Method for manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis, and removable partial dental prosthesis

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis, the method comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing at least one monolithic block comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part, the monolithic block comprising at least one first joining member; b) manufacturing a frame that is configured to support the monolithic block, the frame comprising at least one second joining member; then c) joining the monolithic block to the frame by interlocking the first joining member with the second joining member to form the removable partial dental prosthesis.

Description

[0001] Method of manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis and removable partial dental prosthesis

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0004] It also relates to a removable partial dental prosthesis, in particular manufactured using such a process.

[0005] State of the prior art

[0006] A removable denture is one that can be removed, for example for daily maintenance or sleeping, and then replaced in an individual's mouth.

[0007] A "complete" dental prosthesis, commonly called a denture, refers to a prosthesis that replaces all of the natural teeth, whether in the upper jaw for an upper denture or in the lower jaw for a lower denture.

[0008] A "partial" denture is used when only one or a few of the missing natural teeth are replaced, but not all of them.

[0009] A removable partial denture, for example of the dental stellite type, traditionally comprises a metal frame on which at least one artificial tooth is fixed using artificial gum.

[0010] The metal frame has one or more saddles used to support the artificial tooth(s) and fill the toothless space(s).

[0011] Stools can also allow the transmission of masticatory forces to the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial denture.

[0012] Saddles traditionally have a retention grid formed of through holes.

[0013] The rigid metal frame rests both on the remaining natural teeth, notably with the help of hooks which surround them, and on the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual.

[0014] The metal frame can also be supported by at least one implant present in the individual's mouth. An implant is a metal element fixed in the bone, notably using a screw, in order to replace the root of a tooth. The artificial teeth of the removable partial denture are usually made of ceramic or thermoplastic polymer such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by machining techniques, and more recently, are made of resin by three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques.

[0015] These artificial teeth are usually fixed to the metal frame by pouring a resin, for example pink in color, which will ultimately form the artificial gum.

[0016] During this casting step, part of the resin passes through the saddle retention grid of the metal frame so that the saddles are ultimately encapsulated by the resin. Thus, when the removable partial dental prosthesis is in place in the individual's mouth, a layer of resin is present between the saddles of the metal frame and the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual so that the saddles are at a distance, of the order of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, from the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual.

[0017] The artificial gum thus plays a fundamental mechanical role insofar as it allows, on the one hand, to ensure the solidarity of the artificial teeth with the metal frame, and on the other hand, to anchor the saddles of the metal frame on the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual.

[0018] Furthermore, once formed, this artificial gum requires a polishing step in order to obtain a surface condition that ensures comfort for the individual on the one hand, and to prevent the deposit of bacteria at the level of this artificial gum on the other hand.

[0019] Thus, the production of a removable partial dental prosthesis requires a lot of manual work and is very laborious, despite the advent of digitalization in the dental field which allows, for example, to simplify and improve the taking of impressions by intraoral camera, the modeling of the metal frame or even the digitally controlled manufacturing of artificial teeth and the metal frame.

[0020] However, the final stage of manufacturing the removable partial denture, namely the stage of assembling the artificial teeth on the metal frame using the artificial gum, remains very dependent on manual operations.

[0021] Thus, the manufacture of a removable partial dental prosthesis, and in particular the step of assembling the artificial teeth on the metal frame, is relatively long and tedious, taking around several hours. Furthermore, since this step is carried out manually, the precision of the positioning of the artificial teeth on the metal frame and repeatability remain delicate steps.

[0022] For example, document W02021 / 127109 discloses a removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0023] Statement of the invention

[0024] The present invention aims to remedy, all or part, of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0025] Its subject matter, according to a first of its aspects, is a method for manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis, comprising steps of: a) manufacturing at least one monolithic block comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part, in particular contiguous to the artificial tooth part, the monolithic block comprising at least one first assembly member, b) manufacturing a frame, in particular a metal frame, configured to support the monolithic block, the frame comprising at least one second assembly member, then c) assembling the monolithic block with the frame by fitting the first assembly member with the second assembly member forming the removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0026] Manufacturing a monolithic block comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part allows the assembly step of the manufacturing process to only concern two separate elements, namely the monolithic block on the one hand, and the frame on the other hand, whereas the assembly step of the traditional manufacturing process concerns three separate elements, namely an artificial tooth part, an artificial gum part and a frame.

