3D Printed Dental Master Model Threaded Cavity Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in dental prosthetic restoration is achieving precision and reducing costs in manufacturing master models using 3D printing, while ensuring reliable fixation of dental prosthesis elements, particularly with non-standardized implant analogs and the risk of screw re-use for definitive implant fixation.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising a master model manufactured by 3D printing with a threaded cavity produced during printing, featuring a fixing screw with a non-metric trapezoidal profile and sufficient thread dimensions for secure engagement, eliminating the need for implant analogs and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If implant analogs are used to reproduce implant positions in the master model, then the precision of implant position reproduction is improved, but the cost of manufacture increases and the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the implant analogs from the master model manufacturing process. Instead of creating physical analogs that require precise positioning and fixation, the patent uses direct 3D printing to create the master model with integrated reference surfaces and threaded cavities that directly receive the actual implant components, thereby removing the intermediate analog step and reducing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The master model is designed with multi-functionality: it integrates the reference surfaces for prosthesis element positioning and the threaded cavities for fixing screw engagement into a single printed structure. This eliminates the need for separate implant analogs and their associated fixation mechanisms, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining precision
2Manufacturing precision
If implant analogs are used to reproduce implant positions in the master model, then the precision of implant position reproduction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the implant analogs, reference surfaces, and fixation structures into a single integrated master model printed in one piece. The threaded cavities are directly formed in the printed master model, eliminating the need for separate analog components and their assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the implant analogs from the system entirely, replacing them with directly printed reference surfaces and threaded cavities. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the steps of creating, positioning, and fixing separate analog components
3Reliability
If the pitch and thread height of the fixing screw are increased relative to layer thickness, then the reliability of screw engagement in the threaded cavity is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies particular parameter relationships: the pitch is at least 10 times the layer thickness and the thread height is at least 5 times the layer thickness. These parameter changes ensure that the threaded cavity printed in the master model provides sufficient engagement for the fixing screw while remaining compatible with additive manufacturing capabilities, thus achieving reliable engagement without excessive precision requirements
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
This solution ensures precise and cost-effective production of master models with reliable fixation of dental prosthesis elements, preventing screw re-use for definitive implant fixation and minimizing the risk of fixation failure.
Implementation Method 1
A 3D printer 'prints' the master model by stacking up a succession of fine layers of material
Data Source
AI summary
A kit (1) for preparing a dental prosthesis, having a master model (2) manufactured by means of an additive technology using an arrangement of material in successive layers (3), such as 3D printing, and having a fixing screw (4) with an outer thread (4a) intended to removably fix a dental prosthesis element on the master model (2). The master model (2) has at least one reference surface intended to receive the dental prosthesis element bearing thereon, said reference surface being produced during the manufacture of the master model (2) by additive technology. The master model (2) has at least one threaded, cavity (6), of which the inner thread (6a), intended to receive said fixing screw (4) by screwing, is produced during the manufacture of the master model (2) by additive technology. The outer thread (4a) of the fixing screw (A) has a pitch (P) greater than or equal to 10 times the thickness (E) of the layers (3), and it has a thread height (H) greater than or equal to 5 times the thickness (E) of the layers (3).