3D Printed Dental Prosthesis With Load-Guided Internal Reinforcement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing dental prostheses, especially larger permanent bridges, face challenges in using composite materials due to their physical properties, which are not suitable for stability and cost-effectiveness, despite being easier to work with and cheaper than materials like zirconium oxide or metal.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a 3D printer to produce dental prostheses with a computer-aided digital model, incorporating a stress test using finite element methods, and strategically placing reinforcement structures made of composite materials, such as fiber bundles or short-fiber-reinforced composites, to enhance stability and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If dental composites are used for fabricating permanent bridges, then ease of work and cost are improved, but stability and suitability for permanent bridges deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of workVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses fiber-reinforced composite materials where glass fibers are embedded in a composite resin matrix. This creates a hybrid material that combines the ease of manipulation and aesthetics of dental composites with the strength and stability of glass fibers, making it suitable for permanent bridge fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different material properties to different regions of the dental prosthesis. Glass fiber reinforcement is strategically placed in areas requiring enhanced strength while maintaining the composite material's workability and aesthetic properties in visible areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If zirconium oxide or metal is used for permanent dental prostheses, then strength and stability are improved, but cost and ease of work deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a cost-effective alternative to expensive zirconium oxide and metal by using fiber-reinforced composite materials. The glass fiber reinforcement provides the necessary structural strength while the composite resin matrix maintains workability and reduces overall material cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If glass fiber reinforcement is added to composite material, then strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is divided into sequential steps: first placing the glass fiber reinforcement structure, then applying the composite resin matrix material. This segmentation allows each material to be applied and cured independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the composite nature of the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The glass fiber reinforcement structure is prepared and positioned in advance before the composite resin matrix is applied. This preliminary action ensures proper fiber orientation and distribution, simplifying the subsequent resin application and curing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables the production of stable and cost-effective dental prostheses by leveraging 3D printing technology to create prostheses with reinforcement structures, allowing for quick, reliable, and inexpensive production of larger bridge restorations.

Implementation Method 1

the solidification of which takes place in each case by photopolymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3713513B1Method for producing a dental prosthesis part
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH CORP LEGAL
  • EP3713513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3713513B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dental prosthesis part production method, wherein: a dental prosthesis part model (2) is generated taking into account a denture model (3); a load analysis of the dental prosthesis part model (2) is carried out; a first reinforcing structure model (4) having a first shape and position is arranged inside the dental prosthesis part model (2) and the dental prosthesis part model (2) is reduced by a volume corresponding to the arranged first reinforcing structure model (4); the reduced dental prosthesis part model (2) is divided into a lower partial volume (6) and an upper partial volume (8); a lower part (10.1) of the dental prosthesis part (10) according to the lower partial volume (6) is produced from a first composite material by means of the 3D printer (9); a first reinforcing structure (11) corresponding to the first reinforcing structure model (4) is arranged on the first part (10.1) of the dental prosthesis part (10); and an upper part (10.3) of the dental prosthesis part (10) according to the upper partial volume (8) is placed, by means of the 3D printer (9) using the first composite material, onto the lower part (10.1) of the dental prosthesis part (10) having the arranged first reinforcing structure (11).