Adjustable Denture Impression Tray for One-Visit Bite Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional denture fabrication requires multiple visits due to the lack of a custom fitting variable dimension bite registration dental impression tray, leading to inefficiencies in capturing occlusal records and prolonging the process.
Innovation Solution
A customized dental impression tray with adjustable wax bite registrations and thermoplastic components that allow for capturing occlusal records and adjusting vertical dimensions during a single patient visit, using upper and lower impression trays with coupled wax bite registrations and arc-shaped wax plates to refine the fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional impressioning techniques are used with rigid trays, then the tray structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tray cannot be adjusted to match patient's unique dental tissue dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the impression tray adjustable and adaptable through heating and cooling mechanisms. The tray transitions from a rigid state during manufacturing to a flexible state during patient fitting, allowing it to conform to unique dental tissue dimensions while maintaining structural integrity when cooled
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by altering the temperature of the thermoplastic tray material. When heated, the tray becomes soft and moldable to match patient anatomy; when cooled, it hardens to maintain its customized shape, enabling the same tray to serve both manufacturing and fitting purposes
2Productivity
If multiple patient visits are required for denture fabrication, then each procedure can be performed separately with standard equipment, but the total chair time and treatment duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dental procedures into a single patient visit by integrating the bite registration function directly into the impression tray. The tray simultaneously captures impression material and records occlusal relationships, eliminating the need for separate bite registration visits and reducing total treatment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a single tray that performs multiple functions: it serves as both the impression tray and the bite registration device. The integrated wax bite registration components allow the tray to capture both soft tissue impressions and occlusal records simultaneously, increasing productivity while reducing patient visits
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard impression trays are used without integrated bite registration, then the tray design is simple, but occlusal records cannot be captured during the impression phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bite registration function with the impression tray by integrating wax bite registration components directly into the tray structure. This allows simultaneous capture of impressions and occlusal records in a single device, enhancing functionality without requiring separate procedures or equipment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the capture of all necessary records in a single visit, reducing chair time and improving denture production accuracy and predictability while minimizing patient visits.
Implementation Method 1
after the thermoplastic component is heated and adapted to the anatomical intraoral landmarks
Data Source
AI summary
An impression system is disclosed for enabling the creation of dentures in one-visit. The impression system may include an upper impression tray, an upper wax bite registration coupled to the upper impression tray, a lower impression tray, a lower wax bite registration coupled to the lower impression tray, and one or more arc-shaped wax plates configured to be coupled to at least one of the upper or lower wax bite registrations. Each of the upper and lower impression trays may include a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface with the associated wax bite registration coupled to the convex outer surface. The one or more arc-shaped wax plates may be configured to adjust distance between the concave inner surfaces of the upper and lower impression trays, generally associated with an occlusal vertical dimension of the patient.