Removable partial denture

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination kit for removable partial dentures, which includes one or more artificial teeth and a bracket having one or more retaining sections. Each retaining section is configured to receive and retain one or more of the artificial teeth. Each artificial tooth includes a bottom surface having a surface structure, which is configured to engage a correspondingly assigned shape-complementary retaining structure, which is provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket configured to receive the respective artificial teeth. The surface structures are respectively combined with the correspondingly assigned shape-complementary retaining structures, thereby providing a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the artificial teeth including the respective surface structures and the retaining sections including the correspondingly assigned shape-complementary retaining structures.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination kit for a removable partial denture, a removable partial denture, a computer system for constructing such a combination kit, a computer program product for constructing such a combination kit, a method for constructing such a combination kit and a method for assembling such a combination kit.

[0002] Removable partial dentures are dentures that are configured to be placed in and removed from the mouth. They are intended to replace missing teeth for functional and / or aesthetic reasons. Such partial dentures typically include one or more false teeth attached to a base that provides artificial gums for the dentures. The shape and color of the artificial gums can mimic the patient's natural gums. Removable partial dentures are intended to be placed in and removed from the mouth, to fit the natural geometry of the patient's mouth and to provide sufficient stability to ensure their structural integrity when in use, for example for chewing.

[0003] An object is to provide an improved removable partial denture and to provide a computer system, a computer program product and a method for constructing such an improved removable partial denture.

[0004] On the one hand, the present invention relates to a combination kit of removable partial dentures for patients. The combination kit includes one or more dentures and a bracket having one or more retaining sections. Each retaining section is configured to receive and retain one or more dentures. Each denture includes a bottom surface having a first surface structure, and the first surface structure is configured to engage a correspondingly assigned shape-complementary first retaining structure provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket configured to receive the respective denture. Each first surface structure, in combination with the correspondingly assigned shape-complementary first retaining structure, provides a first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture including the respective surface structure and the retaining section including the respective correspondingly assigned shape-complementary retaining structure.

[0005] Embodiments may have the advantage that the retaining section of the support can receive a denture and retain the denture by a respective non-destructive detachable direct connection. Thus, the denture can be attached to a support, i.e. a retaining section of the support, which supports the denture and holds them in a predetermined position. The predetermined position may be defined relative to the support. If one of the dentures exhibits a defect or shortcoming, it can be removed from the support and replaced by another denture. The retaining section may provide a denture base.

[0006] The bracket may provide stability to the removable partial denture, ensuring its structural integrity. The bracket may thus provide a base for the partial denture. To this end, the bracket may be made of a material that provides sufficient stability to ensure the structural integrity of the removable partial denture, for example when placed in the patient's mouth. The bracket may, for example, be made of metal.

[0007] In addition to receiving and retaining the artificial tooth, the bracket may also be configured to provide support for the artificial gingival portion. The bracket may include a retaining section configured to receive and retain the artificial gingival portion.

[0008] In addition, the bracket may include one or more direct retainers for connecting the removable partial denture to the patient's remaining denture, such as one or more remaining teeth or an artificial abutment, such as an abutment connected to an implant. The direct retainer may, for example, include a support, a clasp or a telescopic tube. The telescopic fitting may, for example, be configured to be mounted on an abutment attached to an implant. The bracket may be configured to be mounted on a tooth bar for support. The bracket may also include one or more primary connectors and / or one or more secondary connectors. The bracket may also include a relief portion, such as a riser and a convex protrusion. The different components of the bracket, such as relief portions such as risers and convex protrusions, connectors such as primary and secondary connectors, and supporting components such as guide planes, supports and clasps, for example, may be connected to one or more retaining sections of the bracket designed to receive and retain the denture.

[0009] A primary connector is an element of a removable partial denture that provides a connection between removable partial denture elements arranged on different sides of the patient's dental arch. Such a primary connector can be provided, for example, in the form of a lingual bar, a sublingual bar, anterior lingual bar, a lingual plate, a buccal bar, a continuous clasp, a palatal plate, a palatal spoon plate, a palatal bar or a U-shaped palatal bar. A secondary connector is an element of a removable partial denture that provides a connection between the primary connector or denture base of a removable partial denture and other elements of the removable partial denture. A direct retainer or stabilizer is an element of a removable partial denture that connects the removable partial denture to an abutment tooth or other type of abutment. It can hold and stabilize the removable partial denture in the mouth. The direct retainer or stabilizer can partially surround or contact the abutment, such as an abutment tooth. The denture base is an element of a removable partial denture that provides a base for the denture.

[0010] A removable partial denture is a denture used in partially edentulous patients, providing one or more false teeth to replace missing teeth. Removable partial dentures may be used for functional and / or aesthetic reasons. Removable refers to the fact that the patient should be able to remove and reinsert the removable partial denture without professional assistance.

[0011] Embodiments may have the advantage that the structural integrity of the removable partial denture is provided by the bracket, which may also provide sufficient retention for the denture to keep it in a given position. For example, the additional artificial gingiva portion of the combination kit may not be necessary to contribute to the structural integrity of the removable partial denture, nor to help retain the denture. The additional artificial gingiva portion is more likely to be configured to match the natural look, natural feel and / or precise fit in the patient's mouth. Therefore, a more natural material, such as a softer and more resilient material, may be used for the artificial gingiva portion.

[0012] Embodiments may have the advantage that the surface structure and the complementary-shaped retaining structures may help to find the exact position of a precise fit, at which the denture is precisely fitted to the bracket. If the denture is arranged in a through hole provided by the artificial gingival part, the surface structure and the complementary-shaped retaining structures may help to find the exact position of the denture in the through hole. The surface structure and the complementary-shaped retaining structures may provide guidance for finding the respective exact fitting positions. For example, paired surface structures and complementary-shaped retaining structures may be configured to match each other only when adjusted relative to each other in predetermined positions relative to each other, allowing a non-destructive detachable direct connection to be established.

[0013] Embodiments may have the advantage that defects of a partial denture provided in the form of a modular kit may be easily addressed. Assuming that such a partial denture exhibits defects, such as a mismatch with the patient's jaw or an inadequate bite when provided to the patient at the dentist, for example, this defect can be easily corrected by replacing the part exhibiting the defect with a non-defective replacement. In contrast, if the partial denture provided as a final product is not non-destructively removably connected (which allows non-destructive replacement of inaccurate parts), at most only a small further adjustment possibility is provided. This may occur, for example, if all parts of a removable partial denture have been glued together to produce a connection that cannot be removed non-destructively. In this case, it may be necessary to assume that the final product, when provided to the patient at the dentist, for example, fits the patient perfectly without further adjustment. If the fit turns out to be insufficient, the partial denture may have to be replaced in its entirety by a new partial denture. Providing a new partial denture may require repeating the entire process of scanning the patient's mouth and modeling and producing the partial denture again. Embodiments may allow the above-mentioned disadvantages to be avoided and enable a partial denture provided in kit form to be assembled using a non-destructive removable connection and to try out its fit before finally joining the parts together using a permanent connection such as an adhesive.

[0014] For example, individual parts of a modular kit may be provided, assembled and tested. If the test results are satisfactory, the parts may be permanently connected, for example using an adhesive. This approach may have the advantage that the modular kit can be produced and tested without any physical copying of the scanned data of the patient's mouth, for example, without the need for a stone model / plaster model of the patient's jaw. The scanned data of the patient's mouth may be provided to a computer system, providing a digital model of the patient's jaw. The digital model of the patient's jaw can be used to generate a digital model of a removable partial denture in the form of a modular kit. The different parts of the removable partial denture digital model can be produced using a fully automated process, such as 3D printing. Thus, the produced modular kit can be assembled and tested directly in the patient's mouth, without the need to manually copy the patient's jaw for testing.

[0015] In order to test the assembled removable partial denture in the patient's mouth, all parts of the modular kit can be connected together, but without permanently connecting the parts, for example by gluing. If necessary, the partial denture can be adjusted, for example by replacing one or more of the artificial teeth, in order to ensure an exact match to the real patient's bite, for example. Thus, parts of the partial denture can be replaced without having to replace the entire partial denture.

[0016] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first surface structures each include one or more first protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the denture including the respective first surface structure. One or more of the first retaining structures each include one or more first receiving portions for receiving the one or more first protrusions. Each first protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the first receiving portions configured to receive the respective first protrusion to establish a first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0017] Embodiments may have the advantage that a first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the bracket may be established by inserting the first protrusion into the first receiving portion.The retaining section may receive the denture by receiving the first protrusion in the first receiving portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, each first protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned first receiving portion. The first protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal, such as a square or rectangular, cross-section. The first receiving portion may have a matching cross-section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may be in the form of a long ridge or a long rail, and the receiving portion may have a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the first protrusions may have the same cross-section. According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the first protrusions may vary in shape and / or size.

[0019] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first receiving portions in the form of slits or recesses may extend under a plurality of adjacent dentures. The adjacent dentures may be provided as a set of connected bridge dentures, wherein one or more of the first protrusions in the form of matching elongated ridges or rails extend across the bottom surfaces of the adjacent dentures. An embodiment may have the advantage that adjacent dentures may be attached as a unit, allowing for increased strength and speed of assembly.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the holding section. According to one embodiment, the first receiving portion is provided in the form of a through hole extending through the holding section. According to one embodiment, the through holes extending through the holding section form a mesh structure, each through hole providing an individual mesh of the mesh structure.

[0021] According to one embodiment, one or more of the aligned first receiving parts are configured to provide a remaining free space at the top of the aligned received first protrusion to receive adhesive when establishing the first non-destructive detachable direct connection so as to provide an additional first permanent connection between the denture and the retaining section. Embodiments may have the advantage that, in addition to the non-destructive detachable direct connection, a permanent connection between the denture and the retaining section may be provided. By filling the free space at the top of the aligned received first protrusion, the non-destructive detachable connection may be converted into a permanent connection. The non-destructive detachable direct connection may be used to connect the denture to the bracket to check whether it is correctly assembled. If the check is successful, a permanent connection may be established to strengthen the bond.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the bottom surface of the denture and / or the holding structure comprises a plurality of additional recesses for receiving the adhesive so as to provide an additional first permanent connection between the denture and the holding section. This embodiment may have the advantage that the adhesive may be concentrated and hardened in the recesses, forming a stronger bond between the denture and the holding section.

