Dental Prosthesis Blank Concealing Layer Dividing Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental prostheses with multi-layer structures often exhibit straight, clearly visible separating lines between differently colored layers, which detract from the natural aesthetic appearance, especially in areas visible when the mouth is open.
Innovation Solution
A dental blank with a gum element that matches the color of the gum is integrated between the tooth and jaw elements, using material-removing machining to create a seamless transition, and is fixed in place to conceal the dividing line, with optional wedge-shaped projections and a connecting element to simulate natural gum contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multi-layered blanks with differently colored layers are used to form tooth and jaw elements, then the functional differentiation between tooth element and jaw element is achieved, but clearly visible dividing lines appear between the layers resulting in unnatural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A gingival element is introduced as an intermediary component between the tooth element and jaw element. This gingival element matches the color of the gum and conceals the dividing line that would otherwise be visible between the differently colored tooth and jaw elements, thereby resolving the aesthetic issue while maintaining the functional multi-layered structure
Solution Approach 2:
The gingival element is specifically positioned only in the visible area between the tooth element and jaw element where the dividing line would be most noticeable. This localized application addresses the aesthetic problem in the critical visible region without requiring modification of the entire prosthesis structure
2Ease of manufacture
If straight dividing lines are formed between differently colored layers, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the appearance becomes aesthetically displeasing and unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The gingival element is designed with curved contours that follow the natural shape of gum tissue rather than straight lines. This curvature conceals the sharp dividing line between layers and creates a more natural, aesthetically pleasing transition between the tooth and jaw elements
3Productivity
If gingival elements with projections are used to fill spaces between adjacent teeth, then the gum simulation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gingival element is divided into multiple segments or projections that can be individually positioned between adjacent teeth. Each projection fills a specific inter-dental space, and the segments are connected by a connecting element, allowing enhanced gum simulation in complex areas while maintaining modular manufacturing
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A blank for producing dental prostheses by particularly material-removing processing comprises a tooth element (14) and a jaw element (18). These elements are preferably differently colored layers of a blank produced from the same material. In order to cover a dividing line between the differently colored regions, a gum element (24) is arranged especially in a recess (22) of the finished dental prosthesis.