[0027] Thus, the monolithic manufacture of the artificial tooth part with the artificial gum part can simplify the manufacturing process on the one hand, and reduce its duration on the other. This can also improve the precision of the assembly step because reducing the number of elements to be assembled (two elements instead of three) eliminates a source of dimensional dispersion.

[0028] Furthermore, the presence of the first assembly member and the second assembly member can make it possible to further improve the precision of the assembly step and further reduce its duration by acting as a positioning guide between the monolithic block and the chassis. In an exemplary embodiment, the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block comprises the manufacturing of a plurality of monolithic blocks, for example two or more monolithic blocks, each monolithic block comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part and at least one first assembly member.

[0029] The monolithic block, preferably the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block, comprises at least one first assembly member.

[0030] The artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block may include at least one artificial tooth, and in particular several artificial teeth.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the monolithic block, preferably the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block, comprises a plurality of first assembly members, in particular when the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block comprises a plurality of artificial teeth.

[0032] In this embodiment, the monolithic block, preferably the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block, may comprise as many first assembly members as there are artificial teeth present in the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block.

[0033] Preferably, each of the artificial teeth of the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block comprises a first assembly member.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the chassis comprises a plurality of second assembly members.

[0035] The step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block and the step of manufacturing the chassis can be implemented in parallel.

[0036] The step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block may include an additive manufacturing step, in particular a 3D printing step.

[0037] The additive manufacturing step, in particular the 3D printing step, may comprise a succession of additions of material, in particular of at least one resin, by jets onto a printing support, in successive layers, the material preferably being solidified by photopolymerization after each jet.

[0038] This type of additive manufacturing can be achieved, for example, using a print head with multiple micro-nozzles actuated by a piezoelectric system (poly jet printing technology).

[0039] This type of additive manufacturing allows for precise control of each voxel in terms of position and composition, and offers very high printing resolution and the ability to simultaneously print multiple materials, thus enabling the production of a monolithic object. The use of this type of additive manufacturing also allows for significant time savings in the production of the monolithic block.

[0040] The Stratasys J5 DentaJet 3D printer is an example of a commercially available 3D printer suitable for manufacturing the monolithic block.

[0041] The step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block may include a sub-step of manufacturing the artificial gum part in the contiguity of the artificial tooth part, preferably by additive manufacturing, in particular by 3D printing.

[0042] The first assembly member can be formed in one piece with the rest of the monolithic block, preferably by additive manufacturing, in particular by 3D printing.

[0043] The monolithic block may have an internal face configured to come into contact with the chassis.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the first assembly member is formed on said internal face of the monolithic block.

[0045] In one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the first assembly member is formed in the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block.

[0046] The chassis may include at least one saddle.

[0047] A "saddle" means a part of the chassis configured to support the monolithic block.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the second assembly member is formed on said saddle.

[0049] The saddle may comprise an external face configured to come into contact with the monolithic block, in particular with the internal face of the monolithic block.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the second assembly member is formed on said external face of the saddle.

[0051] The saddle may have an internal face configured to come into contact with the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0052] In one embodiment, the saddle is without a retention grid. In this embodiment, the saddle is therefore without through holes.

[0053] Thus, unlike the saddles of the prior art previously described which are encapsulated by a resin forming the artificial gum and which are therefore located at a distance from the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis, the saddle of the frame according to the invention can be in direct contact with the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0054] This can reduce or even eliminate the risks of allergic reactions, such as irritations, and the risks of inflammatory reactions in the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis, particularly when the frame is a metal frame, particularly made of titanium (Ti).

[0055] This can also help limit the risk of bacterial film formation on the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis, particularly when the frame is a metal frame, particularly made of titanium (Ti).

