DE102014100661A1 - Carrier structure for denture teeth - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an exemplary aspect, a support structure for denture teeth has at least one support element which has a surface structure which is shaped in such a way that the surface structure forms a releasable positive connection with the surface structure when producing a denture tooth with the prosthetic tooth.

Description

Technical area

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

Background of the invention

Plastic prosthetic teeth are usually produced mainly by a basically comparable pressing method by means of production molds. These production forms, which are manufactured specifically to meet the requirements of the prosthetic tooth, consist of round or rectangular shapes made of steel, brass or copper-beryllium alloys into which a plastic mixture (eg PMMA monomer mixture) is inserted and under pressure and heat in the polymerized desired shape.

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 (eg, removal of a ridge, surface polishing) as bulk material that is usually not type-specific, so that it can subsequently be made to order.

Since, therefore, the plastic teeth have to be fed separately after the production step to further post-processing steps (removal of the burr, etc.), the number and arrangement of individual teeth in corresponding tool shapes is primarily dependent on how a tool shape (usually round or rectangular) can be used efficiently: if possible Low number of total required molds, the lowest possible total setup times, etc.

After the last production step in the composite (eg as so-called sprocket), a possible bond of the denture teeth is typically dissolved. However, at the latest for assembly and delivery of the rows of teeth to a dental technician on the basis of individual order configurations, the dental composite must be dissolved (eg by breaking off, milling off or cutting off individual teeth from a common carrier medium) and the handling of individual teeth must be organized. Such a dental composite is for example off EP 2 532 322 known.

As a conventional packaging and transport element, the individual teeth are automatically applied to a so-called wax bar according to the prior art, so that usually six to eight order specific prefabricated 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 to provide a method of making denture teeth in which 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 has at least one support element which has a surface structure which is shaped in such a way that the surface structure forms a releasable positive connection with the surface structure when producing a denture tooth with the prosthetic tooth.

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 may include dental crowns and other dental prostheses, which is made for example of plastic or similar materials. As prosthetic tooth, however, no complete prostheses are referred to, to which the prosthetic teeth are installed only below. In the case of the shape of the surface structure (irrespective of the material of the support structure), a form-fitting design (eg hook shape) is preferably selected which allows a corresponding complementary shape on a prosthesis tooth of any desired design.

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 an exemplary aspect, which is adapted to when manufacturing the Denture tooth at least partially inserted into the cavity of the mold.

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 have, at least in some areas, a negative mold of a denture tooth or form such a negative mold. Thus, during the production of the prosthetic teeth, an embodiment of the support structure can be used as an insert part in the single-stage or multi-stage (eg in the case of multi-layered 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, the filling of the predetermined material may be done by filling a paste pasted into a paste, for example a plastic powder paste, which is filled into a mold, or by casting, for example injection molding, of the given material into a casting mold.

The term "support structure" may in particular designate a structure which can carry a denture tooth after the production thereof and is further connected to the denture tooth and thus can be used to handle the denture tooth taken from the production mold. In particular, this does not include a press or casting mold which is used to produce the prosthetic tooth and which is no longer connected to the prosthetic tooth after manufacture.

The term "detachable positive locking" may mean, in particular, that two elements form a positive connection or there is a positive connection between them, which can be released or removed without destroying one or both elements. Furthermore, the two elements may 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. In particular, this is therefore to be understood deliberately and deliberately introduced macroscopic structures. A surface structure may thus cause a macroscopic roughness or unevenness and is to be distinguished from a surface roughness caused by technical or manufacturing reasons. 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 carrier structure which has a surface structure on a carrier element which is suitable for forming a releasable positive connection with a manufactured or produced denture tooth may in particular have the advantage that a subsequent processing or further processing is simplified. By providing a positive connection, it may in particular be possible for a denture tooth to 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 which can provide a positive fit, it may also be possible to save the use of wax strips for further processing or transport since the support structure can simultaneously serve as a transport support. Positioning of the prosthetic tooth relative to any reference may also be accomplished by providing a support structure be simplified, 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 embodiments with device claims and other embodiments with method claims are described. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features described in connection with a type of article, any combination of features disclosed in U.S. Pat Be described in connection with different types of objects.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the support structure has a plurality of support elements.

In particular, the plurality of support elements each may have a surface structure, a majority or all of which are adapted to provide a positive engagement 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 at the same time, as it corresponds to a typical distribution unit of six or eight prosthetic teeth. 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 has a surface structure. In particular, the surface structures of the individual carrier elements may all have the same shape. 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 has a projection and / or a recess.

