METHOD FOR PRODUCING A DENTAL OBJECT AND DENTAL OBJECT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a dental object and a dental object with a support structure.

[0002] The removal of support structures on dental objects is often laborious and difficult to automate. Material breakouts and other problems can occur during removal. Furthermore, the removal of support structures is time-consuming, as it is a manual task that is difficult to automate. Due to the risk of material damage due to heat or excessive removal, the removal of support structures must be performed with precision.

[0003] The document US 2021 / 228316 A1 relates to a method for constructing a physical object by additive manufacturing, which comprises the steps of layer-by-layer construction of the object and at least one support structure along a construction axis.

[0004] The document DE102017113814A1 discloses a method for producing a dental prosthesis, wherein the dental prosthesis is produced from a prosthesis base and a plurality of prosthetic teeth, wherein projections are provided on the roots of the prosthetic teeth, with which projections an adhesive gap between the prosthesis base and the prosthetic teeth is bridged.

[0005] The document US 2020 / 316856 A1 relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional (3D) object with a support structure, in which the support structure touches the 3D object at a support region of the 3D object.

[0006] The document WO 2021 / 130624 A1 relates to an additively manufactured orthodontic attachment comprising a body forming a holding element that holds the article in a recess.

[0007] It is the technical object of the present invention to provide a dental object with a support structure that can be easily removed.

[0008] This technical problem is solved by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for producing a dental object system from a dental arch and a denture base, comprising the step of creating a support structure on the dental arch with a predetermined breaking point arranged such that, after the predetermined breaking point is severed, a residual portion of the support structure remains on the dental arch. The dental arch is attached to a denture base, wherein the residual portion of the support structure is fully or partially inserted into a recess in the denture base.

[0010] This achieves the technical advantage of creating a strong bond between the two dental objects. Furthermore, a bonding gap can be created between the dental objects. The bonding gap can have a distance of 50 µm between the dental objects. This achieves the technical advantage of creating a positive fit between the dental objects and improving the stability of the connection. Furthermore, it achieves the technical advantage of firmly attaching a dental arch to a denture base.

[0011] This offers the technical advantage of reducing manual work and increasing the attractiveness of the process. The dental object is protected because milling of excess material is not necessary. The remaining part can be used to subsequently stabilize the dental object.

[0012] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the predetermined breaking point is arranged at a predetermined distance from the dental object. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the remaining part of the dental object has a predetermined length.

[0013] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the support structure tapers toward the predetermined breaking point. The tapering of the support structure can occur from both sides of the support structure toward the predetermined breaking point or only from one side. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the remaining part can be easily inserted into an opposite recess.

[0014] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, a predetermined residual amount of the support structure remains on the dental object after the predetermined breaking point has been separated. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of ensuring sufficient stability of the remaining part.

[0015] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the support structure with the predetermined breaking point is automatically planned by an algorithm. The predetermined breaking points can, for example, be integrated into a CAM dataset by the algorithm. This achieves the technical advantage of reducing the effort required to manufacture the dental object.

[0016] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the dental object and / or the support structure are manufactured using a 3D printing process. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the dental object and the support structure can be manufactured easily.

[0017] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the residual part creates an adhesive gap between the dental objects. The adhesive gap arises, for example, if the residual part(s) have a length smaller or larger than the depth of the recesses. If the residual parts have a length greater than the depth of the corresponding recesses, the adhesive gap occurs outside the recesses. If the residual parts have a length smaller than the depth of the corresponding recesses, the adhesive gap occurs inside the recesses. In this case, the residual parts do not fully penetrate the recesses. This is preferred when the printed dental objects are joined together.

[0018] In this way, a gap or space can be created between the dental objects into which an adhesive can penetrate. This achieves the technical advantage of increasing the strength of an adhesive bond, for example.

[0019] A dental object with a support structure comprises a predetermined breaking point arranged such that, after the predetermined breaking point is severed, a residual portion of the support structure remains on the dental object. The dental object achieves the same technical advantages as the method according to the first aspect.

