Gingival Indexing Device for Color Gradient Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gingiva restorations lack the ability to accurately replicate the natural shades of red and their gradients, resulting in monotonous and aesthetically unsatisfactory outcomes, as they are typically manufactured with a single red shade, failing to capture the complex morphology and geometry of the gingiva.

Innovation Solution

A gingiva indexing device with defined red color regions and a gray card for image processing, allowing for the detection and analysis of red tones, their position, and morphology, enabling the creation of a lifelike gingiva restoration through color mixing instructions and coding, which can produce a virtual or real model of the missing gum area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single red shade is used for gingival restoration, then the manufacturing process is simple and cost-effective, but the aesthetic appearance is monotonous and unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gingival restoration is divided into multiple segments or layers, each containing different red shades and tones. This segmentation allows the restoration to capture the natural color variation of gingiva while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process through systematic application of pre-defined color zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the gingival restoration are assigned different color properties (various red shades, tones, and gradients) to match the local characteristics of natural gingiva. This local differentiation creates a more realistic appearance without requiring complete redesign of the entire manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple red shades and color gradients are incorporated into gingival restoration, then the aesthetic appearance becomes more natural and lifelike, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Color guides and indexing systems are prepared in advance with pre-defined red shades and gradients. These preliminary tools enable technicians to systematically select and apply the appropriate colors during restoration fabrication, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple custom-mixed shades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention systematically varies color parameters (hue, saturation, brightness) across different regions of the restoration to simulate natural gingiva. By controlling these parameters through standardized guides rather than custom mixing, the complexity of achieving accurate color gradients is significantly reduced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional impression-taking methods are used, then the process is simple and quick, but detailed gingival information including color gradients and morphology is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess efficiencyVSAvoidgingival color information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying solely on physical impressions that capture only geometry, the invention creates a comprehensive digital or physical color map that copies and preserves the visual characteristics of the gingiva. This color guide serves as an information-rich reference that can be used during restoration fabrication without significantly extending the workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive gingival analysis including color gradients and morphology is performed, then the restoration accuracy and natural appearance are improved, but the time and resources required for analysis increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The comprehensive gingival analysis is performed once and stored as a reference color guide and morphology map. This preliminary analysis eliminates the need for repeated detailed examinations during subsequent restoration fabrications, significantly reducing the time investment for future procedures while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3099269B1Gingival indexing device and method for indexing the gingiva
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 HERAEUS KULZER GMBH
  • EP3099269B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3099269B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3099269B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a gingival indexing device comprising different, defined red colour regions (red tones) which are assigned a grey colour chart or grey chart, and to a method for recording the gingival situation, in particular for producing a gingival restoration, involving an analysis at least of a region of the gingival situation with regard to the red colour tones thereof, the position of the red colour tones, the colour gradient of the red colour tones, the geometry thereof and/or the morphology thereof, wherein the analysis may take place manually and/or digitally, and gingival information is obtained, in particular in the form of gingival mapping, and optionally producing a virtual or real model of a gingival restoration simulation of the missing gum portion or gingiva portion.