WO2015110461A1

WO2015110461A1 - Support structure for prosthetic teeth

Info

Publication number: WO2015110461A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/051122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norbert Mühlburger
Original assignee: Westcam Technologies Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-01-21
Filing date: 2015-01-21
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Also published as: DE102014100661A1

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a support structure for prosthetic teeth comprises at least one support element which has a surface structure that is shaped such that during production of a prosthetic tooth the surface structure forms a detachable form-fitting connection with the prosthetic tooth.

Description

Carrier structure for prosthesis

Technical area

The present invention relates to a support structure for denture teeth, in particular for plastic denture teeth, and a method for

Making prosthetic teeth.

Background of the invention

Plastic prosthetic teeth are usually mainly after a principle comparable pressing process by means of production forms

produced. These specific to requirements of denture tooth

Production forms manufactured from manufacturing companies consist of round or rectangular shapes made of steel, brass or copper-beryllium alloys, in which a plastic mixture (for example PMMA monomer mixture) is inserted and under pressure and heat in the desired shape

polymerized.

In order to achieve the most natural-looking appearance, several plastic layers are often pressed one after the other, sprayed, etc.

Due to the nature of the process, plastic denture teeth typically end up being applied production methods and subsequent surface treatment (for example, removal of a ridge, surface polishing) as bulk material which is usually not typical for the type, in order to be subsequently order-specific

to be made up. So there the plastic teeth after the production step further

Post-processing steps (removal of the burr, etc.) must be fed individually, the number and arrangement of individual teeth in

corresponding tool forms primarily dependent on it as one

Tool mold (usually round or rectangular) can be used efficiently: As small as possible total required tool shapes, the lowest possible total set-up times, etc. After the last production step in the composite (for example, as so-called

Sprocket), a possible composite of prosthetic teeth is typically resolved. However, at the latest for fabrication and delivery of the dental arrays to dental technicians based on individual order configurations, the dental composite must be resolved (e.g., by aborting, milling or cutting individual teeth from a common carrier medium) and the handling of individual teeth must be organized. Such a

Dental composite is known for example from EP 2 532 322.

As a conventional packaging and transport element, the individual teeth are automated according to the prior art to a so-called

As a rule, six to eight order-specific prepared denture teeth on a common wax bar, usually the smallest distribution unit, are applied. Alternatively, loose teeth (without wax strip) in small lockable containers (with openings for removing one single tooth) or as bulk material are sent to the dental technician to a small extent. Presentation of the invention

Thus, there may be a need for a method of manufacturing

To provide prosthetic teeth, in which a subsequent

Post-processing and / or handling may be simplified.

This need may be met by a method for making prosthetic teeth and a modular prosthetic tooth positioning system according to the independent claims. preferred

Embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

According to an exemplary aspect, a support structure for

Denture teeth on at least one support element, which a

Surface structure which is formed such that the

Surface structure in the manufacture of a prosthetic tooth with the

Prosthesis tooth forms a releasable positive connection with the surface structure.

Thus, it may be possible that the prosthetic tooth produced is non-destructively removable from the surface structure of the support member.

In particular, the term "prosthetic tooth" in addition to complete

artificial teeth also dental crowns and other dental prosthesis, which is made for example of plastic or similar materials. However, prosthetic teeth do not become complete dentures

refers to which the prosthetic teeth are installed only below. In the shape of the surface structure (irrespective of the material of the support structure), a positive fit (e.g., hook shape) is preferably selected which has a corresponding complementary shape on a

Denture tooth of any design allows. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, there is provided a tool set for the manufacture of a denture tooth, comprising: a tool mold having a cavity; and at least one support structure according to a

exemplary aspect, which is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the cavity of the mold during manufacture of the prosthetic tooth.

In particular, the tool mold may have a plurality of cavities. For example, the mold may have a number of cavities corresponding to the number of support members having the support structure. For example, the cavities may have a different shape. The different shapes of the cavities may be complementary, in particular at least in some areas, to the tool shape of prosthetic teeth to be produced. In particular, the mold may be formed in two or more parts. The mold may be designed in particular for a casting process, for example by injection molding, or for a pressing process. It may thus be a mold or a mold. In particular, the cavity may at least in

Partial areas have a negative mold of a denture tooth or form such a negative mold. Thus, already in the production of the

Prosthetic teeth one embodiment of the support structure can be used as an insert in single or multi-stage (for example, in multi-layer teeth) production process. This insert can also be optionally used as a packaging / transport unit subsequently.

