A digital fabrication method of removable partial denture

Abstract

This invention provides a digital fabrication method for removable partial dentures. The method utilizes digital design software to obtain data on the oral cavity model to be restored, framework data, missing denture data, and base data, offering convenience and efficiency. Based on the acquired data, processing is performed using additive or subtractive manufacturing methods. Compared to traditional processing methods, this improves fabrication accuracy, saves time, reduces the probability of human error, and lowers the requirements for technicians. Compared to existing digital processes, the step of injecting glue into the base is omitted, avoiding the error rate associated with manual glue injection. Furthermore, based on occlusal data, software adjusts the occlusal relationship, eliminating the traditional steps of sculpting wax-based bases and dewaxing. The process is simple and has promising application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of dental prosthesis technology, specifically relating to a digital fabrication method for removable partial dentures. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing aging of the global population and the growing number of middle-aged and elderly people, the demand for dentures is becoming more pronounced. According to survey data in my country, the average number of missing teeth is 2.12 for people aged 35-44, 5.95 for those aged 55-64, and 9.06 for those aged 65-74. For those with missing teeth, there are generally three methods of restoration: fixed prostheses, implant restorations, and removable prostheses. For people over 60, most have remaining teeth or edentulous jaws. For those with remaining teeth, implants or removable prostheses are generally used for restoration. However, due to advanced age or conditions such as heart disease or hypertension, implant restorations are not an option, and removable prostheses, which are relatively economical and safe, are the only choice. Therefore, the market space and demand for removable prostheses are significant.

[0003] Removable partial dentures are restorations that patients can remove and insert themselves for partial tooth loss (dental arch defects). The denture maintains its position in the dentition primarily through retention devices such as clasps fixed to the remaining natural teeth and a base, utilizing the natural teeth and the remaining alveolar ridge in the edentulous area for support, restoring the anatomical morphology and physiological function of the missing teeth and surrounding tissues.

[0004] Currently, the traditional method of fabricating removable partial dentures involves using a silicone rubber impression to obtain the patient's oral structure. The dentist then sends the impression to a denture manufacturing plant. Upon receiving the impression, the plant pours plaster. Undercuts are then filled into the poured plaster, and a wax pattern framework with casting channels is designed and fabricated by hand. The wax pattern framework is then embedded in an embedding material. After the wax is lost and sintered to create a cavity, a heated alloy solution is poured in. Once cooled, the casting channels are removed by hand, and the framework is polished. Next, a separating agent is applied to the plaster. The polished framework is then placed on the plaster for manual tooth arrangement, and a wax model of the denture base is sculpted. After completion, an impression is taken using silicone rubber, and injection and drainage holes are drilled on the lingual and buccal sides, respectively. The denture and silicone rubber are then packaged together and subjected to high-temperature boiling to remove the wax and create a cavity. A mixture of denture powder and denture liquid is injected into the cavity through the drilled holes. After a period of high-temperature and high-pressure treatment, the denture is removed and separated from the plaster and silicone rubber. It is then manually polished and tested on a plaster model. Once deemed satisfactory, it is sent back to the dentist. As can be seen from the above process, traditional methods require highly skilled technicians, have long production cycles, low precision, and a high rework rate. Therefore, providing a simpler and more efficient denture processing method that reduces the manual requirements and time costs for technicians while improving production precision is crucial.

[0005] CN109528330A discloses a digital design method for removable partial denture frameworks, including: first, drawing the design lines of each component of the framework on a physical model with a pencil according to the doctor's requirements and the theoretical knowledge of removable partial denture design; then, using a scanner to perform three-dimensional scanning to obtain a three-dimensional digital model with framework design lines; and then performing digital design based on the scanned framework design lines.

[0006] CN111529105A discloses a digital manufacturing method for a complete denture three-dimensional framework, comprising: scanning a complete denture model using a scanning device to obtain three-dimensional data of the model; simultaneously scanning the artificial tooth portion and the denture base portion related to the denture model to obtain three-dimensional data of the denture shape; determining the denture base portion of the complete denture three-dimensional framework based on design software and the obtained three-dimensional data of the model and the denture shape; merging the determined denture base portion of the complete denture three-dimensional framework with the artificial tooth portion based on the design software, and connecting each artificial tooth of the merged artificial tooth portion with the corresponding denture base to form an integral three-dimensional framework; and manufacturing the integral three-dimensional framework using laser sintering technology.

