Handheld Crown Vise With Arcuate Jaws for Precise Dental Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for modifying dental crowns, such as stainless steel crowns, lack precision and safety due to the lack of specialized tools, leading to risks of accidental injury, deformation, and improper fit.
Innovation Solution
A handheld vise designed specifically for holding dental crowns during shaping and trimming, featuring a vise block with movable jaws and a linear screw mechanism for secure clamping, allowing for precise and controlled adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dental practitioner holds a small, slippery crown with their fingers while shaping it, then the practitioner can manually control the crown, but precision and safety deteriorate due to lack of stability and control
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld vise acts as an intermediary device between the practitioner's hand and the crown. The vise block with jaws provides a stable holding mechanism that transfers control from direct finger contact to a specialized tool, thereby improving precision while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The vise divides the holding function from the shaping function. The jaws are specifically designed to hold the crown securely while the practitioner uses separate shaping tools, allowing independent optimization of both gripping stability and shaping precision
2Ease of operation
If a dental practitioner holds a small, slippery crown with their fingers while shaping it, then the practitioner can manually manipulate the crown, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of accidental injury
Solution Approach 1:
The vise serves as a protective intermediary that secures the crown firmly during manipulation. This stable holding mechanism prevents accidental drops or slips that could cause injury to the practitioner or damage to the crown, while still allowing full manual manipulation capability
3Ease of manufacture
If general-purpose tools are used to hold dental crowns, then the tools are readily available, but ease of use deteriorates due to lack of specialization for crown geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The vise jaws are specifically designed with local qualities suited for crown geometry. The gripping surfaces and jaw shapes are optimized for the size, curvature, and fragility of dental crowns, making the tool easier to use for its specific purpose while remaining manufacturable using standard techniques
4Manufacturing precision
If the second jaw is made flexible to adapt to crown contours, then gripping effectiveness improves, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second jaw's flexibility is achieved by changing its physical parameters - specifically its thickness and material properties. The jaw is made thin enough to be flexible for adapting to crown contours but maintains sufficient structural strength through optimized material selection and geometric design
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
Enhances precision, safety, and efficiency in modifying dental crowns by providing stable and consistent handling, reducing hand fatigue and improving the quality of crown modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a linear screw is embedded in the vise block. Means for rotating the linear screw are included on the vise block, and first and second jaws are included on an upper surface of the vise block. At least one of the jaws is movable on the upper surface of the vise block and is coupled to the linear screw such that the at least one jaw moves axially over the length of the linear screw upon rotation of the linear screw
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld vise for dental crowns includes a vise block, an elongated handle extending from the vise block, a linear screw embedded in the vise block, and first and second jaws. The second jaw may be arcuate on a gripping surface thereof to conform to the shape of a dental crown. The handheld vise is sized for quickly and readily securing a dental crown such as a stainless-steel dental crown for use in pediatric dentistry. An elastomeric material may be used on the gripping surfaces of the vise. A radius of curvature of the gripping surface of the second jaw may be between about 25-35 mm. A height of the jaws may be between about 2-5 mm, and a distance between the first jaw and a vertex of the second jaw may range from about 3-10 mm. A method and kit for forming crowns including the handheld vise are disclosed.