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 non-destructive release of the form-fit which is formed between the surface structure and the prosthetic tooth in the case of a manufactured prosthetic tooth. In particular, the surface structure itself and / or the surface structure may be elastically movable with respect to the carrier element, for example in order to enable a snap-fit positive locking which is releasable and 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 enter into a material bond with the given material. Thus, it may be possible that the support structure can subsequently be easily removed or removed from the denture tooth produced. In particular, the given material may be chosen such that during the manufacturing process or process of the prosthetic tooth no material connection between the predetermined material and the surface structure and / or support structure is established. For example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can be used as the predetermined material for the prosthetic tooth. Advantageously, in order to be able to use the carrier structure as an insert (or as a connecting element between a plurality of simultaneously produced individual teeth) during tooth production, the material for the carrier structure deviates correspondingly from plastics of individual layers of the prosthetic teeth, thus providing a cohesive connection which is complementary to the positive connection type prevent 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 withdrawn may be a fully manufactured prosthetic tooth, or it may still be a blank of a denture tooth which is further processed on which, for example, additional layers are applied (eg, 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 prosthetic tooth or prosthetic tooth blanks still form a composite with the carrier structure. For example, another processing step may be applying a layer to a denture tooth (or blank). The further layer may in this case be effected, for example, by means of an injection molding process (injection of a further layer) or by means of a pressing process (pressing of a further layer onto a denture tooth blank).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises a post-processing of the prosthetic tooth, while the post-processed prosthetic tooth forms a positive connection with the surface structure.

The term "reworking" may, in particular, include processing steps to which a substantially produced denture tooth is subjected. These may include steps such as polishing, deburring, smoothing, curing, surface treatment (eg, applying a thin surface layer, which, however, does not change the shape of the denture tooth). In a broad interpretation, the term "reworking" may also be understood to mean sorting, packaging and / or shipping of the prosthetic teeth or teeth. Of these, in particular, "processing steps" or "manufacturing steps" may be to be distinguished in the strict sense, which relate to the production of a prosthetic tooth or denture blank, such as a filling and pressing process or casting process, a milling or ablation of material to change the shape of the prosthetic tooth , the application of one or more additional layers, which is carried out 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 permanently installed in a partial or full denture. 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.

• – das Handling der Prothesenzähne kann während des gesamten Herstellungsprozesses (vom Pressen bis zur Qualitätssicherung bzw. Auslieferung) in einer je Zahn eindeutig definierten Position erfolgen. Hieraus ergibt sich auch eine Unterstützung einer Automatisierung des gesamten Handlingprozesses,
• – die Prothesenzähne können wiederholt auf die Oberflächenstruktur bzw. das Trägerelement gesteckt bzw. wieder abgenommen werden,
• – die Trägerstruktur bzw. das Trägerelement (als Einlegeteil während Zahn-Produktionsvorgang) kann auch aus anderen Materialien wie das Material der Prothesenzähne bzw. der Werkzeugform hergestellt sein, beispielsweise um einen Stoffschluss zu verhindern bzw. zumindest zu erschweren, und kann für den Prothesenzahn-Produktionsprozess mehrmals wiederverwendet werden,
• – die Trägerstruktur kann als Verpackungs-/Transportelement verwendet werden und ist als kostengünstiges Spritzgussteil ausführbar. Sofern es als kostengünstiges Teil hergestellt wird, kann es auch als Wegwerfteil konzipiert werden. Hierdurch kann ein vollständiger Ersatz konventioneller Wachsleisten ermöglicht werden, deren Herstellung und Handhabung wesentlich größere Ansprüche stellt,
• – die Trägerstruktur kann als Ersatz von konventionellen Wachsleisten auch als Verpackungs-/Transporteinheit für Auslieferung dienen. Im Gegensatz zu teilweise vom Wachs verschmutzten Zähnen bei Verwendung von Wachsleisten (Verpackungs-/Transporteinheit) können die Prothesenzähne ohne entsprechende Wachsentfernung sofort verwendbar und in eine Prothese einsetzbar sein.

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

• - The denture teeth can be handled during the entire manufacturing process (from pressing to quality assurance or delivery) in a unique position per tooth. This also results in support for automation of the entire handling process,
• The prosthetic teeth can be repeatedly inserted or removed on the surface structure or the carrier element,
• The carrier structure or the carrier element (as an insert part during the tooth production process) can also be made of other materials such as the material of the denture teeth or the tool mold, for example to prevent or at least aggravate a material bond, and can be used for the prosthetic denture. Production process can be reused several times,
• - The support structure can be used as a packaging / transport element and is executable as a low-cost 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 substitute for conventional wax strips as packaging / transport unit for delivery. In contrast to partially wax-soiled teeth when using wax strips ( Packaging / transport unit), the denture teeth without immediate wax removal can be used immediately 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 an exemplary embodiment;

2A to 2D the support structure 1 in conjunction with prosthetic teeth;

3 a sectional view of a composite of support structure and prosthetic tooth; and

4 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, the embodiment relates to a system or a composite consisting of a product (prosthetic tooth with a depression / elevation on the basal side of the tooth suitably adapted for a positive connection) and a support structure with at least one support element with at least one counter (complementary) elevation / depression or surface structure, which together form a positively connected carrier system or a composite.

1 shows a schematic representation of a support structure according to an exemplary embodiment. In particular shows 1A a carrier structure 100 , which a total of six support elements 101 and having a connecting element 102 interconnected or integrally formed. The entire support structure 100 may also be referred to as an insert because it is set up or adapted to be placed in a tool mold.

