METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ARTIFICIAL GINGIVA

Abstract

Method for producing an artificial gingiva The invention relates to a method for producing an artificial gingiva (1), in which a 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1) is already provided. A gingiva template (4) representing at least partial areas (5) of the 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1) is constructed as a negative mold using the 3D model (3) of the artificial gingiva (1).

Claims

1. Method for producing an artificial gingiva, in which a 3D model of the artificial gingiva is already provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of: constructing a gingiva template representing at least partial areas of the 3D model of the artificial gingiva as a negative mold using the 3D model of the artificial gingiva, wherein the gingiva template is constructed from at least two parts, wherein the at least two parts of the gingiva template are constructed in such a way to connect to one another using connecting means.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the artificial gingiva to be produced comprises at least one implant recess for at least one implant analog.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein different surfaces are constructed in the construction of the gingiva template, bearing surfaces and undercut surfaces.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the gingiva template is constructed manually by a user using a computer, and wherein the method further comprises the step of defining at least one non-critical surface, at least one undercut surface relative to an insertion direction of the artificial gingiva to be produced and/or at least one bearing surface.

5. Method according to claim 3, wherein the gingiva template is constructed fully automatically using a computer, and wherein the method further comprises the step of defining at least one non-critical surface, at least one undercut surface relative to an insertion direction of the artificial gingiva to be produced and/or at least one bearing surface.

6. Method according to claim 2, wherein at least one additional, separable part of the at least two parts of the gingiva template is constructed for each undercut surface.

7. Method according to claim 2, wherein an additional separable part of the at least two parts of the gingiva template is constructed for each implant recess of the artificial gingiva to be produced.

8. Method according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the at least one non-critical surface of the gingiva template to be produced is used as an injection channel for injecting a gingiva material.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one part of the at least two parts of the constructed gingiva template is produced using a subtractive manufacturing method, or using an additive manufacturing method.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein a dental model having a corresponding internal structure for inserting the artificial gingiva is constructed manually by a user or fully automatically using a computer, wherein the constructed dental model is produced using a subtractive manufacturing method, such as a CAM machine, or using an additive manufacturing method.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein a gingiva material that includes silicone, is introduced into the produced gingiva template and cured to form a cured artificial gingival.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein excess material of the cured artificial gingiva in at least one injection channel is trimmed off the cured artificial gingiva manually or automatically using a cutting device.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the cured artificial gingiva is removed from the gingiva template.

14. Artificial gingiva produced using the method according to claim 1, wherein the gingiva template is produced having at least one part and assembled using connecting means, wherein a gingiva material is introduced into the gingiva template and cured and the produced artificial gingiva is removed from the gingiva template.

15. Artificial gingiva according to claim 14, wherein the artificial gingiva comprises at least one non-critical surface, at least one bearing surface and/or at least one undercut surface.

16. Artificial gingiva according to claim 14, wherein the artificial gingiva is made of a gingiva material that includes silicone.

17. Gingiva template for producing an artificial gingiva, wherein a 3D model of the artificial gingiva is already provided, wherein, using the 3D model of the artificial gingiva, the gingiva template includes at least one part which represents at least partial areas of the 3D model of the artificial gingiva as a negative mold, wherein the at least one part, of a produced gingiva template is produced using a subtractive manufacturing method, or using an additive manufacturing method, wherein the gingiva template is constructed and produced in at least one part.

18. Gingiva template according to claim 17, wherein the gingiva template is constructed and produced in at least two parts, wherein the at least two parts of the gingiva template are mechanically connected to one another using connecting means.

19. Gingiva template according to claim 17, wherein the gingiva template comprises at least one non-critical surface, at least one bearing surface and/or at least one undercut surface.

20. Gingiva template according to claim 19, wherein at least one additional, separable part of the gingiva template is produced for each undercut surface.

21. Gingiva template according to claim 19, wherein an additional separable part of the gingiva template is produced for at least one implant recess of the artificial gingiva to be produced.

22. Gingiva template according to claim 19, wherein the at least one non-critical surface of the gingiva template is used as an injection channel for injecting a gingiva material.

23. Gingiva template according to claim 17, wherein the gingiva template is produced from a template material that includes a hard plastic.

24. Gingiva template according to claim 17, wherein the gingiva template comprises a bar having at least one bearing surface.

25. Dental model, produced using the method according to claim 10, wherein the internal structure for inserting the artificial gingiva is constructed manually by a user or fully automatically by means of a computer, wherein the constructed dental model is produced using a subtractive manufacturing method or using an additive manufacturing method.

