TRY-IN DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING DENTURE

A try-in device including: a try-in base; and artificial teeth that are arranged on the try-in base, wherein the artificial teeth are commonly-available artificial teeth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to try-in devices and a method for producing dentures.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years has been used an art of treating information on processes from design to production of dentures as data using CAD/CAM and cutting out dentures with a NC machine tool based on the data to finally obtaining dentures as disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1. According to this, dentures can be made with less processes than a conventionally applied lost wax casting technique more accurately for a shorter time than before.

When there is a natural tooth or a dental prosthesis which is to be opposite to a denture to be made and when occlusion has to be adjusted to a high degree, try-in is done for achieving proper occlusion. Adjustment is made based on results of this try-in and data on an end denture is obtained. Patent Literature 1 also describes a matter relating to try-in.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

A conventional device for try-in (try-in device) is a temporary one that is an integrally formed try-in base and artificial teeth part which is cut out with CAD/CAM. Occlusion is adjusted by grinding teeth surfaces of such a temporary artificial teeth part. However, it is difficult to accurately reflect such adjustment of occlusion for a temporary artificial teeth part on artificial teeth arranged on an end denture, which may raise a problem with a state of occlusion of an end denture.

In contrast, the try-in device of Patent Literature 1 is formed of a separate try-in base and artificial teeth part which are cut out with CAD/CAM. However, it takes a lot of effort to make the try-in device as well as an end denture since the try-in device formed with CAD/CAM as described above is used for try-in and based on results thereof, a denture is further made with CAD/CAM etc.

An object of the present disclosure is thus to provide a try-in device that makes it possible to easily obtain a state of accurate occlusion of a finally obtained denture. The present disclosure also provides a method for producing a denture using this try-in device.

Solution to Problem

One aspect of the present disclosure is a try-in device to adjust a state of occlusion of a denture, the try-in device comprising: a try-in base; and artificial teeth that are arranged on the try-in base, wherein the artificial teeth are commonly-available artificial teeth.

Here, “commonly-available artificial teeth” mean commercially available artificial teeth that are given occlusal surfaces in advance and are made from resin, ceramics, or the like. “Commonly-available artificial teeth” may also include what in the form of artificial teeth that are made by practitioners from existing filler-free acrylic resin (such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)) artificial teeth, wax and pattern resin for making it easier to adjust occlusion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for producing a denture, the method comprising: making the try-in device; obtaining digital data on a shape of the try-in device after occlusion of the artificial teeth of the try-in device is adjusted; making a denture base based on the digital data; and arranging the artificial teeth arranged on the try-in device, on the denture base.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for producing a denture, the method comprising: making the try-in device; obtaining digital data on a shape of the try-in device after occlusion of the artificial teeth of the try-in device is adjusted; making a denture base and other artificial teeth based on the digital data; and arranging the other artificial teeth on the denture base.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, adjustment of occlusion is easily and accurately reflected on a denture without making a try-in device using CAD/CAM since occlusion is adjusted with a try-in device using commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance and these artificial teeth are directly used for a denture or other artificial teeth are made based on results of adjustment of occlusion using these artificial teeth.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Each embodiment will be described below based on the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

FIG. 1is a view illustrating one embodiment and shows a try-in device10.FIG. 1is a side view of the try-in device10andFIG. 2is a front view of the try-in device10. This embodiment is the try-in device10for upper jaws for a denture20for upper jaws (seeFIGS. 3 and 4).FIGS. 1 and 2also show natural dentition1composed of natural teeth1a. The try-in device10is a tool made and used for try-in. A denture is made based on results of adjustment of occlusion with the try-in device10.

The try-in device10is composed of a try-in base11and a dentition part12.

The try-in base11is a portion having a shape corresponding to a denture base21of the denture20(seeFIGS. 3 to 6). Therefore, the dentition part12is formed on one face of the try-in base11and a recess part11athat corresponds to a shape of an intraoral alveolar ridge crest is formed over the other face thereof as shown by the dashed lines.

Constituent material of the try-in base11is not specifically limited. Examples thereof include wax. The try-in base11may be made from resin or the like for its stable shape.