[0007] In conclusion, how to utilize existing digital processes to address the high labor and time costs in dental prosthesis manufacturing plants, reduce the manual requirements for technicians, improve the precision and accuracy of production, and reduce rework rates has become an urgent issue to be resolved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a digital manufacturing method for removable partial dentures. This digital manufacturing method utilizes digital design software to obtain data on the oral cavity model to be restored, framework data, missing denture data, and base data, which is convenient and efficient. Based on the acquired data for each part, processing is carried out through additive or subtractive manufacturing methods. Compared with traditional processing procedures, this method improves manufacturing accuracy, saves time, reduces the probability of human error, and lowers the requirements for technicians. Compared with existing digital processes, the step of injecting glue into the base is omitted, avoiding the error rate of manual glue injection. Furthermore, based on the occlusal data, software adjusts the occlusal relationship, eliminating the traditional steps of manually sculpting the wax-based base and the dewaxing process. This step is replaced by digital manufacturing, which is simple to operate and has good economic benefits.

[0009] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] This invention provides a digital manufacturing method comprising the following steps:

[0011] (1) Acquire target oral cavity data;

[0012] (2) Based on design software (including but not limited to EXOCAD, 3shape, and IPD software), a model is created according to the oral cavity data, specifically including:

[0013] a. Based on the oral cavity data, obtain data on the oral cavity's condition to be repaired and create a model of the oral cavity's condition to be repaired;

[0014] b. Based on the oral cavity data, obtain the data for the removable partial denture framework and fabricate the removable partial denture framework;

[0015] c. Based on the oral cavity restoration status data and the removable partial denture framework data, simulate wax model carving is performed using design software to form a simulated wax embankment; simulated base and simulated missing denture are designed on the simulated wax embankment, and missing denture data and base data are obtained.

[0016] Based on the data of the missing denture and the base, fabricate the missing denture and the base respectively;

[0017] (3) Based on the oral cavity repair state model, the removable partial denture framework, the missing denture and the base are assembled to obtain a digital removable partial denture.

[0018] The following are preferred technical solutions of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the technical solutions provided by the present invention. The technical objectives and beneficial effects of the present invention can be better achieved and realized through the following technical solutions.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the method for fabricating the oral cavity repair model in step a includes 3D printing.

[0020] Preferably, the 3D printing method includes any one of SLA, DLP, LCD or FDM, and other 3D printing methods that can be used for polymer molding can also be used.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the removable partial denture framework described in step b is manufactured by subtractive manufacturing or 3D printing.

[0022] Preferably, the material of the removable partial denture framework in step b includes any one of cobalt-chromium alloy, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy, or titanium alloy.

[0023] Preferably, the removable partial denture framework is polished after it is obtained.

[0024] Preferably, the polishing method includes any one or a combination of at least two of coarse polishing, fine polishing, plasma polishing, or polymer polishing. Typical but non-limiting examples of such combinations include: a combination of coarse polishing and fine polishing, a combination of coarse polishing, fine polishing, and plasma polishing, a combination of coarse polishing, fine polishing, plasma polishing, and polymer polishing, etc.

[0025] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the specific operation of the simulated wax carving in step c includes: forming a combination of the oral cavity restoration status data and the removable partial denture framework data; and using design software, forming a simulated wax embankment on the retention net of the missing tooth site through the wax carving function.

[0026] In this invention, the retaining mesh is located on the metal support and is formed simultaneously during the design of the support.

[0027] Preferably, the thickness of the simulated wax embankment is 0-5mm, such as 0mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm or 5mm, but it is not limited to the listed values. Other unlisted values ​​within this range are also applicable.

[0028] In this invention, the space formed by the simulated wax model carving can accommodate enough self-curing or other materials, allowing the base, self-curing material and metal support to be better integrated in the later stages.

[0029] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the specific operation of step c in designing the simulated denture base and the simulated missing denture includes: adjusting the occlusion using an electronic jawbone system based on the opposing tooth data, and generating the missing denture data and the denture base data.

[0030] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the fabrication method of the missing denture in step c includes additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing.

[0031] Preferably, the materials used to fabricate the missing denture in step c include any one or a combination of at least two of the following: light-cured polymer materials, heat-cured polymer materials, self-curing polymer materials, pre-made resin teeth, zirconia, or elastic ceramic.

[0032] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the method of manufacturing the base in step c includes additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing.

[0033] Preferably, the material of the base in step c includes any one of polymethyl methacrylate, acrylate polymer, or photosensitive resin.

