Edentulous Gum Appliance with Permeable U-Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dentures are incompatible with the unique anatomical structure of edentulous patients, leading to bone resorption, health issues, and aesthetic concerns, as they seal the gum, deprive it of oxygen, and increase the risk of infections and disfigurement.
Innovation Solution
A horseshoe or 'U' shaped frame made of a rigid yet flexible anti-microbial hypoallergenic material, with a moldable liner that conforms to the gum arch, providing structural support, reducing jaw fatigue, and preventing bone-damaging pressure, while allowing for oxygen exposure and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional dentures are used to replace teeth in edentulous patients, then aesthetic appearance and basic mastication function are improved, but bone resorption and tissue damage worsen due to sealing the gum and depriving it of oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance uses a flexible, thin film structure that conforms to the gum line without creating a sealed environment. This flexible membrane allows oxygen permeation while maintaining aesthetic appearance and basic functional support, resolving the contradiction between cosmetic restoration and tissue health.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance incorporates porous or permeable materials that allow oxygen and nutrients to pass through to the gum tissue. This maintains aesthetic appearance while preventing bone resorption by ensuring continuous oxygen exposure to the underlying tissues.
2Ease of operation
If conventional dentures are used to provide functional replacement for teeth, then mastication capability is improved, but health risks and infections worsen due to sealed environment and poor hygiene access
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film structure allows for easy removal and cleaning, eliminating the sealed environment that traps bacteria. The material itself is resistant to bacterial adhesion and can be thoroughly sanitized, reducing infection risks while maintaining basic functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance can be designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component, ensuring that hygiene-degraded units are discarded rather than reused. This eliminates long-term infection risks while providing adequate functional replacement.
3Ease of operation
If conventional dentures are used to replace teeth, then basic prosthetic function is improved, but facial disfigurement and quality of life worsen due to progressive bone loss and sunken appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible film maintains facial contour support without the rigid structure that causes bone resorption. By eliminating the sealed environment, it prevents the progressive sunken appearance while still providing adequate aesthetic and functional support.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance changes the physical parameters of the prosthetic solution from rigid and sealed to flexible and permeable. This fundamental parameter change prevents bone loss while maintaining sufficient aesthetic and functional properties.
Data Source
AI summary
An edentulous mouth insert appliance for mounting upon the edentulous gum of a patient, comprises a u-shaped frame formed of a rigid flexible material, with a portion to embrace the gum and a portion extending beyond the gum with an exposed surface to replicate a bite aligned with the corresponding occlusal plane. The frame has a base supporting a pair of inner and outer side walls spaced apart by the base a distance allowing the frame to encircle and cover the edentulous gum with a space between inner surfaces of the frame and the gum. A fill within the frame fills the space between the frame and the gum upon which the appliance is fitted, providing a void-free seal between the apparatus and the gum.