The dentition part12is a portion to correspond to artificial dentition22of the denture20(seeFIGS. 3 to 5). A plurality of artificial teeth12aare arranged on and form a dental arch on the try-in base11to be the dentition part12. The artificial teeth12ainclude occlusal surfaces12b.

Here, commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance are used as the artificial teeth12aof this embodiment. That is, the artificial teeth12athat are also available for the artificial teeth23of the denture20, which is finally made, are used for the try-in device10of this embodiment.

According to the try-in device10as described above, a state of occlusion is adjusted by, for example, grinding the artificial teeth12aof the try-in device10as described later and these artificial teeth12acan be also used as the artificial teeth23of the denture20as they are (“producing method S10” to be shown later). Thus, in this case, due to commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance, the try-in device can be easily made without CAD/CAMs and also a state of adjusted occlusion is accurately reflected on the denture20, which makes it possible to obtain a state of good occlusion.

On the other hand, a state of occlusion is adjusted by, for example, grinding the artificial teeth12aof the try-in device10and based on this, other artificial teeth may be made to be the artificial teeth23of the denture20as well (“producing method S20” to be shown later). In this case as well, since commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance are used for the try-in device, the try-in device can be easily made without CAD/CAM and also a state of adjusted occlusion is accurately reflected on the denture20, which makes it possible to obtain a state of good occlusion. In addition, in this case, material of artificial teeth can be selected according to diagnosis information and a treatment stage.

This embodiment is not necessarily limited to the above described try-in device10on the upper jaw side, may be a try-in device on the lower jaw side and may be a try-in device on both upper and lower jaws sides.

Next, a method for making the denture20using the try-in device10will be described. The denture20in this embodiment is a denture to be arranged on the upper jaw side.

FIG. 3is a side view of the denture20,FIG. 4is a front view of the denture20andFIG. 5is a plan view of the denture20on the artificial dentition22side. The denture20like them is arranged in a patient's oral cavity and artificially compensates for lost natural teeth.

As can be seen fromFIGS. 3 to 5, the denture20is composed of the denture base21and the artificial dentition22of arranging a plurality of the artificial teeth23.FIG. 6shows the denture base21andFIG. 7shows the external appearance of one artificial tooth23according to one example.

The denture base21is a member that has functions of holding the artificial teeth23at a predetermined position and of stably fitting the denture20onto an oral mucosa. In this embodiment, as can be seen fromFIG. 6, a ridge part21athat rises like a ridge is included as a portion where the artificial teeth23are arranged and also, recess parts21bto each of which one end of respective artificial teeth23is inserted to fix the artificial teeth23are provided for the crest of this ridge part21a.

Since the denture base21is made by cutting as described later, preferred examples of material thereof include hard materials such as general base resin materials (acrylic resins), resin materials containing filler and crosslinker or the like, engineering plastics, metals and sintered ceramics.

The artificial teeth23are artificial teeth that are made so as to have functions of lost natural teeth instead of the lost natural teeth. One end of respective artificial teeth23is inserted into each of the recess parts21bof the denture base21and the artificial teeth23are fixed with an adhesive, whereby the artificial teeth23are held. A plurality of the artificial teeth23are thereby arranged arcuately like dentition to be the artificial dentition22, which makes it possible therefor to function as natural teeth.

These artificial teeth23may be either the artificial teeth12athat are used for the try-in device10(“producing method S10” to be shown later) or other artificial teeth that are made based on results of try-in using the try-in device10that includes the artificial teeth12a(“producing method S20” to be shown later) according to difference in a method for producing the denture20.

Any known material used for artificial teeth may be employed for the artificial teeth23. Examples thereof include ceramics, resins, hard resins and metals.

Any known material may be used as material with which the artificial teeth23are adhered to the denture base21. Examples thereof include known industrial adhesives such as quick cure resins, gingival color resins, denture base resins and epoxy adhesives, or combination thereof.

Here, a means for preventing the artificial teeth23from rotating when the artificial teeth23are arranged on the denture base21may be provided for the artificial teeth23. Examples thereof include an aspect of providing a noncircular protrusion for the artificial teeth23and providing a hole into which this protrusion is inserted on the recess parts21bside.

