device to apply the anchorage traction according to an anchorage orientation selection instruction, wherein the anchorage orientation selection instruction is input by a user by referring to a graphical three-dimensional model displayed by the human-computer interaction interface.

10. A method for measuring a force applied to a tooth according to claim 9, wherein the first anchorage simulation device is provided with a suspension portion for suspending a traction member, and the computer controls the first anchorage simulation device to move the suspension portion thereof to a predetermined orientation in accordance with the anchorage orientation selection command so as to apply the anchorage traction force.

11. a method of measuring forces on a tooth as claimed in claim 8 or 10, further comprising: and wearing a first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance on the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies, wherein the anchorage traction force acts on the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance, and the first group of stress data represents the stress condition of the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies under the action of the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance and the anchorage traction force.

12. The method of measuring dental forces of claim 11, wherein the first shell orthodontic appliance is provided with a pull suspension structure for suspending the pull to receive anchorage traction.

13. A method of dental stress measurement according to claim 12, wherein the traction element suspension structure is a tongue button.

14. A method for measuring tooth force according to claim 8, wherein the N tooth simulation modules are respectively fixed to the N force sensors in a one-to-one correspondence, and the N force sensors are fixed to the base.

15. A method of measuring forces on a tooth as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first anchorage simulation device is fixed to the base.

16. A method of measuring forces on a tooth as in claim 8, wherein said N force sensors are six-dimensional force sensors.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to a dental stress measurement system including an anchorage simulation device capable of measuring stress of a tooth under traction of an anchorage, and a dental stress measurement method using the dental stress measurement system.

Background

Various orthodontic appliances have been developed for straightening and treating a patient's teeth. Such as conventional bracket/archwire appliances and new shell appliances.

whether a traditional bracket appliance or a new shell appliance, is worn on the teeth of a user for a period of time, and force is applied to the teeth by the appliance to gradually align the teeth. In order to optimize the correction effect, it is desirable to simulate and measure the force applied by the appliance to the teeth in vitro, so as to optimize the design of the appliance accordingly.

Please refer to the patent application No. CN201410190820.1 entitled "dental stress measuring device and method" (hereinafter referred to as "820 patent application") filed on 7/5/2014 by the applicant, and the patent application No. CN201610990813.9 entitled "dental stress measuring device and method" (hereinafter referred to as "813 patent application") filed on 10/11/2016 by the applicant, which disclose a dental stress measuring device and method. However, in many cases of orthodontics, additional anchorage is required to assist the appliance in orthodontic treatment, but neither of the 820 and 813 patent applications disclose devices and methods for in vivo modeling and measuring tooth forces under anchorage traction.

As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, anchorage control in clinical orthodontics is a critical issue in the success of many orthodontic cases, and it extends throughout the treatment process. Therefore, in order to simulate and test more different orthodontic cases and simulate and test the stress condition of teeth under the traction action of the anchorage in the orthodontic process more truly and accurately so as to perfect the design of the appliance and the anchorage, a new tooth stress measuring device and a new tooth stress measuring method are needed to be provided.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present application provides a dental force measurement system, comprising: n tooth simulation assemblies each including a tooth body portion and a connecting portion, the N tooth simulation assemblies being arranged such that the tooth body portions thereof form a first tooth arrangement; the N force sensors are respectively connected with the connecting parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence manner so as to sense the stress of the N tooth simulation assemblies; and a first anchorage simulation device for providing anchorage for a tooth body part of at least one of the N tooth simulation components, wherein N is an integer greater than 2.

In some embodiments, the dental force measurement system further comprises: and the computer is connected with the N force sensors and is used for acquiring signals from the N force sensors and processing the signals so as to obtain the stress information of the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies.

In some embodiments, the computer is connected to the first anchorage simulation means for controlling it to provide anchorage for a dental body part of at least one of the N dental simulation assemblies.

In some embodiments, the first anchorage simulation device includes a suspension portion for suspending the traction element, and the computer is configured to control an orientation of the suspension portion of the first anchorage simulation device.

In some embodiments, the N tooth simulation assemblies are respectively fixed to the N force sensors in a one-to-one correspondence, the N force sensors being fixed to the base.

In some embodiments, the first anchorage simulation device is fixed to the base.

In some embodiments, the N force sensors are six-dimensional force sensors.