[0056] In one exemplary embodiment, the chassis comprises a biocompatible material, or is even made of a biocompatible material. For example, this is the case when the chassis is a metal chassis, in particular based on titanium (Ti).

[0057] The inner face of the saddle is preferably opposite the outer face of the saddle which is configured to come into contact with the monolithic block, in particular with the inner face of the monolithic block.

[0058] The inner face of the monolithic block and the outer face of the chassis saddle are preferably configured to come into contact with each other.

[0059] The second assembly member can be formed in one piece with the rest of the chassis.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, the first assembly member and the second assembly member are of complementary shapes.

[0061] In particular, the first assembly member and the second assembly member form a complementary male-female fitting.

[0062] Thus, during the assembly step of the monolithic block with the chassis, the interlocking of the first assembly member with the second assembly member corresponds to a complementary male-female interlocking.

[0063] The complementary male-female socket may comprise a complementary male part and a complementary female part.

[0064] The male part of the complementary male-female socket can form a pawn.

[0065] The pawn can be hollow or solid. The pawn can have a cylindrical, conical, truncated cone or any other shape. It can also have a first cylindrical part which continues with a second conical or truncated cone part.

[0066] The pawn may have a circular or polygonal cross-section, for example triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, cross-shaped, star-shaped, etc.

[0067] The female part of the complementary male-female socket can form a blind orifice, in particular complementary to the pin forming the male part.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, the first assembly member forms the female part of the complementary male-female fitting and the second assembly member forms the male part of the complementary male-female fitting.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the internal face of the monolithic block and the external face of the chassis saddle are of complementary shapes.

[0070] This means that, in addition to the presence of the first assembly member and the second assembly member forming a complementary male-female interlocking, the residual surface of the internal face of the monolithic block and the residual surface of the external face of the chassis saddle are also complementary.

[0071] Such complementarity between the residual surface of the internal face of the monolithic block and the residual surface of the external face of the chassis saddle - which is added to the presence of the first assembly member and the second assembly member forming a complementary male-female interlocking - makes it possible to further improve the mechanical assembly between the monolithic block and the chassis.

[0072] The manufacturing process for the removable partial dental prosthesis may include a three-dimensional modeling step of the monolithic block to be manufactured and / or the frame to be manufactured.

[0073] The three-dimensional modeling step of the monolithic block and / or the chassis can be implemented before the manufacturing step of the at least one monolithic block and / or before the manufacturing step of the chassis.

[0074] The three-dimensional modeling step of the monolithic block and / or the chassis can allow the internal face of the monolithic block and the external face of the chassis saddle to be of complementary shapes.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner face of the frame saddle is configured to match the shape of the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual on which it comes into contact. The method of manufacturing the removable partial dental prosthesis may include a step of three-dimensional modeling of the frame saddle to be manufactured.

[0076] The three-dimensional modeling step of the chassis saddle can be implemented before the chassis manufacturing step.

[0077] The three-dimensional modeling step of the chassis saddle can allow the internal face of the chassis saddle to be configured to match the shape of the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual on which it comes into contact.

[0078] The manufacturing process of the removable partial dental prosthesis may include a step of fixing the monolithic block to the frame.

[0079] The fixing step can be carried out by friction, clipping and / or snapping.

[0080] In this case, the fixing of the monolithic block on the chassis can be removable.

[0081] The fixing step can be carried out by gluing.

[0082] In this case, the fixing step comprises a step of applying an adhesive to at least one of the first assembly member and the second assembly member.

[0083] The glue application step can be carried out prior to the assembly step of the monolithic block with the chassis.

[0084] This allows the monolithic block to be fixed by gluing to the chassis at the end of the step of assembling the monolithic block with the chassis.

[0085] The glue can be a polymerizable glue, in particular self-polymerizable.

[0086] The glue may contain dimethacrylate and / or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

[0087] In addition, the glue may contain at least one inorganic filler.

[0088] The inorganic filler may be selected from barium glass, ytterbium trifluoride, titanium dioxide and a mixture thereof.

[0089] The inorganic filler may comprise particles having a size of between 0.05 and 5.0 pm, preferably between 0.10 and 4.0 pm, more preferably between 0.15 and 3.0 pm.

