Precision-milled denture teeth with CAD-CAM retentive features

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of dental prostheses, particularly artificial denture teeth, is labor-intensive and prone to errors due to manual adjustments and dimensional variations in pre-fabricated teeth, leading to poor fit and retention issues in denture bases.

Innovation Solution

A method and device where pre-manufactured teeth are placed in an elastomeric nest to be milled to precise dimensions using CAD-CAM software, with additional retentive features added to enhance bonding with the denture base, minimizing manual labor and ensuring consistent fit and retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pre-fabricated teeth are used with manual adjustments, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing precision and consistency deteriorate due to dimensional variations and human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional accuracy of denture teethVSAvoidcomplexity of manufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-milling retentive features (such as grooves, slots, or textured surfaces) directly onto the denture teeth during the fabrication process, before the teeth are installed in the denture base. This eliminates the need for subsequent manual adjustment and ensures consistent retention without requiring complex post-processing equipment or skilled manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated computer-controlled milling system. The milling device, guided by digital models, precisely removes material to create retention features on the teeth, substituting human skill and judgment with programmable automation to achieve consistent dimensional accuracy and retention characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual adjustments are performed on pre-fabricated teeth, then adaptability to patient anatomy is improved, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to labor-intensive processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication speed of denturesVSAvoidease of manual tooth adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the denture teeth to self-retain through precisely milled retention features that automatically engage with corresponding features in the denture base. The computer-controlled milling system automatically creates the appropriate retention geometry based on digital models, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations and enabling rapid fabrication without sacrificing retention effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional molding processes are used for denture teeth, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to mold wear and dimensional variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional consistency of denture teethVSAvoidsimplicity of tooth fabrication process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical molding process with a computer-controlled subtractive manufacturing process. Instead of forming teeth from molds that wear and vary dimensionally, the system uses digital models to guide precision milling of teeth from solid material, ensuring consistent dimensional accuracy without mold wear issues while maintaining fabrication simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental manufacturing parameter from additive molding to subtractive milling. This parameter change enables precise control over tooth dimensions and retention features through computer-controlled material removal, eliminating the dimensional variations inherent in molding processes while simplifying the overall process through direct digital fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If retentive features are added to denture teeth, then retention of teeth in denture base is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of denture teethVSAvoidcomplexity of tooth structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the retention function directly into the tooth structure by integrating retention features (such as grooves, slots, or textured surfaces) as inherent parts of the tooth geometry during the milling process. This combining of form and function creates reliable retention without requiring separate retention mechanisms or increasing overall device complexity, as the retention features are created simultaneously with the tooth itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9610145B2Precision-milled denture teeth and method and devices for making same

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 GLOBAL DENTAL SCIENCE LLC

AI summary

A device for making artificial teeth for a denture. The device is comprised of a nest comprised of a lower portion formed of a rigid material and having an upper planar surface, and an upper portion contiguous with the upper planar surface of the lower portion, and formed of an elastomeric material and configured to receive a plurality of the artificial teeth and hold the teeth in predetermined positions relative to the upper planar surface. A method for making artificial teeth using the nest and a fixative applied thereto is also disclosed. The method may include milling of the artificial teeth by a CAD-CAM operated mill.