Yet another aspect of the present application provides a method for measuring a force applied to a tooth, including: providing N dental simulation assemblies each comprising a dental body portion and a connecting portion, the N dental simulation assemblies being arranged such that the dental body portions thereof form a first dental layout; providing N force sensors which are respectively connected with the connecting parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies in a one-to-one correspondence manner so as to sense the stress of the N tooth simulation assemblies; applying anchorage traction force to the tooth body part of at least one of the N tooth simulation assemblies by using a first anchorage simulation device, acquiring signals from the N force sensors by using a computer, and processing the signals to obtain a first group of stress data which represents the stress condition of the tooth body part of the N tooth simulation assemblies under the action of the anchorage traction force, wherein N is an integer greater than 2.

In some embodiments, the method for measuring force applied to a tooth further comprises: the computer graphically displays the dental jaws corresponding to the N dental simulation components and the three-dimensional models of the dental jaws corresponding to the N dental simulation components through a human-computer interaction interface; and the computer controls the first anchorage simulation device to apply the anchorage traction force according to an anchorage orientation selection instruction, wherein the anchorage orientation selection instruction is input by a user by referring to a graphical three-dimensional model displayed by the human-computer interaction interface.

In some embodiments, the first anchorage simulation device is provided with a suspension portion for suspending the traction member, and the computer controls the first anchorage simulation device to move the suspension portion thereof to a predetermined orientation according to the anchorage orientation selection command to apply the anchorage traction force.

In some embodiments, the method for measuring force applied to a tooth further comprises: and wearing a first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance on the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies, wherein the anchorage traction force acts on the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance, and the first group of stress data represents the stress condition of the tooth body parts of the N tooth simulation assemblies under the action of the first shell-shaped orthodontic appliance and the anchorage traction force.

In some embodiments, the first shell orthodontic appliance is provided with a pull suspension structure for suspending the pull to receive the anchorage pull.

In some embodiments, the retractor suspension structure is a tongue button.

In some embodiments, the N tooth simulation assemblies are respectively fixed to the N force sensors in a one-to-one correspondence, the N force sensors being fixed to the base.

In some embodiments, the first anchorage simulation device is fixed to the base.

In some embodiments, the N force sensors are six-dimensional force sensors.

Drawings

The above and other features of the present application will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only several exemplary embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a dental force measurement system in one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the connection between the tooth simulation assembly and the force sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the structure under the slider of the anchorage simulation device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a anchorage design verification method in one embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. The exemplary embodiments set forth in the specification and drawings are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that many other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. It will be understood that the aspects of the present application described herein may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are within the scope of the present application.

One aspect of the application provides a device and method capable of simulating and measuring the stress condition of a plurality of teeth under the traction action of anchorage in vitro. In many orthodontic cases, the role of anchorage is of paramount importance. If the influence of the anchorage on the stress of the teeth can be simulated and measured in vitro, the appliance and the anchorage design can be optimized, so that the orthodontic treatment effect is improved.

The apparatus and method of the present application may be used to measure forces on teeth under various types of anchorage traction, such as forces on teeth when anchorage traction is applied directly to the teeth, or forces on teeth when anchorage traction is applied to a dental appliance worn on the teeth, and the like.

In one embodiment, the dental appliance may be an orthodontic appliance including, but not limited to, bracket-archwire appliances and shell appliances (e.g., invisible appliances). The orthodontic appliance is capable of repositioning the teeth to a desired arrangement. Taking the invisible appliance as an example, it is generally made of a safe transparent elastic polymer material with cavities adapted to the shape of the teeth of the upper or lower jaw. When the invisible appliance is worn on the teeth of the upper jaw or the lower jaw, a force is applied to the teeth so that the teeth move to a desired position.

In one embodiment of the application, an anchorage simulation device is arranged in the tooth stress measurement system, so that the stress condition of the tooth under the traction action of the anchorage can be measured.

The following detailed description of various embodiments of the present application is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a dental force measurement system 100 in one embodiment of the present application is schematically illustrated.

the dental force measurement system 100 includes a base 101, a plurality of dental simulation components 103, a plurality of force sensors 105, anchorage simulation devices 107a and 107b, and a computer 109.

The plurality of tooth simulation assemblies 103 are respectively connected with the plurality of force sensors 105 in a one-to-one correspondence, so that the force sensors 105 can sense the force applied to the corresponding tooth simulation assemblies 103. In one embodiment, the tooth simulation assembly 103 is rigidly connected to a corresponding force sensor 105, and the force sensor 105 is fixedly mounted on the base 101.

Referring to FIG. 2, a connection between a single tooth simulation element 103 and a force sensor 105 is schematically illustrated in one embodiment of the present application.

