Dental Prosthesis Internal Surface Machining for Precise Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental prosthesis design and manufacturing processes face challenges in achieving precise dimensional accuracy, particularly for internal surfaces of crowns, which is critical for fitting and preventing infection, and often require complex coordination between dental clinics and laboratories.

Innovation Solution

A system that utilizes a dental service center equipped with material removal machines to manufacture precise internal surfaces of dental prostheses, such as crowns, based on 3D numerical models, while dental laboratories focus on external surfaces, enabling shared manufacturing and design responsibilities according to predetermined criteria, with communication via electronic networks for efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If dental laboratories manufacture both internal and external surfaces of prostheses, then manufacturing coordination is simplified, but dimensional accuracy of internal surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracy of internal surfacesVSAvoidmanufacturing coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the prosthesis manufacturing process into two specialized segments: dental service centers that manufacture internal surfaces requiring high precision, and dental laboratories that manufacture external surfaces. This segmentation allows each facility to specialize in specific manufacturing tasks, with service centers using material removal machines to achieve superior dimensional accuracy on internal surfaces while laboratories handle aesthetic external surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If dental clinics send all manufacturing tasks to dental laboratories, then workflow is simplified, but production efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidworkflow simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dental service center as an intermediary entity between dental clinics and dental laboratories. The service center receives digital impressions and manufacturing instructions from clinics, produces internal surfaces using automated material removal machines, and coordinates with laboratories for external surface completion. This intermediary role optimizes the workflow by distributing tasks to the most appropriate facility, improving overall production efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional manufacturing methods are used for internal surfaces, then manufacturing process is simpler, but fitting precision and infection prevention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting precision and infection preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional manual manufacturing methods for internal surfaces with automated material removal machines that use computer-controlled mechanisms. These machines precisely remove material from dental blanks based on digital models, achieving superior dimensional accuracy and surface finish that prevent infection while ensuring precise fitting. The automated system eliminates human error and variability inherent in manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11207156B2Method and system for designing and producing dental prosthesis and appliances
Publication Date: 2021.12.28 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US11207156B2 patent drawing
  • US11207156B2 patent drawing
  • US11207156B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A virtual model of an intraoral cavity is provided, wherein this process is initialized by a dental clinic, and the design and manufacture of a suitable dental prosthesis for the intraoral cavity is shared between a dental lab and a service center.