3D-Printed Multilayered Jaw Model for Dental Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental training models lack the realism needed to accurately replicate the morphology and hardness of natural human teeth and their surroundings, limiting the effectiveness of training for dental students in operative dentistry techniques.
Innovation Solution
A 3D-printed multilayered jaw model and tooth models are created based on human scans, featuring varying hardness and color to mimic natural bone and tissue structures, allowing for a more lifelike simulation of dental procedures, including caries and fracture structures, and are designed for interchangeable use with a phantom head system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simplified models are used for dental training, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the realism and training effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw model is divided into multiple separate components including the jaw body, individual teeth, gingiva tissue, and bone structure. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard 3D printing processes, then assembled to create a complete realistic model. This segmentation allows simplified manufacturing of individual parts while achieving high realism in the final assembled model.
Solution Approach 2:
The model uses multiple materials with different properties to represent different biological tissues. The jaw bone uses rigid materials, the gingiva uses soft flexible materials, and the teeth use materials with appropriate hardness. This composite approach enables realistic tissue behavior and interaction while using commercially available 3D printing materials.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed multilayered structures are created to replicate natural teeth and jaw, then the realism and training accuracy are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the third dimension extensively by creating vertically stacked multilayered structures. The jaw model includes multiple bone layers, dental layers, and soft tissue layers arranged in vertical stacks that replicate the natural stratification of oral anatomy. This vertical dimensionality allows realistic representation without increasing horizontal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The model employs nested structures where teeth are embedded within the jaw bone, which is in turn covered by gingiva tissue. The multilayered construction places smaller structures within larger ones, replicating the natural hierarchical organization of oral anatomy. This nesting approach creates realism while using a systematic assembly process.
3Reliability
If realistic tissue and bone structures with varying hardness are implemented, then the training authenticity is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the model use materials with locally optimized properties. The bone structure uses rigid materials appropriate for cortical bone, the gingiva uses soft elastomeric materials to replicate soft tissue, and the teeth use materials with intermediate hardness. This local quality approach creates authentic tissue behavior while using standard material sets available for 3D printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies material parameters such as hardness, flexibility, and density across different components to match biological tissues. By adjusting these physical parameters within the range of commercially available 3D printing materials, the model achieves training authenticity without requiring exotic or custom-synthesized materials.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a jaw model, a tooth model and a system for practicing techniques of operative dentistry. In order to allow a more lifelike practicing techniques of operative dentistry, the present invention provides a jaw model (2) for practicing techniques of operative dentistry, the jaw model (2) being manufactured by means of 3D-printing and modeled after a naturally grown human jaw, wherein the jaw model (2) has at least two sections (6) of different hardness and comprises at least one receptacle (11) for removably receiving at least one tooth model (3). The present invention further provides a corresponding tooth model (3) and a system (1) comprising the jaw model (2) and one or more tooth models (3).