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June 22, 2009 | dlpmagazine.com
News

Geomagic releases technology previews of add-on for designing dental copings and bridge frameworks, import of CBCT data

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – A new add-on for designing dental copings and bridge frameworks in conjunction with Geomagic Studio is now available as a free technology preview on Geomagic Labs. Geomagic Labs is a community website that provides early access to new technologies, innovation and product concepts before they appear in commercial Geomagic software.

The new Copings and Frameworks Add-On enables copings and bridge frameworks to be designed directly from intra-oral scans, 3D scans of dental impressions, and CBCT scans. It extends the functionality of Geomagic Studio 3D modeling software, which automatically transforms scan data and polygon meshes into accurate 3D digital models.

Fastest path from scan to 3D model

Key features in the Copings and Frameworks Add-On include:

• A wide range of specialized dental design tools, and the ability to leverage comprehensive editing tools in Geomagic Studio, enabling users to design complex and difficult cases.
• Automatic creation of copings and bridge frameworks in a few simple steps.
• Automatic detection of the margin line for a high-quality restoration fit.
• Compatibility with manufacturing processes that utilize superior materials such as zirconia for strength, durability and greater aesthetic value.
• Compatibility with a wide variety of scanning and manufacturing hardware devices and file formats, giving users the freedom to choose which hardware they use with Geomagic software.

“The Copings and Frameworks Add-On provides a fast, easy path from scan data to completed 3D models ready for manufacturing,” says Karl Matthews, director of product management for Geomagic. “We are aiming for faster development time, less waste, and more accurate modeling and analysis that leads to a higher-quality end product.”

New tools for speed and quality

New tools in the Copings and Frameworks Add-On include:

• A cement gap adder that digitally replicates the cement a dentist adds when seating a crown. This ensures a good fit in the final restoration.
• Undercut removal or “blocking out” to help ensure that the final restoration will seat properly.
• Tool radius compensation that shows what the restoration will look like after final milling, helping to ensure a higher-quality outcome and save materials.
• A sculpt knife that simulates a dental technician using a wax knife for restoration design. This enables users to fine-tune their designs and apply their expertise and artistry with greater precision and flexibility without physical models.
• Analysis tools such as cross-section and digital calipers that allow users to check the quality of their restorations.

New DICOM Importer brings CT data into Geomagic software

In addition, a DICOM Importer that enables dental and medical practitioners to bring data from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) systems into Geomagic software is now available on Geomagic Labs.

“The DICOM Importer provides a gateway between CT scan data and the powerful 3D modeling and inspection applications made possible by Geomagic Studio and Geomagic Qualify,” says Karl Matthews, director of product management for Geomagic. “Dental and medical professionals now have access to the same customization, time-saving and quality benefits enjoyed by the industrial community. We expect to see an explosion of dental and medical applications stemming from the ability to bring CT data into Geomagic.”

Improved diagnosis, planning and treatment

DICOM (Digital Imaging Communication in Medicine) data is the format generated by CBCT scanners that enable dental and medical practitioners to view anatomically accurate and precise images, complete with bones, nerves and tissues. DICOM data improves diagnosis, planning and treatment, and exposes possible problems that may be undetectable with traditional 2D imaging methods.

The new importer converts DICOM data into an STL polygon mesh that can be processed directly by Geomagic Studio or Geomagic Qualify.

Geomagic Studio can be used to create 3D models of teeth, maxillary and mandibular arches and jaw structure for precise design of crowns, bridges, custom implant abutments, and orthodontic appliances.  The 3D models derived from DICOM data allow complete visualization of the oral and maxillofacial structure to enable better planning, surgery and post-surgical treatment.

Geomagic Qualify allows dental practitioners to make precise measurements on any plane within the 3D model. The 3D inspection software can be used to compare restorations to the original CAD model to analyze differences and determine quality, measure bone volume precisely, and assess the quality of hard tissue.

Other medical applications of Geomagic Studio and Qualify include customized design and inspection of prosthetic devices, analyses of surgical and post-surgical results, and rapid prototyping or manufacturing of customized medical appliances for treating childhood deformities

The new Copings and Frameworks Add-On from Geomagic enables copings and bridge frameworks to be designed directly from intra-oral scans, 3D scans of dental impressions, and CBCT scans.