Machining tool for processing dental plastic splints

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing tool (1) for processing dental plastic splints. The processing tool comprises a handpiece (10) and an attachment (20). The attachment (20) is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the handpiece (10) via an interface (30). Furthermore, the attachment (20) comprises a thermal cutting edge (40).

Description

The invention relates to a machining tool for machining dental plastic rails.Aligner therapy is an established method in orthodontics for the treatment of tooth malpositions. The aligners are currently usually produced by a deep-drawing process or by additive or subtractive manufacturing. All methods require further processing steps which remove excess (support) material and round the edges in such a way that the wearing comfort and the success of the treatment of the patient are ensured. Currently, there are special rotary tools for manual post-processing, which are used in manually guided or stationary drives. Such special tools are designed in their geometrical shape for the machining of thermoplastic materials.A known problem in the machining of thermoplastic materials is the sensitivity to process heat. A process heat critical for the material initiates the plastic deformability of the material, whereby a disturbed chip flow arises and, furthermore, bonds with the tool cutting edges occur or lead to interruption of the machining.In contrast to automated machining, the use of cooling is dispensed with in manual machining, as a rule for practical reasons, as a result of which the problem occurs frequently precisely in this case. Often, chip residue is again welded to the material and sharp-edged sites are formed which have to be removed laboriously and wear-intensive in the subsequent polishing.Another problem with machining is noise and dirt nuisance: the subtractive mode of operation typically produces many fine chips which limit the user's vision and which subsequently settle to and around their workplace.It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a machining tool for machining dental plastic rails which is capable of carrying out precise parting cuts in a user-friendly manner.This object is achieved by a machining tool having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.The machining tool according to the invention having the features of claim 1 has the advantage that very thin and precise parting cuts can be carried out in a dental plastic rail. Furthermore, the machining tool according to the invention enables noiseless and clean working without chips or dust. The resulting smooth processing edges also reduce the need for reworking. This is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1 in that the processing tool for processing dental plastic rails comprises a handpiece and a cap. The attachment comprises a thermal cutting edge and is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the handpiece via an interface. The thermal blade is configured to be connected to a power source, by means of which the thermal blade is heated.The machining tool is preferably used by dental and dental professionals for edge machining deep-drawn or additively manufactured dental bite and correction rails. Thus, excess material of a dental plastic rail can be removed without the use of a cutting tool, thereby additionally reducing the risk of injury from a rotating tool.The use of a thermal cutting edge thereby significantly reduces the cutting resistance compared to a cutting edge which is not heated. In particular, the thermal cutting edge heats the dental plastic rail at the contact point above the melting point or causes the dental plastic rail to evaporate at the contact point. The thermal blade is preferably heated by an electrical resistor. Dental plastic rails consist in particular of thermoplastic materials or silicones.The handpiece preferably has a cylinder-like shape which is dimensioned for the ergonomy of a human hand.The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.Preferably, the attachment is detachably connectable to the handpiece, so that the attachment can be exchanged depending on the application purpose in order to ensure optimum machining of the dental dental dental splint.In particular, the interface is preferably a rotary connection and / or a plug connection. Rotary and / or plug connections are particularly simple to handle in the dental environment. Furthermore, the rotational and / or plug connection is simple and cost-effective to produce. A combination of a rotary and plug connection, such as a bayonet lock, for example, enables a particularly secure connection.Further preferably, the handpiece comprises an integrated energy source configured to heat the thermal blade. The omission of an external energy source improves the handling since the machining tool does not have to be connected via an external cable. The integrated energy source is preferably an accumulator. If the integrated energy source is used up, the processing tool can preferably be used further and recharged in direct grid operation. Preferably, the integrated energy source supplies a maximum voltage of 12 V, so that the risk due to voltage flashovers is reduced.In a preferred development of the invention, the integrated energy source is configured to be wirelessly charged. A charging socket on the handpiece is thus omitted, whereby the robustness in the dental environment and the ergonomy are improved.Further preferably, the handpiece comprises at least one operating element and / or a display unit. The operating element is preferably a haptic switch or a button. The operating element thus enables the functions of the attachment used to be operated. The display unit is preferably an electrically controlled display, such as a screen. This can inform the user about program settings of the attachment by symbols or text characters, indicate the operating state of the integrated energy source or output fault codes.Preferably, the attachment comprises a light source. The light source enables a targeted illumination of the working area if necessary.Further preferably, the temperature of the thermal cutting edge is adjustable. The temperature can thus be adapted to the material of the dental plastic rail and the processing speed.Preferably, the thermal blade is a cutting wire, the attachment comprising an arc and the cutting wire. In this case, the cutting wire is preferably tensioned on the arch between a first end and a second end. The arc can be, for example, circular or rectangular. A current flows through the cutting wire, as a result of which the latter is heated and enables dental plastic bars to be cut to size. The use of an attachment with a cutting wire enables the smallest machining radii on the dental plastic rail.The wire length between the first end and the second end is preferably between 30 mm and 100 mm, in particular between 50 mm and 60 mm, whereby the attachment enables simplified machining of the dental plastic rail. An opening area dimension delimited by the cutting wire and the arc is preferably between 2.5 cm 2 and 25 cm 2, thus enabling good accessibility to the machining locations.Further preferably, the cutting wire attachment comprises an integrated clamping device. The clamping device is configured to exert a defined tensile stress on the cutting wire. Thus, during the processing, it can be ensured that the cutting wire has a desired wire tension and does not change depending on time or temperature. The integrated clamping device is arranged in particular on the interface side. Thus, the clamping device can be adapted during the machining from the handpiece. The clamping device can be designed mechanically or electromechanically.Preferably, the cutting wire is positively fastened to the attachment, in particular by means of an annular, cylindrical or spherical wire end. The wire end can be inserted into an associated recess on the attachment in order to clamp the cutting wire. Such a form-fit connection enables the tool-free clamping and changing of the cutting wire. At the same time, the form-fitting connection permits a simple circuit closure for heating the cutting wire.According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting wire consists of a metal alloy, in particular of a nickel-chromium alloy. This enables good cutting properties of the cutting wire for machining dental plastic splints.The wire thickness is preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm, in order to enable cuts as precisely as possible with a sufficiently high strength of the cutting wire.Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the cutting wire and the central axis of the handpiece are oriented parallel to each other. In particular, the longitudinal axis of the cutting wire and the central axis of the handpiece are aligned coaxially with respect to one another. Thus, the cutting wire forms an extension of the handpiece, resulting in improved handling of the machining tool.More preferably, the thermal cutting edge is alternatively a cutting blade. A cutting blade is robust and allows straight cuts to be easily made. The attachment with cutting blade preferably comprises an integrated heat source which is configured to heat the cutting blade.It is further advantageous for the cutting blade to be adjustable by at least 30° in at least one axis. Thus, the cutting blade can be adjusted according to the application in order to improve the user's ergonomic performance during the processing of dental plastic splints.Further details, advantages and features of the present invention are evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a processing tool for processing dental plastic rails according to a preferred exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a handpiece according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a top part for a machining tool according to a second exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a cutting wire according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows different schematic embodiments of a wire end of the cutting wire for a machining tool according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1.In the following, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a processing tool 1 for processing dental plastic rails according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail.As can be seen from FIG. 1, the machining tool 1 according to the exemplary embodiment comprises a handpiece 10 and a cap 20. handpiece 10 and cap 20 are connected to one another in a mechanically and electrically detachable manner via an interface 30.The interface 30 has two electrical contacts 31 for supplying energy to a thermal blade 40.A top piece 20 with a cutting wire 41 as thermal cutting edge 40 is shown as top piece 20. The attachment 20 can be released via the detachable interface 30 and exchanged for another attachment 20 depending on the application. In this case, a longitudinal axis A-A of the cutting wire 41 is aligned coaxially with the central axis X-X of the handpiece 10.The attachment 20 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a semicircular arc 21 with a constant radius R. At a first end 22 of the arc 21 and at a second end 23 of the arc 21, a clamping device 24 is arranged, in which the cutting wire 41 is clamped via its wire ends 42. The cutting wire 41 can be mechanically tightened on the clamping device 24 by means of a set screw 26. Alternatively, the clamping device 24 can also be tensioned electromechanically. The cutting wire 41 is supplied with electric power through the electric contact 31 to heat the cutting wire 41. The electrical contact 31 can likewise supply an electromechanical clamping device 24 with energy.The length L of the cutting wire 41 from wire end 42 to wire end 42 is preferably between 30 mm and 100 mm. Between the arch 21 and the cutting wire 41 a surface A is tensioned, which preferably lies between 2.5 cm 2 and 25 cm 2. Depending on the size of the dental plastic rail to be machined, attachments 20 of different sizes can be used.A light source 25 is attached to the bend 21 in the vicinity of the handpiece, which light source allows illumination of the processing region.FIG. 2 shows the schematic handpiece 10 from FIG. 1 in detail.The handpiece 10 has a cylindrical housing 14 which is adapted in diameter and length to the ergonomy of a human hand.Integrated in the housing 14 of the handpiece 10 is an energy source 11 which is designed as an accumulator.Furthermore, the handpiece 10 has an operating element 12 and a display unit 13. The operating element 12 is designed as a pushbutton and the display unit 13 as a digital display. Thus, the display unit 13 can display different information on the state of the machining tool 1.On an end face, the handpiece has the interface 30, which is configured to produce a releasable connection to the attachment 20. Furthermore, the interface 30 on the handpiece 10 has the electrical contact 31, which is configured to establish an electrical connection between the handpiece 10 and the attachment 20.FIG. 3 schematically shows an alternative attachment 20 of a machining tool 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment, which is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the handpiece via the interface 30.The alternative attachment 20 includes a cutting blade 43 with an angled tip. The cutting blade is indirectly heated via an integrated heat source 44.The integrated heat source 44 is supplied with electrical energy from the energy source 11 via two electrical contacts 31 in the interface 30.The cutting blade 43 in FIG. 3 is adjustable by at least 30° about the central axis B - B of the attachment 20. In addition, the cutting blade 43 may be tilted perpendicular to the central axis B - B. The central axis B - B of the alternative attachment 20 is preferably aligned coaxially with the central axis X - X of the handpiece 10.FIG. 4 shows the clamping device 24 for clamping the cutting wire 41.The cutting wire 41 has a respective spherical wire end 42 con its wire ends 42. The wire ends 42 are mounted in recesses 28 of the clamping device 24, which are adapted to the shape of the wire ends 42. In this case, a clearance fit is preferably provided between the wire end 42 and the recess 28.After the wire ends 42 of the cutting wire 41 are inserted into the recesses 28, the clamping device 24 exerts a force F parallel to the cutting wire 41 and thus clamps it.Due to the force F, the wire ends 42 bear flush against the clamping device 24, as a result of which a circuit is closed along the attachment 20.FIG. 5 shows different embodiments of the wire end 42. the wire end 42 can be, for example, ring-shaped 42 aor cylindrical 42 b, in addition to the spherical shape 42 c. The wire ends 42 allow toolless tensioning and changing of the cutting wire 41.In addition to the above written description of the invention, for the purpose of supplementary disclosure thereof, explicit reference is hereby made to the graphical representation of the invention in the figures.List of reference characters1 Machining tool 10 Handpiece 11 Energy source 12 Operating element 13 Display unit 14 Housing 20 Attachment 21 Arc 22 First end 23 Second end 24 Clamping device 25 Light source 26 Adjusting screw 28 Cutout 30 Interface 31 Electrical contact 40 Thermal cutting edge 41 Cutting wire 42 Wire end 42 aRing-shaped wire end 42 bCylindrical wire end 42 cSphered wire end 43 Cutting blade 44 Integrated heat source A Surface L Length F Force R Radius A - A Longitudinal axis of the cutting wire B - B Central axis of the attachment X - X Central axis of the handpiece

