Digital Denture Base Adaptation for Real-Time Tooth Modifications

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for designing digital dentures require manual rebuilding of the prosthetic base with each change to the teeth, leading to inefficiency and loss of anatomical characteristics, as the base structures stretch or retract without maintaining functional and aesthetic features.

Innovation Solution

A digital adaptation method that synchronizes changes to the base portion of a dental prosthetic structure with modifications to the teeth portion in real-time, using a software platform that displays the base portion in relation to the teeth, allowing for simultaneous adjustments to ensure proper fit and aesthetics without manual re-sculpting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual sculpting of the prosthetic base is performed after tooth design changes, then the base can be adjusted to fit new teeth, but the process is inefficient and loses anatomical characteristics as base structures stretch or retract

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase adaptation to tooth changesVSAvoiddesign efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes the relationship between teeth and base in the digital model, so that when teeth are modified, the base automatically adapts based on pre-programmed anatomical constraints and relationships. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual re-sculpting while preserving anatomical landmarks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical sculpting process is replaced with an automated digital adaptation system that uses algorithms to adjust the base geometry in response to tooth changes. The system maintains anatomical characteristics through computational methods rather than manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual sculpting of the prosthetic base is performed after tooth design changes, then the base can be adjusted to fit new teeth, but the process is inconsistent and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase adaptation to tooth changesVSAvoidtime for base rebuilding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes the relationship between teeth and base in the digital model, so that when teeth are modified, the base automatically adapts based on pre-programmed anatomical constraints and relationships. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual re-sculpting while preserving anatomical landmarks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base automatically adjusts itself in response to tooth changes without requiring manual intervention. The digital system performs the adaptation autonomously, maintaining consistency and eliminating the time-consuming manual sculpting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the base mesh is moved or dimensions changed to meet tooth modifications, then the base fits new teeth, but anatomical landmarks such as pockets, root eminences, gingiva, and rugae are distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase fit to tooth positionVSAvoidanatomical landmark accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different adaptation rules to different regions of the base. Anatomical landmarks such as pockets, root eminences, gingiva, and rugae are protected with constrained adaptation zones, while other areas are allowed to adjust freely to fit the new tooth positions. This ensures local precision is maintained where critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical sculpting process is replaced with an automated digital adaptation system that uses algorithms to adjust the base geometry in response to tooth changes. The system maintains anatomical characteristics through computational methods rather than manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3275397B1Real time prosthetic base adaptation

Publication Date: 2021.01.06 GLOBAL DENTAL SCIENCE LLC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~3B

AI summary

The invention comprises an improved method and system for building a prosthetic device. The invention further comprises a technique for building teeth and a denture base in a digital space such as a denture design software. The invention even further comprises a method for adapting some or a complete digital denture base contemporaneously as changes are made to digital teeth on the same digital model.