The tooth simulating assembly 103 includes a dental body part 1031, a connecting rod 1033 formed to extend from an end of the dental body part 1031 opposite to the crown, and a fixing portion 1035 formed at an end of the connecting rod 1033. The geometry of the dental portion 1031 substantially conforms to the corresponding teeth of the patient. The securing portion 1035 is screwed to the force sensor 105, thereby rigidly connecting the tooth simulation element 103 and the force sensor 105.

Although the tooth body portions of the plurality of tooth simulating assemblies 103 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 form a complete dentition, it will be appreciated in light of the present disclosure that the number of tooth simulating assemblies 103 may be as desired, for example, the tooth body portions may form only partial dentitions.

The anchorage simulation devices 107a and 107b are fixedly installed on the base 101 for simulating the anchorage. Since in some orthodontic cases, both left and right anchorage are required for traction, two anchorage simulation devices are provided in this embodiment. It can be understood that the number of anchorage simulation devices can be increased or decreased according to specific requirements.

In one embodiment, the anchorage simulation devices 107a and 107b may be motor driven, and the computer 109 is connected to the anchorage simulation devices 107a and 107b to control their movement and set the orientation of the anchorage. In one embodiment, the immittance emulation devices 107a and 107b are similar in structure, and the structure of the immittance emulation device 107a is described in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 1 and 3, fig. 3 schematically illustrates a structure under a slider 1077 a.

The anchorage simulation device 107a includes a base 1071a, a first shaft 1073a, a guide 1075a, a slider 1077a, a bushing 1079a, a second shaft 1081a, a third shaft 1083a, and a suspension 1085 a.

The base 1071a is fixedly mounted on the base 101 and forms a sleeve that fits over the first shaft 1073 a. The first shaft 1073a can be moved up and down relative to the base 1071a and rotated around the axis of the first shaft 1073a by a motor (not shown).

the guide 1075a is fixedly mounted on the top end of the first shaft 1073a and is substantially perpendicular to the first shaft 1073 a. The slider 1077a is slidably mounted on the guide rail 1075a, and the slider 1077a can move along the guide rail 1075a by the driving of a motor (not shown).

The slider 1077a extends downward to form a sleeve 107%, and the second shaft 1081a is rotatably fitted into the sleeve 1079 a. The second shaft 1081a is capable of rotating around its axial center by a motor (not shown).

The second shaft 1081a is provided at an end thereof with a third shaft 1083a substantially perpendicular thereto, and the third shaft 1083a is capable of rotating around the axis thereof under the driving of a motor (not shown). A hanging portion 1085a is fixedly mounted on the third shaft 1083a for hanging the traction member, wherein the hanging portion 1085a is rod-shaped and substantially perpendicular to the third shaft 1083 a. The traction elements are capable of creating a pulling force on both ends of the suspension, including but not limited to rubber bands, springs, and the like.

The arrangement of the anchorage simulator 107a is such that the suspension portion 1085a can simulate an anchorage at any position and angle.

Under the initiation of the present application, it can be understood that, besides the anchorage simulation device with the above structure, the anchorage simulation device with other structures can also be adopted.

In one embodiment, a multi-axis robot, such as a six-axis robot, may also be used as the primary structure of the anchorage simulation device.

In yet another embodiment, a fixed anchorage simulation device may also be employed. It may include a mounting fixing portion for mounting and fixing the anchorage simulation device on the base 101, a connecting rod extending from the mounting fixing portion to a position where the simulated anchorage is located, and a hanging portion formed by extending from a distal end of the connecting rod. After acquiring the position and angle of the anchorage to be simulated in advance, the anchorage simulation device is manufactured based on the position and angle and the mounting position of the anchorage simulation device on the base 101. In one embodiment, the installation position of the anchorage simulation device on the base 101 may be fixed, and different shapes of the anchorage simulation device are made according to different positions and angles of the anchorage to be simulated. In one embodiment, the anchorage simulation device may be fixedly mounted on the base 101 by means of bolts.

In yet another embodiment, anchorage simulation means that can manually adjust the orientation of the suspension may also be employed. For example, it may adopt a structure similar to that of the anchorage simulation device 107a, except that the movable parts may be manually controlled and fixed (for example, fixed with bolts).

In one embodiment, if multiple immittance simulation devices are required, immittance simulation devices of different structures and principles may be combined.

The computer 109 is also connected to the force sensor 103 to receive signals generated by the force sensor 103 as a result of forces applied to the teeth. In one embodiment, the computer 109 is capable of processing the signals from the force sensors 103 and presenting the force profile of the teeth to the user.

