Prosthesis Milling with Virtual Allowance for Gingival Margin Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing prostheses face challenges in accurately reproducing the gingival margin and efficiently removing excess bonding compound, leading to inaccuracies and aesthetic issues due to manual processing, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A method that virtually generates an allowance around the teeth and prosthesis base using CAD, allowing for automatic removal of excess bonding compound through milling, ensuring a precise and aesthetically pleasing gingival margin without the need for manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual processing is used to remove excess bonding compound, then the process allows flexibility in handling, but it is time-consuming and creates inaccuracies in the gingival margin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handlingVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processing with automated CNC milling to remove excess bonding compound. The milling device with computer-controlled movement eliminates hand-held bur operations, achieving both high precision in the gingival margin and improved productivity through automation, while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual processing is used to remove excess bonding compound, then the process allows flexibility in handling, but it frequently creates inaccuracies between design and actual prosthesis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handlingVSAvoidaccuracy of gingival margin

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital CAD models to create a virtual representation of the desired prosthesis geometry. The CNC milling device then copies this digital model precisely, ensuring that the actual gingival margin matches the design exactly. This digital copying process eliminates the inaccuracies inherent in manual visual estimation and hand processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If excessive caution is used during manual processing to avoid damaging the gum line, then the risk of damage is reduced, but excess joining material remains which is aesthetically unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of gingival marginVSAvoidaesthetic quality of gingival margin

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The CNC milling system uses feedback from the digital CAD model to precisely control the removal of excess bonding compound. The system continuously references the target geometry and adjusts milling depth and path accordingly, ensuring that the gingival margin is reduced to the exact design dimensions without over-cutting or leaving excess material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If rapid prototyping is used to provide non-specific excess material, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the same problems of manual removal and inaccuracies persist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufacturing processVSAvoidefficiency of excess material removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3593756B1Method for producing a prosthesis or partial prosthesis

Publication Date: 2023.02.15 IVOCLAR VIVADENT AG

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AI summary

A method for producing a prosthesis or partial prosthesis based on digital data, using several teeth (10) and a prosthesis base (12) to be manufactured, is characterized in that the generatively or subtractively produced teeth (10) and/or the generatively or subtractively produced prosthesis base (12) are manufactured with an allowance, except for areas of the teeth (10) and the prosthesis base (12) where the teeth (10) and the prosthesis base (12) abut each other and/or are connected or joined together, and that subsequently the teeth (10) and/or the prosthesis base (12) are reduced to the desired original dimensions, in particular by milling, with at least partial removal of the allowance (30, 32).