[0090] The inorganic filler may comprise particles having an average size of between 0.5 and 1.5 pm, preferably between 0.6 and 1.25 pm, more preferably between 0.8 and 1.0 pm.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive comprises a total quantity by volume of inorganic filler of between 10% and 60%, preferably between 20% and 50%, more preferably between 30% and 40%. The “Multilink® Hybrid Abutment” adhesive from the company IVOCLAR VIVADENT is an example of an adhesive commercially suitable for fixing the monolithic block to the frame by gluing.

[0092] The glue can be pink-purple and / or white-yellow in color.

[0093] This can reduce the visual impact of the glue in relation to the frame, in relation to the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block and / or in relation to the artificial gum part of the monolithic block. This can in particular allow the color of the glue to blend in with the color of the artificial gum part and / or with the color of the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block.

[0094] The step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block may include a step of 3D printing at least one material, or even at least two materials or at least three materials.

[0095] The material may include a resin, preferably suitable for use in 3D printing.

[0096] The resin may comprise a thermosetting resin and / or a self-curing resin and / or a photocuring resin, preferably a photocuring resin.

[0097] The resin, especially before polymerization, may have a water absorption of less than or equal to 32 pg / mm 3 according to ISO 20795-1:2013 standard.

[0098] The resin, especially before polymerization, may have a water absorption of less than or equal to 40 pg / mm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 28 pg / mm 3 , according to ISO 10477:2020 standard.

[0099] The resin, especially before polymerization, may have a solubility of less than or equal to 1.6 pg / mm 3 , preferably less than or equal to 1.1 pg / mm 3 , according to ISO 20795-1:2013 standard.

[0100] The resin preferably has biocompatibility properties as required by ISO 10993-1.

[0101] The monolithic block may have an ultimate flexural strength greater than or equal to 65 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to 85 MPa, according to ISO 20795-1:2013.

[0102] The monolithic block may have an ultimate flexural strength greater than or equal to 50 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to 94 MPa, according to ISO 10477:2020. The monolithic block may have a flexural modulus greater than or equal to 2000 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to 2300 MPa, according to ISO 20795-1:2013.

[0103] The resin may contain a coloring agent.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the coloring agent comprises at least one pigment or at least one dye, preferably at least one pigment.

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment, the pigment comprises organic and / or inorganic and / or metallic particles.

[0106] In an exemplary embodiment, the pigment comprises particles of nanometric size. For example, a number average particle diameter is less than 1 μm, in particular between 0.1 μm and 1 μm.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the pigment comprises particles, in particular of nanometric size, of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and / or zinc oxide (ZnO) and / or silica (SiO2) and / or carbon black.

[0108] The coloring agent may contain a mixture of different pigments.

[0109] The coloring agent may include a dispersing agent.

[0110] In one exemplary embodiment, the dispersing agent comprises a surfactant.

[0111] In one exemplary embodiment, the surfactant comprises a high molecular weight block copolymer of the polyurethane type.

[0112] In one exemplary embodiment, the dispersing agent comprises functional groups having a high affinity for the pigment of the coloring agent present in the resin.

[0113] Where the coloring agent comprises a mixture of different pigments, the dispersing agent may be the same or different for each of the pigments in the coloring agent present in the resin.

[0114] The artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block may comprise an artificial dentin portion and an artificial enamel portion at least partially covering the artificial dentin portion.

[0115] The resin used for the manufacture of the artificial tooth part, in particular that used for the artificial dentin portion and that used for the artificial enamel portion of the artificial tooth part, and that used for the manufacture of the artificial gum part may have the same composition and differ only in the presence or type of coloring agent. This may make it possible to adapt the desired shade, on the one hand, for the artificial tooth part, and in particular the artificial dentin portion and the artificial enamel portion of the artificial tooth part, and on the other hand, for the artificial gum part.

[0116] The resin can be colorless, and optionally transparent or partially transparent. This can be advantageous for the manufacture of the artificial enamel portion of the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block. In this case, the resin does not contain a coloring agent.