According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a method of making a denture tooth having a predetermined material, the method comprising: providing a tool mold having a cavity; at least partially inserting a support structure according to an exemplary aspect into the cavity of the tool mold; and filling the predetermined material in the cavity. In particular, the given material may be a plastic material.

For example, the surface structure may be inserted into the mold or into the cavity of the mold. In particular, that likes

Filling of the given material by filling a paste pasted into a paste, for example a plastic powder paste, which is filled into a mold, or done by casting, for example injection molding, the given material in a mold. In particular, the term "carrier structure" may refer to a structure which can carry a denture tooth after its production and which is further connected to the denture tooth and thus can be used to handle the denture tooth taken from the production mold which to

Preparation of the denture tooth is used and which after the

Manufacture is no longer connected to the prosthetic tooth.

The term "releasable positive locking" may mean, in particular, that two elements form a positive connection or that there is a positive connection between them, which can be released or removed without destroying one or both elements

subsequently be brought back into a positive connection.

The term "surface structure" may in particular relate to a structure which is formed on the surface of a body, for example an insert or support element, and which not only has a smooth surface or not only has a microscopic roughness to understand consciously introduced macroscopic structures

cause macroscopic roughness or unevenness and is due to a surface roughness caused by technical or manufacturing reasons differ. The term is to be interpreted broadly and may in particular include any type of structure which is suitable to form a positive connection with a second element. These include, for example, projections, noses, teeth, tongues, indentations, depressions, indentations, hook-shaped structures, barb-shaped structures, etc.

The provision of a support structure which has on a carrier element a surface structure which is suitable for forming a releasable positive connection with a manufactured or produced prosthetic tooth may in particular have the advantage that a subsequent

Processing or further processing is simplified. By the

Provision of a positive connection, it may be possible in particular that a prosthetic tooth can be placed several times and removed again from the support structure. For example, the support structure can thus be used as a carrier or handling aid. In particular, the surface structure may be formed at a location corresponding to a site on the prosthetic tooth that is in the region of the basal side or the basal end of the denture tooth. By using a support structure with a surface structure that can provide a positive fit, it may also be that the use of wax strips for further processing or a

Transport can be saved, since the support structure can also serve as a transport bracket. Also a positioning of the

Denture tooth relative to any reference may be simplified by the provision of a support structure, so that a fully automated further or post-processing may be simplified.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described. It should be noted that embodiments will be described with reference to different objects. In particular, some are Embodiments described with device claims and other embodiments with method claims. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of

Characteristics associated with a type of object

Also, any combination of features described in connection with different types of objects is possible. According to an exemplary embodiment, the support structure has a plurality of support elements.

In particular, the plurality of support elements each one like

Surface structure, a majority or all of which are adapted to provide a positive connection with a prosthetic tooth. In particular, there may be six or eight support members. In this way, it may be possible to easily make and handle a number of prosthetic teeth simultaneously, such as a typical six or eight prosthetic tooth distribution unit

equivalent. The support structure having a plurality of support members may be similar to an overall shape of a comb in which the support members form the tines of the comb.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier structure is integrally formed with the plurality of carrier elements. In particular, the plurality of carrier elements may be connected to each other by means of a connecting element.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the

Carrier elements on a surface structure. In particular, like the

Surface structures of the individual carrier elements all a same shape identify. Alternatively, the surface structures may have a different shape. A combination of several identical and several different shapes is possible. According to an exemplary embodiment, the

Surface structure on a projection and / or a depression.

In particular, the surface structure may have a hook structure which prevents or at least impedes unintentional falling or removal of a denture tooth. Such a hook structure may be formed, for example, as a barb structure or shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the carrier element comprises an elastic material.

In particular, the carrier element may comprise or consist of an elastic plastic material. Such an elastic material may be suitable for the positive locking, which in a manufactured

Denture tooth between the surface structure and the denture tooth is formed, non-destructively solvable. In particular, the likes

Surface structure itself and / or the surface structure with respect to the support member to be elastically movable, for example, a

To allow snap-fit connection, which solvable and

is recoverable.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the method, at least the surface structure of the support structure comprises a material which is different from the predetermined material. In particular, the material having the surface structure may be selected such that it does not interfere with the given material Material conclusion. Thus, it may be possible that the support structure can subsequently be easily removed or removed from the denture tooth produced. In particular, the predetermined material may be selected such that during the manufacturing process or method of the prosthetic tooth, no material connection is established between the predetermined material and the surface structure and / or carrier structure.

