Dental Implant Abutment Asymmetric Flat Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental implants made of ceramic materials face challenges in handling due to their circular cylindrical shape and hard, smooth surface, making them difficult to grip, and are prone to prosthetic element fractures under mechanical loading, especially in the apical end area.
Innovation Solution
An abutment with a truncated cone shape and a concavely curved chamfer surface, where the flat surface runs directly into the shoulder, providing improved grip and torque transmission without the need for complex shapes, and a planar platform for enhanced support and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a circular cylindrical shape with hard smooth surface is used for ceramic abutment, then mechanical stability is achieved, but handling and gripping become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric flat surfaces on the abutment body that break the circular symmetry. These flat surfaces provide specific gripping zones for surgical tools while maintaining the overall cylindrical shape for mechanical stability. The asymmetric design allows tools to engage with defined flat areas rather than slipping on a completely smooth curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment features localized flat surfaces at specific positions on its body, while the majority of the surface remains curved and smooth. This local modification provides gripping functionality only where needed for tool engagement, while preserving the mechanical stability provided by the overall cylindrical ceramic structure.
2Ease of operation
If complex shapes with grooves, indents, and projections are added to improve gripping, then handling becomes easier, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding multiple grooves, indents, and projections, the patent uses a simpler asymmetric approach with just one or more flat surfaces on the cylindrical body. This achieves the gripping function with minimal additional geometric complexity, avoiding the need for complex multi-feature designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential gripping feature (flat surfaces) from the complex set of possible features (grooves, indents, projections, etc.). By taking out only what is necessary for tool engagement, the design achieves functionality with reduced complexity compared to comprehensive feature sets.
3Manufacturing precision
If the abutment has a narrow apical end area for prosthetic connection, then prosthetic fit is improved, but fracture risk increases under mechanical loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved chamfer surface with a defined radius of curvature at the apical end area. This curved transition provides a smooth, continuous geometry that distributes mechanical stresses evenly, avoiding stress concentration at sharp corners or abrupt transitions. The curvature maintains precise prosthetic fit while enhancing fracture resistance through stress distribution.
Data Source
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AI summary
An abutment (10) for supporting a dental prosthesis comprising a post (30) and a shoulder (10a), wherein the shoulder comprises a concavely curved chamfer surface extending radially outwards from the base of the post, the post comprising at least one flat surface (35) which runs directly into the chamfered surface such that the chamfered surface is non uniform.