Automatic occlusal surface reconstruction for all kinds of tooth
restorations is an important ongoing research topic. It is undisputed
that an automation of the restoration process is only possible if the
typical geometry of teeth is known by the system. One realizable
approach is the restoration of the occlusal surface by adapting an
appropriate tooth model. A first prototype~\cite{guerke:00:1} that was
developed at our institute is based on this idea. The main goal of this
approach is the explicit use of dental knowledge in form of a small
number of tooth models that have the ability to adapt to the patient's
anatomy automatically.
In this paper, we present the following steps necessary to get
from the adapted model to the surface representation of the
fitting inlay.
By analyzing the adapted tooth model together with the scanned
preparation, the border of the cavity within the model is detected
automatically. The resulting three dimensional line is used to cut
the inlay out of the model and the scanned cavity. The latter has
to be triangulated in order to get the bottom of the cavity.
Having generated both meshes, top and bottom of the cavity, the
only task left is to glue these two meshes together.