[0023] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first retaining structures each include one or more first protrusions protruding from a retaining section including the respective first retaining structure. One or more of the first surface structures each include one or more first receiving portions for receiving the one or more first protrusions. Each first protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the first receiving portions configured to receive the respective first protrusion to establish a first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0024] Embodiments may have the advantage that a first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the dental prosthesis and the bracket may be established by inserting the first protrusion into the first receiving portion.The retaining section may receive the dental prosthesis by inserting the first protrusion into the first receiving portion.

[0025] According to one embodiment, each first protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned first receiving portion. The first protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal, such as a square or rectangular, cross-section. The first receiving portion may have a matching cross-section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have the form of a long ridge or a long rail and the receiving portion may have the form of a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the first protrusions may have the same cross-section. According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the first protrusions may vary in shape and / or size.

[0026] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions in the form of elongated ridges or rails may extend under a plurality of adjacent dentures. The adjacent dentures may be provided as a set of connected bridge dentures, wherein one or more of the first receiving portions extend through the bottom surfaces of the adjacent dentures in the form of matching slits or recesses. Embodiments may have the advantage that adjacent dentures may be attached as a unit, allowing for increased strength and speed of assembly.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the dental prosthesis.

[0028] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first surface structures each comprise one or more first protrusions and one or more first receiving portions. According to one embodiment, one or more of the first retaining structures each comprise one or more first protrusions and one or more first receiving portions. Embodiments may have the advantage that the first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the first tooth prosthesis and the retaining section is enhanced. In case of additional application of adhesive, the surface area of ​​the bonding portion available for adhesive distribution may be increased, thus improving bonding.

[0029] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions have a cylindrical shape or a polyhedral shape such as a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape. According to one embodiment, the circumference of one or more of the first protrusions decreases from the bottom of the respective first protrusion toward the top of the respective first protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions taper from the bottom of the respective first protrusion toward the top of the respective first protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions have the shape of a truncated cone such as a truncated circular cone or a truncated square cone. According to one embodiment, the circumferential shape at the bottom of each first protrusion matches the shape of the aligned first receiving portion, that is, matches the opening shape of the aligned first receiving portion.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the combination kit further comprises one or more upper artificial gingiva parts, each of which is configured to be arranged on one of the retaining sections and comprises one or more through holes. Each through hole is configured to receive one of the dentures so that the surface structure of the bottom surface of the respective denture engages the correspondingly attached complementary shape retaining structure of the respective retaining section. Embodiments may have the advantage that the upper artificial gingiva parts may provide artificial gingiva for the denture. Thus, the removable partial denture may, for example, be adapted to the patient's remaining denture without significant visual disruption.

[0031] The through hole can allow a first non-destructive detachable direct connection to be established between the artificial tooth arranged in the through hole of the upper artificial gum part and the bracket. According to one embodiment, one or more through holes of the upper artificial gum part are configured to accommodate one artificial tooth respectively. According to one embodiment, one or more through holes of the upper artificial gum part are configured to accommodate multiple artificial teeth respectively.

[0032] The upper artificial gingival part can cover at least a part of the bracket, leaving a retaining section intended to hold the artificial tooth.For this purpose, the upper artificial gingival part can include a plurality of through holes, which allows the artificial tooth arranged in the through holes to be directly connected to the retaining section.

[0033] Embodiments may have the advantage that the upper artificial gingiva portion is neither required to contribute to the structural integrity of the removable partial denture nor to contribute to the retention of the denture. The structural integrity and retention may be provided by the bracket. Thus, the upper artificial gingiva portion may be optimized to match the natural look, natural feel and / or to fit the patient's mouth accurately. Thus, a more natural material, such as a softer and more resilient material, may be used for the upper artificial gingiva portion.

[0034] According to one embodiment, each upper artificial gingiva portion further comprises a bottom surface having a second surface structure, the second surface structure being configured to engage a correspondingly assigned, shape-complementary second retaining structure provided by a support retaining segment on which the respective upper artificial gingiva portion is configured to be placed. Each second surface structure in combination with the correspondingly assigned, shape-complementary second retaining structure provides a second non-destructive, detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingiva portion comprising the respective second surface structure and the retaining segment comprising the respective correspondingly assigned, shape-complementary second retaining structure.

[0035] Embodiments may have the advantage that the retaining section of the support may accommodate the upper artificial gingiva parts and retain the upper artificial gingiva parts by respective non-destructive detachable direct connections. Thus, the upper artificial gingiva parts may be attached to a support, i.e. a retaining section of the support, which supports the upper artificial gingiva parts and holds them in a predetermined position. According to an embodiment, the structural integrity of the removable partial denture and thereby the structural integrity of the upper artificial gingiva parts is provided by the support supporting the respective upper artificial gingiva parts. A predetermined position may be defined relative to the support. If the upper artificial gingiva part shows defects or deficiencies, it may be removed from the support and replaced with another upper artificial gingiva part.

[0036] According to one embodiment, one or more of the second surface structures each include one or more second protrusions, which protrude from the bottom surface of the upper artificial gingival portion including the respective second surface structure. One or more of the second retaining structures each include one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions. Each second protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the second receiving portions configured to receive the respective second protrusion to establish a second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0037] Embodiments may have the advantage that a second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingiva part and the bracket may be established by inserting the second protrusion into the second receiving portion. The retaining section may receive the upper artificial gingiva part by receiving the second protrusion in the second receiving portion.

[0038] According to one embodiment, each second protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned second receiving portion. The second protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal, such as a square or rectangular, cross section. The second receiving portion may have a matching cross section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have the form of a long ridge or a long rail and the receiving portion may have the form of a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the second protrusions may have the same cross section. According to an embodiment, the cross section of the second protrusion may vary in shape and / or size.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the second receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the holding section. According to one embodiment, the second receiving portion is provided in the form of a through hole extending through the holding section. According to one embodiment, the through holes extending through the holding section form a mesh structure, wherein each through hole provides an individual mesh of the mesh structure.

[0040] According to one embodiment, one or more of the aligned second receiving parts are configured to provide a remaining free space at the top of the aligned received second protrusion to receive adhesive when establishing the second non-destructive detachable direct connection, so as to provide an additional second permanent connection between the upper artificial gum part and the retaining section. Embodiments can have the advantage that, in addition to the non-destructive detachable direct connection, a permanent connection can also be provided between the upper artificial gum part and the retaining section. By filling the free space at the top of the aligned received second protrusion, the non-destructive detachable connection can be converted into a permanent connection. The non-destructive detachable direct connection can be used to connect the upper artificial gum part to the bracket to check whether they fit correctly. If the check is successful, a permanent connection can be established to strengthen the combination.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the bottom surface of the upper artificial gingiva part and / or the holding structure comprises a plurality of additional recesses for accommodating adhesive so as to provide an additional second permanent connection between the upper artificial gingiva part and the holding section. The embodiment may have the advantage that the adhesive may be concentrated and hardened in the recesses, thereby forming a stronger bond between the upper artificial gingiva part and the holding section.

[0042] According to one embodiment, for each holding segment, the one or more first holding structures of the respective holding segment and the one or more second holding structures of the respective holding segment are provided by a common holding structure, which is configured to extend below one or more artificial teeth to be carried by the corresponding holding segment and below one or more upper artificial gingival parts to be arranged on the respective holding segment. Embodiments can have the following advantages, namely, the common holding structure can provide a first and a second non-destructive detachable direct connection, i.e., a non-destructive detachable direct connection of the artificial teeth and the upper artificial gingival part to the bracket.

[0043] According to one embodiment, for each holding segment, the one or more first holding structures of the respective holding segment and the one or more second holding structures of the respective holding segment are provided by a common mesh structure, which is configured to extend below the one or more artificial teeth to be carried by the respective holding segment and below the one or more upper artificial gingival parts to be arranged on the respective holding segment. Embodiments may have the advantage that the common holding structure in the form of a common mesh structure may provide a first and a second non-destructive detachable direct connection, i.e., a non-destructive detachable direct connection of the artificial teeth and the upper artificial gingival part to the bracket.

[0044] According to one embodiment, one or more of the second retaining structures each comprises one or more second protrusions protruding from a retaining section comprising the respective second retaining structure. One or more of the second surface structures each comprises one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions. Each second protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the second receiving portions configured to receive the respective second protrusion to establish a second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0045] Embodiments may have the advantage that a second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingiva part and the bracket may be established by inserting the second protrusion into the second receiving portion. The retaining section may receive the upper artificial gingiva part by inserting the second protrusion into the second receiving portion.

[0046] According to one embodiment, each second protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned second receiving portion. The second protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal, such as a square or rectangular, cross-section. The second receiving portion may have a matching cross-section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have the form of a long ridge or a long rail and the receiving portion may have the form of a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the second protrusions may have the same cross-section. According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the second protrusion may vary in shape and / or size.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the second receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the upper artificial gingival part.

[0048] According to one embodiment, one or more of the second surface structures each comprise one or more second protrusions and one or more second receiving portions. According to one embodiment, one or more of the second retaining structures each comprise one or more second protrusions and one or more second receiving portions. Embodiments may have the advantage that the second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the second upper artificial gingival part and the retaining section is enhanced. In case of additional application of adhesive, the surface area of ​​the bonding portion available for adhesive distribution is increased, thereby improving bonding.

[0049] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions are cylindrical or polyhedral, such as cubic or cuboid. According to one embodiment, the circumference of one or more of the second protrusions decreases from the bottom of the respective second protrusion toward the top of the respective second protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the second protrusions taper from the bottom of the respective second protrusion toward the top of the respective second protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the second protrusions are in the shape of a truncated cone, such as a truncated circular cone or a truncated square cone. According to one embodiment, the circumferential shape at the bottom of each second protrusion matches the shape of the aligned second receiving portion, i.e. the shape of the entrance of the aligned second receiving portion.

