Model plate for articulators

Abstract

Model plate (14, 15) for articulators (1), which is designed to connect a jaw model (2) to the articulator (1) in a fixed and non-destructive manner, with a plurality of webs (14b, 15b) which form a plurality of openings (14c, 15c), wherein at least some of the openings (14c, 15c) are designed to receive individual tooth stumps of the jaw model (2) from the underside and can be pressed out of the model plate (14, 15), wherein the model plate (14, 15) is produced by means of a bath-based photopolymerization, characterized in that at least some of the openings (14c, 15c), preferably all of the openings (14c, 15c), are connected to one another by connecting channels (14d, 15d) and / or to the surroundings of the model plate (14, 15) by connecting channels (14d, 15d).

Description

The present invention relates to a model plate for articulators.In dental technology, articulators are nowadays usually used as devices for simulating the movement of the jaw joint. For this purpose, plaster models of the dental arches of the upper and lower jaw are mounted in occlusion in the articulator. The movement of the jaws relative to one another can then be simulated, which is essential for the production of dentures, partial and total prostheses or rails.Such dental articulators are known and essentially have a frame lower part and a frame upper part which is configured to be movable relative to the same. An upper and lower jaw model can be fastened to the respective frame parts, wherein a natural movement of the lower jaw can be simulated by a special mounting of the frame lower part on which the lower jaw model is arranged. For a precise arrangement and movement of the jaw models, a particularly careful and precise setting up and mounting of the jaw model in the articulator is required.EP 4 208 123 A1 describes a method for producing a patient's jaw model intended for mounting in an articulator, comprising the production of at least one jaw model, at least one model plate assigned to this jaw model and at least one articulation plate, which can be detachably connected to the model plate and is to be arranged in an approximately parallel arrangement to the model plate and can be inserted into an articulator and connected to the latter, wherein the model plate and the articulation plate can be mutually fixed by a positive connection. The data for the jaw model can be obtained digitally and the jaw model is subsequently produced using this digital data in 3D printing. The lower jaw and upper jaw models of the jaw model are here connected to the respective model plate by means of plaster in a materially bonded manner.It is known in such model plates for articulators that they have openings in the area of their underside in the form of a honeycomb-like or grid-like structure, so that individual tooth stumps can be pushed out of the model plate from the underside. In particular, by means of a conical stump shape of the individual teeth (stubs), these can be detachable or removable from the model. The aforementioned honeycomb-like structure can be, for example, a hexagonal honeycomb structure of interconnected hexagon, or a honeycomb structure of equilateral triangle, or a honeycomb structure of square or other, for example, polygonal and uniform structures with connecting webs, or similar structures, which ensure a high mechanical stability of the model plate.Model plates of this type for articulators can nowadays be produced in 3D printing. 3D printing, which is also referred to as additive manufacturing, is a manufacturing method for manufacturing three-dimensional objects as workpieces by applying material layer by layer in a corresponding manufacturing device of a 3D printer. For this purpose, various methods with different properties or advantages and disadvantages are known today.For example, such an articulator model plate may be printed by bath-based photopolymerization by selectively curing a liquid photopolymer in a container by light-activated polymerization. As curable materials, it is possible to use plastics and dispersions of plastics and ceramics, the plastics also including synthetic resins, referred to for short as resins. In any case, the material is hardened, i.e. the introduction of energy, usually by UV light projection, UV lasers and UV LEDs.Conventional 3D printers for using resin as the printing material have a basin which is filled with the curable material and has a chemical- and temperature-resistant film of fluoroethylene-propylene (FEP) as the bottom. The FEP film prevents the curable material from coming into contact with the light source disposed below the bottom of the basin, but at the same time the light can reach the printing platform through the FEP film.During the 3D printing process, the printing platform is then raised along the vertical direction upward from the FEP film as the bottom of the basin, so that liquid resin can flow from the sides into the resulting interspace between the top side or the inner side of the FEP film and the last cured layer of the workpiece to be produced, which is oriented toward the FEP film.A disadvantage here is that damage, such as, for example, deformations of the already cured layers of the workpiece to be produced by the resin flowing in, can occur. This applies in particular to comparatively delicate regions of the workpiece to be produced.An object of the present invention is to improve a model plate for articulators of the type described at the beginning and or the production thereof. This is intended to be done in particular for such model plates for articulators which are produced by means of a 3D printing process with resin. At least one alternative to the known model plates for articulators is to be provided.The object is achieved according to the invention by a model plate for articulators having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements are described in the dependent claims.The present invention thus relates to a model plate for articulators, which is designed to connect a jaw model to the articulator in a fixed and non-destructive manner, with a plurality of webs which form a plurality of openings, wherein at least some of the openings are designed to receive individual tooth stumps of the jaw model in a pressable manner from the underside out of the model plate, wherein the model plate is produced by means of bath-based photopolymerization.Model plates of this type for articulators are known in dental technology, as described at the beginning, but have disadvantages with regard to their production by means of 3D printing with resins, also referred to as "resin" in English.According to the invention, the model plate for articulators is characterized in that at least some of the openings, preferably all openings, are connected to one another by connecting channels and or to the surroundings of the model plate by connecting channels.These connecting channels are provided in the model of the model plate as a workpiece to be produced and are also formed during 3D printing. For this purpose, connections between the individual openings and or into the environment can be created in the workpiece which builds up during the 3D printing in order to reduce the suction effect which occurs during production when the printing platform is raised. Accordingly, the negative effects of the suction effect such as damage, for example deformations of the already cured layers of the workpiece to be produced by the inflowing resin, can be avoided or at least reduced, since the connecting channels can enable or promote a more uniform flow of the outflowing material.In other words, a channelized hole structure can be created in this way, the structure of which, i.e. the connecting channels, can connect the individual holes or openings to one another and to the environment. This allows excess resin or resin to be removed from the cavities under 3D pressure. The vacuum during the 3D pressure can thereby be greatly reduced. The resin or resin can flow off during the printing process. This makes it possible to conserve the film of the basin with the resin or the film of the resin tray and the printed object during 3D printing.According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting channels are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of extension of the openings. Thus, the improved flow of the incoming material can be perpendicular to the openings, which can further improve this effect.According to a further aspect of the invention, the connecting channels are arranged in the plane of the planar extension of the model plate. This can preferably correspond to the plane of the printing platform during 3D printing. Since the plane of the planar extension of the model plate during the 3D pressure corresponds to the plane in which the material flowing in behind flows or flows, this alignment can likewise improve the effect of the improved flow of the material flowing in behind. This applies in particular with respect to the plane of the printing platform during 3D printing.In this case, the two alignments