Dental Implant Abutment Micro-Motion Mechanism for Occlusal Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental implant systems fail to effectively distribute occlusal forces, leading to mechanical overload and microvascular injury in the alveolar bone, particularly in the cortical alveolar bone due to inadequate force dissipation, resulting in bone degeneration and potential implant failure.
Innovation Solution
A dental implant abutment assembly with a micro-motion mechanism incorporating a central mobile element, compressive coil, and compressive ring that directs and distributes occlusal forces internally, mimicking the biomechanical behavior of the periodontal ligament to dissipate vertical, horizontal, and angular forces, thereby reducing stress on the cortical alveolar bone and increasing the use of more resilient cancellous alveolar bone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If occlusal forces are concentrated on the cortical alveolar bone at the implant collar interface, then the implant achieves stable support, but the cortical bone suffers microvascular injury and bone degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a periodontal ligament (PDL) substitute as an intermediary layer between the implant collar and the cortical alveolar bone. This PDL substitute distributes occlusal forces over a broader area of the cortical bone, preventing stress concentration and microvascular injury while maintaining implant stability. The intermediary layer acts as a force-distributing interface that protects the cortical bone from harmful concentrated loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions: the PDL substitute has a spongy, porous structure optimized for force distribution at the cortical bone interface, while the implant body maintains a solid structure for strength. This local differentiation allows the cortical bone region to handle distributed loads safely while the implant provides overall structural support.
2Strength
If the implant structure is made rigid to ensure stability, then mechanical strength is improved, but force distribution capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the implant system into distinct functional zones: a rigid implant body for overall structural strength, a PDL substitute layer for force distribution, and a threaded interface for bone anchorage. Each segment performs its specific function optimally - the rigid portion provides strength while the segmented PDL layer provides adaptability and force distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining materials with different mechanical properties - a rigid implant material (such as titanium alloy) for strength with a more compliant PDL substitute material that has elastic properties. This composite structure enables both mechanical strength and force distribution adaptability to coexist in the same implant system.
3Strength
If compressive forces are directed into the cortical alveolar bone, then immediate support is achieved, but bone necrosis and vascular occlusion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The PDL substitute serves as a protective intermediary that mediates between the compressive forces from the implant and the cortical bone. It provides immediate support by bearing initial loads while simultaneously protecting the cortical bone from harmful compressive forces that would cause vascular occlusion and necrosis. The intermediary distributes forces safely to maintain bone viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates the PDL substitute as a pre-positioned cushioning layer between the implant and cortical bone before functional loads are applied. This beforehand cushioning protects the cortical bone from immediate compressive injury and prevents vascular occlusion from the outset, ensuring bone viability from the beginning of function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly effectively distributes occlusal forces into the cancellous alveolar bone, reducing the risk of microvascular compressional bone necrosis and maintaining functional viability by allowing compression of the prosthesis/abutment unit into the dental implant, similar to the periodontal ligament's function, thus enhancing the tolerance of higher occlusal forces.
Implementation Method 1
a compressive coil and a compressive ring that absorb and redirect the occlusal forces
Implementation Method 2
uniformly distributing the occlusal forces into the body of an osseointegrated dental implant
Data Source
AI summary
A dental implant abutment assembly imitates a micro-motion mechanism to direct occlusal forces internally, and uniformly distribute the occlusal forces into the body of an ossoeintegrated dental implant. The micro-motion mechanism is configured to imitate the biomechanical behavior of the periodontal ligament through a compressive action that dampens vertical, horizontal, and angular forces. A compressive ring provides a dampening effect to supportive components of the assembly. A compressive coil redirects vertical forces along a longitudinal axis of the assembly. An implant body osseointegrates into the dental alveolus. A central mobile element seats in the dental body. The compressive coil extends along the central mobile element to absorb vertical forces. The compressive ring seats on the collar of the dental implant. A threaded cannulated housing securely holds the central mobile element and the compressive coil to form a single unit. A restorative abutment portion threadably seats on the central mobile element.