[0050] According to one embodiment, one or more of the upper artificial gingival parts include one or more lateral parts extending laterally beyond the bracket holding section, and the respective upper artificial gingival parts are configured to be arranged on the bracket holding section. Each lateral part includes a bottom surface, which is shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface. The embodiment can have the following advantages, namely, the bracket can extend laterally onto the patient's natural gingiva, ensuring lateral coverage of the bracket without obvious visual disruption. 3D organic objects such as human mouths including gums have highly complex geometric surfaces. Lateral parts with a shaped bottom surface that matches the patient's natural gingival surface can ensure a precise and comfortable lateral fit of the removable partial denture. A smooth transition between the upper artificial gingival part and the patient's natural gingiva can be provided by means of the lateral parts.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion extends towards the vestibule, for example labially or buccally, oral cavity, for example palatally in the case of a maxillary denture, or lingually in the case of a mandibular denture, and / or distally.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the combination kit also includes one or more lower artificial gingiva parts, each of which is configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva. Each lower artificial gingiva part includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is formed to be placed on and match the surface of the patient's natural gingiva. The top surface includes a third surface structure, which is configured to engage with a correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape provided by the bracket retaining section, and each lower artificial gingiva part is configured to be arranged below the bracket retaining section. Each third surface structure is combined with a correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape to provide a third non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part including the respective third surface structure and the retaining section including the respective correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape.

[0053] Embodiments may have the advantage that the bottom surface of the lower artificial gingival part is shaped to match the patient's natural gingival surface, which may ensure a precise and comfortable fit of the removable partial denture even if the 3D organic object, such as a human mouth including the gingiva, has a highly geometrically complex surface.

[0054] Embodiments may have the advantage that the retaining section of the support may receive the lower artificial gingiva part and retain the lower artificial gingiva part by respective non-destructive detachable direct connections. Thus, the lower artificial gingiva part may be attached to the support, i.e. the retaining section of the support, which may rest on the lower artificial gingiva part and hold it in a predetermined position. According to embodiments, the structural integrity of the removable partial denture and thus the lower artificial gingiva part is provided by the support. The predetermined position may be defined relative to the support. If one of the lower artificial gingiva parts shows defects or deficiencies, it may be removed from the support and replaced by another lower artificial gingiva part.

[0055] Embodiments may have the advantage that the lower artificial gingiva portion is neither required to contribute to the structural integrity of the removable partial denture nor to contribute to the retention of the denture. The structural integrity and retention may be provided by the bracket. Thus, the lower artificial gingiva portion may be optimized to match the natural look, natural feel and / or accurate fit within the patient's mouth. Thus, a more natural material, such as a softer and more resilient material, may be used for the lower artificial gingiva portion.

[0056] Embodiments may have the advantage that each lower artificial gingival portion may provide a bottom surface that is shaped to match the patient's natural gingival surface. For example, a 3D scan of the patient's natural gingiva may be used to define the bottom surface shape of the lower artificial gingival portion. 3D scanning may be used to provide a digital model of the patient's natural gingiva. The model may, for example, be based on a voxel engine that allows mapping of geometrically highly complex surfaces such as a human mouth. In this case, voxels may be used for a digital representation of the patient's natural gingival geometry. For example, the model may also be based on a point cloud, wherein the points of the point cloud provide a digital representation of the geometry of the patient's natural gingival surface. In addition, alternative methods for digitally representing the patient's natural gingival surface may be used, such as a polygonal mesh that includes a collection of vertices, edges, and faces that define each surface.

[0057] Embodiments may have the advantage that additional manual steps of filling the bottom side of the bracket with artificial gum material and simulating the artificial gum material to match the patient's natural gum surface are not required. Artificial simulation of artificial gum material may be required to match the natural gum surface of the patient's physical model. Embodiments may have the advantage that such a physical model of the patient's jaw, such as a stone / plaster model, is not required for technicians to use to manually create the lower part of the removable partial denture below the bracket. The lower part of the removable partial denture can be provided by the bottom surface of the lower artificial gum part intended to be placed on the remaining gums in the patient's mouth. The respective lower artificial gum parts can be digitally simulated using scan data on a computer system and produced based on the resulting digital model.

[0058] If a physical model is used as a modeling reference for the artificial gingiva material on the bottom side of the bracket, inaccuracies may occur due to differences between the physical reproduction of the patient's jaw and the patient's actual jaw. This is especially true for complex surfaces, like the remaining natural gingiva in the patient's mouth. Differences may occur, for example, when shaping the physical model. Differences may also be caused by changes in the material used to create the physical model. Such changes can occur, for example, during the hardening of the material. For example, the size of the material may shrink. Such changes may also occur during the use of the physical model. When the artificial gingiva is repeatedly adjusted to match the surface provided by the physical model, wear of the respective surfaces may result.

[0059] Furthermore, artificial filling of the gap of missing gingiva (i.e., between the bracket and the patient's remaining natural gingiva) with artificial gingival material such as acrylic resin may be prone to error. Too much artificial gingival material may lead to overall misalignment and fit problems. On the other hand, too little artificial gingival material may cause an undesirable free space between the bracket and the patient's remaining natural gingiva. Such free space may result in a partial denture being partially lacking in support. Furthermore, such free space may provide a pocket where bacteria may accumulate, causing hygiene problems and discomfort.

[0060] Therefore, manual methods of shaping artificial gingiva for removable partial dentures to match the patient's natural gingiva may generally lack sufficient accuracy and may therefore reduce patient comfort. Although it may be difficult to avoid such disadvantages when using manual methods, attempts to minimize the disadvantages may result in the production of removable partial dentures, especially the bottom portion designed to be placed on the patient's remaining natural gingiva, being a time-consuming and complex process that requires a high level of skill and experience to perform properly.

[0061] Embodiments may have the advantage that even a person with a low level of skill and experience may be competent to complete the task of providing a replacement partial denture by assembling the modular kit and checking the fit of the respective partial dentures. Minor manual adjustments can be performed without any advanced qualifications.

[0062] The lower portion of a replacement partial denture provided by a lower artificial gingival portion digitally modeled using scan data of the patient's natural gingiva and configured to rest on the remaining natural gingiva may be more accurate and provide a better fit because it includes a bottom surface whose shape precisely matches the scanned patient's remaining gingiva.

[0063] Furthermore, since the teeth can be mounted directly to the framework, more natural materials, such as more flexible materials, can be used for the artificial gingival portions, since these portions are neither required to provide structural integrity to the partial denture nor to secure the denture in place.

[0064] Embodiments may have the advantage that defects of a partial denture provided in the form of a modular kit may be easily addressed. Assuming that such a partial denture exhibits defects, such as an inaccurate fit to the patient's jaw or an inadequate bite when provided to the patient at the dentist, this defect may be easily corrected by replacing the part exhibiting the defect with a defect-free replacement. In contrast, if a partial denture provided as a final product does not have a non-destructive removable connection that allows the inaccurate part to be replaced non-destructively, only minimal further adjustment possibilities are available at best. This may be the case, for example, if all parts of a removable partial denture have been glued together and a connection that cannot be removed without loss may be created. In this case, it may be necessary to assume that the final product, for example, when provided to the patient at the dentist, fits the patient perfectly without further adjustment. If the fit turns out to be inappropriate, the partial denture may have to be replaced as a whole by a new partial denture. If a new partial denture is provided, the entire process of scanning the patient's mouth and modeling and producing the partial denture may then need to be repeated again. Embodiments may allow the above-mentioned disadvantages to be avoided, thereby enabling a partial denture provided in kit form to be assembled using a non-destructive removable connection and to try out its fit before finally joining the parts together using a permanent connection, such as with an adhesive.

[0065] According to one embodiment, one or more of the third surface structures each include one or more third protrusions protruding from the top surface of the lower artificial gingival portion including the respective third surface structure. One or more of the third retaining structures each include one or more third receiving portions for receiving the one or more third protrusions. The third protrusions are each arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the third receiving portions configured to receive the respective third protrusions to establish a third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0066] The embodiment may have the advantage that a third non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part and the bracket may be established by inserting the third protrusion into the third receiving portion.The retaining section may accommodate the lower artificial gingiva part by accommodating the third protrusion in the third receiving portion.

[0067] According to one embodiment, each third protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned third receiving portion. The third protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal, such as a square or rectangular, cross section. The third receiving portion may have a matching cross section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have the form of a long ridge or a long rail, and the receiving portion may have the form of a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the third protrusions may have the same cross section. According to an embodiment, the cross section of the third protrusion may vary in shape and / or size.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the third receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the holding section. According to one embodiment, the third receiving portion is provided in the form of a through hole extending through the holding section. According to one embodiment, the through holes extending through the holding section form a mesh structure, wherein each through hole provides an individual mesh of the mesh structure.

[0069] According to one embodiment, one or more of the aligned third receiving parts are configured to provide a remaining free space at the top of the aligned received third protrusion to receive adhesive when establishing the third non-destructive detachable direct connection, so as to provide an additional third permanent connection between the lower artificial gum part and the retaining section. Embodiments may have the advantage that, in addition to the non-destructive detachable direct connection, a permanent connection between the lower artificial gum part and the retaining section can also be provided. By filling the free space at the top of the aligned received third protrusion, the non-destructive detachable connection can be converted into a permanent connection. The non-destructive detachable direct connection can be used to connect the lower artificial gum part to the bracket to check whether they are properly matched. If the check is successful, a permanent connection can be established to strengthen the combination.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the bottom surface of the lower artificial gingiva part and / or the holding structure comprises a plurality of additional recesses for receiving adhesive to provide an additional third permanent connection between the lower artificial gingiva part and the holding section. The embodiment may have the advantage that the adhesive may be concentrated and hardened in the recesses, thereby forming a stronger bond between the lower artificial gingiva part and the holding section.

[0071] According to one embodiment, one or more of the first protrusions have a cylindrical or polyhedral shape, such as a cube or a cuboid shape. According to one embodiment, the circumference of one or more of the third protrusions decreases from the bottom of the respective third protrusion toward the top of the respective third protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the third protrusions tapers from the bottom of the respective third protrusion toward the top of the respective third protrusion. According to one embodiment, one or more of the third protrusions have the form of a truncated cone, such as a truncated circular cone or a truncated square cone. According to one embodiment, the circumferential shape at the bottom of each third protrusion matches the shape of the aligned third receiving portion, that is, matches the entrance shape of the aligned third receiving portion.

[0072] According to one embodiment, for each retaining segment, the one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and the one or more third retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common retaining structure, which is configured to extend below one or more artificial teeth to be accommodated by the respective retaining segment and on one or more lower artificial gingival parts to be arranged below the respective retaining segment. The embodiment can have the following advantages, namely, the common retaining structure can provide a first and a third non-destructive detachable direct connection, i.e., a non-destructive detachable direct connection of the artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival part to the bracket.