Next, a method for producing the denture20will be described.

FIG. 8is a conceptual block diagram of a configuration included in a design apparatus30for dentures according to one embodiment. The design apparatus30for dentures (hereinafter may be referred to as “design apparatus30”) includes input means31, an arithmetic unit32and display means38. The arithmetic unit32includes arithmetic means33, RAM34, memory means35, receiving means36and output means37. The input means31includes a keyboard31a, a mouse31band an external storage device31cthat operates as one storage medium.

The arithmetic means33is configured by a so-called central processing unit (CPU). The arithmetic means33is means that is connected to and can control each of the above described components. The arithmetic means33also executes varieties of programs35astored in, for example, the memory means35that operates as a storage medium and based on this, carries out arithmetic operations as means for generating varieties of data and for selecting data which will be described later.

The RAM34is a component operating as a working area for the arithmetic means33and as memory means for temporary data. The RAM34may be configured by SRAM, DRAM, a flash memory or the like and is the same as known RAM.

The memory means35is a component operating as a storage medium in which programs and data that are the bases of varieties of arithmetic operations are saved. It may be possible to save varieties of intermediate and final results obtained by execution of programs in the memory means35. More specifically, a program35a, a database of shapes of artificial teeth35band a database of shapes of denture bases35care stored (saved) in the memory means35. Other pieces of information may be saved therein together as well.

The program35ais a program necessary for operating the design apparatus30and is not specifically limited.

The database of shapes of artificial teeth35bis a database in which information including shapes concerning artificial teeth are stored. Types of shapes of artificial teeth stored in the database are not especially limited. The database may have an aspect of storing data on a plurality of artificial teeth in a state where upper and lower dental arches each of which includes a group of artificial teeth occlude each other. This data may be configured so as to be treated by the artificial tooth and in addition, by the divided unit including some artificial teeth.

Plural variations of such groups of artificial teeth for matching patients' characteristics such as “sex” and “physique” are preferably prepared.

An embodiment of means for regulating rotation as described above may be also stored in the database of shapes of artificial teeth35b.

The database of shapes of denture bases35cis a database in which information including shapes concerning denture bases are stored. Aspects of data concerning denture bases stored in this database are not especially limited. For example, data on a denture base in a state where “only an upper half including a portion where artificial teeth are to be fit” is arranged in the positional relationship with data on occluded artificial teeth (for example, with a space of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm for adhesion) may be stored.

The data preferably includes 3 to 4 variations in the size in combination with artificial teeth, according to sizes of the artificial teeth.

An embodiment of means for regulating rotation of fitted artificial teeth may be also stored in the database of shapes of denture bases35c.

The receiving means36is a component which has a function for properly taking external information into the arithmetic unit32and to which the input means31is connected. The receiving means36includes a so-called input port, input connector, etc.

The output means37is a component which has a function of externally outputting information that is to be externally outputted among obtained results properly and to which the display means38such as a monitor, and varieties of devices are connected. The output means37includes a so-called output port, output connector, etc.

The input means31includes, for example, the keyboard31a, the mouse31band the external storage device31c. Known ones may be employed for the keyboard31aand the mouse31band the description thereof is omitted.

The external storage device31cis known externally-connectable storage means and operates as a storage medium as well. Varieties of necessary programs and data may be stored in the external storage device31cwithout any limitation. For example, the program and data which are the same as stored in the memory means35may be stored in the external storage device31c. Data on impressions, occlusion, etc. which are the bases when the arithmetic unit32generates data may be also stored in the external storage device31c.

A known device may be employed for the external storage device31c. Examples thereof include CD-ROM, a CD-ROM drive, DVD, a DVD drive, a hard disk, and various kinds of memories.

In addition, information may be provided for the arithmetic unit32via the receiving means36by networks or communications. Information may also be sent to external devices (for example, a NC machine tool) via the output means37by networks or communications.

According to the design apparatus30, a denture base may be directly cut out, which makes it possible to make a denture without complicated steps as included in the lost wax casting technique.