For example, as a given material for the denture tooth

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can be used. Advantageously deviates to during the tooth production, the support structure as an insert (or as a connecting element between several simultaneously produced

To be able to use individual teeth), the material for the support structure according to plastics of individual layers of the prosthetic teeth, so as to prevent a complementary to form-fitting connection cohesive connection, or reduce their risk.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises a removal of the denture tooth from the mold, wherein the support structure remains positively connected to the denture tooth. In particular, the denture tooth that is removed may be a fully manufactured prosthetic tooth, or it may still be a blank of one

Prosthetic tooth, which is further processed, on which

For example, additional layers may be applied (e.g., pressed or sprayed).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises feeding the composite of carrier structure and denture tooth to a further processing step. In particular, the further processing step may be carried out while the one or more prosthetic teeth or prosthetic tooth blanks still one Form composite with the support structure. For example, another processing step may be applying a layer to a denture tooth (or blank). The further layer may in this case for example by means of an injection molding process (spraying a further layer) or by means of a pressing process (pressing a further layer on a

Prosthesis tooth blank) happen.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises a reworking of the denture tooth during the

nachzubearbeitende prosthetic tooth forms a positive connection with the surface structure.

Under the term "reworking" like in particular

Processing steps are taken, which is subjected to a substantially prepared prosthetic tooth. Among them are steps like polishing,

Deburring, flattening, curing, treatment of a surface (e.g., applying a thin surface layer but not changing the shape of the denture tooth) will occur. In a broad interpretation, the term "reworking" may also mean sorting, packaging and / or shipping of the prosthetic teeth

In particular, "processing steps" or "manufacturing steps" in the narrower sense should be distinguished, which relate to the manufacture of a prosthetic tooth or denture blank, such as a filling and pressing process or casting process, a milling or removal of material to change the shape of the prosthetic tooth, the Applying one or more additional layers, which is done in the construction or manufacture of a multilayer or multi-layer prosthetic tooth. All these "processing steps" or "manufacturing steps" have in common that the macroscopic form of the denture tooth is created or changed, whereas in a "post-processing" not the macroscopic form, but at most the microscopic surface is changed. According to an exemplary embodiment of the method, the post-processing is a sorting step and / or a packaging step and / or a sending step.

In summary, a basic idea of a specific exemplary embodiment may be seen in providing a prosthetic tooth support structure. In particular, the carrier structure has one or more carrier elements (e) with a surface structure onto which individual or a plurality of prosthetic teeth, in particular made of plastic, are positively plugged or can be removed again from the latter. These prosthetic teeth can subsequently be in a partial or

Full denture permanently installed. The composite or the system of carrier element and tooth / teeth may arise from the fact that in the production of individual teeth these are pressed or sprayed directly onto a loaded into a mold or a production tool carrier element.

Some of the exemplary embodiments may have some or more of the following effects or benefits:

The handling of denture teeth can be done throughout

Manufacturing process (from pressing to quality assurance or

Delivery) in a position clearly defined per tooth. This also results in support for automation of the entire handling process,

the denture teeth can be repeatedly inserted or removed on the surface structure or the carrier element,

The support structure or the carrier element (as an insert during tooth production process) can also be made of other materials such as

Material of the denture teeth or the mold to be made, for example, to prevent a material connection or at least complicate and can be reused several times for the denture tooth production process,

The carrier structure can be used as a packaging / transport element and can be executed as a cost-effective injection molded part. If manufactured as a cost effective part, it can also be designed as a disposable part. As a result, a complete replacement of conventional wax strips are possible whose production and handling makes much greater demands,

The support structure can serve as a replacement for conventional wax strips as a packaging / transport unit for delivery. In contrast to partially wax-contaminated teeth when using

Wax strips (packaging / transport unit), the denture teeth can be used immediately without appropriate wax removal and be used in a prosthesis.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following, for further explanation and for better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it :

1A to 1D, a schematic support structure according to a

exemplary embodiment;

Figures 2A to 2D, the support structure of Fig. L in conjunction with

Denture teeth;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a composite of support structure and

Prosthetic tooth; and 4 shows a tool set for the production of a prosthetic tooth.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The illustrations in the figures are schematic. Hereinafter, an exemplary example of a support structure for manufacturing a denture tooth will be described. Generally this concerns

Embodiment, a system or a composite consisting of a product (prosthetic tooth with a suitable for a positive connection recess / increase on the basal side of the tooth) and a support structure with at least one support member having at least one opposite (complementary) increase / depression or

Surface structure, which together form a positively connected carrier system or a composite. FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a carrier structure according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 1A shows a carrier structure 100 which has a total of six carrier elements 101 and which are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 102.

are integrally formed. The entire support structure 100 may also be referred to as an insert because it is configured or adapted to be placed in a tool mold.