[0073] According to one embodiment, for each retaining segment, the one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and the one or more third retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common mesh structure, which is configured to extend below the one or more artificial teeth to be accommodated by the respective retaining segment and on the one or more lower artificial gingival parts to be arranged below the respective retaining segment. Embodiments can have the following advantages, namely, the common retaining structure in the form of a common mesh structure can provide a first and a third non-destructive detachable direct connection, i.e., a non-destructive detachable direct connection of the artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival part to the bracket.

[0074] According to one embodiment, one or more of the third retaining structures each include one or more third protrusions protruding from a retaining section including the respective third retaining structure. One or more of the third surface structures each include one or more third receiving portions for receiving the one or more third protrusions. Each third protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with a respective position of one of the third receiving portions configured to receive the respective third protrusion to establish a third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0075] The embodiment may have the advantage that a third non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part and the bracket may be established by inserting the third protrusion into the third receiving portion.The holding section may receive the lower artificial gingiva part by inserting the third protrusion into the third receiving portion.

[0076] According to one embodiment, each third protrusion comprises a circumferential shape that matches the shape of the aligned third receiving portion. The third protrusion may have a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section such as a square or rectangular cross-section. The third receiving portion may have a matching cross-section. According to one embodiment, the protrusion may have the shape of an elongated ridge or a long rail and the receiving portion may have the form of a matching slit or notch. According to an embodiment, the third protrusions may have the same cross-section. According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the third protrusion may vary in shape and / or size.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the third receiving portion is provided in the form of a blind hole extending into the lower artificial gingival part.

[0078] According to one embodiment, one or more of the third surface structures each comprise one or more third protrusions and one or more third receiving portions. According to one embodiment, one or more of the third retaining structures each comprise one or more third protrusions and one or more third receiving portions. Embodiments may have the advantage that the third non-destructive detachable direct connection between the third lower artificial gingival part and the retaining section is enhanced. In the case of additional application of adhesive, the surface area of ​​the bonding portion available for adhesive distribution is increased, thereby improving bonding.

[0079] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a removable partial denture for a patient. The partial denture comprises one or more artificial teeth, a framework having one or more retaining sections, and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts.

[0080] Each retaining section is configured to receive and retain one or more artificial teeth. Each upper artificial gingival portion is arranged on one of the retaining sections and includes one or more through holes. One of the artificial teeth is placed in the corresponding through hole. Each artificial tooth includes a bottom surface having a first surface structure, and the first surface structure engages a correspondingly assigned shape-complementary first retaining structure provided by one of the retaining sections of the support configured to receive and retain the respective artificial teeth. Each first surface structure is combined with the engaged shape-complementary first retaining structure to form a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the artificial tooth including the respective surface structure and the retaining section including the respective engaged shape-complementary retaining structure.

[0081] Each lower artificial gingiva portion is configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva. Each lower artificial gingiva portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is shaped to be placed on and match the surface of the patient's natural gingiva. The top surface includes another surface structure, which engages another complementary retaining structure of a correspondingly assigned shape provided by the support retaining section, and each lower artificial gingiva portion is arranged below the support retaining section. Each other surface structure is combined with another complementary retaining structure of the engaged shape to form another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva portion including the respective other surface structure and the retaining section including the respective other retaining structure of the engaged shape.

[0082] A removable partial denture may be formed by assembling any of the above-described embodiments of the modular kit.A removable partial denture may include any of the features of the above-described embodiments of the modular kit.

[0083] Embodiments may have the advantage that parts of a partial denture may be replaced without replacing the entire partial denture. For example, a worn or damaged part may be replaced. Since the structural integrity of the partial denture is provided solely by the bracket, for example, other parts such as the artificial gingival part may be replaced separately without impairing the structural integrity of the partial denture.

[0084] According to one embodiment, each upper artificial gingiva portion further comprises a bottom surface having a second surface structure, the second surface structure engaging a correspondingly assigned shape-complementary second retaining structure provided by the support retaining section (on which the respective upper artificial gingiva portion is arranged). Each second surface structure in combination with the correspondingly assigned shape-complementary second retaining structure forms a second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingiva portion comprising the respective second surface structure and the retaining section comprising the respective shape-complementary second retaining structure.

[0085] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a computer system for constructing a combination kit of removable partial dentures for a patient. The computer system includes a processor and a memory storing machine executable program instructions. The processor executes the program instructions, causing the processor to control the computer system to provide a digital model of one or more dentures for the combination kit. In addition, a digital model of one or more artificial gingival parts is provided. Each artificial gingival part includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface is shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface.

[0086] Each of the one or more artificial gingival parts is decomposed into a lower artificial gingival part including at least a portion of the bottom surface of the respective artificial gingival part and an upper artificial gingival part including the top surface of the respective artificial gingival part. In addition, a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections is generated. The retaining section includes a retaining structure, which is constructed to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with at least the one or more dentures and the lower artificial gingival part. The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to generate a surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket on the bottom surface of each denture, and another surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket is generated on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part.

[0087] The computer system may be configured to construct any of the above-described embodiments of the combination kit.

[0088] For example, the digital model can be based on a 3D scan of the patient's mouth and / or jaw. For example, a voxel engine can be used to provide the digital model, wherein voxels are used for digital representations of geometric shapes. Alternatively, other digital representations such as point clouds or polygonal meshes can be used. Such a scan can be a direct scan of the patient. Alternatively, the scan can be a scan of a jaw model based on a dental impression. The dental impression of the patient's mouth and / or jaw can be used as a negative for generating a model based on the dental impression. Such a model can be, for example, a stone model or a plaster model.

[0089] Embodiments may have the advantage that the digital model of the bracket can be used to define the layout of the bracket and adjust the bracket to fit a certain geometric surface defined by the patient's mouth and jaw. Thus, the need to use a deformable material such as wax to form and adjust the bracket positive mold, for example with an impression-based patient jaw model, is avoided. The digital model of the bracket generated and adjusted using a computer system can be directly used as a blueprint for bracket production. The bracket may, for example, be made of metal.

[0090] The digital model of the bracket can have the following advantages, that is, the bracket can be designed on a computer system that graphically defines the different parts of the bracket. The digital model of the bracket can include a relief portion defined above the patient's mouth area, in which the artificial tooth is to be added. A retaining section of the bracket can be added above the relief portion. The relief portion can be added so that the retaining section does not contact the patient's mouth, i.e. the patient's natural gums. In a removable partial denture, the relief portion can be provided by a lower artificial gum portion. In addition, the retaining section provides a surface for material to be attached to, such as an artificial gum portion and / or a false tooth.

[0091] The digital model of the denture may for example define the geometry and position of the denture. The position of the denture may be defined relative to each other and / or relative to the digital model of the patient's mouth and / or jaw.

[0092] The digital model of the denture may include one or more teeth that match the patient's mouth. These teeth are selected to replace the missing teeth in the patient's mouth. In order to provide a digital model of a pre-existing denture scan, pre-extracted teeth can be used or a mirror image of existing teeth, such as the remaining antagonist teeth, can be generated. In addition, a tooth model from a collection library with generic teeth can be used. The denture of the digital model can be modified and adjusted to accurately match the geometry provided in the patient's mouth. For example, the denture can be modified and adjusted to accurately match the opposing teeth, i.e., the antagonist teeth, in the patient's mouth. For example, the denture in the digital model can be rearranged in a manner that optimizes the bite. Therefore, the relationship between the maxillary teeth (i.e., the upper teeth) and the mandibular teeth (i.e., the lower teeth) can be adjusted according to the individual geometry of the patient's mouth when they are close to each other, such as during chewing actions or resting.

[0093] The digital model of the artificial gingiva portion may define an artificial gingiva having a shaped bottom surface for seating on and matching the patient's natural gingiva. The artificial gingiva may be configured to receive and / or surround the one or more artificial teeth.

[0094] According to one embodiment, different types of elements of a removable partial denture may be virtually combined.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the method may further include producing the combination kit. Different types of components of the combination kit may be produced separately. Dentures may be provided in the form of universal pre-produced dentures. These universal dentures may, for example, correspond to digital tooth models provided by a dental collection library. Pre-produced dentures may be used as is, or may also be modified to match the patient's individual dentures, for example to match the antagonist.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the surface structure of the bottom surface of the denture may have a common geometry and the retaining structure of the bracket is configured to match the geometry of the surface structure to ensure a secure non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the bracket.

[0097] According to an embodiment, the surface structure of the bottom surface of the denture is modified, such as machined, to match the geometry of the bracket retaining structure to ensure a secure, non-destructive, detachable direct connection between the denture and the bracket. Depending on the shape of the bracket, the retaining structure may include an individual geometry specific to the patient, and the bracket shape is adjusted according to the individual geometry of the patient's denture for adding a removable partial denture.

[0098] According to an embodiment, a denture can be produced for a patient using a digital model of a denture adjusted to the individual geometry of the patient's denture for the addition of a removable partial denture. The denture can be produced, for example, using blanks that are machined to conform to the geometry defined by the digital model of the denture.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the stent can be produced according to the geometry defined by the digital model of the stent. The stent can be made of metal, for example. According to an embodiment, the stent can be printed using a 3D printer. According to an embodiment, the stent can be produced using machining. In addition, hybrid production methods can also be used. For example, the stent can be printed with metal, while parts that require higher precision, such as telescopic tubes or rods, can be machined.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the upper artificial gingiva part and the lower artificial gingiva part may be produced according to a geometry defined by an exploded digital model of the artificial gingiva part, which digital model has been adapted to the individual geometry of the patient's denture for the purpose of adding a removable partial denture. In particular, the lower artificial gingiva part may have been adapted to the patient's natural gingiva. The upper artificial gingiva part and the lower artificial gingiva part may be printed, for example, using a 3D printer.

[0101] According to one embodiment, different elements of the assembly kit can be printed by different 3D printers that process different types of materials. In addition, the colors of the processed materials may be different. According to one embodiment, different elements of the assembly kit can be printed by the same 3D printer that can process different materials, such as having different colors.

[0102] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer program product comprising a non-volatile computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith for constructing a kit of parts of a removable partial denture for a patient.