[0117] The resin may have a white color. This can be advantageous for the manufacture of the artificial dentin portion of the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block.

[0118] The resin may have a pink color. This can be advantageous for the manufacture of the artificial gum part of the monolithic block. Such a color can be enabled, for example, by the presence of the coloring agent in the resin.

[0119] The resin may be commercially available, for example under the reference TrueDent™ from the company Stratasys.

[0120] The manufacturing process of the removable partial dental prosthesis may include at least one step of processing the monolithic block.

[0121] The at least one step of processing the monolithic block can be implemented after the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block, and in particular before the step of assembling the monolithic block with the chassis.

[0122] The at least one step of processing the monolithic block can be implemented once the monolithic block manufactured at the end of the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block has reached a temperature less than or equal to 70°C, preferably less than or equal to 60°C, more preferably less than or equal to 50°C, and even more preferably less than or equal to 40°C.

[0123] The at least one step of processing the monolithic block may comprise a step of cleaning the monolithic block manufactured at the end of the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block, so as to eliminate a support material used during the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block.

[0124] This step of cleaning the monolithic block may include a step of cleaning with water, for example by high-pressure water jet (water-jet type in English), and / or a step of dissolving the support material, for example in a sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH).

[0125] The at least one step of processing the monolithic block may comprise a step of photopolymerization of the monolithic block manufactured at the end of the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block, so as to finalize the photopolymerization process of the monolithic block manufactured at the end of the step of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block.

[0126] In an exemplary embodiment, this step of photopolymerization of the monolithic block is implemented in a photopolymerization box (“curing-box” in English).

[0127] The frame may include attachment means configured to enable removable attachment of the frame to at least one remaining natural tooth or at least one implant of the individual receiving the removable partial denture.

[0128] Said fixing means may comprise at least one hook, for example of the ring, half-ring or Roach type, configured to at least partially surround the at least one remaining natural tooth or the at least one implant and ensure removable fixing of the frame, in particular by clipping effect.

[0129] The chassis manufactured during the chassis manufacturing stage may be a metal chassis, notably based on a chromium and cobalt alloy (CrCo) or based on titanium (Ti).

[0130] The chassis manufactured during the chassis manufacturing stage may include a polymer material or even be made of a polymer material.

[0131] The polymer material may be a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material.

[0132] The semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material may be selected from polyaryletherketones (PAEK), including polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyetherketoneketone (PEKK).

[0133] Pekkton® from Cendres+Métaux SA is an example of a commercially available polymer material suitable for chassis manufacturing.

[0134] Preferably, the chassis manufacturing step comprises a casting or molding step, a machining step, for example from a metal wafer or a metal alloy, or an additive manufacturing step, for example by 3D printing, in particular via a laser fusion technique.

[0135] The chassis, and in particular the saddle(s), may have surface reliefs, such as grooves for example. This can improve the bonding of the monolithic block(s) to the chassis.

[0136] The frame can be pink-purple and / or white-yellow in color.

[0137] This may reduce the visual impact of the frame in the mouth of the individual receiving the removable partial denture, and may in particular allow the color of the frame to blend in with the color of the artificial gum portion and / or with the color of the artificial tooth portion of the monolithic block.

[0138] In an exemplary embodiment, the chassis is colored by anodic oxidation, in particular when the chassis is a metal chassis, in particular based on titanium (Ti).

[0139] In one exemplary embodiment, the chassis is colored by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), in particular when the chassis is a metal chassis.

[0140] When the chassis has a polymer material, or is even made of a polymer material, the polymer material can be tinted.

[0141] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a removable partial dental prosthesis comprising:

[0142] - at least one monolithic block comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part, the monolithic block comprising at least one first assembly member, and

[0143] - a chassis, in particular a metal chassis, configured to support the monolithic block, the chassis comprising at least one second assembly member, the monolithic block and the chassis being assembled by interlocking the first assembly member with the second assembly member.

[0144] The removable partial dental prosthesis may include all or part of the structural characteristics described above as part of the implementation of the manufacturing process.