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the carrier structure from FIG. 1A, whereby a surface structure 103, which is designed as a hook in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, is visible. The surface structure forms at least part of the carrier element 101 and is designed such that it can form a positive connection with a prosthetic tooth (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, in FIG. 1B, the connecting element 102 can be seen in cross section.

FIGS. 1C and 1D show perspective views of the support structure 100. Illustratively, the support structure of FIG. 1 forms a comb-like element, in which the support elements 101 form the teeth of the comb.

It should be noted that another arrangement of the

Carrier elements, for example in the form of a semicircle, quarter circle or the like, may be formed. The surface structure, which is shown in Fig. 1 as a hook, can take many different forms.

For example, it may be peg-shaped (with any cross-section, e.g., round, angular, or star-shaped), groove-like, or a similar shape. It should be noted, however, that the shape of the surface structure should allow a releasable positive locking, which allows a handling of the composite of carrier element or support structure and prosthetic tooth.

FIG. 2 shows the support structure from FIG. 1 in combination with FIG

Denture teeth. In particular, FIG. 2A shows the carrier structure 100 from FIG. 1A, in which the surface structures 103 and / or 103 are provided

Prosthetic teeth 210 are arranged. The shape of the prosthetic teeth can take any desired shape. FIG. 2B shows a side view of the support structure 100 from FIG. 1B with the denture tooth 210. FIGS. 2C and 2D show perspective views of the support structure 100 from FIGS. 1C and 1D, onto which denture teeth 200 are attached.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a composite of support structure 300 and prosthetic tooth 310. In particular, FIG. 3 shows a section through a

Carrier structure 300 with a support member 301 and attached surface structure 303. Further, Fig. 3 shows a prosthetic tooth 310 in Sectional view, which forms a positive connection with the surface structure 303. For this purpose, the prosthetic tooth has a further surface structure, which is substantially complementary to the surface structure of the

Carrier element is.

The positive connection preferably takes place (as also shown in FIG. 3) at the basal end or the basal side of the prosthetic tooth, which is typically no longer visible after the prosthetic tooth has been installed in a prosthesis. Also, the further surface structure on

Prosthetic tooth also used to be a supportive

Form fit to achieve during installation in the prosthesis. It should be noted that both protruding (convex) shapes and shapes that form a depression (concave shapes) can be used as surface structures for the support member.

FIG. 4 shows a tool set for producing a denture tooth.

In particular, FIG. 4 shows a tool mold 420 which has an upper part 421 and a lower part 422. Further, in the tool mold 420, a cavity 423 is formed, which on the one hand serves to receive a support structure 424, which is inserted in FIG. 4 inserted into the cavity, and on the other hand as a negative mold for a prosthetic tooth. The

In this case, tool mold 420 can be designed to produce a prosthetic tooth or a plurality of prosthetic teeth by means of a pressing process, by means of a casting process or by means of a sharpening process.

In particular, it should be noted that thus already during the

Tooth production process (pressing, spraying, injecting, etc.) in principle a form-fitting detachable from the tooth carrier element or a support structure (with the function of a connecting element between a plurality of individual teeth) directly used in a prosthetic tooth and pressed with or

is overmoulded accordingly. Thus, in the course of the production of prosthetic teeth in the basal side of a prosthetic tooth (later in the prosthesis material is no longer visible) generates a positive depression or survey, so this already in the course of the production sequence processes and later up to insertion into the final prosthesis often applied to a correspondingly opposite support element or support structure or can be removed again. The support structure may consist of any suitable material. However, this material is preferably chosen so that it does not form a material bond with the tooth material. Advantageously, especially during the production process or the

Production steps, if possible, but not necessarily, a friction and especially a cohesive connection between a prosthetic tooth and a support member can be avoided, so that as often as possible separating and connecting the tooth and support element can be given by hand force and without loss of positional accuracy. Thus, it may be possible to achieve an accurate and reproducible positioning of a tooth relative to any defined reference, which may be a possibility of fully automated further processing or post-processing (deburring, milling, packaging, quality assurance) may be or at least simplified. During and between all production steps or post-processing steps here is the

Denture tooth as often as possible detached from the support structure and fixable again.

