Angled Dental Milling Tool for Precision Screw Seat Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current milling tools are inadequate for precision machining of angled dental structures with direct-to-implant connections, as they oversize the channel and seat of the screw, affecting aesthetics and structural integrity, and are unable to handle varying screw angles effectively.

Innovation Solution

A milling tool with a support area and a cutting element featuring multiple inclined cutting tabs and surfaces, allowing for precise machining of the screw seat and straight channel in angled dental structures, enabling the creation of structures with diverse angles and minimizing the channel's entrance diameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single milling cutter is used to machine both the angled channel and the screw seat, then the channel continuity is achieved, but the channel orifice becomes oversized and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel diameter precisionVSAvoidchannel orifice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the machining function into two separate tools: a first milling cutter for creating the straight channel with precise diameter control, and a second milling cutter for creating the angled channel and screw seat. This segmentation allows each tool to be optimized for its specific function, preventing the oversizing problem that occurs when a single tool is used for both operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single milling cutter is used for both channel and screw seat, then machining continuity is achieved, but the ability to handle varying screw angles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew angle variabilityVSAvoidtool configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a second milling cutter with an adjustable inclination angle that can be adapted to match different screw angles. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the tool to handle varying screw angles effectively, providing the necessary versatility while maintaining precise control over the angled channel and screw seat geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the same tool machines the angled channel and screw seat, then the process is simplified, but the structural behavior and aesthetics are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining process simplicityVSAvoidstructural behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the machining operations into two distinct steps with specialized tools, the patent ensures that the channel diameter is precisely controlled and not oversized. This segmentation, while adding a step to the process, guarantees superior structural behavior and aesthetics by preventing the adverse effects of an oversized channel orifice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If a conventional milling tool is used, then the tool structure is simple, but the machining quality of both channel diameter and screw seat is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining qualityVSAvoidtool structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing each milling cutter with specific geometric characteristics optimized for its particular function. The first cutter has parameters optimized for straight channel machining, while the second cutter has adjustable inclination and specific geometry for angled channel and screw seat machining. This localized optimization ensures high machining quality for each feature without requiring excessive complexity in either tool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3549549B1Milling tool of a dental superstructure
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 XAM MAR MANGRANE ESTEBAN
  • EP3549549B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3549549B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3549549B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Milling tool of a dental structure, used for milling the seat of the screw and the inner diameter of the straight channel of angled dental structures screwed with a direct connection to a dental implant.