Morphogenic Designer - An Efficient Tool to Digitally Design Tooth Forms

Background and purpose: Different digital software tools are available today for the purpose of designing anatomically correct anterior and posterior restorations. The current concepts present weaknesses, which can be potentially addressed by more advanced modeling tools, such as the ones already available in professional CAD (Computer Aided Design) graphical software. Aim: This study describes the morphogenic designer (MGD) as an efficient and easy method for digitally designing tooth forms for the anterior and posterior dentition. Materials and Method: Anterior and posterior tooth forms were selected from a collection of digitalized natural teeth and subjectively assessed as "average". The models in the form of STL files were filtered, cleaned, idealized, and re-meshed to match the specifications of the software used. The shapes were then imported as wavefront ".obj" model into Modo 701, software built for modeling, texturing, visualization, and animation. Results: In order to create a parametric design system, intentional interactive deformations were performed on the average tooth shapes and then further defined as morph targets. By combining various such parameters, several tooth shapes were formed virtually and their images presented. Conclusion: MGD proved to be a versatile and powerful tool for the purpose of esthetic and functional digital crown designs. Keywords: computerized dentistry, dental 3D modeling, morphogenic tooth design, digital tooth design