[0020] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the dental object, the predetermined breaking point is arranged at a predetermined distance from the dental object. This also achieves the technical advantage, for example, that the remaining part of the dental object has a predetermined length.

[0021] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the dental object, the support structure tapers towards the predetermined breaking point. This also provides the technical advantage that the remaining part can be easily inserted into an opposite recess.

[0022] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the dental object, the dental object is a dental arch. This achieves the technical advantage, for example, of creating a dental arch that can be firmly attached to a denture base.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a dental object system comprising a dental arch with a residual part of a support structure that remains on the dental arch after a predetermined breaking point of the support structure has been severed; and a denture base with a recess into which the residual part of the support structure can be fully or partially inserted, and the dental arch can be fastened to the denture base. The dental object system achieves the same technical advantages as the method according to the first aspect.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dental object with support structures; and Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a dental object system with two dental objects.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a dental object 100 with support structures 101. The dental object 100 is, for example, an artificially manufactured dental arch or tooth. The production of the dental object 100 can be carried out, for example, using a 3D printing process. In a 3D printing process, the dental object 100 is built up layer by layer in the desired shape. The dental object 100 and the support structures 101 can be made, for example, from a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an oxide ceramic, a metal ceramic, cross-linked or non-cross-linked plastics, a composite material, or a metal.

[0027] During the production of the dental object 100, several rod- or column-shaped support structures 101 are created, which extend in a bridge-like manner between the dental object 100 and a base surface 111. The support structures 101 mechanically support the dental object 100 relative to the base surface 111. The support structures 101 have, for example, a length of 2 to 100 mm, a width of 1 to 2 mm, and a spacing of 0.3 to 1 mm, 1 to 3 mm, 4 to 8 mm, or 8 to 12 mm.

[0028] A predetermined breaking point 103 is integrated and arranged in the support structures 101. The predetermined breaking point 103 allows the respective support structure 101 to be separated by the application of a mechanical force at the predetermined breaking point 103. The predetermined breaking point 103 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the dental object 100.

[0029] The predetermined breaking point 103 is designed such that a defined residual amount of the support structure 101 remains attached to the dental object 100 as a residual part 105 after it has been broken off. The residual part 105 protrudes from the underside of the dental object 100. The residual part 105 can, for example, have a conical shape. However, other shapes are generally also possible. The support structures 101 with the predetermined breaking points 103 can be manufactured together with the dental object 100 using the 3D printing process.

[0030] The predetermined breaking point 103 is formed, for example, by two conically tapered sections 113-1 and 113-2 of the support structure 101. The predetermined breaking point 103 is formed at the point with the smallest cross-section. The predetermined breaking point 103 can also be formed on one side by a conical section of the support structure 101. In general, however, support structures 101 with other geometries are also possible, such as cylindrical, convex or concave, or pyramidal.

[0031] If the remaining part 105 widens toward the dental object 100, this creates the technical advantage that it can be inserted into a corresponding recess in a simple and self-centering manner. Furthermore, the remaining parts 105 create the technical advantage of an enlarged surface area, so that the applied adhesive is distributed over a larger area, enabling greater adhesion during bonding.

[0032] The support structures 101 with the predetermined breaking points 103 can, for example, be automatically calculated and planned by a user on a computer as part of a CAD / CAM process during the design of the dental object 100. The computer can automatically determine the number and shape of the support structures 101 and specify them for the user. The same applies to the predetermined breaking points 103, whose arrangement within the support structures 101 can also be automatically calculated. For this purpose, an algorithm can be used that independently learns the positions from a number of examples for the dental object 100. When defining the positioning of the support structures 101, the predetermined breaking point 103 can then be installed automatically.

[0033] Fig. 2shows a schematic representation of a dental object system 300 with two dental objects 100 and 200. The dental object 100 is a dental arch produced using a 3D printing process. The support structures 101 have been separated at the predetermined breaking points 103, so that they remain on the dental arch as residual parts 105.

[0034] The dental object 100 is inserted into another dental object 200, such as a denture base. The dental object 200 includes conical recesses 107 that correspond to the remaining parts 105 on the dental object 100. In general, however, the recesses 107 can also have a different geometry, as long as the remaining parts 105 can be inserted into them. These recesses are arranged at positions that correspond to the positions of the opposing remaining parts 105.

