Dental Bridge Attachment System with Tool-Free Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental bridge attachment systems face challenges in achieving a perfect fit to individual anatomical parameters, leading to issues with retention and stability, particularly during chewing and speaking, and often require tools for removal.
Innovation Solution
A dental bridge system with abutments that have a seat portion matching the implant head shape, combined with a locking mechanism allowing for secure and easy attachment and removal without tools, utilizing materials like metals, ceramics, or polymers, and incorporating adapter abutments for angular adjustments and gum tissue accommodation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dental bridge is fixed to implants using traditional abutment systems, then the bridge achieves stable anchorage, but the system requires tools for removal and lacks ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the attachment mechanism into separate functional components: abutments with locking portions that engage with corresponding features on the bridge. This segmentation allows the bridge to be securely attached during use while enabling tool-free removal by disengaging the locking portions, thus resolving the contradiction between retention stability and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates movable locking portions that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain stable anchorage during chewing and speaking while permitting easy removal when needed, balancing retention stability with ease of operation.
2Strength
If a dental bridge is designed for secure anchorage to implants, then chewing load transfer is improved, but motion between bridge and abutments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portions are pre-configured on the abutments to engage with corresponding features on the bridge upon attachment. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the bridge is attached, the locking mechanism automatically secures the components together, minimizing motion between them while maintaining strong load transfer capability during functional use.
3Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism is added to the dental bridge system, then ease of removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-operating, allowing the user to easily engage and disengage the lock without requiring external tools or complex manipulation. The locking portions are configured to automatically engage upon attachment and can be simply released by applying minimal force, providing tool-free operation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
A removable bridge system for attachment to a plurality of dental implants, comprising a plurality of abutments, each comprising a seat portion conforming with a shape of a corresponding implant head and allowing fixedly positioning of the abutment to the implant, and an abutment head. At least one of the abutments is configured as a locking abutment and comprises a locking portion. A bridge generally conforming with dental parameters of the individual has a bottom surface formed with a receiving apertures shaped so as to snugly fit over a corresponding abutment head. The bridge further comprises a locking arrangement for removably locking the bridge to the abutments, and comprising one or more locks for detachable locking to a respective at least one locking abutment.