Dental Abutment Plate Locking for Reusable 3D Printing Fixtures

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing dental implants and artificial prosthesis require a new master model with a machined hole for each type of dental implant abutment, which is time-consuming and inefficient, and do not allow for the reuse of the same hole for different types of abutments.

Innovation Solution

A plate with recesses or abutment cavities that accommodate dental implant abutments, featuring a positioning element and an elongated base member, allowing for the secure lodging and positioning of abutments of various sizes and shapes using a single plate, with a locking mechanism to prevent rotation and a through hole for fixation, enabling efficient 3D printing of dental implants and prostheses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a new master model with a machined hole is created for each type of dental implant abutment, then precise positioning and accommodation of the abutment is achieved, but production time increases and material waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is designed with multiple recesses that can accommodate different types of dental implant abutments (first type, second type, third type) simultaneously. Each recess is specifically shaped to precisely position its corresponding abutment type, allowing a single plate to serve multiple functions that previously required multiple master models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a new master model with a machined hole is created for each type of dental implant abutment, then precise positioning and accommodation of the abutment is achieved, but material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is designed with multiple recesses that can accommodate different types of dental implant abutments (first type, second type, third type) simultaneously. Each recess is specifically shaped to precisely position its corresponding abutment type, allowing a single plate to serve multiple functions that previously required multiple master models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the same hole in a master model is reused for different types of dental implant abutments, then production efficiency improves, but positioning precision and accommodation accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is divided into multiple separate recesses, each specifically designed to accommodate a particular type of abutment. This segmentation allows each recess to provide precise positioning for its designated abutment type while the entire plate can be reused across different production runs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate is designed with multiple recesses that can accommodate different types of dental implant abutments (first type, second type, third type) simultaneously. Each recess is specifically shaped to precisely position its corresponding abutment type, allowing a single plate to serve multiple functions that previously required multiple master models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If traditional machining methods are used to produce tooth crowns from solid blocks, then structural strength is maintained, but material waste and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is prepared in advance with multiple precisely formed recesses designed to accommodate specific abutment types. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming machining operations during actual production, as abutments can be directly positioned and secured in the pre-formed recesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 production of dental implants and prostheses with different sizes and forms using a single plate, reducing material waste and production time, while maintaining precise positioning and locking of abutments, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional machining methods.

Implementation Method 1

3D laser printing has shown to be the most adequate one of all sort of different 3D printing. This allows the production of the artificial prosthesis or crown to be made out of material such as titanium.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective Laser Melting: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS11684457B2Plate for production of a dental implant and/or artificial prosthesis

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 JADE FINANCE S A R L

AI summary

The present disclosure concerns a set for the production by 3D printing of implant abutments for dental implants, the set including at least one abutment having an elongated base member with an axis, and at least one positioning element fixed to the base member; a plate with at least one recess and a locking portion; where the recess is larger than the elongated base member and where the locking portion is configured to be in a form fit connection with the positioning element in order to vertically position the abutment, and lock the abutment in rotation around its axis.