Dual-Material Dental Crown for Adhesive-Free Molar Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental crowns for deciduous and permanent molars require multiple stages and adhesives for installation, and existing temporary crowns lack durability and ease of fitting, especially under high mechanical forces.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated dental crown with a rigid top portion and flexible side portion, made of materials like PEEK with nano-silica particles, allowing single-stage installation without adhesives, and a gradual material transition for flexibility and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid material is used for the entire crown, then the crown can withstand high mechanical forces during chewing, but the crown becomes difficult to assemble and install on the tooth
Solution Approach 1:
The crown is divided into two distinct portions: a top portion made of rigid material to withstand chewing forces, and a side portion made of flexible material to facilitate assembly. This segmentation allows each portion to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the crown have different material properties. The top portion is rigid for strength, while the side portion is flexible for ease of assembly. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between overall strength and ease of assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible material is used for the entire crown, then the crown can be easily assembled and fitted on the tooth, but the crown lacks durability and cannot withstand high mechanical forces during chewing
Solution Approach 1:
The crown is segmented into a top portion and side portion, with the side portion made of flexible material for easy assembly and the top portion made of rigid material for durability and strength during chewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible material is applied locally to the side portion where it is needed for assembly, while the rigid material is applied to the top portion where strength is required, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and durability.
3Ease of operation
If a temporary crown is used for immediate protection, then the tooth is protected from shock and damage, but the crown lacks durability and may need to be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The crown design serves multiple functions: the flexible side portion enables easy installation similar to temporary crowns, while the rigid top portion provides durability and protection similar to permanent crowns. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between ease of installation and durability.
4Reliability
If multiple stages and adhesives are used for crown installation, then the crown can be securely attached to the tooth, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible side portion of the crown enables self-adjustment and self-fitting onto the tooth without requiring external adhesives or complex installation procedures. The crown adapts to the tooth shape through elastic deformation, simplifying the installation process while maintaining secure attachment.
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
The crown provides durable, single-stage installation and maintains tooth shape, withstanding high mechanical forces and facilitating easy fitting on both deciduous and permanent molars.
Implementation Method 1
the side portion of the crown is elastically deformable, i.e., it can expand and contract/retract upon being mounted on the tooth allowing it to receive the shape of the tooth
Implementation Method 2
the first material composition preferably also includes a so-called 'rigid/stiff addition' in the form of nanoparticles (e.g., nano-silica or nano-diamonds)
Data Source
AI summary
A dental crown is disclosed which is configured as an integral structure. The dental crown includes a top portion made of a first material composition being relatively rigid to withstand mechanical forces applied to said top portion during chewing process and a side portion being made of a second material composition and being relatively flexible allowing assembling of the crown on a respective tooth.