[0103] The construction includes providing a digital model of one or more artificial teeth for the combined kit. A digital model of one or more artificial gum parts is generated. Each artificial gum part includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface is shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gum surface.

[0104] Each of the one or more artificial gingival parts is decomposed into a lower artificial gingival part including at least a portion of the bottom surface of the respective artificial gingival part and an upper artificial gingival part including the top surface of the respective artificial gingival part. In addition, a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections is generated, the retaining sections including a retaining structure configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with at least the one or more dentures and the lower artificial gingival part. The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to generate a surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket on the bottom surface of each denture, and another surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part.

[0105] The computer readable program code of the computer program product can be executed by a processor of a computer system to construct a kit of parts of a removable partial denture for a patient. The computer readable program code of the computer program product can be configured to construct any of the above-described embodiments of the kit of parts.

[0106] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for constructing a removable partial denture assembly for a patient. The method includes providing a digital model of one or more dentures for the assembly. A digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions is generated. Each artificial gingival portion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface is shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface.

[0107] The one or more artificial gingival parts are each decomposed into a lower artificial gingival part including at least a portion of the bottom surface of the respective artificial gingival part and an upper artificial gingival part including the top surface of the respective artificial gingival part. In addition, a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections is generated. The retaining section includes a retaining structure constructed to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with at least the one or more dentures and the lower artificial gingival part. The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to generate a surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the bracket retaining sections on the bottom surface of each denture, and another surface structure configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the bracket retaining sections on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part.

[0108] The method may include constructing any of the above-described embodiments of the kit.

[0109] Removing the digital model of the bracket from the digital model of one or more dentures may have the advantage that a match between the surface structure on the bottom surface of the denture and the holding structure provided by one of the holding sections of the bracket may be ensured. Thus, a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the bracket holding section may be achieved. The non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the bracket holding section may allow the bracket to hold the denture in a desired position in a desired posture according to the combined digital model of the denture and the bracket.

[0110] According to one embodiment, in combination with a digital model of the lower artificial gingival portion including a surface structure on each top surface of each lower artificial gingival portion, the digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures to produce a bottom surface of each denture together with a surface structure on each respective bottom surface, which surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises removing a digital model of one or more dentures from the digital model of one or more upper artificial gingival parts to design the artificial gingival part to receive one or more dentures within the top surface, which is configured to provide an artificial gingival surface that at least partially surrounds the received one or more dentures.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises cutting out free spaces from one or more dentures, upper artificial gingival parts and / or lower artificial gingival parts for receiving adhesive so as to provide an additional permanent connection between the retaining section of the bracket and one or more dentures, upper and / or lower artificial gingival parts, respectively.

[0113] The support frame can be removed from the denture, thereby providing space for the adhesive, while also providing sufficient support for holding the denture in a given position on the support frame in a given posture by a non-destructive detachable direct connection. An adhesive can be applied to convert the non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the holding section into a permanent connection ensured by the adhesive. The non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture and the holding section can adjust the denture in a given posture and position on the support frame when it is secured, and ensure that the denture maintains its respective posture and position when the permanent connection is established with the adhesive.

[0114] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a method for assembling a removable partial denture kit for a patient, the kit comprising one or more dentures, a bracket having one or more retaining sections, and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts.

[0115] The method comprises arranging each upper artificial gingival part on one of the retaining sections, each upper artificial gingival part comprising one or more through holes. Arranging one of the artificial teeth in each of the through holes, wherein a surface structure on the bottom surface of the respective artificial tooth is engaged to a correspondingly assigned complementary-shaped retaining structure of the support designed to receive and retain one of the retaining sections of the respective artificial tooth. Each surface structure in combination with the engaged complementary-shaped retaining structure forms a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the artificial tooth comprising the respective surface structure and the retaining section comprising the respective engaged complementary-shaped retaining structure.

[0116] Each lower artificial gingiva part is arranged below one of the holding sections. Each lower artificial gingiva part includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is shaped to be placed on the surface of the patient's natural gingiva and match it. The top surface includes another surface structure that engages another complementary holding structure of a correspondingly assigned shape provided by the holding section of the bracket, and the respective lower artificial gingiva part is arranged below the holding section of the bracket. Each other surface structure is combined with another complementary holding structure of the engaged shape to provide another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part including the respective other surface structure and the holding section including the respective other complementary holding structure of the engaged shape.

[0117] The method for assembling may include assembling any of the above-described embodiments of the combination kit.

[0118] Embodiments can have the advantage that it can be checked whether the different elements of the removable partial denture have the correct positioning and shape. If there are deviations from the planned position, modifications can be made. As a measure, the elements can, for example, be disassembled, modified or replaced and reassembled. If the position and shape of the different elements of the assembled removable partial denture are correct, the elements can be disassembled again. The predetermined free space between the denture and the bracket can be filled with adhesive and the removable partial denture can be reassembled. If the operation is correct, the dentures can be placed in the planned space of the retaining section of the bracket in the correct position, where they can be fixed by the adhesive.

[0119] The above-described examples and embodiments may be freely combined, provided that the combinations are not mutually exclusive.

[0120] The embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below, wherein:

[0121] Figure 1 An embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture is shown,

[0122] Figure 2 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0123] Figure 3 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0124] Figure 4 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0125] Figure 5 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0126] Figure 6 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0127] Figure 7 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0128] Figure 8 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0129] Fig. 9 showing elements of an embodiment of a kit of parts for a removable partial denture,

[0130] Fig.10 An embodiment of a computer system for constructing a removable partial denture is shown.

[0131] Fig.11 An embodiment of a computer system for constructing a removable partial denture is shown.

[0132] Fig.12 An embodiment of a production system for constructing a removable partial denture is shown,

[0133] Fig.13 An embodiment of a production system for constructing a removable partial denture is shown,

[0134] Fig.14 A flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for constructing a removable partial denture is shown, and

[0135] Fig.15 A flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for assembling a kit of parts for a removable partial denture is shown.

[0136] In the following, similar features are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0137] Figure 1An exemplary modular kit 100 for a removable partial denture is shown. The modular kit 100 includes a bracket 110 that provides stability to the removable partial denture to ensure its structural integrity. The modular kit 100 also includes a plurality of artificial teeth 102, a lower artificial gingiva 120, and an upper artificial gingiva 130. The bracket 110 includes a retaining section 112 configured to receive and retain the artificial teeth 102. The retaining section 112 includes a retaining structure 114. The exemplary retaining structure 114 includes a plurality of receiving portions 116 designed as through holes. Therefore, the retaining structure 114 is in the form of a mesh structure, and its numerous meshes are respectively provided by one of the through holes 116. According to an alternative embodiment, the receiving portion 116 can be, for example, in the form of a blind hole. The artificial teeth 102 respectively include a bottom surface having a surface structure 104, and the surface structure includes, for example, a plurality of protrusions 106. The surface structure 104 is respectively designed to engage with the retaining structure 114 of a shape complementary to that provided by the retaining section 112 of the bracket 110. Each surface structure 104 is combined with a respective complementary shape retaining structure 114 to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection between one of the dentures 102 and the bracket 110, more precisely, the retaining section 112, by engaging the complementary shape retaining structures 114. In order to achieve a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture 102 and the bracket 110, the upper artificial gingiva 130 includes a plurality of through holes 132, in which the denture 102 can be placed to be directly connected to the retaining section 112. The upper artificial gingiva portion 130 can also include a surface structure on the bottom surface, which is similar to the surface structure 104 of the denture 102, for example, to establish a non-destructive detachable direct connection with the retaining structure 114 of the retaining section 112 extending below the upper artificial gingiva portion 130. The lower artificial gingiva portion 120 is arranged below the retaining section 112. The lower artificial gingiva portion 120 includes a shaped bottom surface for being placed on and matching the surface of the patient's natural gingiva. The upper surface of the lower artificial gingival portion 120 may include a surface structure 122, which is similar to the surface structure 104 of the denture 102, for example, for establishing a non-destructive detachable direct connection with the holding structure 114 of the holding section 112. The surface structure 122 may include, for example, a plurality of protrusions 124, which are configured to be inserted into the receiving portion 116 of the holding structure to establish a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingival portion 120 and the bracket 110.

[0138] Figure 2A digital model 140 of a partially edentulous patient's jaw with a remaining denture is shown. The digital model 140 may be derived from a 3D scan of the patient's mouth and may include the surface of the patient's remaining natural gums 142. A lower artificial gum portion 120 is arranged on the patient's natural gums 142. The lower artificial gum portion 120 may include a shaped bottom surface, respectively, for being placed on and matching the surface of the patient's natural gums 142. The lower artificial gum portion 120 may also include a surface structure 122, which is configured to establish a non-destructive, detachable direct connection with a retaining structure of a bracket retaining section. The surface structure 122 of the lower artificial gum portion 120 may, for example, include a plurality of protrusions 124.

[0139] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 The present invention provides a digital model 140 of a dental prosthesis, wherein a bracket 110 is arranged on a lower artificial gingival part 120. The bracket 110 includes a plurality of retaining sections 112 configured to receive and retain the artificial teeth. The retaining sections 112 each include a retaining structure 114 having a receiving portion 116 (e.g., in the form of a through hole) for establishing a non-destructive, detachable direct connection with the lower artificial gingival part 120.

[0140] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 The digital model 140 of the present invention is a digital model of a dental prosthesis, wherein the upper artificial gingiva portion 130 is arranged on the holding section 112 of the bracket 110. The upper artificial gingiva portion 130 may include one or more through holes 132, respectively, which are configured to receive one or more artificial teeth and allow a direct connection between the artificial teeth and the holding section 112 of the bracket 110. The upper artificial gingiva portion 130 may also include a surface structure arranged on the bottom surface of the holding section 112 to establish a non-destructive detachable direct connection with the holding structure 114 of the holding section 112.

[0141] Figure 5 Finally, a fully assembled assembly kit is shown that provides a removable partial denture 101. The denture 102 is arranged in the through hole 132 of the upper artificial gingival part 130, and a non-destructive detachable direct connection is established between the denture 102 and the bracket 110, more precisely the holding structure 114 of the holding section 112. To this end, the bottom surface of each denture 102 has a surface structure, for example, including a plurality of protrusions 106. Each surface structure is configured to engage the complementary shape holding structure 114 provided by the holding section 112 of the bracket 110.

