MAJA - Modeling and Animating the Human Jaw

1. 3D Computergraphics - New media for education

There are following advantages of an interactive 3D computer simulation with respect to common media in education:

	Books	Slides	Videos	3D Computer Simulation
2D capable
3D capable
Animation
Exploration
Interaction

excellent

limited

not possible

That's why we have developed MAJA. It provides a digital 3D model of a human skull which can be explored interactively by the user. Especially the motions of the jaw can be studied.

2. Digital 3D Skull Model MAJA uses a synthetic, digital 3D skull model which consists of 89 different parts, which are classified towards medial criteria. Rendering the model leads to a nearly photorealistic visualization of the human skull. In future, the synthetic model will be replaced by 3D digitized models of a partient to provide a tool applicable in dentirsty diagnostics.

3. Simulation of the Lower Jaw Motions

• For exploration of the lower jaw motions, sample data of a
  Condylocomp LR3 measuring device can be imported into MAJA.

• The motion paths of the condyles can be projected to the frontal, horizontal and sagittal plane.

• The motion paths can be visualized as 3D curves.
  The user can inspect them from different positions in 3D space.

  

• During the simulation the "lower jaw" part of the digital 3D skull model
  moves along the motion path performing rotations around the hinge axis.

• Examples:
  • Left-lateral motion, bottom view:

    

  • Protrusion motion, left condyle:

    

  • Mouth opening, front view:

    

4. MAJA Features

• Decomposition of the synthetic 3D skull model to mask parts
  which are not relevant or even incommoding for a certain inspection.

• Exploration of the model with several virtual camera controllers.

• Tools for playing and editing of animation sequences.

• Virtual working environment with floor and walls used
  as reference planes and projection surfaces.

• 3D measuring grid for interactive examination of object sizes in 3D.

5. MAJA Graphical User Interface

6. Application Area

• MAJA is suitable for dentistry tutors to document jaw motions
  and to analyze "Condylocomp LR3" sample data.

• Students can explore the human skull and jaw motions interactively.

7. Future Work

• Integration of digital 3D reconstructed jaw models of patients.

• 3D collision detection for visualization of premature occlusal contacts
  and interferences of antagonistic teeth.

• Extension of the graphical user interface:
  • 2D/3D labeling of bones, teeth and motion paths.

  • Multiple rendering views with different camera settings.

• Datenbase integration for filing perceptions, diagnoses and sample data.

• Internet connection.

8. Further Information

• Jürgen Döllner, Klaus Hinrichs, MAM/VRS Visualization- und Animation Toolkit, University of Münster, http://wwwmath.uni-muenster.de/~mam

• Friedhelm Bollmann, Poliklinik für zahnärztliche Prothetik, University of Münster, http://medweb.uni-muenster.de/institute/zmk/einrichtungen/proth

• Jörg Reiberg, Visualisierung und Animation von Kiefergelenksbewegungen mit dem Modellierungs- und Animationssytem MAM/VRS, Diploma thesis, Institute for Computer Science, University of Münster, 1997.

• MAJA Homepage, http://wwwmath.uni-muenster.de/cs/u/reiberg/maja .