Coupled Artificial Teeth for Denture Arch Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of complete dentures is challenging due to the difficulty in determining optimal arrangement positions of artificial teeth, especially in cases with varying alveolar ridge shapes and the need for establishing an ideal occlusal contact relationship, which requires advanced knowledge and complex operations.

Innovation Solution

A maxillomandibular fitting type coupled artificial tooth set with specifically arranged mandibular and maxillary artificial teeth, defined in a virtual XYZ coordinate system, ensuring ideal occlusal contact and stability, allowing for easier fabrication of complete dentures regardless of technician skill or alveolar ridge shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional independent artificial teeth are used for complete dentures, then the denture can be fabricated, but the arrangement operation becomes extremely complicated and time-consuming due to the need for advanced knowledge and experience to determine optimal positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of arrangement operationVSAvoidcomplexity of arrangement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent artificial teeth into a single integrated coupled artificial tooth structure that includes both maxillary and mandibular teeth sets. This merging eliminates the need for separate arrangement operations for each tooth, as the coupled structure comes pre-positioned with optimal occlusal relationships already established, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional independent artificial teeth are arranged to satisfy occlusal relationship and aesthetics requirements, then the denture functions properly, but the operation becomes extremely complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusal relationship qualityVSAvoidarrangement operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupled artificial tooth structure is designed with pre-established optimal arrangement positions and occlusal relationships between maxillary and mandibular teeth. This preliminary action of pre-positioning the teeth in their ideal functional relationships before delivery to the dentist eliminates the need for time-consuming arrangement operations while ensuring reliable occlusal contact and aesthetic outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If wax is replaced with resin and polymerized in the denture plate portion, then the denture is finalized, but the polymerization shrinkage causes distortion and deviation of tooth arrangement positions requiring extensive occlusal adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of occlusal adjustmentVSAvoidprecision of tooth arrangement position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coupled artificial tooth structure into modular components with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows the teeth to be designed and positioned independently with precise occlusal relationships established in the mold, so that when the denture base undergoes polymerization shrinkage, the modular nature of the tooth structure minimizes the propagation of distortion, reducing the need for extensive occlusal adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If artificial teeth are arranged with reference to alveolar ridge shape to harmonize with surrounding tissues, then the denture achieves natural appearance, but advanced knowledge and technology are required for the arrangement operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to alveolar ridge shapeVSAvoidcomplexity of arrangement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupled artificial tooth structure is designed as a universal solution that can be applied to various alveolar ridge shapes and patient anatomies. The integrated design incorporates standardized arch forms and occlusal relationships that are universally applicable, eliminating the need for advanced knowledge and technology to adapt the arrangement to specific patient conditions, while still achieving natural appearance and tissue harmony.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11284976B2Artificial teeth set including mandibular coupled artificial teeth having an arch shape and maxillary coupled artificial teeth having an arch shape

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SHOFU INC

AI summary

To provide a pair of maxillary and mandibular coupled artificial tooth sets applicable to alveolar ridge shapes of an unspecified large number of edentulous patients and having all the parts of 14 teeth coupled into an ideal arch shape and in an ideal maxillomandibular occlusal contact relationship. The present invention provides a pair of maxillary and mandibular coupled artificial tooth sets clearly defining an arrangement region of all parts at the time of arrangement in virtual three-dimensional coordinates, a contact relationship between maxillary and mandibular artificial teeth, and a harmonizing contact/gliding relationship at the time of movement on a mean-value articulator. This enables provision of a high-quality complete denture in which an occlusal relationship required for a complete denture can be established in a short time regardless of a skill of a technician and a difference in shape of an alveolar ridge of an edentulous patient.