Prosthetic Teeth Positioning via Locking Pins and Recesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for positioning prosthetic teeth in dental prostheses are time-consuming and costly, with manual steps involved, and there is a challenge in achieving precise occlusion and orientation due to the play in the adhesive used for fastening, which can lead to errors in assembly and affect the visual appearance.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using pins with locking means and recesses with counter-locking means in the prosthetic base and teeth, allowing for precise mechanical tension to secure the teeth in place, ensuring accurate positioning and orientation without the need for extensive post-processing, and can be manufactured using CAD/CAM processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive is used to fix denture teeth in recesses, then the denture teeth can be secured to the denture base, but the adhesive adds unpredictable thickness that affects the height, position, and orientation of the teeth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connection of denture teethVSAvoidpositioning precision of denture teeth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of pins with locking means and recesses with counter-locking means. This mechanical mediator replaces the adhesive as the primary positioning element, providing precise and predictable positioning while the adhesive serves only as a secondary bonding agent without affecting the critical positioning parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking means and counter-locking means are designed to establish the precise position and orientation of the denture teeth before the adhesive is applied. This preliminary mechanical action ensures that the teeth are correctly positioned prior to bonding, eliminating the positioning errors that would otherwise be introduced by adhesive thickness variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual positioning and adhesive application is used, then denture teeth can be attached to the base, but the process is time-consuming and expensive with many manual steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment of denture teethVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attachment function into distinct mechanical components: pins with locking means, recesses with counter-locking means, and a separate adhesive application step. This segmentation allows the mechanical positioning to be standardized and potentially automated, while separating it from the bonding function, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency without compromising attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual adhesive-only system with a mechanical locking system that can be integrated into automated CAD/CAM manufacturing processes. The mechanical locking means provide precise positioning that can be machined with high precision, enabling automation and reducing reliance on manual operations, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If adhesive thickness varies due to pressure during bonding, then the bonding process becomes flexible, but assembly errors occur and occlusion is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process flexibilityVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical locking means and counter-locking means establish the precise assembly position and orientation before the bonding process occurs. This preliminary action creates a reference framework that guides the adhesive application, ensuring that even though the adhesive thickness may vary during bonding, the overall assembly accuracy is maintained because the critical positioning has already been set by the mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution provides a stable and reproducible connection of prosthetic teeth to the base, maintaining the desired occlusion and orientation, reducing the need for additional adhesive and ensuring a precise fit, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and improving the final product's stability and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

the pins lock into the recesses when inserted in such a way that the denture teeth are pulled against the denture base by a mechanical tension

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical tension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3291760B1Method for positioning prosthetic teeth in a prosthetic base
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 HERAEUS KULZER GMBH
  • EP3291760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3291760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the positioning of prosthetic teeth (2) in a prosthetic base (1), wherein at least one respective recess (6) is provided in the base of the prosthetic teeth (2) and/or a number of recesses (6, 26, 46, 47) are provided in the prosthetic base (1) in the surface (8) pointing in the occlusal direction, wherein the prosthetic teeth (2) are connected to the prosthetic base (1), in that pins (12) are inserted into the recesses (6), wherein the pins (12) are arranged at the base of the prosthetic teeth (2) and/or in the occlusal direction on the prosthetic base (1) and/or the pins (12) are connected as separate retaining pins to the prosthetic teeth (2) and the prosthetic base (1), wherein the pins (12) have engaging means (14) and the recesses (6) have corresponding counter engaging means (16), such that, during insertion, the pins (12) lock with the recesses (6) in such a way that the prosthetic teeth (2) are pulled against the prosthetic base (1).