U.S. patent application number 15/487261 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for system and process for duplication of dentures.
The applicant listed for this patent is Global Dental Science, LLC. Invention is credited to Andrzej J. Jakson, Scott C. Keating, Timothy C. Thompson.
Application Number | 20170215999 15/487261 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46025121 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170215999 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Timothy C. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2017 |
SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR DUPLICATION OF DENTURES
Abstract
Systems and processes for the duplication of dentures from
existing dentures. The interior and exterior of the dentures are
scanned and a best fit procedure is used to create a fully
digitized denture. The denture teeth are selected from a library
that is the closest fit to the original denture teeth. The library
teeth are offset a preset distance to compensate for the best fit.
The teeth are then subtracted from the digitized denture. The
margins of the denture are then cleaned after subtracting the
teeth. The denture base is then ready for manufacturing. The teeth
are then installed onto the denture base and provided to the
patient.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Timothy C.;
(Fountain Hills, AZ) ; Keating; Scott C.;
(Louisville, CO) ; Jakson; Andrzej J.; (Amherst,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Global Dental Science, LLC |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46025121 |
Appl. No.: |
15/487261 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13823466 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
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PCT/US11/59239 |
Nov 3, 2011 |
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15487261 |
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12939136 |
Nov 3, 2010 |
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13823466 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 13/10 20130101;
A61C 13/01 20130101; A61C 13/26 20130101; A61C 13/0004 20130101;
G06F 30/00 20200101; A61C 13/34 20130101; A61C 9/0006 20130101;
A61C 13/0009 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61C 13/00 20060101
A61C013/00; G06F 17/50 20060101 G06F017/50; A61C 13/01 20060101
A61C013/01; A61C 13/10 20060101 A61C013/10; A61C 9/00 20060101
A61C009/00; A61C 13/34 20060101 A61C013/34 |
Claims
1. A system for creating a duplicate denture from an existing
denture, the system comprising: a processing device configured to
execute computer-readable code; a memory device connected to said
processing device for storing computer-readable code; an interface
for receiving data relevant to a particular patient and storing
said data in said memory device; a rendering engine for creating a
digital three dimensional model of the existing dentures from scans
of the existing image; a selection engine for selecting the denture
teeth that best fits the digital denture model; a manipulation
engine adding a preset amount to the denture teeth, for subtracting
the denture teeth from the denture model and for cleaning the
margins of the denture model.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of denture
manufacture and particularly the duplication of existing
dentures.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Dentures are worn by a considerable number of individuals.
The average life span of a denture is approximately seven years,
although many individuals continue to wear dentures well beyond
that time period. Additionally, dentures become ill-fitting over
time due to changes in the patients anatomy. Dentures may also
become damaged over time as well. Also, some individuals may want
to have a spare denture in case of the loss of the original denture
or in the event of an accidental fracture of their primary denture.
The cost and time of creating a new denture can often be
considerable. Thus, it is often desirable to make a new denture
based on an existing denture, particularly if the patient is
satisfied with their existing dentures.
[0003] The duplication of an existing denture is preferable in most
circumstances as the transfer of the shape of the existing dentures
maintain the neuromuscular control to the new dentures. Minor
modifications are often necessary as well to compensate for worn
teeth and denture bases and for changes in the patients
anatomy.
[0004] There are a number of techniques currently available for
providing a patient with a duplicate denture. Many times a
temporary denture will be fabricated by the dentist for the patient
while the new denture is being fabricated. However, these temporary
dentures are usually ill-fitting, uncomfortable and not intended
for continued use. Duplicate dentures are normally fabricated based
on the prescription and information from the individual's original
dentures, if available. Often, there may be a considerable amount
of time that has elapsed and such information may not be available.
So rather than create a new denture from scratch, it is often more
sensible to duplicate a new denture from existing dentures.
[0005] There are a number of techniques currently available for
duplicating existing dentures. These techniques involve producing a
mold by inserting the existing denture into a rigid container such
as a duplicating flask, dental flask or other container filled with
an elastic material such as alginate or silicon putty. A wax or
auto-polymerizing resin template is then fabricated from the mold.
