Dental Resin Color Array for Precise 3D Restoration Shade Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental 3D printing methods face challenges in accurately matching the color of artificial restorations to natural teeth due to the subjective nature of visual shade matching and the variability of natural tooth colors, leading to inconsistent and unpredictable results.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a color array of distinct resin mixtures, each composed of masterbatch resins, allows for precise color matching by selecting a resin mixture that corresponds to the desired color, enabling the creation of dental articles with a color identical to a reference object, such as a human tooth, using a 3D printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If visual shade matching method is used, then the process is simple and quick, but the color matching precision is low due to subjectivity and ambient factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual comparison method with an automated spectrophotometric measurement system. The spectrophotometer objectively measures the spectral reflectance of both the natural tooth and restoration, eliminating subjective human factors and ambient lighting influences, thereby achieving precise color matching while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spectrophotometer as an intermediary device between the natural tooth and the restoration. This instrument serves as an objective mediator that quantifies color parameters, allowing for precise comparison and adjustment of restoration shade to match the natural tooth accurately
2Manufacturing precision
If a large number of color resins are stored to cover all possible tooth shades, then the color matching precision is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from storing multiple finished color resins to storing a limited set of masterbatch resins that can be dynamically adjusted. By controlling the ratio and combination of masterbatch resins, any desired tooth shade can be achieved, reducing storage requirements while maintaining full color matching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the masterbatch resins multi-functional by designing them to be mixable in various proportions to create different shades. A small set of masterbatch resins can serve multiple color matching purposes, replacing the need for storing numerous specialized color resins for different tooth shades
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional visual shade matching is used, then no special equipment is needed, but the reliability and consistency of color matching deteriorate due to clinician variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable human visual assessment system with a reliable spectrophotometric measurement system. The instrument provides objective, repeatable measurements of color parameters, eliminating variability between different clinicians and ensuring consistent color matching results across different practitioners and occasions
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making an article having a desired color, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a color array, said array comprising a plurality of distinct color points, each color point being independently composed of a resin mixture comprising one or more masterbatch resins; (b) comparing the desired color with the color points on the color array and selecting a color point that substantially corresponds to the desired color of the article; (c) identifying the resin mixture corresponding to said selected color point; and (d) making the article using said identified resin mixture.