Customized AGP Splint Production via Virtual Articulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing or reproducing customized Anterior Guidance Package (AGP) equipped splints are time-consuming and costly, requiring frequent dentist visits, and do not effectively address patients with severe malocclusions or those without anterior teeth, as they often rely on the position and condition of existing teeth for guidance.

Innovation Solution

The integration of Virtual Articulation technology and CAD-CAM methods with a special retentive piece allows for the automatic production and reproduction of customized AGP splints, enabling true anterior guidance independent of tooth position and condition, using digital records to design and manufacture splints that can be updated without re-collecting patient data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional methods are used to produce customized AGP splints, then the splint can be fabricated with anterior guidance, but the process requires frequent dentist visits and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanterior guidance controlVSAvoidpatient dentist visit time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Patient data is collected and stored in advance through digital scanning or traditional impressions. This preliminary action creates a digital repository that can be used to produce multiple splints without requiring the patient to return for data collection, eliminating the need for frequent dentist visits while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a digital copy of the patient's oral anatomy through scanning technology. This digital model can be replicated and modified to produce customized AGP splints with precise anterior guidance control, eliminating the need for the patient to physically return to the dentist's office for each new splint fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If traditional AGP splint methods are used, then anterior guidance can be provided, but the guidance is limited by the position and condition of existing teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanterior guidance provisionVSAvoidguidance independence from teeth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a digital model as an intermediary between the patient's actual teeth and the AGP splint design. This digital representation allows the operator to design anterior guidance that is completely independent of the position, condition, or presence of actual teeth, enabling reliable guidance provision while achieving complete adaptability to any guidance scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical dependency on actual teeth for guidance with a digital model-based system. The digital model allows anterior guidance to be designed and produced without any mechanical constraints from existing tooth structure, providing both reliable guidance and complete independence from tooth position and condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If custom AGP splints are produced using traditional methods, then patient-specific guidance can be achieved, but the production process is costly and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient-specific customizationVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digital model serves as a reproducible copy of the patient's oral anatomy that can be used repeatedly to produce customized splints. This eliminates the need for complex traditional fabrication processes while maintaining patient-specific customization, as the digital model can be easily modified and used for multiple splint productions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The digital repository and CAD-CAM system enable automated production of customized AGP splints with minimal human intervention. The system can automatically generate toolpaths and control manufacturing equipment, significantly reducing production process complexity while maintaining high manufacturing precision for patient-specific customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12193902B2Systems and methods of producing a customized guidance package equipped appliance

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 LUCAS KELLY

AI summary

A method of automatically producing or reproducing a customized AGP (Anterior Guidance Package) equipped splint for a patient with or without a severe malocclusion is provided. The method of automatically producing or reproducing an AGP equipped splint according to current invention comprises of combining Virtual Articulation, CAD (Computer Aided Design)-CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) method with AGP and special retentive piece technology. The method of the current invention enables a patient with or without a severe malocclusion to receive his/her customized AGP equipped splint or a replacement thereof automatically without visiting the dentist again and again.