Interactive multi-physics simulation for endodontic treatment

In this paper we present a novel approach to simulating dental treatment of root canals. Preceding interactive simulation approaches to dental training focus on preparing access cavities and working on the hard dentin of a tooth. Their common goal is to provide haptic feedback necessary to impart manual dexterity to students. In contrast, we focus on learning about the intricate complexity involved in root canal treatment, considering different root canal morphologies, differences in the texture of the pulp tissue as well as the interaction possibilities offered by different dental instruments at individual steps of the procedure. Due to this shift in focus, new computing challenges appropriate for physical interactions emerge. In this paper we elaborate on recent developments in realtime physics simulation and we demonstrate the backend mechanisms needed to drive more complex dental training simulations, amalgamating different representations for real-time physics calculations.