Dental Implant Progressive Thread Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing issues have limited the use of progressive threading in V-shaped dental implant screws, as the thread cutting process often destroys the desired outer diameter of the screw, preventing the effective implementation of this geometry in dental implants.
Innovation Solution
A dental implant design featuring a screw body with both primary and secondary thread configurations, where the thread depth progressively increases from the coronal end to the apical end, allowing for the use of undersized step-down drills and improved apical bone engagement without excessive bone condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If progressive threading is applied to V-shaped dental implant screws, then bone-implant interface strength and stability are enhanced, but the thread cutting process destroys the desired outer diameter of the screw
Solution Approach 1:
The thread cutting process is divided into two distinct operations: a first thread cutting operation that creates an intermediate thread configuration, and a second thread cutting operation that completes the final thread configuration. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently, preventing the destruction of the outer diameter while achieving progressive threading for enhanced bone engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The first thread cutting operation performs a preliminary action by creating an intermediate thread configuration before the final thread configuration is completed by the second operation. This preliminary action establishes a foundation that guides the second operation, ensuring that the progressive thread depth increase from coronal to apical end is achieved without compromising the outer diameter precision.
2Area of stationary object
If progressive threads with increased depth from coronal to apical end are used, then functional surface area at bone-implant interface is increased, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex progressive threading is segmented into two simpler thread cutting operations. The first operation creates an intermediate configuration, and the second operation completes the final progressive thread configuration. This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual operation while achieving the overall goal of increased functional surface area through progressive depth increase from coronal to apical end.
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
Enables the use of V-shaped threads with progressive depth, enhancing the bone-implant interface strength and stability during osseointegration, while preventing excessive bone compression at the apical tip.
Implementation Method 1
The thread cutting process often destroys the desired outer diameter of the screw, preventing the effective implementation of this geometry in dental implants
Implementation Method 2
The tapered screw body, which is slightly larger in outer diameter than that of the pre-drilled uniform bore hole, grips the bone in a manner that compresses the bone to enhance stability
Implementation Method 3
V-shaped threads have symmetric sides inclined at equal angles, generally 60°, as shown in FIG. 1. Implant screws with buttress threads have non-symmetrical sides with one face perpendicular to the axis of the screw head
Implementation Method 4
Many practitioners prefer V-shaped threads because they provide superior surface area contact between the implant and bone, thus providing greater strength of the bond until osseointegration can take place
Implementation Method 5
The implant fixture, also known as the dental implant or simply the implant, is the part of the dental assembly that becomes fused with the patient's jaw bone
Data Source
AI summary
A dental implant includes a screw body and screw threads. The screw body has an apical end and a coronal end. Screw threads include a primary thread and a secondary thread, which overlap in at least a portion of the screw thread. Thread depth progressively increases from the coronal end to the apical end. The coronal end may contain any suitable secondary characteristics, such as machined threads, grooves, micro-threads, or any other characteristics favorable to successful outcomes with dental implant treatment. A method of making such a dental implant is also disclosed.