Light-Curable Gum Mask via Rapid Prototyping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gum masks are often labor-intensive to produce, require multiple work steps, and lack precision fit, leading to the need for post-adjustment by dentists, while also offering limited comfort and aesthetics for patients with gum recession or tissue changes.
Innovation Solution
A gum mask made from light-curable compositions of silicones and/or prepolymers, using rapid prototyping methods like stereolithography or DLP, which allows for the production of flexible, tear-resistant, and biocompatible masks that maintain softness and can be produced with fewer steps, eliminating the need for post-processing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If thermally curing elastomers are used to produce gum masks, then the material can be applied in layers to the plaster model, but the production requires too many work steps and the fit precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal curing process with a light-curing system. Instead of applying material in layers and curing each layer thermally, the invention uses a light-curable composition that can be selectively cured using a light source, enabling precise control of the curing process and eliminating the need for multiple manual application and curing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the curing parameter from thermal to optical. By using a light-curable composition with specific photoinitiators that respond to light at particular wavelengths, the material transitions from requiring thermal energy for curing to requiring optical energy, enabling more precise and controlled curing processes that improve fit precision while reducing work steps.
2Productivity
If light-curing compositions are used for rapid prototyping, then production time is reduced and precision is improved, but the material must remain permanently soft and biocompatible for oral use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials that combine the benefits of rapid-curing polymers with the properties required for oral applications. The light-curable composition includes silicone-based prepolymers or monomers combined with specific photoinitiators and crosslinking agents, creating a material that cures rapidly under light while maintaining permanent softness, flexibility, and biocompatibility suitable for gum masks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls the chemical composition parameters of the light-curable system, including the molecular weight and functionality of prepolymers, the concentration and type of photoinitiators, and crosslinking density. These parameter adjustments ensure that the material achieves complete curing for dimensional stability while retaining the permanent softness and elasticity required for biocompatible oral use.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple work steps are used to produce gum masks, then material can be applied and cured, but post-adjustment by dentists is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using light-curing technology to achieve complete and precise curing of the gum mask material directly during the manufacturing process. The selective light curing allows the material to be cured exactly where needed with precise control over the curing depth and extent, eliminating the need for subsequent adjustments by dentists while maintaining ease of manufacture through the rapid prototyping process.
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 solution provides a precise, comfortable, and aesthetically improved gum mask that maintains its geometry and flexibility, reducing the need for further dental adjustments and improving patient comfort, with enhanced accuracy and reduced production time.
Implementation Method 1
a shaped body in the form of a gum mask made of permanent soft dental material or a part made of a light-cured and optionally thermally post-treated polymer
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
Molded product of soft dental material comprises composition comprising radiation cured polymer which is subsequently treated in presence of optionally thermal or moisture. An independent claim is included for method for preparing the molded product of soft dental material.