Claims

Processing tool (1) for processing dental plastic rails, comprising • a handpiece (10) and • a cap (20), • wherein the cap (20) is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the handpiece (10) via an interface (30), • wherein the cap (20) comprises a thermal cutting edge (40).The machining tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the attachment (20) is detachably connectable to the handpiece (10).The machining tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface (30) is a rotary connection and / or a plug connection.The machining tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handpiece (10) comprises an integrated energy source (11).The machining tool (1) according to claim 4, wherein the integrated power source (11) is configured to be wirelessly charged.The processing tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handpiece (10) comprises at least one operating element (12) and / or a display unit (13).The machining tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment (20) comprises a light source (25).The machining tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the thermal blade (40) is adjustable.The machining tool (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal cutting edge (40) is a cutting wire (41), and wherein the attachment (20) comprises an arch (21) and the cutting wire (41), wherein the cutting wire (41) is tensioned on the arch (21) between a first end (22) and a second end (23).Machining tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein the attachment comprises an integrated clamping device (24), which is arranged in particular on the interface side.The machining tool (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the cutting wire (41) is positively fastened to the attachment (20), in particular by means of an annular (42a), cylindrical (42b) or spherical (42c) wire end (42).The machining tool (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the cutting wire (41) is made of a metal alloy, in particular a nickel-chromium alloy.The processing tool (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cutting wire (A - A) and the central axis of the handpiece (X - X) are aligned parallel to each other, in particular the longitudinal axis of the cutting wire (A - A) and the central axis of the handpiece (X - X) are aligned coaxial to each other.The processing tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the thermal blade (40) is a cutting blade (43).The machining tool (1) according to claim 14, wherein the cutting blade (43) is adjustable by at least 30° in at least one axis.

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