Lingual Dental Prosthesis Support with Elastic Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental prostheses leave an unsightly gap in the dental arch during implantation, leading to potential tooth migration, malocclusions, and disruption of muscular function, and lack patient-friendly assembly and disassembly options.
Innovation Solution
A dental prosthesis support device with a support strip covering only the lingual face of teeth, using connectors that engage removably with the teeth to fill the gap, allowing easy patient installation and removal, and featuring elastic reservations for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional dental prosthesis is used to fill the gap during implantation, then the gap is filled and teeth are protected from migration, but the prosthesis covers all tooth surfaces including occlusal and incisal faces, interfering with chewing and eating functions
Solution Approach 1:
The support strip is segmented to cover only the lingual face of teeth, leaving occlusal and incisal surfaces free. This segmentation allows the prosthesis to maintain its gap-filling function while preserving the patient's ability to chew and eat normally without interference from the support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support strip is designed with local quality by positioning it exclusively on the lingual face of teeth. This localized placement provides the necessary structural support to prevent tooth migration while leaving the functional surfaces (occlusal and incisal faces) completely free for normal chewing and eating activities.
2Strength
If a support strip covering all tooth surfaces is used, then comprehensive support is provided, but the prosthesis becomes visible and less aesthetic, and causes discomfort to lips and cheeks
Solution Approach 1:
The support strip is segmented to cover only the lingual face of teeth, making it constantly invisible from the front. This segmentation eliminates the aesthetic concern of visible support structures while maintaining sufficient support capability through strategic placement on the lingual surface where it provides structural reinforcement without compromising appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support strip is positioned with local quality exclusively on the lingual face, away from the visible facial surfaces. This placement provides comprehensive support where needed while eliminating the harmful aesthetic effect of visible support structures and preventing discomfort to lips and cheeks by keeping the support away from the vestibular area.
3Reliability
If connectors are fixed on the vestibular face of teeth, then secure attachment is achieved, but the connectors become a source of discomfort and irritation to the patient's lips and cheeks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing connectors on the vestibular face of teeth (conventional approach), the invention inverts the placement to the lingual face. This inversion maintains secure attachment reliability through the connector's engagement with tooth reservations while eliminating the harmful effect of connector-induced discomfort to lips and cheeks by moving the connectors away from the vestibular area.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a permanent cemented prosthesis is used, then stable fixation is achieved, but the patient cannot easily remove or replace it for hygiene maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis transitions from a static permanent cemented fixation to a dynamic removable system. The support strip with elastic reservations allows the prosthesis to be securely fixed during use (maintaining stability) while enabling easy removal and replacement by the patient for hygiene maintenance (improving ease of operation).
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 an aesthetic, hygienic, and comfortable prosthesis support that maintains dental alignment without requiring professional assistance, while allowing easy installation and removal by the patient.
Implementation Method 1
the support strip comprises reservations in which the connectors fit elastically
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental prosthesis support device comprising: - a support strip (201) secured to a dental prosthesis (DP); and - connectors (203) which are designed, when in use, to be attached to the teeth of the patient, enclose a dental free space and onto which the support strip detachably engages such that the dental prosthesis fills said space; - the support strip having a profile to cover only the lingual surface of the teeth while leaving the other surfaces of the teeth free; - the connectors being configured to be attached to the lingual surface of the teeth; and - the support strip comprising pockets into which the connectors fit elastically.