Dental Mold Separable Features for Undercut Shell Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molds used to form shells, such as those in corrective dentistry, often face challenges in removing shells due to features with significant undercuts or complex shapes, which can damage or deform the shells during removal.
Innovation Solution
Molds with separable features are designed, featuring weakened regions that allow for the separation of complex or retentive features from the main body, enabling the mold to be broken or deflected during shell removal, thereby facilitating the creation of shells with enhanced features without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If molds include features with significant undercuts or complex shapes, then the mold can create shells with enhanced features, but the shell removal becomes difficult and may cause damage or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into a main body and separable features that can be detached from each other. The separable features are connected to the main body through weakened regions that allow controlled separation. This segmentation enables the mold to create shells with complex undercuts while allowing the separable features to be removed independently, facilitating shell extraction without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable features are designed to be extractable from the main body of the mold through the weakened regions. By taking out these features after shell formation, the mold enables complete shell removal even when the shell has engaged with complex undercut features, resolving the contradiction between creating enhanced features and enabling shell removal.
2Ease of operation
If the mold includes separable features with weakened regions, then shell removal is facilitated, but the mold structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mold structure is segmented into a main body and separable features connected by weakened regions. This segmentation, while increasing structural complexity, provides the operational benefit of facilitated shell removal. The weakened regions act as predetermined separation points that simplify the removal process despite the added structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable features are designed to be temporarily attached to the main body during shell formation, then discarded (separated) through the weakened regions after shell extraction. This approach allows the mold to gain the operational advantage of easy shell removal while the complexity is confined to temporary, disposable components rather than permanent structural additions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional molds are used without separable features, then the mold structure remains simple, but shells with complex features cannot be created without damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mold into a main body and separable features, the invention enables the creation of shells with complex features while maintaining shell integrity. The separable features can be removed independently after shell formation, preventing the shell from being damaged during extraction, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable features are extracted from the mold after shell formation, allowing shells with complex features to be created and removed intact. This extraction mechanism ensures that the shell maintains its integrity during removal, even when the shell has engaged with complex undercut features, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a first shape of a main body of a mold associated with a dental arch for a patient. The method further includes determining a second shape of a separable feature of the mold. The method further includes determining a third shape and configuration of a receiving element of the main body to receive the separable feature. The method further includes outputting instructions for fabricating the separable feature and the main body that includes the receiving element for receiving the separable feature.