In one embodiment, the force sensor 105 may be a six-dimensional force sensor (also referred to as a six-degree-of-freedom force sensor or F/T sensor). A variety of six-dimensional force sensors have been developed that can measure 3 force components and 3 moment components simultaneously, and can be implemented by various principles such as resistance strain, piezoelectric, optical, capacitive, inductive, etc. For example, for a resistance strain type six-dimensional force sensor which is widely applied, the basic working principle is as follows: under the action of external force, the elastic body structure deforms, so that the strain gauge attached to the elastic body is strained, the resistance value is changed, and the resistance value change is converted into the voltage or current change through the circuit. In the piezoelectric six-dimensional force sensor, the piezoelectric material generates charges under the action of external stress, and when the external force changes, the charges on the surface of the piezoelectric material change along with the external stress, so that the output voltage signal changes. The six-dimensional force sensor can well measure the acting force and the rotating moment applied by the tooth appliance in a three-dimensional space, thereby intelligently simulating the physiological state of a human body.

In the above embodiments, the anchorage traction force is applied by fixing the position of the anchorage simulator suspension and then suspending the elastic traction member between the anchorage simulator suspension and the tooth simulator assembly or appliance.

In yet another embodiment, the anchorage traction may be applied directly using a computer-controlled anchorage simulation device. In this case, the anchorage simulation device may be connected directly to the object to which the anchorage traction is applied, or may be connected via a traction member.

In one embodiment, the three-dimensional models of the upper and lower jaws may be graphically presented to the user through a human-computer interface of the computer, so that the user may select the position of the anchorage through the human-computer interface (for example, clicking the corresponding position of the three-dimensional models of the upper and lower jaws through a mouse), and the computer controls the anchorage simulation device to move the suspension part of the anchorage simulation device to the corresponding position or apply the traction force of the anchorage in the corresponding direction after receiving the instruction of the user. In one embodiment, the above scheme can be implemented by scanning to obtain three-dimensional digital models of the upper and lower jaws of the patient and then obtaining the initial position relationship between the dental simulation assembly and the anchorage simulation device.

in one embodiment, the effect of the peripheral tissue on the force applied to the teeth in the actual situation may not be considered when measuring the force applied to the teeth under the anchorage traction, i.e. the peripheral tissue simulation member is not disposed around the body portion of the tooth simulation member as disclosed in the' 820 patent.

In one embodiment, when measuring the force applied to the tooth under the anchorage traction, the influence of the peripheral tissue of the tooth on the force applied to the tooth in the actual situation can be considered, i.e. as disclosed in the 813 patent, the peripheral tissue simulation member is arranged around the tooth body part of the tooth simulation member, so that the measurement is closer to the actual situation.

The entire contents of the 820 and 813 patents are incorporated into this application.

In some cases, anchorage traction may act directly on the teeth. For example, a tongue button may be affixed to the tooth surface and then a traction member may be suspended over the anchorage and tongue button to create traction therebetween. In this case, the traction force is applied to the tooth alone.

under the condition of wearing the appliance, if the influence of anchorage traction directly acting on teeth on the stress of other teeth is measured, a tooth simulation assembly with stress deformation similar to the stress displacement of real teeth can be adopted. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by the structural design and material selection of the tooth simulating assembly.

In some cases, anchorage traction may act on dental appliances worn on the teeth. Such as a shell-like dental appliance, and more particularly, such as a shell-like orthodontic appliance. A traction element may be suspended between the anchorage and a tongue button or traction hook on the shell-like dental implement to create traction between the anchorage and the shell-like dental implement. In this case, the tractive force is applied to the plurality of teeth wearing the shell-like dental implement.

In the case of wearing the appliance, if the influence of the anchorage pull acting on the dental appliance on the stress of each tooth is to be measured, a tooth simulation assembly that is nearly rigid can be used, i.e. under the stress, the tooth body part of the tooth simulation assembly is hardly displaced.

In the orthodontic treatment of teeth, if no additional anchorage is added, the orthodontic appliance applies a correcting force to one moving tooth and applies a force with the same magnitude and the opposite direction to the correcting force to other teeth, namely, in the correcting process, other stressed teeth become the anchorage of the moving tooth. In many cases, the neighboring teeth of the moving tooth are the main anchorage of the moving tooth.

Taking a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance as an example, since the geometric shape of the cavity of the existing shell-shaped appliance for accommodating teeth generally substantially matches the target layout of the teeth in the corresponding correction stage, when the shell-shaped appliance is worn on the dentition, the force applied to each tooth is uncontrollable. In some cases, this uncontrollable can cause teeth that are not adapted to withstand excessive support, or teeth that are not adapted to withstand support in one direction to withstand support in that direction, thereby adversely affecting it.

