title: Morphogenic designer--an efficient tool to digitally design tooth forms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study describes the morphogenic designer (MGD) as an efficient and easy method for digitally designing tooth forms for the anterior and posterior dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MGD proved to be a versatile and powerful tool for the purpose of esthetic and functional digital crown designs.
authors.affiliation: hajto@smile-art.de
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hajtó
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marinescu
authors.forename: N R F A
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014584:User-Computer Interface