Three-Layered Dental Prosthesis with PEEK Sub-Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental prostheses, especially partial fixed prostheses, often fail to maintain the vertical occlusal dimension, leading to masticatory and physical distress, and are costly, making them inaccessible to most populations, while also not effectively recreating the natural shape and support of the gum, which can result in temporo-mandibular disorders and bruxism.
Innovation Solution
A three-layered dental prosthesis composed of PEEK or carbon fiber and composite resin, with a composite resin sub-structure adhering to the teeth and a PEEK or carbon fiber over-structure, allowing for the filling of undercuts and elimination of splints, providing a stable and aesthetic solution that maintains the natural teeth and supports the periodontium without reducing them to stumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional partial fixed prostheses are used, then the treatment cost is reduced, but the vertical occlusal dimension cannot be maintained, leading to masticatory and physical distress
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into three distinct layers: a first sub-structure in composite resin that adheres to the teeth, a second sub-structure in PEEK or carbon fiber that covers the first sub-structure, and an over-structure in composite resin that provides the aesthetic portion. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill specific functions - the first sub-structure maintains vertical dimension through undercut engagement, the second provides structural support, and the third delivers aesthetics, thereby resolving the contradiction between cost-effectiveness and functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite materials combining different properties: composite resin for adhesion and aesthetics, and PEEK or carbon fiber for structural strength and elasticity. This composite approach enables the prosthesis to simultaneously achieve the vertical dimension maintenance capability of traditional prostheses while reducing cost by avoiding expensive implants and surgical procedures.
2Device complexity
If teeth are reduced to stumps for traditional prostheses, then the prosthesis structure is simplified, but the natural shape and support of the gum cannot be recreated, resulting in temporo-mandibular disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The first sub-structure in composite resin is prepared in advance to precisely replicate the natural gum shape and engage the undercuts of the remaining teeth before the final prosthesis is delivered. This preliminary action allows the prosthesis to be fitted without reducing teeth to stumps, thereby maintaining natural tooth structure and supporting the periodontium while preventing temporo-mandibular disorders.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the prosthesis are given different properties: the first sub-structure has adhesive quality to engage undercuts, the second sub-structure has structural quality for support, and the over-structure has aesthetic quality to recreate natural gum appearance. This local differentiation allows the prosthesis to maintain complex functional requirements while keeping the overall design manageable.
3Reliability
If expensive implants and maxilla-facial surgery are used, then the vertical dimension can be maintained, but the treatment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses affordable composite resin and PEEK/carbon fiber materials that can be fabricated in a dental laboratory without requiring expensive implant components or surgical procedures. The prosthesis achieves vertical dimension maintenance through the elastic engagement of the first sub-structure with tooth undercuts, providing a cost-effective alternative to permanent implants while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sub-structure in composite resin acts as an intermediary element that transfers and distributes occlusal forces through the undercut engagement, enabling vertical dimension maintenance without direct bone-anchored implants. This intermediary mechanism provides the necessary support and stability at a fraction of the cost of surgical implantation.
4Strength
If a rigid prosthesis structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but movement during chewing and speech is not limited, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The second sub-structure in PEEK or carbon fiber is designed with specific elastic parameters that allow controlled deformation during functional movements. This elastic parameter enables the prosthesis to adapt to chewing and speech movements while maintaining overall structural strength, thereby achieving both strength and stability that a purely rigid structure could not provide.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-layered dental prosthesis for carrying out works of prosthesis and method of construction of said prosthesis comprising of two sub-structures and one over-structure, characterized by the fact that the first sub-structure is made of composite resin and adheres to the teeth, covering them, that said first sub-structure is covered by a second sub-structure made of PEEK or carbon and that the over-structure that constitutes the aesthetic part is made of composite resin, covering the second sub-structure of PEEK or carbon.