DentalFEM

Mathematical modelling for optimised implantology procedures

Type	Open Call No.	Funds granted
Twin AE	OC 3	€99,115.625

Check out why the project is a success story!

Challenge

Dental implant treatments have revolutionised dental care, but there is a need for data-driven planning tools for its interpretation and application during implant surgery, instead of procedures based only on experience in order to minimise failure rates. The macro-design of dental implants determines their stability and their capacity to withstand the functional loads. DentalFEM aims to be the first software tool in the market for optimised implantology procedures based on mathematical methods. An accurate digital replica of the patient’s oral cavity (digital twin) will be created and forces acting on implant, teeth and jawbone will be obtained by means of numerical simulations based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). Different implant types and acting forces can be computationally tested. Hence, the result of an implant procedure will be no longer based only on intuition or experience of the dentist, but on quantitative and qualitative information based on physics and mathematics.

Solutions provided

DentalFEM software has integrated under a single tool all the stages needed to carry out a simulation of a patient specific dental implantology procedure:

Anonymised cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of the patient is uploaded to our web platform
Segmentation on relevant structures is carried out by means of Machine Learning
Obtention of a 3D digital twin of patient’s oral cavity
The virtual oral cavity is discretised using a mesh
Structural response of the implant-supported prosthetic tooth is obtained by solving solid mechanics equations with FEM
The software produces data related to the mechanical performance of the implant placement (stress/strain, safety coefficient…). Results are analysed within our customised web viewer
Different methodologies and implant designs can be tested computationally (virtual surgery) in order to find the optimum mechanical performance for this patient Real surgery can be trustily performed based on computational tests

Consortium strength

INDOMINUS, with prior experience in the development of computational tools for the health industry guarantees all the skills needed for a successful technical development. In their facilities, they count with powerful workstations, the software needed, and their experts in the field of programming, solid mechanics modelling and machine learning are the key for the application experiment success. Chifor’s workers and supporters are recognised researchers in the field of dentistry, so they are used to deal with investigations and new techniques. Also, their connections in the implantology sector will boost our market launch based on an intense dissemination strategy.

Business development

There’s no solution in the market providing the structural response of an implant placement. Reductions of 40% in implants’ acquisition and 35% less corrective dentistry appointments are envisaged by the use of DentalFEM. Two license fees will be available (On Demand/Unlimited), without imposing the use of a particular CBCT machine. Dental implants market is expected to reach €4.28 billion in 2024 meaning a 5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Dental software market will register a 8% CAGR reaching €3.4 billion by 2027. We forecast to obtain a market share around 0.27% by 2027, meaning a turnover of €9.3 million.

Companies involved

INDOMINUS is a technical consulting firm based in Vigo (Spain). The team comprises multidisciplinary profiles with extensive experience in numerical simulation, machine learning, VR/AR and software development within R&D projects. They have wide experience managing projects in the framework of H2020. INDOMINUS is also experienced in carrying out innovation and funding strategy, feasibility studies, deliverable writing, and project management.

Website	Company size	Country	Industry sector
https://www.indominus.eu/		Spain	ICT/AI

CHIFOR provides 10 years’ experience in the field on dentistry, in particular, in implantology procedures. Their workers and supporters are also recognised researchers in the field of dentistry, so there are used to deal with investigations and new techniques. Currently, the company is looking to extend its activity from clinical dentistry towards medical R&D of new technologies for diagnosis and treatment. Their connections in the implantology sector will boost our market launch based on an intense dissemination strategy.

Website	Company size	Country	Industry sector
https://www.cmeddent.ro/		Romania	Health