[0145] In an exemplary embodiment, the removable partial dental prosthesis is manufactured according to the method as described above.

[0146] In one embodiment, the chassis is metallic, in particular based on an alloy of chromium and cobalt (CrCo) or based on titanium (Ti).

[0147] In another embodiment, the chassis comprises a polymer material, or is even made of a polymer material.

[0148] The polymer material may be a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material.

[0149] The semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material can be chosen from polyaryletherketones (PAEK), including polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). Pekkton® from Cendres+Métaux SA is an example of a commercially available polymer material suitable for chassis manufacturing.

[0150] The artificial tooth part may include at least one artificial tooth, and in particular several artificial teeth.

[0151] The artificial gum part may be contiguous to the artificial tooth part.

[0152] Brief description of the figures

[0153] The invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, will be well understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, given for information purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1A represents a schematic and perspective view of an example of a removable partial dental prosthesis according to the prior art, before assembly;

[0154] Figure 1B represents a schematic and perspective view of the removable partial dental prosthesis of Figure 1A, after assembly;

[0155] Figure 2A shows a schematic and perspective view of an example of a monolithic block according to the present invention;

[0156] Figure 2B shows another schematic and perspective view of the monolithic block of Figure 2A;

[0157] Figure 3A represents a schematic and perspective view, from below, of an example of a chassis according to the present invention;

[0158] Figure 3B represents a schematic and perspective view of a detail of the chassis of Figure 3A;

[0159] Figure 3C shows a schematic and perspective view of another detail of the chassis of Figure 3A;

[0160] Figure 4A represents a schematic and perspective view, from below, of the monolithic block of Figure 2A and a schematic and perspective view of a detail of the chassis of Figure 3A, before assembly;

[0161] Figure 4B represents a schematic and perspective view, from the front, of the monolithic block of Figure 2A and a schematic and perspective view of a detail of the chassis of Figure 3A, before assembly;

[0162] Figure 4C represents a schematic and perspective view of the monolithic block and the detail of the chassis of Figure 4A, after assembly;

[0163] Figure 4D shows a longitudinal section of the assembly of Figure 4C; Figure 4E shows a cross-section of the assembly of Figure 4C; Figure 5A shows a schematic and perspective view of another example of a removable partial dental prosthesis according to the present invention, before assembly; and Figure 5B shows a schematic and perspective view of the removable partial dental prosthesis of Figure 5A, after assembly.

[0164] Detailed description of the figures

[0165] Figures 1A and 1B represent an example of a removable partial dental prosthesis 1 according to the prior art. Figure 1A represents the prosthesis 1 before assembly while Figure 1B represents the prosthesis 1 after assembly.

[0166] In Figure 1A, the three constituent elements of the prosthesis 1 are represented, namely the artificial teeth parts 2, the artificial gum parts 3 and the frame 4, before the step of assembling these elements to form the prosthesis 1.

[0167] In Figure 1A, a replica of the lower jaw 5 is also shown, the prosthesis 1 being configured to be placed on this replica of the lower jaw 5. The latter comprises nine natural teeth 6. When the prosthesis 1 is placed on this replica of the lower jaw 5, some of these natural teeth 6 will serve as support points for the frame 4.

[0168] In Figure 1B, the three constituent elements of the prosthesis 1, namely the artificial teeth parts 2, the artificial gum parts 3 and the frame 4, are assembled so as to form the prosthesis 1. The latter is installed on the lower jaw replica 5. Thus, each of the artificial teeth parts 2 is assembled on the artificial gum parts 3, the latter making it possible to mechanically connect the artificial teeth parts 2 to the frame 4.

[0169] Figures 2A and 2B show an example of a monolithic block 7 manufactured according to the method of the present invention. The monolithic block 7 comprises an artificial tooth part comprising two artificial teeth 8, and an artificial gum part 9.

[0170] The artificial tooth part and the artificial gum part 9 form a single monolithic block 7, and not three separate elements. Thus, the manufacture of such a monolithic block 7 makes it possible to dispense with the assembly of the artificial tooth part on the artificial gum part, as is the case in the prior art.

