Dental Veneer Assembly with Orienting Handle
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fabricating composite veneers in dentistry are time-consuming, require multiple trials, and involve high human error, making them inefficient and less precise compared to the growing demand for esthetically pleasing and customized dental restorations.
Innovation Solution
A dental assembly comprising a base and handle with U-shaped segments and orienting arms, allowing for precise placement of a shell over a tooth, which can be fabricated using digital dentistry techniques to customize the shape and contour of composite veneers directly in the mouth, reducing human error and fabrication time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional direct composite veneer fabrication is performed manually in the mouth, then the procedure is easier to implement and more conservative, but it requires a lot of experience and skill and is time-consuming with multiple trials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a custom-made tray with pre-formed molds that replicate the ideal tooth shape and contour before the actual veneer fabrication. This pre-prepared tray eliminates the need for multiple trial adjustments during the procedure, allowing the composite resin to be directly placed and shaped according to the pre-designed mold, thereby reducing both time and skill requirements while maintaining ease of implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a positive wax-up model of the ideal tooth appearance and then fabricating a negative mold (tray) from it. This copy of the ideal form is then used as a template during the veneer placement procedure, eliminating the need for the dentist to manually sculpt the ideal shape and reducing dependency on extensive artistic skill while maintaining conservative tooth preparation
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional direct composite veneer fabrication is performed manually in the mouth, then the procedure is easier to implement, but it requires multiple trials and has high human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a positive wax-up model of the ideal tooth appearance and then fabricating a negative mold (tray) from it. This copy of the ideal form is then used as a template during the veneer placement procedure, eliminating the need for the dentist to manually sculpt the ideal shape and reducing dependency on extensive artistic skill while maintaining conservative tooth preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a custom-made tray with pre-formed molds that replicate the ideal tooth shape and contour before the actual veneer fabrication. This pre-prepared tray eliminates the need for multiple trial adjustments during the procedure, allowing the composite resin to be directly placed and shaped according to the pre-designed mold, thereby reducing both time and skill requirements while maintaining conservative tooth preparation
3Productivity
If custom-made trays with molds are used for composite veneer fabrication, then precision and speed are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fabrication system into distinct modular components: a custom-made tray, separate molds for each tooth, and a handle for stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be independently fabricated and adjusted, simplifying the overall complexity while enabling precise and rapid veneer placement through the coordinated use of these standardized modules
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 assembly enables faster, safer, and more precise fabrication of composite veneers with reduced human error, enhancing esthetic outcomes and minimizing tooth structure damage while reducing treatment costs and chair time.
Implementation Method 1
The composite resin takes the shape of the mold and bonds to the tooth surface. The composite resin can then be cured to form the composite veneers
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an assembly and method for fabricating a dental prosthesis, such as composite veneer directly in a mouth. The assembly includes a base that can be worn in a mouth, the base configured to fit around a base line. The base forms an enclosed body around teeth to be treated. The assembly further comprises a handle configured to secure to the base. The handle comprises an orienting arm that carrier a shell attach to its tip. The base and the handle are configured such as when the handle is secured to the base, the shell is placed over the tooth in a predetermined position.