This template is tried in the patient's mouth and modifications are
made if necessary. Then the final denture is made and provided to
the patient. Other variations include forming a wax rim instead of
the auto-polymerizing resin or using a silicon putty to create the
denture base. These techniques require several try-ins to ensure
the proper fit in the patient and the creation of initial templates
or wax rims, then the actual denture. This entails considerable
time and expense for the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides systems and processes for the
precise duplication of dentures from existing dentures. The
duplicate dentures can be ready for delivery to the patient in a
relatively short time frame. The duplicate denture may even be
manufactured in the dentist office.
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides
systems and processes for duplicating a denture from an existing
denture. The denture is scanned and the scanned images are used to
create a fully digitized denture. A denture base can be fabricated
from this model and denture teeth can be designed or selected from
a library that is the closest fit to the original denture. The
teeth in the digital model are offset a preset distance. The teeth
with offset are then subtracted from the digitized denture. The
margins of the denture are then cleaned after subtracting the
teeth. The denture base is then ready for manufacturing. The teeth
are then installed onto the denture base.
[0008] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
interior and exterior of the dentures can be scanned as discussed
above. The dentist can also provide additional information
regarding the dentures and the patient as well to ensure a proper
fit. This additional information may be used to change the
digitized model of the denture.
[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention may use the
existing dentures to create bite impressions which are scanned
along with the existing dentures. These scans are used to create a
digital three dimensional image of the denture. This digital model
is then used to fabricate a duplicate denture.
[0010] The digitized denture model in another preferred embodiment,
may also be used to create a denture base. The teeth are subtracted
from the model, and teeth are either selected from a library or the
teeth may be directly fabricated from the denture information. The
denture teeth are temporarily installed in the denture base. This
temporary denture is then tried onto the patient. If the fit is not
correct, then the denture is used as a secondary impression tray to
create a set of bite impressions. These impressions are scanned and
used to select or fabricate another denture base. The teeth are
installed again and the denture is tried on the patient. This
process is repeated until the patient is satisfied. At that point,
the teeth are permanently installed, the denture is finally
processed and delivered to the patient.
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention creates a
best fit for the duplicate denture that maintains the occlusal
scheme of the existing denture. The occlusal scheme is maintained
while allowing changes to the denture for anatomical, functional
and aesthetic reasons.
[0012] These and other features of the claimed inventions will be
evident from the ensuing detailed description of preferred
embodiments, from the drawings and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the work flow process of one
preferred embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a denture to be duplicated.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the scanned images of the
denture.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a digital three dimensional
model of the denture.
[0017] FIG. 5 is another view of the digital model of the
denture.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the digital denture model.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the model with an offset added
to the teeth.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the digital denture with the
teeth being subtracted.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an illustration of the digital denture base being
cleaned after the teeth has been subtracted.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustration of the machined denture base.
[0023] FIG. 11 is another view of the machined denture base.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a view of the duplicated denture.
[0025] FIG. 13 is another view of the duplicated denture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present invention provides systems and process for the
duplication of dentures. Descriptive embodiments are provided
before for explanatory purposes. It is to be expressly understood
that the present invention is not be limited to these descriptive
embodiments. Other embodiments are considered to be within the
scope of the present invention, including without limitation the
use of the present invention for other applications, such as
denture duplication, dental implants, and other dental and
orthodontic applications. The descriptions below discuss the
systems of the present invention as used in dental labs, but it is
to be expressly understood that these systems could also be
implemented in the dentist office or through a network allowing
interaction between the dentist and the dental lab through the
systems. The processes and systems of the present invention may
also be used in combination with all or parts of the following
applications, entitled System and Processes for Optimization for
Dentures, Ser. No. 12/939,141; System and Process for Forming
Anatomical Features in Dentures, Ser. No. 12/939,138; Combination
Tool for Anatomical Measurement for Denture Manufacture, Ser. No.
13/249,210; and Removable Handle for Use with Dentures, Ser. No.
