Angled Dental Abutment with Segmented Cover for Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dental-prosthetic applications, especially for older patients or those with significant jaw atrophy, there is a challenge in securing abutments with insufficient bone substance, as traditional perpendicular implantation methods fail to provide stable and hygienic connections, particularly for angulated abutments.
Innovation Solution
The abutment is divided into two body elements: a first element fastened to the implant using a screw and a second element with a holding structure that covers the tool opening, allowing for secure and hygienic attachment, with a screw connection that can be easily loosened and replaced, reducing stress on the wearer and facilitating different holding systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the abutment is designed as a single piece with a tool opening for fastening the screw, then the fastening process is simplified and can be performed with a single component, but the tool opening creates a depression that is difficult to clean and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is divided into two separate body elements: a first body element that interfaces with the implant and contains the tool opening, and a second body element that interfaces with the prosthesis. This segmentation allows the tool opening to be covered when not in use, preventing contamination while maintaining the simplified fastening process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool opening function is extracted as a temporary feature only needed during the fastening process. After the screw is tightened, the tool opening is covered by the second body element or a cover, removing the source of contamination risk while preserving the benefit of easy fastening.
2Reliability
If the holding structure is designed as a spherical head or truncated cone with inside thread, then the prosthesis can be securely attached and detached along the second axis, but the structure becomes more complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the abutment into two body elements connected by a screw connection, the holding structure becomes accessible only when the elements are separated. This allows for easy cleaning of both the holding structure and the interface between body elements, while maintaining secure attachment when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The second body element or its cover can be removed and set aside when cleaning is needed, allowing complete access to the holding structure and tool opening for hygiene maintenance. The components are then recovered and reassembled to restore the secure holding connection.
3Strength
If the abutment is designed as a single integrated component, then the structure is simpler and more rigid, but replacement of worn parts requires removing and replacing the entire abutment, increasing stress on the implant and wearer
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment is segmented into two body elements connected by a screw connection, maintaining structural integrity when assembled while allowing independent replacement of the second body element if worn. This reduces the stress of frequent disassembly and reassembly of the entire abutment on the implant and wearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The second body element can be discarded (removed and replaced) independently when worn, while the first body element remains in place on the implant. This selective replacement reduces the cumulative stress on the implant and wearer compared to replacing the entire abutment assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an angled abutment for a dental-prosthetic arrangement, in which the abutment is divided into a first sub-component and a second sub-component, wherein the first sub-component can be fixed by means of a fixing screw to an implant and has a tool opening through which a tool is able to engage to reach the screw head of the fixing screw. After the first sub-component has been fixed to an implant, the second sub-component can be connected to the first sub-component, preferably via a screwed connection, and at the same time completely covers the tool opening of the first sub-component. A retaining structure facing away from the first sub-component is formed on the second sub-component and interacts with a counter-retaining structure on a prosthesis to provide a releasable connection, which can be produced without tools, between the abutment and the prosthesis.