Dental Prosthesis Ventilation Valve for Easy Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental prostheses with enhanced suction for better adhesion become difficult to detach, and existing solutions like gaps for easy removal lead to hygiene issues and reduced adhesion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ventilation element, such as a centrally arranged valve or opening, that allows air to reach the prosthesis base from the side facing away from the teeth, negating suction and enabling easy detachment while maintaining adhesion, with configurations including manual or automatic actuation and magnetic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction effect of the prosthesis is enhanced for better adhesion, then the wearing comfort is improved, but the prosthesis becomes difficult to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is made movable relative to the valve opening, transitioning between a closed position (maintaining suction for adhesion) and an open position (releasing suction for detachment). This dynamic mechanism allows the prosthesis to switch between strongly adhering to and easily detaching from the support surface based on operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If a gap is configured at the edge of the prosthesis to enable easy detachment, then the handling is improved, but leftovers collect in the gap which is unhygienic and affects adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful accumulation space is extracted by replacing the edge gap with a centrally located ventilation element. The valve structure provides a controlled opening that allows air passage without creating peripheral gaps where debris could accumulate, thus maintaining hygiene while enabling detachment functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a ventilation element is added to enable easy detachment, then the handling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation element is merged with the existing prosthesis base structure, with the valve integrated into the base rather than being a separate component. This integration minimizes additional complexity while providing the necessary ventilation functionality for easy detachment.
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 ventilation element allows for easy removal of dental prostheses without compromising adhesion, improving handling and hygiene by releasing negative pressure and preventing debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a valve is configured on the side of the alveolar ridge which is to support the suction effect of the prosthesis at the alveolar ridge to enable better adhesion
Implementation Method 2
pressure onto a valve body of the valve, as may be applied by a finger, for instance, shifts the valve body such that the valve opens
Implementation Method 3
Magnetic actuation of the valve body is provided in a further configuration. It comprises ferromagnetic material for this purpose. The valve body may be moved by means of a small magnetic pen or any desired permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental prosthesis comprising a prosthesis base and teeth which are attached in or to the prosthesis base (14), wherein the prosthesis base (14) comprises a ventilation element, in particular a ventilation valve (12).