Next, the method S10for producing the try-in device10and the denture20according to the first embodiment (which may be referred to as “producing method S10”) will be described. While described with an example of using the design apparatus30here for understandability, the producing method S10is not limited thereto and can be carried out with another apparatus as long as such an apparatus can realize the method including the spirit below.

FIG. 9shows a flow of the producing method S10. As can be seen from this, the producing method S10includes step S11of making a try-in device, step S12of adjusting occlusion, step S13of digitization, step S14of designing a denture and step S15of making a denture. Hereinafter each step will be described.

This embodiment is an example of using the artificial teeth12a, which are used for the try-in device10, for the artificial teeth23to be used for the denture20.

Step S11is a step of making the try-in device10. Specifically, a plaster cast of an impression that is obtained by impression taking is made and a bite plate that is to be a try-in base is made by applying wax to the plaster cast. The artificial teeth12aare arranged on this bite plate made of wax to make the try-in device10.

Step S12is a step of adjusting occlusion. Specifically, the try-in device10obtained in step S11is arranged in a patient's oral cavity or an articulator to adjust occlusion. Occlusion is adjusted as usual. For example, occlusion is adjusted by grinding the occlusal surfaces12bor by moving the artificial teeth12a.

Step S13is a step of obtaining CAD data of the try-in device10from the try-in device10obtained in step S12, for which occlusion is adjusted. A method of obtaining CAD data can be carried out with a known apparatus. Examples thereof include a three-dimensional optical scanner.

Step S14is a step of determining a shape of the denture20to be made based on the data of digitization obtained in step S13. Specifically, a shape of a denture is determined on data according to the data obtained in step S13and databases stored in the design apparatus30. At this time, a position of artificial teeth is determined on the basis of side faces of an artificial teeth part (unadjusted part) on the data obtained in step S13and for this, a shape of a connection part (recess parts21b, socket part) of the artificial teeth to a denture base is determined at the same time.

In step S14, the data on artificial teeth part is deleted from the determined data on a denture based on data on artificial teeth saved in the database of shapes of artificial teeth35b(seeFIG. 8), processing data for cutting a denture base is generated and this processing data is outputted to step S15of making a denture (machine tool).

Each arithmetic operation carried out in step S14in this embodiment is executed in the design apparatus30. That is, the arithmetic means33executes arithmetic operations according to the program35athat is saved in the memory device35included in the design apparatus30to progress each arithmetic operation carried out in step S14in this embodiment. Therefore, varieties of shapes treated here exist as data and are treated as data.

Step S15is a step of receiving the processing data for a denture which is outputted in step S14to a machine tool, cutting out the shape and finishing as the denture20.

FIG. 10shows a flow of step S15. As can be seen fromFIG. 10, step S15includes step S15aof fitting artificial teeth onto a denture base and step S15bof finish polishing.

Here, a known one may be used as the machine tool without any specific limitation and step S15may be carried out with a known NC machine tool. Material of the denture base21used here is preferably hard material such as general base resin material (acrylic resin), resin material containing filler and crosslinker or the like, engineering plastic, metal and sintered ceramics. Forming the denture base21of such material makes it possible to perform cutting properly and accurately.

Step S15ais a step of fitting the artificial teeth12aonto the denture base21. The artificial teeth12aare arranged on the recess parts21bof the denture base21and fixed with an adhesive. Here, the artificial teeth12aare in a state where occlusion thereof is accurately adjusted since being artificial teeth which are used for the try-in device10and a state of occlusion of which has been properly adjusted already in step S20with the occlusal surfaces12bor by moving.

In step S15b, finish polishing is carried out on a denture obtained in step S15ato finally obtain the denture20.

As described above, according to the producing method S10, the artificial teeth12aof the try-in device10are ground to adjust a state of occlusion and these artificial teeth12amay be used as the artificial teeth23of the denture20as they are. Thus, due to commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance, the try-in device can be easily made without CAD/CAM and also, a state of adjusted occlusion is accurately reflected on the denture20, which makes it possible to obtain a state of good occlusion.

