Segmented Dental Polishing Tool with Variable Abrasive Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental polishing tools fail to balance high breaking strength with essential properties like elasticity and flexibility, leading to frequent breakage and poor polishing quality, especially due to the risk of scratches and uneven surface processing.
Innovation Solution
A polishing tool design featuring an ogive-shaped polishing head with a structured core and variable abrasive layer thickness, where the abrasive layer is applied to a rigid core with a similar profile, optimizing the distribution of diamond particles for enhanced durability and flexibility, and featuring a monolithic unit with the shank for improved anchoring and reduced mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the polishing head is made with higher hardness to reduce breakage, then the breaking strength is improved, but the elasticity and flexibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The polishing head is divided into multiple segments or layers with different material properties. The core structure provides rigidity and breaking strength, while the outer abrasive layer or bonding layer provides flexibility and adaptability. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The polishing head uses composite material construction, combining materials with different mechanical properties. For example, a rigid core material (providing breaking strength) is combined with a more flexible bonding material or abrasive layer (providing elasticity and flexibility). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the benefits of both material types.
2Reliability
If the polishing head is made more rigid to prevent breakage, then the reliability is improved, but the polishing quality is worsened due to inability to adapt to tooth morphology
Solution Approach 1:
The polishing head is segmented into a rigid core structure and a flexible working layer. The core ensures reliability and breakage resistance, while the flexible working layer (abrasive layer or bonding layer) can deform to adapt to complex tooth surfaces, maintaining high polishing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the polishing head have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The core or non-active zones have higher rigidity for structural integrity, while the active abrasive zones have higher flexibility to conform to tooth morphology and deliver precise polishing results.
3Reliability
If pressure forces are reduced to prevent breakage, then the breaking risk is reduced, but the polishing efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented structure with rigid core and flexible working layer allows the tool to maintain structural integrity at lower pressures while the flexible abrasive layer ensures effective material removal through increased contact area and adaptation to surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible abrasive layer or bonding layer acts as a compliant interface that increases contact area with the tooth surface when lower pressures are applied. This flexibility compensates for the reduced pressure force by distributing the load over a larger area, maintaining polishing efficiency while reducing breakage risk.
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
The tool achieves higher breaking strength and polishing performance with reduced risk of breakage, maintaining flexibility and quality, allowing for precise and efficient surface processing without compromising patient comfort or tool stability.
Implementation Method 1
The abrasive particles, such as silicon carbide, are embedded in a silicone-based mixture and are produced in various shapes, colors or color information and sizes, in abrasive stages defined by the grain size.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~3B
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The tool has a spindle (29) whose end is provided with an abrasive layer that forms a head and another end is provided with a connection unit for connection to a dental handpiece. The end of the spindle on which the abrasive layer is arranged is in the form of a cup-shaped core (25) whose profile is same as that of the abrasive layer. The abrasive layer encloses the core with the exception of its terminal on the handpiece side, where thickness of the abrasive layer is 0.2 mm. The abrasive layer comprises an elastic composition such as silicone and soft synthetic material.