3D Printed Dental Prosthesis Base on Occlusion Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing dental prostheses are labor-intensive, require manual processing of prosthetic teeth, and often involve complex bonding procedures, leading to inefficiencies and potential aesthetic impairments due to uneven adhesive application and the need for manual adjustment of occlusion.

Innovation Solution

A method using a virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model to manufacture a dental prosthesis with a physical occlusion plate, where prefabricated teeth are fastened to the occlusion plate and a three-dimensional plastic structure is printed onto the basal ends of the teeth, eliminating the need for manual bonding and ensuring precise alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual bonding procedures are used to attach prosthetic teeth to the prosthesis base, then flexibility in adjustment is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to uneven adhesive application and potential aesthetic impairments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in adjustmentVSAvoidbonding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical bonding process with an automated adhesive application system that precisely controls adhesive deposition. The system uses computer-controlled mechanisms to apply adhesive uniformly to the prosthesis base, eliminating the variability and imprecision of manual bonding while maintaining the ability to adjust tooth positions through digital modeling and automated positioning mechanisms.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex bonding and joining techniques are used to produce multicolored dentures or dentures made of different polymer materials, then product versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct versatilityVSAvoidbonding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the prosthesis into separate modular components including the prosthesis base, prosthetic teeth, and retaining structures that can be manufactured independently using different materials and colors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and assembled through automated mechanisms, reducing the complexity of producing multicolored and multi-material dentures while maintaining high versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal retaining structures and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different material combinations and color schemes. The automated assembly system is designed to handle various material types and configurations through programmable mechanisms, enabling the same device to produce diverse prosthesis variations without requiring complex specialized equipment for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual processing and adjustment of prosthetic teeth are performed, then adaptability to individual patient needs is improved, but productivity and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to patient needsVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary digital planning and virtual positioning of prosthetic teeth before physical manufacturing. The system uses digital models to pre-determine the optimal arrangement, occlusion, and positioning of teeth based on patient-specific requirements. This preliminary digital action allows for rapid customization without time-consuming manual adjustments during production, significantly improving productivity while maintaining high adaptability to individual patient needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If adhesive is applied manually to bond prosthetic teeth, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to uneven application and aesthetic impairments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adhesive applicationVSAvoidbonding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual adhesive application with an automated dispensing system that precisely controls the amount, location, and uniformity of adhesive application. The computer-controlled mechanism ensures consistent bonding reliability by eliminating human variability in adhesive deposition, while the system remains easy to operate through automated sequences and programmable parameters that simplify the bonding process.

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

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 rapid, reproducible, and cost-effective production of high-quality dental prostheses with improved stability and aesthetics by automating the process and eliminating the need for adhesive application, reducing errors and manual labor.

Implementation Method 1

printing the prosthesis base onto the basal ends of the prosthesis teeth with the device for the layered construction of three-dimensional plastic structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentEP3223742B1Producing a dental prosthesis by printing the prosthesis base onto the prosthetic teeth
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 HERAEUS KULZER GMBH
  • EP3223742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3223742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3223742B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a dental prosthesis, wherein the dental prosthesis has a prosthesis base (1) and a plurality of prosthetic teeth (4), wherein the method is carried out using a virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model of the dental prosthesis to be generated and wherein the virtual three-dimensional dental prosthesis model has virtual prosthetic teeth and a virtual prosthesis base, characterized by the following chronological steps: A) producing a physical occlusion plate (10), wherein one region of the surface of the occlusion plate (10) is formed by a negative of the coronal sides of the virtual prosthetic teeth of the virtual dental prosthesis model, wherein the position and the orientation of the virtual prosthetic teeth relative to one another is maintained in accordance with the virtual dental prosthesis model in the form of the surface of the occlusion plate (10); B) applying and fastening pre-manufactured prosthetic teeth (4) on the occlusion plate (10), wherein the coronal sides of the pre-manufactured prosthetic teeth are applied onto the surface of the occlusion plate (10) formed by the negative; C) fastening the occlusion plate (10) with the prosthetic teeth (14) fastened therein into a 3D printer; and D) printing the prosthesis base (1) onto the basal ends (8) of the prosthetic teeth (4) with the 3D printer on the basis of the form of the virtual prosthesis base. The invention also relates to a dental prosthesis produced by such a method, and to a device for carrying out such a method.