In 1B is a side view of the support structure 1A represented, whereby a surface structure 103 which in the embodiment of the 1 is designed as a hook, is visible. The surface structure forms at least a part of the carrier element 101 and is designed such that it can form a positive connection with a denture tooth (see. 2 ). Furthermore, in 1B the connecting element 102 to see in cross section.

The 1C and 1D show perspective views of the support structure 100 , Illustratively, the support structure forms the 1 a comb-like element, wherein the support elements 101 forming the tines of the comb.

It should be noted that another arrangement of the support elements, for example in the form of a semicircle, quarter circle or the like, may be formed. Also the surface structure, which in 1 shown as a hook, can take many different forms. For example, it may be peg-shaped (with arbitrary cross-sections, for example, round, angular or star-shaped), having a groove-like or 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.

2 shows here the support structure 1 in conjunction with prosthetic teeth. In particular, the shows 2A the support structure 100 from the 1A in which on or on the surface structures 103 denture teeth 210 are arranged. The shape of the prosthetic teeth can take any desired shape. The 2 B shows a side view of the support structure 100 out 1B with the denture tooth 210 , The 2C and 2D show perspective views of the support structure 100 from the 1C and 1D on which prosthetic teeth 200 are plugged.

3 shows a sectional view of a composite carrier structure 300 and denture tooth 310 , In particular shows 3 a section through a support structure 300 with a carrier element 301 and attached surface structure 303 , Further shows 3 a prosthetic tooth 310 in sectional view, which a positive connection with the surface structure 303 forms. For this purpose, the prosthetic tooth has a further surface structure, which is substantially complementary to the surface structure of the carrier element.

The positive connection is preferably (as well as in 3 shown) at the basal end or the basal side of the prosthetic tooth, which is typically no longer visible after an obstruction of the prosthetic tooth in a prosthesis. The additional surface structure on the denture tooth can also be used in order to achieve a supportive positive fit when installed 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.

4 shows a tool set for the production of a prosthetic tooth. In particular, in 4 a tool shape 420 shown, which is an upper part 421 and a lower part 422 having. Furthermore, in the mold 420 a cavity 423 formed, which on the one hand the inclusion of a support structure 424 , what a 4 inserted in the cavity is shown, and on the other hand serves as a negative mold for a prosthetic tooth. The tool shape 420 In this case, it 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.) a form-releasably releasable from the tooth carrier element or a support structure (with the function of a connecting element between a plurality of individual teeth) directly into a prosthetic tooth and with pressed or injected 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 frictional and especially a cohesive connection between a prosthetic tooth and a support element should be avoided, so that as often as possible separating and connecting tooth and support element with manual force and can be given 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 in this case 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 connecting element between several teeth during the production process of the teeth and can, if desired, subsequently also be 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 can be used along the entire processing chain from the production of the (plastic) prosthetic teeth by prosthetic dentistry companies to the insertion of ready-made rows of teeth in a patient-specific individually performed denture by a dental technician.

Along this processing chain, there may be some advantages exemplified below that may allow for both advanced product and process innovation:

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

• - Enabling or simplifying a fully automatic tooth production (from the production of denture 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 Einlegteil), so z. B. a parting line according to 3 is equally executable, such as, for example, layered overmolding (injection molding) or pressing (pressing) starting from the positive connection part (eg hook-shaped) on the support structure,
• - The denture teeth may be present during the entire production and post-processing process on the support structure (insert) and thus with a defined position of each prosthetic tooth.

Carrier element as packaging or transport unit:

• - Significantly reduced storage of individual teeth produced by order-related production of rows of teeth (carrier element is already used as an insert in the 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, the standardized form-fitting separable connection between denture teeth and support element allows both the automated separation of production-relevant insert and the automated replacement of the denture teeth on an analog packaging / transport unit (fully automated handling of the teeth),
• - introduction of modern "packaging / transport units (elimination of wax bars, different designs are possible),
• - Use of the support system for the sample directly at the dentist's 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, the same (standardized) or different embodiments of the form-fitting connections on a support structure may be realized, for example by forming identical or different surface structures. The support structure can be used as a carrier medium in the entire production of prosthetic teeth and production-following process steps including packaging or transport element. 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 on which also previously loosely produced teeth (with corresponding positive recess or increase) are plugged.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" or "having" does not exclude other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be appreciated 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.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2532322 [0006]

Claims (13)

Carrier 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. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of support members. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the plurality of support members. A support structure according to claim 3, wherein each of the support members has a surface structure. Carrier structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surface structure has a projection and / or a recess. A support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support member comprises an elastic material. Tool set for the production of a prosthetic 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. A method of making a denture tooth having 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. A method according to claim 8, wherein at least the surface structure of the support structure comprises a material which is different from the given material. A method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising: Removing the prosthetic tooth from the mold, wherein the support structure remains positively connected to the prosthetic tooth. 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. The method of claim 12, wherein the post-processing is a sorting step and / or a packaging step and / or a dispensing step.

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