[0142] Figure 6 Show Figure 5100 is a view of a removable partial denture 101 from below. A bracket 110 and a lower artificial gingiva portion 120 and an upper artificial gingiva portion 130 are shown. The lower artificial gingiva portion 120 is arranged below the retaining section 112 of the bracket 110. Each upper artificial gingiva portion 130 may include a lateral portion 134 extending laterally beyond the retaining section 112 of the bracket 110, and the upper artificial gingiva portion 130 is configured to be arranged on the retaining section. Each lower artificial gingiva portion 120 may include a shaped bottom surface 126 for being placed on and matching the surface of the patient's natural gingiva. In addition, each lateral portion 134 may include a shaped bottom surface 136 for being placed on and matching the surface of the patient's natural gingiva.

[0143] Figure 7 Show Figure 6 A removable partial denture 101, wherein the lower artificial gingival portion 120 is removed. Figure 7 As shown, the lower artificial gingival portion 120 is disposed below the retaining section 112 of the bracket 110 and is configured to establish a non-destructive detachable direct connection with the retaining structure 114 provided by the retaining section 112 .

[0144] Figure 8 A view from below of an upper artificial gingival part 130 having a through hole 132 in which a prosthesis 102 is arranged is shown. The prosthesis 102 extends through the through hole 132. The prosthesis 102 can respectively include a bottom surface having a surface structure 104, for example, including a plurality of protrusions 106. The surface structures 104 are respectively configured to engage a complementary-shaped retaining structure 114 provided by a retaining section 112 of a bracket 110. By engaging the complementary-shaped retaining structures 114, each surface structure 104 is combined with a respective complementary-shaped retaining structure 114 to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection between one of the prosthesis 102 and the bracket 110, more precisely the retaining section 112.

[0145] at last, Fig. 9 A view from below of a dental prosthesis 102 is shown, on the bottom side of which there is a surface structure 104 which comprises, for example, a plurality of protrusions 106 .

[0146] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system 10 for constructing a removable partial denture kit for a patient is shown. The computer system 10 may be capable of performing any set of functions of the above-described embodiments for constructing a kit. The computer system 10 may operate with many other general or special purpose computing system environments or configurations.

[0147] Computer system 10 may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions (e.g., program modules including executable program instructions), which may be executed by computer system 10. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer system 10 may be implemented in a distributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

[0148] exist Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing a computer system 10 in the form of a general purpose computing device. Components of computer system 10 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that connects various system components, including system memory 28, to processor 16. Bus 18 represents any one or more of a variety of types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example and not limitation, such architectures include an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0149] Computer system 10 may include a variety of computer system readable storage media. Such media may be any available storage media accessible to computer system 10 and include volatile and non-volatile storage media, removable and fixed storage media.

[0150] The system memory 28 may include computer system readable storage media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and / or cache memory 32. The computer system 10 may also include other removable / fixed volatile / non-volatile computer system storage media. For example, the storage system 34 may be configured to read and write to a fixed non-volatile magnetic medium also referred to as a hard drive. For example, a disk drive for reading and writing a removable non-volatile disk such as a floppy disk and an optical drive for reading and writing a removable non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical storage medium may be provided. In this case, each storage medium may be connected to the bus 18 via one or more data medium interfaces. The memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set of program modules, such as at least one program module, configured to execute the construction of the combined kit.

[0151] The program 40 may have a set of one or more program modules 42 and may be stored, for example, in the memory 28. The program modules 42 may include an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and / or program data. Each or a certain combination of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data may include an implementation of a network environment. One or more program modules 42 may perform the construction of the combined suite.

[0152] The computer system 10 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14, such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and a display 24, allowing a user to interact with the computer system 10. Such communication may be performed through an input / output (I / O) interface 22. The computer system 10 may also communicate with one or more networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and / or a public network such as the Internet, through a network adapter 20. The network adapter 20 may communicate with other components of the computer system 10 through the bus 18. It should be understood that, although not shown, other hardware and / or software components may be used in combination with the computer system 10.

[0153] Fig.10 The computer system 10 shown can be configured to construct a combination kit for a removable partial denture. The computer system 10 can be a stand-alone computer without a network link, which can receive data to be processed such as patient mouth scan data and / or digital models of components of a removable partial denture such as dentures and artificial gums through a local interface. However, such operations can also be performed using a computer system connected to a network such as a communication network and / or a computing network.

[0154] Fig.11 An exemplary computer system 10 is shown for constructing a digital model 103 of a combined set of removable partial dentures for a patient. The computer system 10 may be, for example, Fig.10 The computer system 10 may include a hardware component 54 including one or more processors and a memory storing machine executable program instructions. By executing the program instructions with the aid of one or more processors, the one or more processors may control the computer system 10 to construct the digital model 103 of the assembly kit. The computer system 10 may also include external devices such as a keyboard 58 and a mouse 56, allowing a user to interact with the computer system 10. In addition, the computer system 10 may include a display 24, which provides a user interface 50 with a control element 52, allowing a user to control the construction of the digital model 103 of the assembly kit using the computer system 10. The constructed computer system 10 may be displayed on the user interface 50.

[0155] Fig.12A production system 105 is shown for constructing and producing a kit of removable partial dentures for a patient. The production system 105 may include Fig.11 The computer system 10 of the present invention. The computer system 10 can be further configured to control a 3D printer 60 to produce one or more components of the combination kit according to the digital model 103 built on the computer system 10. The 3D printer 60 may include a printing element 62 configured to print components of the combination kit, such as the denture 102, layer by layer. In the case where the 3D printer 60 is capable of printing different materials, it can be used to print multiple components of the combination kit, such as the denture 102, the bracket, the lower artificial gingival part and / or the upper artificial gingival part. For example, in the case where the 3D printer 60 is only capable of printing a single material, multiple 3D printers 60 can be used to print different components of the combination kit.

[0156] Fig.13 Another production system 105 is shown for constructing and producing a kit of removable partial dentures for a patient. The production system 105 may include Fig.11 The computer system 10 may also be configured to control a machining device 70, which is designed to machine a blank 76 using one or more machining tools 72. The blank 76 consisting of a raw material 78 may be provided using a clamping device 74 and cut into the desired final shape and size of the component to be produced, such as a denture 102, by means of one or more machining tools 72 for performing a controlled material removal process. The machining tool 72 may be, for example, a milling cutter. The machining device 70 may also be used to produce other components of a removable partial denture, such as a bracket. According to an embodiment, the computer system 10 may be configured to control one or more 3D printers 60 and one or more machining devices 70.

[0157] Fig.14 A flow chart of an exemplary method for constructing a combination kit of removable partial dentures for a patient is shown. A digital model of one or more dentures for the combination kit is provided in frame 200. A digital model of one or more artificial gum parts is provided in frame 202. Each artificial gum part may include a top surface and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface may be shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gum surface. In frame 204, each artificial gum part is split into a lower artificial gum part including at least a portion of the bottom surface of each artificial gum part and an upper artificial gum part including the top surface of each artificial gum part.

[0158] In frame 206, generate the digital model of the support with one or more holding sections. The support is configured to provide stability for the removable partial denture, ensuring its structural integrity. The holding section of the support may include a holding structure, which is configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with at least a denture and a lower artificial gingival part. For example, the holding structure may also be configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with an upper artificial gingival part. In frame 208, the support digital model is removed from the digital model of the denture and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part, so as to generate a surface structure configured to engage one of the holding structures provided by one of the support holding sections on the bottom surface of each denture, and to generate another surface structure configured to engage one of the holding structures provided by one of the support holding sections on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part. In addition, the support may also be removed from the upper artificial gingival part, so as to generate a surface structure on the bottom surface of the upper artificial gingival part, which is configured to engage the holding structure provided by the support holding section.

[0159] Fig.15 A flow chart of an exemplary method for assembling a combination kit of removable partial dentures for patients is shown. The combination kit may include one or more artificial gum parts, a bracket with one or more retaining sections, and one or more upper artificial gum parts and one or more lower artificial gum parts. In frame 300, the upper artificial gum part is arranged on the retaining section. Each upper artificial gum part may include one or more through holes. In frame 302, the artificial gum is arranged in the through hole. The artificial gum extends through the through hole of the upper artificial gum part so that the surface structure at the bottom surface of the artificial gum engages with the complementary retaining structure of the retaining section of the bracket. The surface structure is configured to receive and retain the artificial gum. The surface structure of the artificial gum is respectively combined with the complementary retaining structure of the engaged shape, and a non-destructive detachable direct connection between each artificial gum and each retaining section can be formed.

[0160] In frame 304, the lower artificial gingiva part is arranged below one of the holding sections. Each lower artificial gingiva part may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may be shaped to be placed on the patient's natural gingival surface and to match the surface. The top surface may include another surface structure for engaging the complementary shape holding structure provided by the bracket holding section, and each lower artificial gingiva part is arranged below the holding structure. Another surface structure is combined with the complementary shape holding structure engaged, respectively, and another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part and the bracket holding section can be provided. According to an alternative optional embodiment, frame 304 can be performed before frame 302 and / or frame 300.

[0161] The assembled removable partial denture may be further inspected for adequate fit in the patient's mouth. If the fit is adequate, the removable partial denture may be disassembled and reassembled using adhesive to form a permanent direct connection. If the fit is inadequate, the removable partial denture may be disassembled, the ill-fitting components may be adjusted or replaced with new components, and then the removable partial denture may be reassembled. The reassembled removable partial denture may be inspected for adequate fit in the patient's mouth.

[0162] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0163] Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention from a study of the figures, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageously employed. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0164] A single processor or other unit may implement the functions of several items described in the claims. The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid-state medium provided together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0165] Possible advantageous embodiments may include the following combination of features:

[0166] 1. A combination kit of removable partial dentures for patients, the combination kit comprising one or more dentures and a bracket having one or more retaining sections, each retaining section being configured to accommodate and retain one or more of the dentures, each denture comprising a bottom surface having a first surface structure, the first surface structure being configured to engage with a first retaining structure of a corresponding shape complementary to that provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket configured to accommodate the respective dentures, the first surface structures being respectively combined with the first retaining structures of the corresponding shape complementary to that, providing a first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the dentures comprising the respective surface structures and the retaining sections comprising the retaining structures of the corresponding shapes complementary to that.

