Contoured Implantable Screw for Alveolar Ridge Space Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The success of dental implant placement is limited by the quality and quantity of existing bone, and atrophic alveolar ridges due to denture destruction and bone atrophy, necessitating bone grafting to create a stable environment for bone growth, which current methods struggle to protect from compressive forces and tissue pressure.
Innovation Solution
An implantable screw with a contoured, highly-polished head and curved surface to support soft tissue and shield the graft area from compressive forces, combined with a threaded shaft for anchoring in the jawbone, allowing for bone growth and later removal once sufficient new bone is generated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric-like membranes or barriers are used to create isolated space for bone grafting, then connective tissue cell invasion is prevented, but the space is not protected from chewing forces or tissue pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the barrier function (preventing connective tissue invasion) with the structural support function (resisting chewing forces and tissue pressure) into a single integrated membrane system. The membrane combines a barrier layer for cellular isolation with an underlying support structure that provides mechanical reinforcement, allowing one component to perform multiple functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is constructed as a composite material system, combining different materials with complementary properties. The barrier portion uses materials that prevent cellular infiltration, while the support structure employs materials with high mechanical strength and rigidity to withstand masticatory forces, creating a composite structure that addresses both protective needs.
2Ease of operation
If dental implants are used with tenting-type support screws to create and maintain space, then space maintenance is achieved, but the complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane system is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously required from separate components. It simultaneously provides space creation, space maintenance, cellular barrier protection, and mechanical support against chewing forces, eliminating the need for separate tenting screws and reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for tenting-type support screws from the surgical procedure. By integrating the space-maintaining and support functions directly into the membrane structure itself, the separate screw component is removed, simplifying the surgical workflow and reducing the number of implantable devices required.
3Quantity of substance
If bone grafting is performed to treat atrophic alveolar ridge, then bone quantity is increased, but the existing bone quality may be insufficient to support the graft
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane provides beforehand cushioning and protection to the graft site by preventing harmful factors (connective tissue invasion, chewing forces) from compromising the graft. This protective environment ensures that the bone graft can integrate successfully with the existing bone, maintaining graft integrity and promoting quality bone formation throughout the healing period.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable screw for maintaining space during bone grafting procedures is provided, where the screw has a highly-polished contoured head having a region adapted to support soft tissue, a threaded shaft and a tip adapted to penetrate bone tissue. Also provided, a device combining multiple implantable screws in series in order to increase the available space to grow new bone and a method for implanting the implantable screw. The implantable screws provided may be used in conjunction with bone graft materials and are removable once a desired amount of new bone is generated.