[0171] The monolithic block 7 is preferably manufactured by 3D printing, in particular by a succession of additions of photopolymerizable resin by jets onto a printing support, in successive layers, the photopolymerizable resin being in particular solidified by photopolymerization after each jet.

[0172] Preferably, the photopolymerizable resin used for the manufacture of the artificial tooth part and that used for the manufacture of the artificial gum part 9 differ only in the type of coloring agent. This makes it possible to obtain an artificial tooth part of white-yellow color and an artificial gum part 9 of pink-purple color.

[0173] The monolithic block 7 comprises an internal face 10 configured to come into contact with a chassis.

[0174] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show an example of a chassis 11 manufactured according to the method of the present invention.

[0175] The chassis 11 may be a metal chassis. It may be made from a chromium and cobalt alloy (CrCo) or from titanium (Ti), in particular by casting (molding), by machining, for example from a metal wafer or a metal alloy, or by additive manufacturing, for example by 3D printing, preferably via a laser fusion technique.

[0176] Alternatively, the chassis 11 comprises a polymer material, or even consists of a polymer material, in particular a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer material, for example chosen from polyaryletherketones (PAEK), in particular polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyetherketoneketone (PEKK).

[0177] The frame 11 comprises hooks 12 configured to at least partially surround some of the remaining natural teeth of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis and to ensure removable fixation of the frame, in particular by clipping effect.

[0178] The frame 11 comprises saddles 13, which are parts of the frame 11 configured to support the monolithic block(s) 7.

[0179] Each of these saddles 13 comprises an external face 13b configured to come into contact with one of the monolithic blocks 7, in particular with its internal face 10, and an internal face 13a configured to come into contact with the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual receiving the removable partial dental prosthesis.

[0180] The internal face 13a of the saddle 13 is preferably opposite the external face 13b of the saddle 13 which is configured to come into contact with one of the monolithic blocks 7, in particular with its internal face 10. Each of the internal faces 13a is preferably configured to match the shape of the mucous membranes, mainly the gums, of the individual on which it comes into contact.

[0181] To do this, the method according to the invention may include a step of three-dimensional modeling of each of the saddles 13 of the chassis 11 to be manufactured, prior to the step of manufacturing the chassis 11.

[0182] In the example illustrated in figures 3A, 3B and 3C, each of the saddles 13 of the chassis 11 comprises on its external face 13b two second assembly members

[0183] 14.

[0184] Each of the second assembly members 14 forms, in the example illustrated, a pin, of circular section and truncated cone shape.

[0185] Figures 4A to 4E represent only one of the two saddles 13 of the chassis 11 and the monolithic block 7 intended to be assembled on said saddle 13.

[0186] As illustrated in Figure 4A, the monolithic block 7 comprises two first assembly members 15 formed in the internal face 10 of the monolithic block 7.

[0187] The artificial tooth part, in particular each of the artificial teeth 8 of the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block 7 comprises a first assembly member

[0188] 15.

[0189] Indeed, the monolithic block 7 preferably comprises as many first assembly members 15 as there are artificial teeth 8 present in the artificial tooth part of the monolithic block 7.

[0190] Each of the first assembly members 15 forms, in the example illustrated, a blind orifice.

[0191] As illustrated in particular in FIG. 4A, the first assembly members 15 and the second assembly members 14 are of complementary shapes, and in particular form complementary male-female fittings.

[0192] Each complementary male-female fitting comprises a male part and a complementary female part, the first assembly member 15 forming the female part of the complementary male-female fitting and the second assembly member 14 forming the male part of the complementary male-female fitting.

[0193] This can allow the first assembly members 15 to be fitted with the second assembly members 14 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 4B so as to result in a mechanical assembly of the monolithic block 7 on the saddle 13 of the frame 11, as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D. The mechanical assembly of the monolithic block 7 on the saddle 13 of the frame 11, allowing the removable partial dental prosthesis 1 to be formed in the end as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D, is thus greatly facilitated by the fitting of the first assembly members 15 of the monolithic block 7 with the second assembly members 14 of the frame 11.