12/939,143 all of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0027] The terms denture base generally refers to the part of a
denture that fits the oral mucosa of the basal seat, restores the
normal contours of the soft tissues of the edentulous or partly
edentures mouth, and supports the artificial teeth. The term
denture refers to the denture base with the artificial teeth
attached.
[0028] Overview
[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides
systems and processes for duplicating a denture from an existing
denture. The denture is scanned and a best fit procedure is used to
create a fully digitized denture. An offset is added to the overall
dimension of the denture teeth. The denture teeth with the offset
are then subtracted from the digitized denture model. The margins
of the denture are then cleaned after subtracting the teeth. The
denture base is then ready for manufacturing. The teeth are then
installed onto the denture base.
[0030] Process
[0031] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed
that allows new dentures to be created from an existing denture.
The patient provides their existing dentures to the dentist for
scanning. Digital scans 30, 32 are created from the inside and
outside of the original denture 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Once
the scans are performed, the denture can be returned to the
patient. The system, as shown in the work flow diagram of FIG. 1,
applies a series of routines to create a digital three dimensional
model 40 of the existing denture as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0032] This digitized denture model 40 is then digitally compared
with denture teeth from a library to select the best fitting
denture teeth 50 in the scanned model as shown in FIG. 6. The
denture teeth 50 are then offset by a preset amount as shown in
FIG. 7. This adds an overall thickness to the teeth. The teeth are
then digitally subtracted from the digitized denture model as shown
in FIG. 8. The offset added to the teeth creates slightly larger
pockets in the denture base. The margins are then cleaned after the
teeth have been subtracted as shown in FIG. 9. This creates a
digital model 60 of the denture base for the patient as shown in
FIG. 10.
[0033] The denture teeth may be either selected from a library or
fabricated from the digital model in a number of process. In this
preferred embodiment, the denture base is machined in acrylic based
on the digital model 60. This can be done relatively quickly. Once
the denture base 70 has been fabricated as shown in FIGS. 10 and
11, the teeth 72 are installed and delivered to the patient for
try-in and use as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0034] This entire process can be done in a relatively fast time
frame. In some instance, the duplication process can take place in
the dentist offices. In other instances, the scanned images of the
existing denture can be transmitted to a nearby dental lab where
the denture is fabricated and courier to the dentist.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
interior and exterior of the dentures can be scanned as discussed
above. The dentist can also provide additional information
regarding the dentures and the patient as well. For example, the
dentist may notice that the dentures are no longer properly fitting
due to wear of the denture base or the teeth or due to changes in
the patient's anatomy. This additional information may be used to
change the digitized model of the denture.
[0036] In yet another alternative embodiment of the present
invention, the dentist may provide additional information beyond
the scanned images of the interior and exterior of the dentures.
The dentist may use those existing dentures as an impression tray
to take bite impressions of the patient. Those bite impressions are
then scanned and used along with the scanned images of the interior
and exterior of the dentures to create the digitized denture.
[0037] The occlusal scheme of the existing denture is maintained in
the duplicate denture. The duplicate denture can be modified to
accommodate anatomical, aesthetic and functional changes that might
be necessary.
[0038] The digitized denture model 40, in another preferred
embodiment, may also be used to create a model for a denture base.
The teeth are subtracted from the model, and a denture base is
directly fabricated from the denture base information. A denture
base is then fabricated, the margins are cleaned and teeth are
temporarily installed. This try-in denture is then tried onto the
patient. If the fit is not correct, then the denture is used as a
secondary impression tray to create a set of bite impressions.
These impressions are scanned and used to select or fabricate
another denture base. The teeth are installed again and the denture
is tried on the patient. This process is repeated until the patient
is satisfied. At that point, the teeth are permanently installed,
the denture is finally processed and installed to the patient.
[0039] A preferred embodiment of the present invention may be
implemented in a number of ways.
[0040] The above descriptions are intended for explanatory purposes
and are not meant to the limit the scope of the claimed inventions.
Other embodiments may be covered under the claims as well.
* * * * *