26. Dental model according to claim 25, wherein, as a negative mold for the artificial gingiva to be inserted, the internal structure of the dental model comprises at least one non-critical surface, at least one bearing surface and/or at least one undercut surface.

27. Dental model according to claim 25, wherein the dental model is made of a model material that includes a hard plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0073] FIG. 1 a sketch for clarifying the method for producing an artificial gingiva,

[0074] FIG. 2, 3 sketches of various cross-sectional views of the dental model; the

[0075] FIG. 4-10 Sketches of various cross-sectional views of the gingiva template.

DESIGN EXAMPLES

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a sketch to clarify the method for producing an artificial gingiva 1 for a dental model 2, wherein a 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1 is at least partially constructed. A gingiva template 4 which, for example, depicts visible surfaces 5 of the 3D model 3 as a negative mold in the form of surfaces 6 is constructed using the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1. The 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva comprises an internal structure 7, which consists of at least one non-critical surface 8, at least one bearing surface 9 and/or an undercut surface 10. The remainder of the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1 is defined by the visible surface 5. A 3D model 11 of the dental model 2 is then constructed, whereby the dental model 2 comprises an internal structure 12, which is configured at least partially as a negative mold of the internal structure 7 of the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1. The internal structure 12 of the 3D model 11 of the dental model 2 comprises at least one bearing surface 13, at least one non-critical surface 14 and/or at least one undercut surface 15. Therefore, when the artificial gingiva 1 is inserted into dental model 2, the bearing surfaces 9 of the artificial gingiva 1 come into contact with the bearing surfaces 13 of the internal structure 12 of the dental model 2, whereby the non-critical surfaces 8 of the artificial gingiva 1 are disposed at a distance from the non-critical surfaces 14 of the dental model 2. The undercut surface 10 of the artificial gingiva 1 therefore comes into contact with the undercut surface 15 of dental model 2, whereby the elastic artificial gingiva 1 is deformed in such a way that it fits into the non-elastic internal structure 12 of the dental model. In the embodiment shown, the gingiva template 4 is constructed of a first part 16, a second part 17 and a third part 18. The individual parts 16, 17 and 18 can be connected to one another using connecting means 19, such as plug connections. The second part 17 is constructed to be separable from the first part 16, so that the cured artificial gingiva 1 can be removed from the gingiva template 4 despite an undercut surface 20. The third part 18 is provided to produce an implant recess 21 for an implant analog. The hatched non-critical surfaces 22 are used as injection channels for injecting silicone. This makes it easier for the user to reach the corners of the gingiva template 4 with the silicone syringe, thus preventing the formation of air bubbles. The construction of the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1, the 3D model 11 of the dental model 2 and the construction of the gingiva template 4 is carried out virtually by a user or fully automatically using a computer 23, to which input means such as a keyboard 24 and a mouse 25 are connected. A display device 26, such as a monitor for graphically displaying and processing the 3D models, is connected to the computer 23 as well. The user can process the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1, 3D model 11 of the dental model 2, and the 3D model of the gingiva template to construct said models using input means 24 and 25 and a cursor 27. The construction can also take place fully automatically, whereby predefined criteria concerning the structure of the internal structure 7 of the artificial gingiva 1 and the internal structure 12 of the dental model 2 are taken into account. In the case of automatic construction, an edge line 28 of the artificial gingiva 1, and thus of the 3D model 3, and the shape of the visible surface 5 can be used as input data, for example. Subsequently, the undercut surfaces 10 of the internal structure 7 and the internal structure 12 are defined. The undercut surfaces serve to anchor the elastically deformable artificial gingiva 1, so that it does not fall out of the dental model 2. In the second step, the bearing surfaces 9 of the artificial gingiva 1 and thus the bearing surfaces 13 of the internal structure 12 of the dental model 2 are defined. The non-critical surfaces 8 are defined in the third step. The individual parts 16, 17 and 18 can be produced using a 3D printer 29, whereby the 3D printer is accordingly controlled by the computer 23. FIG. 1 shows that the first part 16 of the gingiva template 4 is printed by means of the 3D printer 29. Automatic production can also be performed using a CAM machine. In the embodiment shown, the 3D printer is based on an SLS method. The 3D printer is filled with the used material 30. The material 30 can be a paste, a mass, a powder, or a liquid consisting of particles of the used material. The first part 16 is printed by means of the 3D printer, in which a platform 31 is lowered layer by layer using an adjustment means 32. For each layer, the surface 33 of the used material 30 is scanned point by point. A laser 34 emits a laser beam 35, whereby the laser beam 35 is deflected by means of a first adjustable deflecting mirror 36 and a second adjustable deflecting mirror 37 and focused on a focal point 38. At the focal point 38, the high temperature of the incident laser beam 35 leads to a fusion of the particles of the material 30. The deflecting mirrors 36 and 37 are controlled by a control unit of the 3D printer 29 such that the desired layers of the object are scanned. After printing one layer, the platform 31 is lowered and the next layer is printed. The entire part 16 is thus printed layer by layer. The second part 17 and the third part 18 of the gingiva template 4 are subsequently printed as well.

