THREE-DIMENSIONAL ORAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Problem Addressed by the Invention

Traditional methods of capturing dental impressions and oral images are often uncomfortable, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Conventional impression materials can cause gag reflex, discomfort, and inaccurate results, while also requiring multiple steps and repeat procedures. Even modern digital solutions have notable limitations.

Most existing digital intraoral scanning systems rely on handheld scanning wands. These devices must be continuously moved inside the mouth, which can cause discomfort for patients and fatigue for clinicians. Because the scanner is always in motion, the quality of the captured images depends heavily on operator skill. Small hand movements, changes in angle, or patient motion can lead to image distortion, stitching errors, or incomplete scans, often requiring rescanning.

Another common issue is moisture inside the mouth. Saliva, fogging, and condensation can easily form on camera lenses, reducing image clarity and making it difficult to capture fine details such as tooth margins or gum lines. Current systems often rely on powders, drying procedures, or repeated cleaning of the scanner tip, increasing procedure time and complexity.

Benchtop scanners are an alternative, but they require physical impressions or models to be made first. These systems are bulky, not chairside-friendly, and add extra steps, delays, and costs to the dental workflow.

Existing systems also struggle to efficiently capture a complete view of the oral region in one step. Scanning the upper teeth, lower teeth, gums, lips, and jaw relationships often requires multiple devices, repositioning, or separate procedures. Capturing accurate jaw alignment and movement data is especially challenging with current tools.

Overall, the dental industry lacks a compact, patient-friendly, and efficient imaging solution that can capture high-quality, full-mouth digital impressions with minimal motion, reduced moisture interference, and consistent accuracy, while also simplifying the workflow for dental professionals.

Addressing a Major Gap in Prior Art

Yes, the invention clearly addresses a major and well-recognized gap in prior oral imaging technologies.

 

 

Prior art in digital dental imaging is largely divided into handheld intraoral scanning wands and benchtop scanners, each with inherent limitations. Handheld scanners require continuous manual movement inside the mouth, making scan quality highly dependent on operator skill and patient cooperation. This often leads to motion-related inaccuracies, stitching errors, incomplete scans, and patient discomfort. Benchtop scanners, on the other hand, require physical impressions or models, adding extra steps, time, and cost, and do not support real-time, chairside imaging.

 

 

A critical gap in prior art is the lack of a stable, stationary scanning solution that can capture high-quality, full-mouth digital impressions without continuous hand movement. Existing systems also fail to adequately manage moisture, fogging, and condensation near imaging sensors, which directly affects image clarity and margin detection. Many solutions rely on powders, repeated drying, or manual cleaning, none of which are efficient or patient-friendly.

 

 

Another significant gap is the inability to capture multiple oral regions simultaneously. Prior art typically requires separate scans for upper teeth, lower teeth, gums, lips, and jaw alignment. Accurate recording of bite position and jaw relationships, especially in a repeatable and clinically reliable manner, remains a challenge with conventional scanning tools.

 

 

The invention addresses these gaps by introducing a tray-based oral imaging system where imaging sensors and illumination elements are fixed in position relative to the teeth and gums, eliminating motion-induced errors. The inclusion of integrated air and suction channels directly resolves the moisture and condensation problem at the source. Furthermore, the stacked tray configuration with a jaw-positioning ramp enables simultaneous upper and lower jaw scanning while capturing accurate bite relationships, a capability largely absent in prior systems.

 

 

In summary, the invention fills a major gap in prior art by combining stationary full-mouth scanning, active moisture control, and simultaneous jaw relationship capture into a single, integrated system designed for efficient clinical use.

Brief Description of the Gap Addressed

Yes, the invention clearly addresses a major and well-recognized gap in prior oral imaging technologies.

Prior art in digital dental imaging is largely divided into handheld intraoral scanning wands and benchtop scanners, each with inherent limitations. Handheld scanners require continuous manual movement inside the mouth, making scan quality highly dependent on operator skill and patient cooperation. This often leads to motion-related inaccuracies, stitching errors, incomplete scans, and patient discomfort. Benchtop scanners, on the other hand, require physical impressions or models, adding extra steps, time, and cost, and do not support real-time, chairside imaging.

A critical gap in prior art is the lack of a stable, stationary scanning solution that can capture high-quality, full-mouth digital impressions without continuous hand movement. Existing systems also fail to adequately manage moisture, fogging, and condensation near imaging sensors, which directly affects image clarity and margin detection. Many solutions rely on powders, repeated drying, or manual cleaning, none of which are efficient or patient-friendly.

Another significant gap is the inability to capture multiple oral regions simultaneously. Prior art typically requires separate scans for upper teeth, lower teeth, gums, lips, and jaw alignment. Accurate recording of bite position and jaw relationships, especially in a repeatable and clinically reliable manner, remains a challenge with conventional scanning tools.