The support structure, in particular a surface structure which can form a positive connection with a denture tooth (for example by means of a recess and / or elevation), is already used as a connecting element between a plurality of teeth during the Production process of the teeth used and can, if desired, subsequently used as a packaging and transport medium. The support structure can thus, by providing support elements with suitable form-fitting surface structures, thus at the same time also replace a conventional wax strip.

The proposed support structure may be along the entire

Processing chain from the production of (plastic) prosthetic teeth by prosthetic dentistry companies to the insertion of ready-made rows of teeth in a patient-specific individually executed dentures are used by a dental technician.

Some may be following along this processing chain

give exemplary advantages, which can enable further product as well as process innovations:

Carrier structure as an insert in the production of prosthetic teeth:

Enabling or simplifying a fully automatic

Tooth production (from the production of prosthetic tooth prepared plastic base material to the ready-made packaging / transport unit),

the selected parting plane of the tools on the tooth may not be dependent on the support structure (which is used as the insert part), e.g. a separating plane according to FIG. 3 is executable as well as, for example, layered overmolding (injection molding) or re-pressing

(Pressing method) starting from the positive connection part (e.g.

hook-shaped) on the support structure,

The prosthetic teeth may be present on the support structure (insert) during the entire production and IMachbearbeitungsprozesses and thus with a defined position of each prosthetic tooth. Carrier element as packaging or transport unit:

Significantly reduced stocking of individual teeth produced by order-related production of rows of teeth (carrier element is already used as an insert in production and then sent as a packaging / transport unit),

If the support structure or the insert is not to be used as a packaging / transport unit, allows the standardized form-fitting separable connection between prosthetic teeth and

Carrier element both the automated separation of the production-relevant insert as well as the automated replacement of the denture teeth on an analogously executed packaging / transport unit (fully automated handling of the teeth),

Introduction of modern ^{, λ} packaging / transport units (elimination of wax bars, different designs are possible),

Use of the carrier system for the sample directly at

Dentist patients (similar to a conventional so-called color rake but the opposite with the advantage of the already existing final tooth geometry, so that the patient by holding on to the mouth a better idea even before completion of a prosthesis can be taught).

In summary, some advantages and effects are mentioned below. With a suitable for a positive connection support member or support structure at least one or more identical or different denture teeth are positively connected via a respective uniquely defined point on the tooth, so that no detachment of a tooth is possible without in this resulting composite

Prosthetic tooth and support structure additionally introduced force is necessary. Each tooth is individually detachable from the support structure (carrier element) and fixable again. In particular, like (standardized) or different embodiments of the positive connections on a support structure may be realized, for example by the same or different surface structures are formed. The support structure can be used as a carrier medium in the entire production of prosthetic teeth and production-following process steps incl.

Packaging or transport element can be used. This also applies to the production of denture teeth without layer structure or with any number of plastic layers or in the production by injection molding to allow a layered overmolding. It should also be noted that the support structure can be used as a packaging / transport unit to which also previously loosely produced teeth (with

according to positive depression or increase) are plugged.

In addition, it should be understood that "comprising" or "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality thereof Further, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to any of the above embodiments

may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

Claims

Patent claims

1. support structure for denture teeth, which comprises

at least one carrier element, which has a surface structure which is shaped such that the surface structure forms a releasable positive connection with the surface structure when producing a denture tooth with the denture tooth.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of support elements.

The support structure according to claim 2, wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the plurality of support members.

4. A support structure according to claim 3, wherein each of the support members has a surface structure.

5. Carrier structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the

Surface structure has a projection and / or a recess.

6. Carrier structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the

Carrier element comprises an elastic material.

7. tool set for the production of a denture tooth, which has

a mold with a cavity; and

at least one support structure according to one of claims 1 to 6, which is adapted to be at least partially inserted into the cavity of the mold during the manufacture of the prosthetic tooth.

8. A method of manufacturing a denture tooth comprising a given material, the method comprising:

Providing a mold with a cavity;

at least partially inserting a support structure according to one of claims 1 to 6 in the cavity of the mold; and

Filling the given material into the cavity.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein at least the surface structure of the support structure comprises a material which is different from the predetermined material.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising:

Removing the denture tooth from the mold, wherein the

Carrier structure remains positively connected to the denture tooth.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

Feeding the composite of support structure and prosthetic tooth to another processing step.

The method of claim 10 or 11, further comprising:

Reprocessing of the prosthetic tooth while the denture tooth to be reworked forms a positive bond with the surface structure.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the post-processing a

Sorting step and / or a packaging step and / or a

Dispatching step is.