[0194] As illustrated in particular in Figures 4A, 4D and 4E, the internal face 10 of the monolithic block and the external surface 13b of the saddle 13 of the chassis 11 coming into contact with each other are complementary, which makes it possible to further improve the mechanical assembly between the monolithic block 7 and the chassis 11.

[0195] To do this, the method according to the invention may comprise a step of three-dimensional modeling of the monolithic block 7 and the chassis 11 to be manufactured, prior to the steps of manufacturing the monolithic block 7 and the chassis 11, so as to allow the internal face 10 of the monolithic block and the external face 13b of the saddle 13 of the chassis 11 coming into contact with each other to be complementary.

[0196] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate another example of a removable partial dental prosthesis 1 according to the present invention, comprising two monolithic blocks 7 and a frame 11. Figure 5A represents the prosthesis before assembly while Figure 5B represents the prosthesis 1 after assembly of the monolithic blocks 7 on the frame 11 by interlocking the first assembly members 15 of the monolithic blocks 7 with the second assembly members 14 of the frame 11.

[0197] In Figures 5A and 5B, the frame 11 is installed on a replica of a lower jaw 17 having remaining natural teeth 16, some of these teeth 16 serving as support points for the frame 11.

Claims

CLAIMS 5 1. Method for manufacturing a removable partial dental prosthesis (1), comprising steps of: a) manufacturing at least one monolithic block (7) comprising an artificial tooth part and an artificial gum part (9), the monolithic block (7) comprising at least one first assembly member (15), 10 b) manufacturing a frame (11) configured to support the monolithic block (7), the frame (11) comprising at least one second assembly member (14), then c) assembling the monolithic block (7) with the frame (11) by fitting the first assembly member (15) with the second assembly member (14) forming the removable partial dental prosthesis (1). 15 2. Method according to claim 1, step a) of manufacturing the at least one monolithic block (7) comprising an additive manufacturing step, in particular a 3D printing step.

3. Method according to claim 2, the additive manufacturing step comprising a succession of additions of material, in particular of at least one resin, by jets onto a printing support, in successive layers, the material preferably being solidified by photopolymerization after each jet.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the first assembly member (15) and the second assembly member (14) being of complementary shapes.

5. Method according to claim 4, the first assembly member (15) and the second assembly member (14) forming a complementary male-female fitting, the complementary male-female fitting comprising a male part and a complementary female part.

6. Method according to claim 5, the first assembly member (15) forming the 30 female part of the complementary male-female socket and the second organ assembly (14) forming the male part of the complementary male-female fitting.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, the male part of the complementary male-female fitting forming a pin (14). 5 8. Method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the female part of the complementary male-female fitting forming a blind orifice (15).

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the first assembly member (15) being formed in one piece with the rest of the monolithic block (7), preferably by additive manufacturing, in particular by 3D printing.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the monolithic block (7) comprising an internal face (10) configured to come into contact with the chassis (11), the first assembly member (15) being formed on said internal face (10) of the monolithic block (7).

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the chassis (11)5 comprising at least one saddle (13), the second assembly member (14) being formed on said saddle (13) of the chassis (11).

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, the second assembly member (14) being formed in one piece with the rest of the chassis (11).

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of fixing, in particular removable, the monolithic block (7) on the chassis (11) by friction, clipping and / or snap-fastening.

14. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a step of fixing the monolithic block (7) on the chassis (11) by gluing.

15. Method according to claim 14, the step of fixing the monolithic block (7) on the chassis (11) comprising a step of applying an adhesive to at least one of the first assembly member (15) and the second assembly member (14).

16. Removable partial dental prosthesis (1), in particular manufactured according to the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - at least one monolithic block (7) comprising an artificial tooth part and a part artificial gum (9), the monolithic block (7) comprising at least one first assembly member (15), and - a frame (11) configured to support the monolithic block (7), the frame (11) comprising at least one second assembly member (14), the monolithic block (7) and the frame (11) being assembled by fitting the first assembly member (15) with the second assembly member (14).

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