Snap-On Dental Implant Attachment for Stable Removable Dentures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental implant attachment systems for removable overdentures suffer from wear, instability, and discomfort due to the use of compressible materials and designs that require frequent maintenance, leading to poor retention and stability, especially in edentulous patients.
Innovation Solution
A dental implant attachment system with semi-elliptical parabolic male and female components, featuring antirotating thorns and arched or tunnel shape lockers, provides improved stability and retention through non-static friction and snap-on engagement, eliminating the need for precise alignment and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ball shape attachment with metal O ring and rubber trim is used, then quick connection is achieved, but wear and distortion occur quickly requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the durable but complex ball attachment with a disposable press-button attachment that can be easily replaced when worn. The press-button component is designed to be economical and simple, allowing patients to replace it themselves without professional intervention, thus maintaining reliability through easy replacement rather than through long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the attachment mechanism from a ball-shaped retentive element with rubber trim to a press-button mechanism with a resilient member. This parameter change transforms the connection method from friction-based retention to a snap-fit engagement with controlled resilience, improving both durability and ease of replacement.
2Ease of operation
If ball shape attachment is used, then connection is achieved, but stability is minimal and constant repairs are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the spherical shape of the ball attachment as a guide for the press-button mechanism, but replaces the ball itself with a cylindrical press-button element. The spherical geometry is retained in the locking mechanism to provide rotational freedom while maintaining stability, combining the advantages of both shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic rubber trim and ball-shaped retentive element from the attachment system, replacing them with a purely mechanical press-button mechanism. This extraction eliminates the sources of wear and distortion while maintaining the essential function of secure connection.
3Force
If metal O ring rubber trim is used, then friction forces are absorbed, but wear and distortion occur requiring routine maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rubber trim friction-based mechanical system with a resilient member that uses elastic deformation and snap-fit engagement. This substitution eliminates the wear-prone friction interface while maintaining the ability to absorb and dissipate forces through controlled elastic behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The press-button attachment uses composite construction combining resilient material for the button body with harder materials for the locking elements. This composite approach provides both the necessary friction absorption through resilience and the durability needed to eliminate frequent maintenance.
4Reliability
If press-button type connection is used, then connection is secured, but precise alignment is required and wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a resilient member that acts as a cushion before the final locking engagement. This cushioning element compensates for misalignment by deforming to accommodate position variations, then providing a snap-fit locking action that secures the connection without requiring precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The press-button mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including the resilient member that can deform and the rotating ball component that can move freely. These dynamic features allow the attachment to self-adjust during insertion, eliminating the need for precise alignment while maintaining secure connection.
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 system offers enhanced stability and retention, minimizing deformation and discomfort, allowing easy insertion and removal of dentures while maintaining stability against lateral forces and preventing rotational movement.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member can be provided in the press-button component to absorb and dissipate forces
Implementation Method 2
The press-button type of connection is particularly useful in preventing rotation of the ball attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A dental implant attachment system for implant-supported and implant-retained type removable dentures and a method of use is described. The dental attachment system is made up of a female component embedded in the body of a denture on a fitting surface for lock up and a male component usually connected to a dental implant and a locking mechanism of the snap on coupling engageable formation movement with non-static friction by pressing female component onto the male component. The male and female components have a semi-elliptical parabolic or dome shape with a tunnel shape or inverted U shape lockers and antirotating thorns. The novel use of geometrical shapes for the mating surfaces of dental attachment system components prevents distortion and improves the mating movement with non-static friction.