Objective: To study the method of automatic tooth selection for computer-aided design in complete denture, evaluate the results by comparison with traditional denture tooth selection.
Methods: 3D data of occlusal rim made by the dentist were obtained with a 3D laser scanner and specific points on the occlusal rim were measured on Imageware11 platform. Based on Matlab 7.1 software platform, an automatic tooth selection software was programmed with adequate consideration of complete denture tooth selection factors, for example: face form of the patient, mesiodistal diameter of the artificial anterior teeth and posterior teeth, etc. Oclusal rim and edentulous models were selected from 20 patients. The artifical teeth were selected by both technician and software. The result of automatic tooth selection was evaluated by comparison with traditional method.
Results: In 20 cases the concordant rate of automatic and traditional method is 70%.
Conclusion: The method of automatic tooth selection for computer-aided design in complete denture was realized in accordance with traditional method of denture tooth selection, the relationship between the curve of artificial teeth arranged on the occlusal rim and cuspid line--which was calculated accurately; automatic denture tooth selection; the denture tooth selected by software can be directly used in CAD complete denture tooth arrangement.