Guided Dental Post Removal Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental posts are difficult to remove due to their tight cementation or bonding within the tooth, making it challenging to apply the necessary force without damaging the surrounding tooth structure.
Innovation Solution
A guided dental post removal device with a tubular structure and infill material, such as auto-polymerizing composite resin, is used to securely attach to the dental post, allowing for safe removal with minimal stress on the tooth structure, utilizing internal threads and adhesion features to ensure effective engagement and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If forceps or other dental instruments are used to grasp the post for removal, then the post can be extracted, but undue stresses and strains are placed on the tooth structure causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guided removal device as an intermediary tool between the dentist and the dental post. This device includes a guide portion that fits over the post and a removal portion that can be operated with instruments. The guide portion acts as a mediator that distributes forces evenly across the post and tooth structure, preventing concentrated stresses that would damage the tooth while still enabling effective post removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal device is segmented into distinct functional portions: a guide portion for positioning and a removal portion for applying force. This segmentation allows the device to first establish proper engagement with the post through the guide portion, then gradually apply removal forces through the removal portion in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of damaging the tooth structure.
2Ease of operation
If conventional removal devices are used, then the post can be removed, but the device complexity increases and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guided removal device is designed with multi-functionality, where the guide portion serves multiple purposes: it guides the removal portion into proper position, provides a reference for alignment, and distributes forces during removal. This universal design reduces device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single integrated tool rather than requiring separate components for each function.
3Productivity
If force is applied to dislodge the post, then the post can be removed, but the vector of force may not be appropriate causing further damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion of the device is designed to distribute forces evenly across the post and surrounding tooth structure, creating an equipotential force distribution. This ensures that removal forces are applied uniformly rather than concentrating stress at specific points, thereby preventing damage to the tooth structure while maintaining efficient post removal.
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 device enables reliable removal of stubbornly affixed dental posts while minimizing potential stress to the remaining tooth structure and surrounding tissues, facilitating safe extraction even in difficult-to-access locations.
Implementation Method 1
the inside of the sidewalls can be scored, textured, indented and/or coated with a high adhesion material that will strongly adhere to the composite resin, cement or other material that will infill the tubular structure's bore
Implementation Method 2
Internal threads can be formed on the inside of the sidewalls, which internal threads will assist in bonding with an auto-polymerizing composite resin, a cement, or other infill material injected in the interior of the tubular structure and will also help engage with a file such as Hedstrom file inserted therein
Implementation Method 3
A series of openings can be formed through the sidewalls of the tubular structure. The series of openings are preferably formed at different levels along the long axis of the tubular structure and at various angular positions around the perimeter of the tubular structure, and will act to allow an infill material such as an auto-polymerizing composite resin
Data Source
AI summary
A method for removing a dental post from a tooth. The method includes (a) removing securing materials from around the dental post, (b) texturing the dental post to form a prepared dental post, (c) providing a dental post removal device with a hollow tubular structure and a fulcrum, (d) filling the hollow tubular structure with dental cement, (e) placing the dental cement-filled tubular structure over the prepared dental post, inserting a fluted file through the filled tubular structure and engaging file flutes between the prepared dental post and the wall of the tubular device and allowing the material to adhere together the tubular structure, the file, and dental post, and (f) applying a force on the fulcrum to remove the hollow tubular structure, the attached file and dental post from the tooth.