[0077] The individual parts 16, 17 and 18 are then assembled, whereby the gingiva material, such as silicone, is injected into the gingiva template 4 and cured. The excess material of the cured artificial gingiva 1 is then trimmed off at the non-critical surfaces 22. The cured artificial gingiva 1 is subsequently removed from the gingiva template 4. The dental model 2 can likewise be printed according to the 3D model 11 using the 3D printer 29. The produced artificial gingiva 1 is then inserted into the printed dental model 2.

[0078] The undercut surface 20 is defined relative to an insertion direction 39 of the 3D model 3 of the artificial gingiva 1 to be produced or the gingiva template 4. The insertion direction 39 can coincide with the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical implant recess 21, for example.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a sketch of a cross-sectional view of the dental model 2 and an artificial gingiva 1 inserted into it, with a distance 40 between the non-critical surfaces 8 of the artificial gingiva 1 and the non-critical surfaces 14. The bearing surface 9 and the undercut surface 10 of the artificial gingiva 1 are shown as well. FIG. 2 shows a first sectional plane A and a second sectional plane B.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the dental model 2 and the artificial gingiva 1 in the sectional plane A of FIG. 2, whereby FIG. 3 also shows a third sectional plane C in the longitudinal direction of the dental model 2.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a first variation of a gingiva template 4 consisting of a first part 50, a second part 51 for the undercut surface 52 for producing the undercut surface 10 of the artificial gingiva 1 and a third part 53 for producing the implant recess 21 in a cross-sectional view through the sectional plane A of FIG. 2. The bearing surfaces 54 of the gingiva template 4 are shown in FIG. 4 as well.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows the gingiva template 4 consisting of the parts 50, 51 and 53 in a cross-sectional view through the sectional plane B of FIG. 2.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows the gingiva template 4 in a cross-sectional view through the sectional plane C of FIG. 3, whereby the third part 53 comprises a bar 60 for producing the bearing surfaces 9 of the artificial gingiva 1.

[0084] The silicone is injected into the gingiva template 4 through the non-critical surfaces 22, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0085] FIG. 7 shows a second variant of the gingiva template consisting of a first part 50, a second part 51 and a third part 53, whereby, unlike FIG. 4, the connecting means 19 are disposed between the first part 50 and the third part 53 and between the second part 51 and the third part 53. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the sectional plane A of FIG. 2.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the gingiva template along the sectional plane B of FIG. 2.

[0087] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the gingiva template 4 along the sectional plane B of FIG. 3.

[0088] FIG. 10 shows a sketch of a further embodiment, in which the gingiva template 4 consists of only one part and is placed directly onto the produced dental model 2, whereby the one-piece gingiva template 4 comprises two injection channels 70 for injecting the silicone. The artificial gingiva 1 is thus produced directly by injecting the silicone through the injection channels 70 into the spaces between the gingiva template 4 and the internal structure 12 of the dental model 2.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0089] 1 Gingiva [0090] 2 Dental model [0091] 3D model [0092] 4 Gingiva template [0093] 5 Surface areas [0094] 6 Surfaces [0095] 7 Internal structure [0096] 8 Non-critical surface [0097] 9 Bearing surface [0098] 10 Undercut surface [0099] 11 3D model [0100] 12 Internal structure [0101] 13 Bearing surface [0102] 14 Non-critical surface [0103] 15 Undercut surface [0104] 16 First part [0105] 17 Second part [0106] 18 Third part [0107] 19 Connecting means [0108] 20 Undercut surface [0109] 21 Implant recess [0110] 22 Non-critical surface [0111] 23 Computer [0112] 24 Keyboard [0113] 25 Mouse [0114] 26 Display device [0115] 27 Cursor [0116] 28 Edge line [0117] 29 3D printer [0118] 30 Material [0119] 31 Platform [0120] 32 Adjustment means [0121] 33 Surface area [0122] 34 Laser [0123] 35 Laser beam [0124] 36 Deflecting mirror [0125] 37 Deflecting mirror [0126] 38 Focal point [0127] 39 Insertion direction [0128] 40 Distance [0129] 50 First part [0130] 51 Second part [0131] 53 Third part [0132] 54 Bearing surfaces for the gingiva template [0133] 60 Bars [0134] 70 Injection channels