described above can also be combined with one another, which can further improve the effect of the improved flow of the material flowing downstream.According to a further aspect of the invention, at least some of the openings, preferably all of the openings, are of cylindrical configuration. This can further improve the flow of the incoming material through the connecting channels, since the incoming material can flow through a cylindrical space of the openings more uniformly than in the case of an angular inner contour of the openings.According to a further aspect of the invention, the model plate for articulators further comprises at least one groove which is arranged at the edge side open towards the surroundings of the model plate and is designed to cooperate in a form-fitting manner with a corresponding tongue of an articulator plate of the articulator, wherein the groove comprises at least one groove indentation at its lowest point, which extends towards the surroundings of the model plate. If a plurality of grooves are present, a plurality of or all of the grooves can each have at least one groove cut.Thus, a groove on the edge of the model plate extends in the same direction as the openings into the material of the model plate, which serves for a form fit with a corresponding tongue of an articulator plate of the articulator, as already known. According to the invention, however, the bottom or the base of the groove extends even further into the material of the model plate as a groove cut, so that the suction effect can also be reduced at this point, in that material flowing in at the 3D pressure can flow through the groove cut into the groove.In other words, the toothing between the groove and the tongue can ensure a stable seating of the plates and prevent lateral sliding out when the model plate is used in the articulator. The groove cut in the groove can ensure a more rapid settling of the resin or resin during the printing process or during the 3D printing and promote the precision of the formation of the groove, which can improve the quality or precision of the form-fit.An exemplary embodiment and further advantages of the invention are illustrated purely schematically and explained in more detail below in connection with the following figures. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic illustration of an articulator with a jaw model and model plates; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a known model plate for articulators from obliquely above; FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a model plate according to the invention for articulators from obliquely above; and FIG. 4 shows the illustration of FIG. 3 obliquely from below.The above-mentioned procedure is described. Figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal axis X extends, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. A transverse axis Y extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, which can also be referred to as width Y. A vertical axis Z extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y, which vertical axis can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity or the gravitational force. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic illustration of an articulator 1 with jaw model 2 and model plates 14, 15.The articulator 1 comprises a frame bottom 10 and a frame top 11 which are connected to each other and movable relative to each other according to the operation of an articulator 1, as is known. On the lower frame part 10, a lower articulator plate 12 is fixedly arranged as the base plate 12. The base plate 12 has a plurality of tongues 12 acircumferentially on the edge, which cooperate in a positive-locking manner with the grooves 14 aof the already mentioned lower model plate 14 in order to hold the lower model plate 14 on the base plate 12 in a positive-locking manner in the horizontal X, Y. Likewise, an upper articulator plate 13 is fixedly arranged as a counter plate 13 on the upper frame part 11 and engages with springs 13a in grooves 15a of the aforementioned upper model plate 15.The aforementioned jaw model 2 has a lower jaw model 20 which is connected to the lower model plate 14 by means of a lower plaster base 22 in a materially integral manner. The jaw model 2 likewise has a upper jaw model 21, which is connected to the upper model plate 15 by means of an upper gypsum base 23 in a materially integral manner.FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of a known model plate 14, 15 for articulators 1 obliquely from above. Such model plates 14, 15 can be used as the lower model plate 14 as well as the upper model plate 15 in the articulator 1 of FIG. 1.Known model plates 14, 15 have webs 14 b, 15 bwhich, as a honeycomb structure, surround openings 14 c, 15 cor chambers 14 c, 15 cof the model plate 14, 15. The openings 14 c, 15 cor chambers 14 c, 15 cof the model plate 14, 15 serve to receive individual tooth stumps (not shown) of the jaw model 2 in a manner capable of being pressed out of the model plate 14, 15 from the underside. The model plates 14, 15 have the aforementioned grooves 14 a, 15 aat the edge. Such model plates 14, 15 can be manufactured from resin by 3D printing.FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a model plate 14, 15 according to the invention for articulators 1 obliquely from above. FIG. 4 shows the illustration of FIG. 3 obliquely from below.All openings 14 c, 15 cof the model plate 14, 15 according to the invention are connected to one another by connecting channels 14 d, 15 d. The edge openings 14 c, 15 care also connected to the surroundings of the model plate 14, 15 by connecting channels 14 d, 15 d. The connecting channels 14 d, 15 dare arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of extension of the openings 14 c, 15 c, which corresponds to the plane of the flat plane of extension of the model plate 14, 15 and thus to the horizontal X, Y, wherein the openings 14 c, 15 cof the model plate 14, 15 according to the invention are aligned along the vertical axis Z or extend along the vertical axis Z, i.e. the direction of extension of the openings 14 c, 15 cof the model plate 14, 15 according to the invention extends along the vertical axis Z. This also corresponds to the plane or the flat extension of the underside of the printing platform during 3D printing.The connecting channels 14 d, 15 dmay reduce the suction effect during the production of the model plate 14, 15 according to the invention by means of 3D printing using resin, since the liquid or uncured resin can flow after not only along the FEP film during the raising of the printing platform, but additionally through the connecting channels 14 d, 15 d. This can reduce or even completely avoid damage, such as deformations of the already cured layers of the workpiece to be produced by the resin flowing in or flowing in. This also makes it possible to conserve the film of the basin with the resin or the film of the basin with the resin during 3D printing.In order to promote the reduction of the suction effect, all the openings 14c, 15c may be formed cylindrically, so that the flow of the resin may become more uniform.Furthermore, the aforementioned grooves 14 a, 15 aare each arranged open at the edge side towards the environment of the model plate 14, 15. The grooves 14 a, 15 aeach have, at their deepest point along the vertical axis Z, a groove incision 14 e, 15 ethat extends toward the vicinity of the model plate 14, 15 in the horizontal X, Y. As a result, the subsequent flow of the resin can also be promoted at this point and the suction effect can thus be further reduced. By means of the groove incisions 14 e, 15 eof the grooves 14 a, 15 aof the model plate 14, 15, the resin or resin can also be calmed down in the grooves 14 a, 15 aduring the 3D pressure, as a result of which damage, such as deformations of the already cured layers of the workpiece to be produced by the resin flowing in or flowing after, can likewise be reduced or even completely avoided.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS (part of the description)X longitudinal axis; depth; length Y transverse axis; width Z vertical axis; height X, Y horizontal; horizontal plane 1 (dental) articulator 10 frame lower part 11 frame upper part 12 lower articulator plate; base plate 12 asprings of the lower articulator plate 12 13 upper articulator plate; Counter plate 13 a Federn of the upper articulator plate 13 14 Untere model plate 14 a Nuten of the lower model plate 14 14 b Stege of the lower model plate 14 14 c Öffnungen of the openings 14 cor the chambers 14 cof the lower model plate 14 e Nut of the grooves of the lower model plate 14 15 Obere model plate 15 a Nuten of the upper model plate 15 15 b Stege of the upper model plate 15 c Öffnungen of the upper model plate 15 15 d Of the openings 15 cor the chambers 15 cof the upper model plate 15 15 e Nut of the grooves of the upper model plate 15 2 Kiefer model 20 Unter model 21 Ober model 22 Unterer base 23 Oberer baseReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedEP 4 208 123 A1

