Cosmetic Dental Process Using Cast Modification for Visual Preview
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patients cannot accurately visualize the outcome of cosmetic dental procedures from computer-generated images, lacking a realistic preview of their teeth modifications before actual treatment.
Innovation Solution
A process involving creating a cast of the patient's teeth, applying dental wax to correct defects, forming molds, and using a self-curing filler material to temporarily modify the teeth's appearance, allowing patients to see the potential results without altering their original shape or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If computer-generated images are used to show patients the expected outcome of cosmetic dental procedures, then patients can get a preview of potential results, but the images do not accurately represent the actual look of teeth after the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical cast copy of the patient's teeth that can be modified to show the expected outcome. This cast serves as an accurate tangible replica that patients can see and touch, providing realistic preview information without affecting the actual teeth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cast and mold system as an intermediary between the patient's actual teeth and the final cosmetic result. This intermediary allows patients to visualize the outcome accurately while keeping the original teeth intact and unmodified during the preview process.
2Shape
If veneers or coverings are applied to teeth to improve appearance, then the cosmetic result is achieved, but the original tooth structure is altered or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating a cast and applying material to it before any modification to the actual teeth. This allows the desired shape and appearance to be planned and visualized in advance, so that when veneers are eventually applied, minimal tooth preparation is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by working on a cast replica rather than the actual teeth. Material can be added or removed from the cast to achieve the desired appearance parameters without affecting the physical integrity or substance of the patient's original teeth.
3Manufacturing precision
If material is applied to the cast to correct defects and form a modified version, then the cast accurately represents the desired outcome, but the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cosmetic dental process into distinct phases: creating the initial cast, modifying the cast with material, creating molds from the modified cast, and finally applying material to actual teeth. This segmentation allows each step to be performed with focused precision while maintaining overall process manageability.
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 patients to preview the modified appearance of their teeth directly, facilitating informed decisions about proceeding with cosmetic dental procedures and ensuring accurate preparation for subsequent veneer or covering applications.
Implementation Method 1
A self-curing filler material is placed in the at least one mold
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a process for use in improving the appearance of a patient's teeth having plurality of defects. More particularly, the process involves obtaining a cast having a plurality of teeth portions corresponding to the patient's teeth. The cast include a plurality of defects corresponding to the defects of the patient's teeth. A first material is applied to the tooth portions of the cast to correct the defects in the cast and to form a modified version of the cast without removing any of the cast material from any of the tooth portions of the cast. A mold is made using the modified version of the cast. The mold is used in applying a second material to the patient's teeth for creating a temporary modified look directly on the patient's teeth for viewing by the patient.