Modular Dental Impression Tray Assembly for Jaw Relation Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of fabricating dentures is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires multiple visits from the patient, often resulting in poor fit and high costs due to the complexity of measuring jaw relations and taking impressions in separate steps.
Innovation Solution
A set of modular dental trays and accompanying software that allows for simultaneous measurement of jaw relations and taking of final impressions in a single visit, enabling the creation of a custom denture with reduced visits and costs through accurate manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional multi-step impression taking method is used, then measurement precision can be maintained, but the number of patient visits and production time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple impression trays (first impression tray and second impression tray) into a single integrated assembly that can be used simultaneously. The first impression tray captures maxillary ridge details while the second impression tray captures mandibular ridge details in one visit, eliminating the need for separate visits for each impression type while maintaining measurement precision through specialized tray design.
Solution Approach 2:
The impression tray assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it can take both preliminary and final impressions, capture jaw relation information, and accommodate various impression materials. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate devices and visits needed while ensuring comprehensive measurement accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional multi-step fabrication process is used, then manufacturing precision can be ensured, but production time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing all necessary jaw relation information and creating reference models during the initial impression taking phase. The intra-oral tracer records centric relation and vertical dimension data that are later used to guide the complete denture fabrication process, eliminating the need for subsequent adjustment visits and reducing overall production time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital or physical copy of the patient's oral anatomy through the impression trays and intra-oral tracer. These copies serve as reference models that can be used repeatedly during the fabrication process, allowing for precise replication of jaw relations and tissue contours without requiring repeated physical measurements or visits.
3Measurement precision
If separate measurement of jaw relations and tissue impressions is performed, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and procedure length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first impression tray, second impression tray, and intra-oral tracer into a single integrated assembly. This combined device simultaneously captures maxillary and mandibular tissue impressions while recording jaw relation information, reducing the number of separate devices needed while maintaining measurement precision through specialized contact points and reference features.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated impression tray assembly is designed to perform multiple measurement functions within a single device: it can capture tissue contours, record centric relation, measure vertical dimension, and document occlusal relationships. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized devices for each measurement type, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A dental impression tray assembly includes an upper tray and a lower tray operable with the upper tray, and the lower tray includes a first piece configured to measure jaw relations of a patient's mouth and a pair of second pieces detachably attachable to the first piece. The first piece of the lower tray is inserted into the patient's mouth independently of the pair of second pieces of the lower tray to measure the jaw relations and to obtain a bite registration. After the first piece is connected to the pair of second pieces, the assembly allows a final gum impression of the patient's lower gum to be obtained.