[0034] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the specific operation of step (3) includes:

[0035] Ⅰ. The missing denture is bonded to the base to obtain the first composite component;

[0036] II. A separating agent is coated on the surface of the oral cavity model to be restored, and then assembled with a removable partial denture framework to obtain a second composite component;

[0037] III. Fill the base surface of the first composite denture, away from the missing denture, with the filling amount adjusted according to the height of the simulated wax embankment;

[0038] IV. Assemble the first composite component and the second composite component. After the resin has cured, remove the oral cavity model to be restored to obtain a digital removable partial denture.

[0039] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the adhesive material used in step I includes any one of light-curing resin, thermosetting resin, cement or self-curing resin.

[0040] Preferably, the resin in step III comprises a self-curing resin.

[0041] In this invention, the adhesive material used for bonding and the self-curing resin used in step III are the same type of material as the material used to make the denture base and the denture. The bonding is firm and not easy to detach. Compared with the bonding of other materials, it has better bonding strength.

[0042] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the missing denture and the base of the digital removable partial denture are subjected to surface treatment.

[0043] Preferably, the surface treatment includes coating with a photocurable material or performing mechanical polishing.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0045] The digital fabrication method described in this invention uses digital design software to simultaneously obtain data on the oral cavity model to be restored, framework data, missing denture data, and base data, which is convenient and efficient. Based on the acquired data of each part, processing is carried out through additive or subtractive manufacturing. Compared with traditional processing methods, this improves manufacturing accuracy, saves time, reduces the probability of human error, and lowers the requirements for technicians. Compared with existing digital processes, the glue injection base step is omitted, avoiding the error rate of manual glue injection. Furthermore, based on the occlusal data, the occlusal relationship is adjusted by software, eliminating the traditional steps of manually sculpting the wax-shaped base and the dewaxing step. This step is replaced by digital fabrication, which is simple to operate and has good economic benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the software design of the oral cavity state model in a digital fabrication method for removable partial dentures provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the software design of the removable partial denture framework in a digital manufacturing method for removable partial dentures provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the software design of the outer side of the denture base in a digital manufacturing method for removable partial dentures provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the software design of the inner side of the denture base in a digital manufacturing method for removable partial dentures provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the software design for a missing part denture in a digital manufacturing method for a removable partial denture provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0051] Among them, A-Oral cavity model in the state of needing restoration, B-Removable partial denture framework, C-Base, D-Missing denture. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To better illustrate the present invention and facilitate understanding of its technical solutions, the present invention is further described in detail below. However, the following embodiments are merely simplified examples of the present invention and do not represent or limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

[0053] The following are typical but non-limiting embodiments of the present invention:

[0054] Example 1:

[0055] This embodiment provides a digital fabrication method for removable partial dentures, the digital fabrication method comprising the following steps:

[0056] (1) Acquire target oral cavity data using the Komei Dental Digital Impression System;

[0057] (2) Based on the EXOCAD design software, a model is created according to the oral cavity data, specifically including:

[0058] a. Based on the oral data, obtain the oral cavity repair status data, and create an oral cavity repair status model A using a 3D method, with the material being Komei CPD-100 model resin; the software design schematic diagram of the oral cavity repair status model A is shown below. Figure 1 As shown;

[0059] b. Based on the oral cavity data, obtain the data for the removable partial denture framework. Fabricate the removable partial denture framework B using an Adity AMP-100 metal 3D printer, and perform rough polishing and plasma polishing sequentially. The printing material is cobalt-chromium alloy powder. The software design schematic diagram of the removable partial denture framework B is shown below. Figure 2 As shown;

[0060] c. Combine the oral cavity restoration status data with the removable partial denture framework data to form combined data. Based on the combined data, use design software to form a simulated wax embankment with a thickness of 1mm on the retention net of the missing tooth using the wax pattern carving function.

[0061] Using design software, a simulated denture base and a simulated missing denture are designed on the simulated wax embankment. Specifically, this includes: adjusting the occlusion using an electronic jawbone system based on the opposing tooth data, and generating the missing denture data and the denture base data.