The invention addresses these gaps by introducing a tray-based oral imaging system where imaging sensors and illumination elements are fixed in position relative to the teeth and gums, eliminating motion-induced errors. The inclusion of integrated air and suction channels directly resolves the moisture and condensation problem at the source. Furthermore, the stacked tray configuration with a jaw-positioning ramp enables simultaneous upper and lower jaw scanning while capturing accurate bite relationships, a capability largely absent in prior systems.

 

 

In summary, the invention fills a major gap in prior art by combining stationary full-mouth scanning, active moisture control, and simultaneous jaw relationship capture into a single, integrated system designed for efficient clinical use.

**Unique Features of the Product / Process **

Tray-Based, Stationary Scanning Architecture Uses a U-shaped dental tray with fixed imaging strips, eliminating handheld scanner movement and reducing image distortion and operator dependency.

Integrated Imaging Strips Along Oral Contours Multiple imaging sensors and illumination sources are positioned along inner, outer, and base surfaces of the tray to capture comprehensive oral data simultaneously.

Active Moisture and Fog Control Built-in airflow and suction channels near the sensors actively reduce saliva condensation and fogging without relying on surface powders.

Configurable Sensor Arrangements Imaging sensors can be arranged in condensed or expanded, matched or alternating configurations to adapt to different mouth sizes and imaging needs.

Optional Extraoral Scanning Capability A detachable external extension allows scanning of the lips and outer mouth area in the same imaging session.

Stacked Tray Configuration for Full-Mouth Capture Two trays can be used together to scan upper and lower teeth simultaneously, reducing scanning time and alignment errors.

Jaw Position and Motion Recording A detachable ramp and optional motion sensors enable accurate capture of jaw position and movement during scanning.

Direct Digital Output for CAD/CAM Workflows Captured images are processed into precise 3D digital dental impressions suitable for restorative, orthodontic, and prosthetic applications.

Industries where the invention can be useful?

Industries Where the Invention Can Be Useful The patented tray-based 3D oral imaging system has broad applicability across multiple industries in China’s large and rapidly evolving healthcare and dental technology ecosystem. Primary Industries 1. Dental Clinics and Practices General dentistry, orthodontic, prosthodontic, implant, and cosmetic dentistry clinics that need accurate 3D oral scans. 2. Hospitals and Medical Centers Public and private hospitals with dental, oral surgery, and maxillofacial departments requiring precise imaging support. 3. Dental Laboratories and Prosthetics Manufacturers Labs and manufacturers producing crowns, bridges, dentures, aligners, surgical guides, and other dental appliances based on digital scans. 4. Dental Equipment Distributors and Suppliers Businesses that import, distribute, or integrate dental imaging and digital dentistry systems. 5. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) Large clinic networks in China seeking standardized, efficient digital workflows across multiple locations. 6. Dental Education and Research Institutions Universities, teaching hospitals, and research centers focused on dental technology, imaging, and clinical training. Secondary & Adjacent Industries 7. Medical Imaging Centers Specialized imaging centers offering advanced scanning services to clinics and hospitals. 8. Orthodontic Treatment Centers Clinics focused on braces, clear aligners, and corrective treatments relying on accurate oral models. 9. Tele-Dentistry and Digital Health Platforms Remote diagnosis and digital treatment planning solutions that integrate 3D models into online care. 10. Dental Software and CAD/CAM Providers Companies offering design and digital workflow software that uses 3D scan data. Summary This invention has commercial relevance wherever digital dental imaging, treatment planning, and precision dental appliance manufacturing take place. In China’s expanding healthcare and dental market, it can serve clinics, hospitals, labs, equipment suppliers, education centers, and digital health platforms.

An estimate of the total addressable market?

China’s dental equipment & consumables market is ~USD 2.13B in 2024

Potential Customers/End Users. Who might benefit?

Primary End Users • Dental Clinics & Specialty Practices General dentistry, orthodontics, implantology, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry clinics requiring accurate and efficient digital impressions. • Hospitals & Oral / Maxillofacial Departments Public and private hospitals using advanced imaging for diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical procedures. • Dental Clinic Chains / DSOs Large multi-location dental groups in China seeking standardized, operator-independent imaging across clinics. Secondary Beneficiaries • Dental Laboratories & Dental Manufacturing Centers Labs producing crowns, bridges, aligners, dentures, and surgical guides based on high-quality 3D digital models. • Dental Diagnostic & Imaging Centers Specialized centers offering oral imaging services to clinics and hospitals. • Dental Equipment Manufacturers & Distributors Companies manufacturing, distributing, or integrating dental imaging and digital dentistry systems in China. • Dental Universities & Training Institutions Academic and clinical training centers teaching digital dentistry and modern imaging workflows. • Digital Dentistry & CAD/CAM Solution Providers Software and workflow companies that rely on accurate intraoral scan data for design and manufacturing.