In such cases, it is necessary to provide additional anchorage for certain moving teeth to alleviate or eliminate the above-mentioned adverse effects on other teeth. One way to provide additional anchorage is to plant the anchorage, which is complicated to operate and traumatic, and therefore requires special care. It is necessary to verify that the anchorage design can achieve the desired effect before planting the anchorage. The anchorage design may include an anchorage orientation and an anchorage force magnitude. In one embodiment, the dental stress measurement system of the present application can be used to simulate and measure the effect of anchorage on dental stress, which in turn can optimize the anchorage design based on the results of the measurements.

The application of the tooth force measuring system of the present application will be described below by taking, as an example, verification of the effect of anchorage design in orthodontic treatment using a shell-shaped orthodontic appliance. It will be appreciated in light of the present application that the scope of application of the dental force measurement system of the present application is not limited to this particular application.

Please refer to fig. 4, which is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a verification method 200 for anchorage design.

In 201, a dental force measurement system is provided.

In one embodiment, a dental force measurement system similar to the dental force measurement system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be employed.

The plurality of tooth simulating assemblies are secured such that the tooth body portions thereof form a first tooth arrangement. In one embodiment, the first tooth arrangement can be an initial tooth arrangement for a stage of correction to which the first shell orthodontic appliance corresponds.

At 203, a first shell orthodontic appliance is worn over the dental sections of the plurality of tooth simulating assemblies.

shell orthodontic appliances are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein with reference to the text or drawings.

at 205, a first set of force data is obtained with a pull member suspended between the first shell orthodontic appliance and the first anchorage simulation device and measuring the force applied to each tooth simulation assembly.

In one embodiment, a traction element suspension structure, such as a tongue button, is provided at a particular location of the first shell orthodontic appliance. The traction element may be suspended from the traction element suspension structure of the first shell orthodontic appliance and the suspension of the first anchorage simulator.

In one embodiment, the total branch traction force may be estimated based on the material properties of the traction element and its stretched length.

In one embodiment, the pull tab suspension structure can be secured to the first shell orthodontic appliance by welding or adhesive.

In one embodiment, the orientation of the tractor suspension structure may be designed according to its function and orientation of the anchorage. Thus, the devices and methods of the present application can also be used to verify the design of a pull hanger suspension on a shell orthodontic appliance.

In one embodiment, the first anchorage simulation device may be computer controlled to move its suspension portion to a predetermined orientation before or after the traction element is suspended.

The first set of force data represents the force experienced by each of the plurality of tooth simulation components when the first shell orthodontic appliance is worn and under anchorage traction.

In one embodiment, it may be determined directly whether the anchorage design is qualified based on the second set of force data. For example, whether the anchorage force provided by the adjacent tooth of the moving tooth is less than a predetermined value.

At 207, the force of each tooth simulation assembly is measured without the traction member suspended, and a second set of force data is obtained.

The second set of force data represents a force condition of each of the plurality of tooth simulation components when the first shell orthodontic appliance is worn and the auxiliary anchorage is absent.

At 209, the anchorage design is verified based on the first set of force data and the second set of force data.

By comparing the first set of force data with the second set of force data, the influence of the anchorage on the force of each tooth can be displayed. In one embodiment, it may be determined whether the anchorage is functioning as intended by comparing the first set of force data with the second set of force data.

If the anchorage design is unqualified, the anchorage design can be modified according to the comparison between the first group of stress data and the second group of stress data.

After the anchorage design is modified, the stress of each tooth under the traction of the modified anchorage can be measured again to obtain a third group of stress data. In one embodiment, if the anchorage design is still unqualified, the anchorage design can be modified by comparing the second set of force data with the third set of force data. In one embodiment, this iteration may be continued until a more desirable anchorage design is obtained.

It will be appreciated in light of the present application that the application of the dental force measuring system of the present application is not limited to the above examples, and can be used to measure the force of a tooth with any auxiliary anchorage.

While various aspects and embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting. The scope and spirit of the application are to be determined only by the claims appended hereto.

Likewise, the various diagrams may illustrate an exemplary architecture or other configuration of the disclosed methods and systems that is useful for understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the disclosed methods and systems. The claimed subject matter is not limited to the exemplary architectures or configurations shown, but rather, the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, to the extent that flow diagrams, functional descriptions, and method claims do not follow, the order in which the blocks are presented should not be limited to the various embodiments which perform the recited functions in the same order, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms and phrases used herein, and variations thereof, are to be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. In some instances, the presence of an extensible term or phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to," or other similar terms should not be construed as intended or required to imply a narrowing in instances where such extensible terms may not be present.