[0062] Based on the missing denture data and the base data, the missing denture D and the base C are fabricated using 3D technology. The missing denture D is printed using Komei CPD-100 upper dental structure resin, and the base C is printed using Komei CPD-100 printing base resin. A software design schematic of the outer side of the base C (with the side where the missing denture D is bonded as the outer side) is shown below. Figure 3 As shown; the software design schematic diagram of the inner side of the base C (with the side in contact with the removable partial denture framework B as the inner side) is as follows. Figure 4 As shown, by Figure 4 The cavity formed by the wax embankment can be seen as a place for self-curing material; the software design schematic diagram of the missing denture D is shown below. Figure 5 As shown;

[0063] (3) Based on the oral cavity restoration state model A, the removable partial denture framework B, the denture base C, and the missing denture D are assembled to obtain a digital removable partial denture, specifically including:

[0064] Ⅰ. The missing denture D and the base C are bonded together using Komei CPD-100 printing base resin. After bonding, they are cured by light in a light curing box to obtain the first composite.

[0065] II. Apply Adit resin model release agent to the surface of the oral cavity model A to be restored, and then assemble it with the removable partial denture framework B to obtain the second composite component;

[0066] III. Mix self-curing denture powder and denture liquid to form self-curing denture base resin, and fill the surface of the base C of the first composite component away from the missing denture D with self-curing denture base resin.

[0067] IV. Press the first composite with the self-curing denture base resin coated onto the removable partial denture framework B in the second composite and make adjustments. Remove the excess self-curing denture base resin that has been squeezed out and let it stand for 5 minutes to cure. Then, remove the oral cavity model A to be restored to obtain a digital removable partial denture.

[0068] The surfaces of the missing denture D and the base C in the digital removable partial denture are coated with Adity polishing liquid and then soaked in water in a UV curing box for 5 minutes before being removed.

[0069] The present invention has been illustrated with the above embodiments to explain the detailed method of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above detailed method, that is, it does not mean that the present invention must rely on the above detailed method to be implemented. Those skilled in the art should understand that any improvements to the present invention, equivalent substitutions for the operation of the present invention, additions of auxiliary operations, selection of specific methods, etc., all fall within the protection scope and disclosure scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A digital fabrication method for removable partial dentures, characterized in that, The digital production method includes the following steps: (1) Obtain target oral cavity data; (2) Based on the design software, a model is created according to the oral cavity data, specifically including: a. Based on the oral cavity data, obtain data on the oral cavity's state of needing repair and create a model of the oral cavity's state of needing repair; b. Based on the oral cavity data, obtain the data for the removable partial denture framework and fabricate the removable partial denture framework; c. Combine the oral cavity restoration status data with the removable partial denture framework data to form a composite data set. Based on the composite data, use design software to create a simulated wax embankment on the retention mesh of the missing tooth using the wax pattern sculpting function. On the simulated wax embankment, adjust the occlusion using an electronic articulator based on the opposing tooth data to generate the missing denture data and base data. Based on the missing denture data and base data, fabricate the missing denture and base respectively. The thickness of the simulated wax embankment is 0.5-5mm. (3) Based on the oral cavity restoration model, the removable partial denture framework, the missing denture, and the denture base are assembled. The assembly includes the following steps: Ⅰ. The missing denture is bonded to the base to obtain the first composite component; II. A separating agent is coated on the surface of the oral cavity model to be restored, and it is assembled with a removable partial denture framework to obtain a second composite component; III. Fill the base surface of the first composite denture, away from the missing denture, with the filling amount adjusted according to the height of the simulated wax embankment; IV. Assemble the first composite component and the second composite component. After the resin has cured, remove the oral cavity model to be restored to obtain a digital removable partial denture.

2. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method for creating the oral cavity repair model described in step a includes 3D printing.

3. The digital production method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The 3D printing method includes any one of SLA, DLP, LCD, or FDM.

4. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The removable partial denture framework described in step b can be manufactured using subtractive manufacturing or 3D printing.

5. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the removable partial denture framework described in step b includes any one of cobalt-chromium alloy, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy, cobalt-chromium-nickel alloy, or titanium alloy.

6. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After obtaining the removable partial denture framework, it is polished.

7. The digital production method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The polishing method includes any one or a combination of at least two of the following: coarse polishing, fine polishing, plasma polishing, or polymer polishing.

8. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fabrication methods for the missing dentures described in step c include additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing.

9. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of manufacturing the base described in step c includes additive manufacturing or subtractive manufacturing.

10. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the base in step c includes any one of polymethyl methacrylate, acrylate polymer, or photosensitive resin.

11. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adhesive used in step I includes any one of light-curing resin, thermosetting resin, cement, or self-curing resin.

12. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resin mentioned in step III includes a self-curing resin.

13. The digital production method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The missing denture and base of the digital removable partial denture are subjected to surface treatment.

14. The digital production method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The surface treatment includes coating with a photocurable material or performing mechanical polishing.

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