Dental Model Mounting Blocks for Reusable Articulator Fixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental model mounting and duplication processes in articulators are complex, costly, and require multiple dedicated articulators and platens, leading to inefficiencies and potential misalignment due to direct plaster contact and lack of reusability.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tray and platen system using pins and magnets/protrusions allows simultaneous capping and mounting of dental models, enabling separation and reattachment without losing precision, and adaptable to various articulators through a 'master' relationship (h) defined by three-point contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct plaster mounting is used to fix dental models to articulators, then the models can be securely fixed, but the process becomes complex and the models cannot be easily removed or reused
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the mounting system into separate components: a reusable platen with mounting holes and a separate mounting block with pins. The dental model is fixed to the mounting block, not directly to the articulator platen. This segmentation allows the model to be securely fixed during mounting while enabling easy removal and reuse of both the model and platen as independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mounting block with pins that acts as a mediator between the dental model and the articulator platen. Instead of direct plaster contact between model and platen, the mounting block with protruding pins provides an intermediate fixation interface, simplifying the mounting process and enabling model removal without damaging the platen or model.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated articulators and platens are used for each patient, then precise intermaxillary relationships can be maintained, but costs increase and resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal platen system with standardized mounting holes that can be used across multiple articulators and for multiple patients. The platen is not dedicated to a single patient or articulator but serves as a reusable component that maintains precision through its standardized pin-matching interface, allowing the same platen to be used repeatedly with different dental models.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting block and platen are prepared in advance with precisely positioned holes and pins that establish the intermaxillary relationship before the dental model is mounted. This preliminary preparation of the mounting interface ensures precision is built into the system structure itself, allowing rapid and accurate mounting without requiring dedicated articulators for each patient.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate steps are used for capping and mounting, then each step can be optimized, but the overall process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the capping and mounting operations into a single integrated process. The mounting block with pins is incorporated into the base material during the capping step itself, rather than being added separately. This allows the dental model to be capped and prepared for mounting in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate mounting preparation steps and significantly reducing overall process time while maintaining quality.
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
Simplifies the process, reduces costs, and maintains precision by allowing dental models to be used independently across different articulators, reducing time and resource requirements while ensuring accurate reproduction of intermaxillary relationships.
Implementation Method 1
a metal sheet to the base of the plaster to be used with magnetic elements embedded in the plaster for mounting or fixing to the articulator
Data Source
AI summary
A device for making, duplicating and fixing dental models in articulator, using dental replicas (19) of plaster or other material with bases (20) for the manufacture of dental models (18). The device incorporates at least three pins (3) that have elements to be embedded in the bases (20) in charge of said pins (3) for positioning and fixing the dental models (18) to platens (7) that have a minimum of three protruding protrusions (8) on its surface and arranged to fit with the pins (3) and, where appropriate, provide a releasable connection with the pins (3). The platens (7) are attached to the articulator (1) with a height or ratio (h) between protrusions (8) of the platens (7), upper and lower, preset and reproducible.