Next, the method S20for producing the try-in device10and the denture20according to the second embodiment (which may be referred to as “producing method S20”) will be described. While described with an example of using the design apparatus30here for understandability as well, the producing method S20is not limited thereto and can be carried out with another apparatus as long as such an apparatus can realize the method including the spirit below.

FIG. 11shows a flow of the producing method S20. As can be seen from this, the producing method S20includes step S21of making a try-in device, step S22of adjusting occlusion, step S23of digitalization, step S24of designing a denture and step S25of making a denture. Hereinafter each step will be described.

This embodiment is an example of using other artificial teeth that are made based on results of adjustment of occlusion using the try-in device10, for the artificial teeth23to be used for the denture20.

Step S21is a step of making the try-in device10. A plaster cast of an impression that is obtained by impression taking is made and a bite plate that is to be a try-in base is made using a base plate and wax on the plaster cast. The artificial teeth12aare arranged on this bite plate made of wax to make the try-in device10.

Step S22is a step of adjusting occlusion as well as step S12. That is, the try-in device10obtained in step S21is arranged in a patient's oral cavity or an articulator to adjust occlusion. Occlusion is adjusted as usual. For example, occlusion is adjusted by grinding the occlusal surfaces12bor by moving the artificial teeth12a.

Step S23is a step of obtaining CAD data of the try-in device10from the try-in device10obtained in step S22, for which occlusion is adjusted, as well as step S13. A method of obtaining CAD data can be carried out with a known apparatus. Examples thereof include a three-dimensional optical scanner.

Step S24is a step of determining a shape of the denture20to be made based on the data obtained in step S23. Specifically, a shape of a denture is determined on data according to the data obtained in step S23and databases stored in the design apparatus30.

In this embodiment, concerning the embedment of the denture base21, the date obtained in step S23is used to be data of the denture base21.

On the other hand, as for the embedment of the artificial teeth23, the data obtained in S23from the artificial teeth12ais superimposed on data on artificial teeth which is saved in the database of shapes of artificial teeth35b(seeFIG. 8). Then, the data on artificial teeth from the database is deformed based on the data from the artificial teeth12ato generate processing data of artificial teeth having a shape of the artificial teeth23for the denture20. According to this, material of artificial teeth can be selected according to diagnosis information and a treatment stage.

At this time, a position of artificial teeth is determined on the basis of side faces of an artificial teeth part (unadjusted part) on the data obtained in step S23and for this, a shape of a connection part (recess parts21b, socket part) of the artificial teeth to a denture base is determined at the same time.

In step S24, the data on the denture base21and the data on the artificial teeth23are separated from the determined data on a denture as well as step S14, processing data for each thereof is generated and these processing data are outputted to step S25of making a denture (machine tool).

Each arithmetic operation carried out in step S24in this embodiment is executed in the design apparatus30. That is, the arithmetic means33executes arithmetic operations according to the program35athat is saved in the memory device35included in the design apparatus30to progress each arithmetic operation carried out in step S24in this embodiment. Therefore, varieties of shapes treated here exist as data and are treated as data.

Step S25is a step of receiving the processing data for a denture and the processing data on artificial teeth which are outputted in step S24to a machine tool, cutting out each of them and finishing a denture by, for example, cutting out as the denture20and the artificial teeth23.

FIG. 12shows a flow of step S25. As can be seen fromFIG. 12, step S25includes step S25aof fitting the artificial teeth23onto the denture base21and step S25bof finish polishing.

Here, a known one may be used as the machine tool without any specific limitation and step S25may be carried out with a known NC machine tool.

Step S25ais a step of fitting the artificial teeth23onto the denture base21. The artificial teeth23are arranged on the recess parts21bof the denture base21and fixed with an adhesive.

In step S25b, finish polishing is carried out on a denture obtained in step S25ato finally obtain the denture20.

As described above, according to the producing method S20, the artificial teeth12aof the try-in device10are ground to adjust a state of occlusion and using these artificial teeth12a, the artificial teeth23of the denture20are made. Thus, since the artificial teeth of the try-in device are commonly-available artificial teeth that are prepared in advance, the try-in device can be easily made without CAD/CAM, and also a state of adjusted occlusion is accurately reflected on the denture20, which makes it possible to obtain a state of good occlusion.

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