[0004]

Claims

Model plate (14, 15) for articulators (1) which is designed to connect a jaw model (2) to the articulator (1) in a fixed and non-destructive manner, having a plurality of webs (14b, 15b) which form a plurality of openings (14c, 15c), at least some of the openings (14c, 15c) being designed to receive individual tooth stumps of the jaw model (2) such that they can be pressed out of the model plate (14, 15) from the underside, the model plate (14, 15) being produced by means of bath-based photopolymerization, characterized in that at least some of the openings (14c, 15c), preferably all the openings (14c, 15c), are connected to one another by connecting channels (14d, 15d) and / or to the surroundings of the model plate (14, 15) by connecting channels (14d, 15d).Model plate (14, 15) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting channels (14d, 15d) are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the openings (14c, 15c).Model plate (14, 15) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting channels (14d, 15d) are arranged in the plane of the planar extension of the model plate (14, 15).Model plate (14, 15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the openings (14c, 15c), preferably all of the openings (14c, 15c), are formed cylindrically.Model plate (14, 15) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one groove (14a, 15a) which is arranged on the edge side open towards the surroundings of the model plate (14, 15) and is designed to cooperate in a positive-locking manner with a corresponding tongue (12a, 13a) of an articulator plate (12, 13) of the articulator (1), wherein the groove (14a, 15a) comprises at least one groove indentation (14e, 15e) at its lowest point, which extends towards the surroundings of the model plate (14, 15).

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