[0035] When inserting the dental object 100, a significant form fit can be achieved between the protruding remaining parts 105 and the recesses 107. The width of the remaining parts 105, which decreases towards the outside, can facilitate the insertion of one dental object 100 into the other dental object 200.

[0036] The surface enlargement provided by the remaining parts 105 can improve the bond between the two dental objects 100 and 200. However, it is also possible that the key-lock principle resulting from the remaining parts 105 and the recesses 107 can simplify or improve positioning. The remaining parts 105 of the support structures 101 do not necessarily have to be removed.

[0037] However, the remaining parts 105 and the recesses 107 can also be dimensioned such that, after the insertion of the dental object 100, an adhesive gap 109 remains between the dental objects 100 and 200. In this case, the remaining parts 105 have, for example, a length that is greater than the depth of the recesses 107. From this adhesive gap 109, which is ideally formed in a bonding surface, a free space is created between the dental objects 100 and 200, from which any adhesive used is not displaced.

[0038] Particularly in the field of full dentures, when bonding a dental arch to a denture base, a defined bonding gap 109 can be created during the design process. The remaining parts 105 can form this gap after insertion into the recesses 107. Reducing the gap offers advantages when using a low-viscosity adhesive or bonding uncoated dental objects 100 with plastic from the construction process or by bonding the inhibited surfaces.

[0039] The support structures 101 also cannot create an adhesive gap 109 with a greater length than the recesses 107. In this case, the remaining parts 105 are accommodated in the recesses 107 and, due to the essential form fit, enable an adhesive gap 109 without spacers.

[0040] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the remaining residual parts 105 engage completely or partially in the recesses 107, thus forming a minimal bonding gap. For example, if the dental objects 100 and 200 are bonded only using the inhibited surfaces, cavities can arise between the residual parts 105 and the recesses 107.

[0041] When reducing the gap size of the adhesive gap 109, advantages arise when using a low-viscosity adhesive or when bonding uncoated dental objects 100 with plastic from the construction process or by bonding the inhibited surfaces.

[0042] In this way, the separated support structures can be used to form 101 support structures or reinforcement structures for partial dentures. The concept is transferable to other fields of application beyond the dental field.

[0043] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0044] All method steps can be implemented by devices suitable for performing the respective method step. All functions performed by physical features can be a method step of a method.

[0045] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0046] 100Dental object 101Support structure 103Predetermined breaking point 105Remaining part 107Recess 109Gluing gap 111Base area 200 dental objects 300Dental object system

Claims

1. A method of producing a dental object system (100, 200) from a dental arch (100) and a prosthesis base (200), comprising the steps of: - producing a support structure (101) on the dental arch (100) with a predetermined breaking point (103) which is arranged such that a residual portion (105) of the support structure (101) remains on the dental arch (100) after separation of the predetermined breaking point (103); and - attaching the dental arch (100) to a prosthesis base (200), wherein the residual portion (105) of the support structure (101) is inserted fully or partially into a recess (107) of the prosthesis base (200).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined breaking point (103) is arranged at a predetermined distance from or on the dental arch (100).

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (101) tapers towards the predetermined breaking point (103).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (101) with the predetermined breaking point (103) is automatically planned by an algorithm.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dental arch (100) and / or the support structure (101) are produced by a 3D printing process.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the residual portion (105) generates an adhesive gap (109) between the dental arch (100) and the prosthesis base (200).

7. A dental object system (100, 200), comprising: a dental arch (100) with a residual portion (105) of a support structure (101) which remains on the dental arch (100) after separation of a predetermined breaking point (103) of the support structure (101); and a prosthesis base (200) with a recess (107) into which the residual portion (105) of the support structure (101) can be inserted fully or partially and the dental arch (100) can be attached to the prosthesis base (200).

8. The dental object system (100, 200) according to claim 7, wherein the residual portion (105) of the support structure (101) is inserted fully or partially in the recess (107) and the dental arch (100) is attached to the prosthesis base (200).