[0167] 2. According to the combination kit of item 1, one or more of the first surface structures include one or more first protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the denture including the respective first surface structures, and one or more of the first retaining structures include one or more first receiving portions for accommodating the one or more first protrusions, and the first protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the first receiving portions designed to accommodate the respective first protrusions to establish a first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0168] 3. According to the combination kit of one of items 1 to 2, one or more of the first retaining structures respectively include one or more first protrusions protruding from the retaining section including the respective first retaining structure, and one or more of the first surface structures each include one or more first receiving portions for receiving the one or more first protrusions, and the first protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the first receiving portions designed to receive the respective first protrusions to establish a first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0169] 4. According to the combination kit of one of items 2 to 3, one or more of the aligned first receiving portions are configured to provide a remaining free space on the top side of the aligned received first protrusion to receive the adhesive when establishing the first non-destructive detachable direct connection, so as to provide an additional first permanent connection between the denture and the retaining section.

[0170] 5. The combination kit according to one of items 1 to 4 further includes one or more upper artificial gingival parts, each of which is configured to be arranged on one of the retaining sections and includes one or more through holes, each through hole being constructed to receive one of the dentures so that the surface structure of the bottom surface of the respective denture engages with the corresponding shape-complementary retaining structure of the respective retaining section.

[0171] 6. According to the combination kit of item 5, each of the upper artificial gingival parts also includes a bottom surface having a second surface structure, the second surface structure is configured to engage with a corresponding second retaining structure with complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the bracket, and each upper artificial gingival part is designed to be arranged on the retaining section of the bracket, and each second surface structure is combined with a corresponding second retaining structure with complementary shape to provide a second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingival part including the respective second surface structure and the retaining section including the respective second retaining structure with complementary shape.

[0172] 7. According to the combination kit of item 6, one or more of the second surface structures include one or more second protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the upper artificial gingival part including the respective second surface structures, and one or more of the second retaining structures include one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions, and the second protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the second receiving portions designed to receive the respective second protrusions to establish a second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0173] 8. According to the combination kit of any one of items 6 to 7, one or more of the second retaining structures include one or more second protrusions protruding from the retaining section including the respective second retaining structure, and one or more of the second surface structures include one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions, and the second protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the second receiving portions designed to receive the respective second protrusions to establish a second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0174] 9. According to the combination kit described in one of items 7 to 8, for each retaining segment, one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and one or more second retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common retaining structure configured to extend below one or more dentures to be carried by the respective retaining segment and below the one or more upper artificial gingival parts to be arranged on the respective retaining segment.

[0175] 10. According to the combination kit of any one of items 7 to 8, for each retaining segment, one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and one or more second retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common retaining structure configured to extend below one or more dentures to be carried by the respective retaining segment and below the one or more upper artificial gingival parts to be arranged on the respective retaining segment.

[0176] 11. According to a combination kit of any one of items 5 to 10, one or more of the upper artificial gingival parts includes one or more lateral parts extending laterally beyond the retaining section of the bracket, each upper artificial gingival part is configured to be arranged on the retaining section of the bracket, and each lateral part includes a bottom surface formed to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface.

[0177] 12. According to one of the preceding items, the combination kit further comprises one or more lower artificial gingival parts, each of which is configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva, each of which comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface being formed to be placed on and match the surface of the patient's natural gingiva, the top surface comprising a third surface structure, the third surface structure being configured to engage with a correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the bracket, the respective lower artificial gingival parts being configured to be arranged below the retaining section of the bracket, each third surface structure being combined with a correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape, to provide a third non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingival part comprising the respective third surface structure and the retaining section comprising the correspondingly assigned third retaining structure of complementary shape.

[0178] 13. According to the combination kit of item 12, one or more of the third surface structures include one or more third protrusions protruding from the top surface of the lower artificial gingival part including the respective third surface structures, and one or more of the third retaining structures include one or more third receiving portions for receiving the one or more third protrusions, and the third protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the third receiving portions designed to receive the respective third protrusions to establish a third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0179] 14. According to the combination kit of one of items 12 to 13, one or more of the third retaining structures include one or more third protrusions protruding from the retaining section including the respective third retaining structure, and one or more of the third surface structures include one or more third receiving portions for receiving the one or more third protrusions, and the third protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with the respective positions of one of the third receiving portions designed to receive the respective third protrusions to establish a third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

[0180] 15. According to the combination kit of one of items 13 to 14, one or more of the aligned third receiving portions are configured to provide a remaining free space on the top side of the aligned received third protrusion to receive the adhesive when a third non-destructive detachable direct connection is established, so as to provide an additional third permanent connection between the lower artificial gingival portion and the retaining section.

[0181] 16. According to a combination kit of any one of items 12 to 15, for each retaining segment, one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and one or more third retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common retaining structure configured to extend below one or more dentures to be received by the respective retaining segment and on one or more lower artificial gingival parts to be arranged below the respective retaining segment.

[0182] 17. A removable partial denture for a patient, the partial denture comprising one or more artificial teeth, a bracket having one or more retaining sections, and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts, each retaining section being configured to receive and retain one or more of the artificial teeth, each upper artificial gingival part being arranged on one of the retaining sections and comprising one or more through holes, one of the artificial teeth being arranged in each through hole, each artificial tooth comprising a bottom surface having a first surface structure, the first surface structure engaging a correspondingly assigned first complementary retaining structure of shape provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket configured to receive and retain the respective artificial teeth, each first surface structure being combined with the engaged first complementary retaining structure of shape, forming a denture comprising the respective surface structure and the retaining structure comprising the respective engaged first complementary retaining structure of shape. A non-destructive detachable direct connection between the retaining sections of the supporting retaining structures, each lower artificial gingiva part is configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva, each lower artificial gingiva part includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is formed to be placed on and match the surface of the patient's natural gingiva, the top surface includes another surface structure, the other surface structure engages with another retaining structure with a corresponding complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the support, the respective lower artificial gingiva parts are arranged below the retaining section of the support, the other surface structure is respectively combined with another retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged, forming another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part including the respective other surface structure and the retaining section including the respective other retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged.

[0183] 18. A computer system for constructing a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing machine executable program instructions, the processor executing the program instructions, thereby causing the processor to control the computer system:

[0184] providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit,

[0185] providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to rest on and match a natural gingival surface of the patient,

[0186] splitting each of the one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a portion of a bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including a top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part,

[0187] generating a digital model of a bracket having one or more retention sections, the retention sections comprising retention structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection with at least the one or more artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival portion,

[0188] The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part, so as to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

[0189] 19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having thereon computer readable program code for implementing a kit of parts for constructing a removable partial denture for a patient, the constructing comprising:

[0190] providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit,

[0191] providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to rest on and match a natural gingival surface of the patient,

[0192] splitting each of the one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a portion of a bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including a top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part,

[0193] generating a digital model of a scaffold having one or more retention sections including retention structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection to at least the one or more artificial teeth and a lower artificial gingival portion,

[0194] The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part, so as to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

[0195] 20. A method for constructing a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the method comprising:

[0196] providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit,

[0197] providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to rest on and match a natural gingival surface of the patient,

[0198] splitting each of the one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a portion of a bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including a top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part,

[0199] generating a digital model of a scaffold having one or more retention sections including retention structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection to at least the one or more artificial teeth and a lower artificial gingival portion,

[0200] The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part, so as to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part configured to engage with one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

[0201] 21. A method for assembling a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the kit comprising one or more artificial teeth, a bracket having one or more retaining sections, and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts,

[0202] The method includes:

[0203] The upper artificial gingiva parts are respectively arranged on one of the holding sections, each upper artificial gingiva part comprising one or more through holes,

[0204] One of the artificial teeth is arranged in each of the through holes in such a way that the surface structure on the bottom surface of the respective artificial tooth is engaged to a correspondingly assigned complementary-shaped holding structure of one of the holding sections of the support designed to receive and hold the respective artificial tooth, and each surface structure is combined with the engaged complementary-shaped holding structure to form a non-destructively detachable direct connection between the artificial tooth including the respective surface structure and the holding section including the engaged complementary-shaped holding structure,

[0205] The lower artificial gingival parts are respectively arranged under a retaining section, each lower artificial gingival part includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is formed to be placed on the surface of the patient's natural gingiva and match therewith, the top surface includes another surface structure, the other surface structure engages with another retaining structure with a corresponding complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the bracket, and the respective lower artificial gingival parts are arranged under the retaining section of the bracket, and the other surface structure is respectively combined with another retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged, providing another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingival part including the respective other surface structure and the retaining section including the respective other retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged.

[0206] Reference numerals list

[0207] 10 Computer Systems

[0208] 14 External Devices

[0209] 16 Processing Units

[0210] 18 Bus

[0211] 20 Network Adapters

[0212] 22 Input / Output Interface

[0213] 24 Display

[0214] 28 Memory

[0215] 30 RAM

[0216] 32 Cache

[0217] 34 Storage System

[0218] 40 Programs

[0219] 42 Program Modules

[0220] 50 User Interface

[0221] 52 Control elements

[0222] 54 Hardware

[0223] 56 External devices

[0224] 58 External devices

[0225] 60 3D Printer

[0226] 62 Prints

[0227] 70 Machining equipment

[0228] 72 Machining tools

[0229] 74 Clamping device

[0230] 76 blanks

[0231] 78 Materials

[0232] 100 Combination Kit

[0233] 101 Removable Partial Denture

[0234] 102 Dentures

[0235] 103 Digital Model

[0236] 104 Surface structure

[0237] 105 Production System

[0238] 106 Protrusion

[0239] 110 Bracket

[0240] 112 Holding section

[0241] 114 Retention structure

[0242] 116 Reception Department

[0243] 120 Lower artificial gingiva

[0244] 122 Surface structure

[0245] 124 protrusion

[0246] 126 Bottom

[0247] 130 Upper artificial gingiva

[0248] 132 Through Holes

[0249] 134 Side part

[0250] 136 Bottom

[0251] 140 Digital Denture Model

[0252] 142 Natural gums

Claims

1. A removable partial denture kit for a patient, the kit comprising one or more dentures and a bracket having one or more retaining sections, The retaining sections are respectively configured to receive and retain one or more of the dentures, Each tooth prosthesis comprises a bottom surface having a first surface structure configured to engage a correspondingly associated complementary first retaining structure provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket configured to receive the respective tooth prosthesis, The first surface structures are respectively combined with corresponding first complementary-shaped retaining structures, thereby providing a first non-destructive detachable direct connection between the denture including the respective surface structure and the retaining section including the respective complementary-shaped retaining structure, One or more retaining sections of the bracket are also constructed to receive and retain one or more upper artificial gingival parts, each of which also includes a bottom surface having a second surface structure, which is configured to engage with a correspondingly assigned second retaining structure with complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the bracket.

