Prosthetic Tooth Projections for Uniform Denture Bonding and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of prosthetic teeth in dentures is susceptible to twisting and rotation within the denture base, leading to issues with occlusion and appearance, and achieving a uniform adhesive thickness for secure bonding is difficult.
Innovation Solution
Prosthetic teeth with projections extending from their surfaces, such as semi-spherical or frusto-pyramidal shapes, spaced 40µm to 500µm from the denture base, ensuring a uniform adhesive layer and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If prosthetic teeth are positioned in the denture base without projections, then the positioning process is simple, but the teeth are susceptible to twisting and rotation leading to occlusion and appearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
Projections are pre-formed on the prosthetic teeth before insertion into the denture base. These projections extend from the apical surface and engage with corresponding recesses or spaces in the denture base, establishing precise positioning beforehand and preventing twisting or rotation during bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections act as intermediary elements between the prosthetic tooth and the denture base. They provide a mechanical interface that ensures accurate positioning and alignment, mediating the connection between the two components and preventing unwanted movement.
2Manufacturing precision
If adhesive is applied without projections to space the tooth from the denture base, then the bonding process is simple, but achieving a uniform adhesive layer of sufficient thickness is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Projections are pre-formed on the prosthetic teeth before adhesive application. These projections extend into the adhesive layer by a controlled amount (40-500 micrometers), automatically creating the necessary spacing and ensuring uniform adhesive distribution around the tooth without requiring complex positioning techniques.
3Reliability
If projections extend from the tooth surface, then a uniform adhesive layer and precise positioning are achieved, but the tooth structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic tooth is segmented into functional zones: the main body for aesthetic and functional purposes, and the apical projections for positioning and bonding. This segmentation allows the tooth structure to serve multiple functions - maintaining natural appearance while providing precise mechanical positioning and reliable adhesive bonding.
Data Source
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AI summary
A prosthetic tooth for a denture comprises a lingual or palatal surface, an opposing vestibular surface, opposing proximal surfaces, an incisal or occlusal surface and an opposing apical surface, wherein at least one projection extends from a surface of the tooth for spacing the surface adjacent to the projection from a denture base. Alternatively, a denture base for a denture comprises a space having a surface for receiving a tooth, wherein at least one projection extends from a surface of the denture base for spacing the surface adjacent to the projection from the tooth. The projections assist with providing a substantially uniform or even layer of sufficient adhesive between a tooth and a denture base so that the strength of the bond between the tooth and the denture base is improved. In addition, a projection extending from a surface of a tooth makes it easier to determine whether the tooth is positioned correctly when the tooth is aligned with a denture base.