2. The combination kit according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first surface structures respectively comprise one or more first protrusions, the first protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the denture comprising the respective first surface structure, One or more of the first retaining structures respectively include one or more first receiving portions for receiving the one or more first protrusions, The first protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the first receiving portions, and the first receiving portion is designed to receive the respective first protrusion to establish the first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

3. According to the combination kit of claim 2, one or more of the aligned first receiving portions are respectively configured to: when establishing the first non-destructive detachable direct connection, provide a remaining free space on the top side of the aligned received first protrusion to receive the adhesive so as to provide an additional first permanent connection between the denture and the retaining section.

4. The combination kit according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first retaining structures respectively include one or more first protrusions, and the first protrusions protrude from the retaining section including the respective first retaining structure, One or more of the first surface structures respectively include one or more first receiving portions for receiving the one or more first protrusions, The first protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the first receiving portions, and the first receiving portion is designed to receive the respective first protrusion to establish the first non-destructive detachable direct connection.

5. The combination kit according to claim 1, each of the upper artificial gingival parts is configured to be arranged on one of the retaining sections and includes one or more through holes, Each through hole is configured to receive one of the dental prostheses such that a surface structure of a bottom surface of the respective dental prosthesis engages a correspondingly associated complementary retention structure of the respective retention section.

6. The combination kit according to claim 5, wherein each upper artificial gingival part is designed to be arranged on the retaining section of the bracket, The second surface structures are respectively combined with corresponding complementary second retaining structures to provide a second non-destructive detachable direct connection between the upper artificial gingival part including the respective second surface structures and the retaining section including the respective corresponding complementary second retaining structures.

7. The combination kit according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the second surface structures respectively comprise one or more second protrusions, the second protrusions protruding from the bottom surface of the upper artificial gingival part comprising the respective second surface structure, One or more of the second retaining structures respectively include one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions, The second protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the second receiving portions, and the second receiving portion is designed to receive the respective second protrusion to establish the second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

8. According to the combination kit of claim 7, one or more of the aligned second receiving portions are respectively configured to: when establishing the second non-destructive detachable direct connection, provide a remaining free space on the top side of the aligned received second protrusion to receive the adhesive so as to provide an additional second permanent connection between the upper artificial gingival portion and the retaining section.

9. According to the combination kit according to claim 7, for each of the retaining segments, one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segments and one or more second retaining structures of the respective retaining segments are provided by a common retaining structure, and the common retaining structure is designed to extend below one or more dentures to be carried by the respective retaining segments and below one or more upper artificial gingival parts to be arranged on the respective retaining segments.

10. The combination kit according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the second retaining structures respectively comprise one or more second protrusions, the second protrusions protruding from the retaining section comprising the respective second retaining structure, One or more of the second surface structures respectively include one or more second receiving portions for receiving the one or more second protrusions, The second protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the second receiving portions, and the second receiving portion is designed to receive the respective second protrusion to establish the second non-destructive detachable direct connection.

11. The combination kit according to claim 5, wherein one or more of the upper artificial gingival parts comprises one or more lateral parts extending laterally beyond the retaining section of the bracket, each upper artificial gingival part being configured to be arranged on the retaining section of the bracket, Each lateral portion includes a bottom surface shaped to rest on and mate with the patient's natural gum surface.

12. The combination kit according to claim 5, further comprising one or more lower artificial gingival portions, each lower artificial gingival portion being configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva, Each lower artificial gingival part includes a top surface and a bottom surface, The bottom surface is shaped to rest on and match the patient's natural gum surface. The top surface comprises a third surface structure configured to engage a correspondingly associated, complementary-shaped third retaining structure provided by a retaining section of the bracket, the respective lower artificial gingival portion being configured to be arranged below the retaining section of the bracket, The third surface structures are respectively combined with correspondingly assigned third complementary-shaped retaining structures, thereby providing a third non-destructively detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingival part including the respective third surface structures and the retaining section including the correspondingly assigned third complementary-shaped retaining structures.

13. The combination kit according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the third surface structures respectively comprise one or more third protrusions, the third protrusions protruding from the top surface of the lower artificial gingival part comprising the respective third surface structure, One or more of the third retaining structures respectively include one or more third receiving portions for receiving the one or more third protrusions, The third protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the third receiving portions, and the third receiving portion is designed to receive the respective third protrusion to establish the third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

14. According to the combination kit of claim 13, one or more of the aligned third receiving portions are respectively configured to: when establishing the third non-destructive detachable direct connection, provide a remaining free space on the top side of the aligned received third protrusion to receive the adhesive so as to provide an additional third permanent connection between the lower artificial gingival portion and the retaining section.

15. According to the combination kit according to claim 14, for each retaining segment, one or more first retaining structures of the respective retaining segment and one or more third retaining structures of the respective retaining segment are provided by a common retaining structure, and the common retaining structure is configured to extend below one or more dentures to be received by the respective retaining segment and on one or more lower artificial gingival parts to be arranged below the respective retaining segment.

16. The combination kit according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the third retaining structures respectively comprise one or more third protrusions, the third protrusions protruding from the retaining section comprising the respective third retaining structure, One or more of the third surface structures respectively include one or more third receiving portions for receiving one or more third protrusions, The third protrusions are respectively arranged at positions aligned with corresponding positions of one of the third receiving portions, and the third receiving portion is designed to receive the respective third protrusion to establish the third non-destructive detachable direct connection.

17. A removable partial denture for a patient, the partial denture comprising: one or more artificial teeth, a bracket with one or more retaining sections and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts, Each retaining section is configured to receive and retain one or more of the dentures, The upper artificial gingival part is respectively arranged on one of the holding sections and comprises one or more through holes, One of the artificial teeth is arranged in each of the through holes, Each tooth prosthesis comprises a bottom surface having a first surface structure engaging a correspondingly associated first complementary retaining structure provided by one of the retaining sections of the support configured to receive and retain the respective tooth prosthesis, The first surface structures are respectively combined with the engaged first complementary-shaped retaining structures, thereby forming a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the artificial tooth including the respective surface structures and the retaining section including the respectively engaged complementary-shaped retaining structures, Each lower artificial gingival portion is configured to be arranged between one of the retaining sections and the patient's natural gingiva, Each lower artificial gingival part includes a top surface and a bottom surface, The bottom surface is shaped to rest on and mate with the patient's natural gum surface. The top surface comprises a further surface structure which engages a correspondingly associated further complementary-shaped retaining structure provided by a retaining section of the support, below which the respective lower artificial gingival part is arranged, The further surface structures are respectively combined with the engaged further complementary retaining structures to form another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingival part including the respective further surface structure and the retaining section including the respectively engaged further complementary retaining structures.

18. A computer system for constructing a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the computer system comprising a processor and a memory storing machine executable program instructions, the processor executing the program instructions so that the processor controls the computer system to: providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit, providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface, splitting one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a part of the bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including the top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part, generating a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections, the retaining sections comprising retaining structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection for at least the one or more artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival portion, The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture, which surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part, which another surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith for constructing a kit of parts of a removable partial denture for a patient, the constructing comprising: providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit, providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface, splitting the one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a portion of a bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including a top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part, respectively; generating a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections, the retaining sections comprising retaining structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection for at least the one or more artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival portion, The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture, which surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part, which another surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

20. A method for constructing a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the method comprising: providing a digital model of one or more dentures for use in the combination kit, providing a digital model of one or more artificial gingival portions, each artificial gingival portion including a top surface and a bottom surface, each bottom surface being shaped to be placed on and match the patient's natural gingival surface, splitting the one or more artificial gingiva parts into a lower artificial gingiva part including at least a portion of a bottom surface of the respective artificial gingiva part and an upper artificial gingiva part including a top surface of the respective artificial gingiva part, respectively; generating a digital model of a bracket having one or more retaining sections, the retaining sections comprising retaining structures configured to provide a non-destructive detachable direct connection for at least the one or more artificial teeth and the lower artificial gingival portion, The digital model of the bracket is removed from the digital model of the one or more dentures and the digital model of the lower artificial gingival part to produce a surface structure on the bottom surface of each denture, which surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket, and to produce another surface structure on the top surface of each lower artificial gingival part, which another surface structure is configured to engage one of the retaining structures provided by one of the retaining sections of the bracket.

21. A method for assembling a kit of parts for a removable partial denture for a patient, the kit comprising: one or more artificial teeth, a bracket with one or more retaining sections and one or more upper artificial gingival parts and one or more lower artificial gingival parts, The method includes: The upper artificial gingiva parts are arranged on one of the holding sections respectively, each upper artificial gingiva part comprising one or more through holes, One of the artificial teeth is arranged in each of the through holes, so that the surface structure on the bottom surface of the respective artificial tooth is engaged with a correspondingly assigned shape-complementary holding structure of one of the holding sections of the support designed to receive and hold the respective artificial tooth, each surface structure is combined with the engaged shape-complementary holding structure, thereby forming a non-destructive detachable direct connection between the artificial tooth including the respective surface structure and the holding section including the respectively engaged shape-complementary holding structure, The lower artificial gingiva part is arranged respectively under one of the retaining sections, each lower artificial gingiva part includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface is formed to be placed on the surface of the patient's natural gingiva and match therewith, the top surface includes another surface structure, the other surface structure engages with another retaining structure with a corresponding complementary shape provided by the retaining section of the bracket, and the corresponding lower artificial gingiva part is arranged under the retaining section of the bracket, and the other surface structure is respectively combined with another retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged, thereby providing another non-destructive detachable direct connection between the lower artificial gingiva part including the respective other surface structure and the retaining section including the respective other retaining structure with a complementary shape to be engaged.

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