Dental Prosthesis Connection Device Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current connection mechanisms for dental prostheses and implants face challenges in achieving precise alignment and easy mounting/dismounting, often requiring deformation of retention parts, which leads to wear and tear, and can be laborious and expensive, with issues of inaccurate positioning and particle collection in deformed areas.

Innovation Solution

A connection device comprising a holding shell and a retention insert with a ring-shaped design, allowing for loose initial engagement and resilient deformation under radial forces, enabling easy handling and long-term use, with adjustable hardness and a mounting tool for efficient demounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If retention parts are deformed during mounting to achieve connection, then the prosthesis structure can be mounted to the implant structure, but the retention parts experience wear and tear reducing their longevity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting easeVSAvoidretention part longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device is divided into two separate components: a holding shell that remains on the implant structure and a retention insert that is mounted to the prosthesis structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the retention insert being replaceable after a limited number of mounting cycles, thus solving the wear and tear issue while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention insert is designed as a consumable component with a limited service life (typically 1-2 years or 50-100 mounting cycles). After this period, it is replaced rather than repaired, which is more cost-effective than maintaining permanent retention parts. This approach acknowledges that some components are better suited for periodic replacement rather than indefinite use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If retention parts are deformed during mounting, then connection is achieved, but particle collection occurs in deformed areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidparticle collection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the holding shell from the retention insert, the design eliminates the need for permanent deformation of retention parts. The retention insert uses elastic deformation during mounting that fully recovers, preventing particle collection in deformed areas while still achieving secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of deforming the retention part to achieve connection, the design inverts the approach by using a resilient retention insert that elastically deforms during mounting and then fully recovers. This reverses the traditional method of permanent deformation, eliminating the harmful particle collection effect while maintaining mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment is required for mounting, then connection accuracy is improved, but the mounting process becomes more complex and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidmounting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding shell and retention insert are designed with complementary geometries and tolerance zones that create an equipotential mounting interface. This allows the components to self-align during the mounting process, achieving precise alignment without complex adjustment procedures or specialized tools, thus reducing mounting process complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

Facilitates easy and efficient mounting/dismounting of prosthesis structures, reduces wear on retention parts, and allows for accurate alignment without deformation, improving the longevity and usability of the connection device.

Implementation Method 1

the retention insert is configured such that the outer surface of the retention rim of the retention insert is at least partly spaced from and adjacent to the inner surface of the holding rim of the holding shell when the retention insert is arranged in the retainer of the holding shell and when essentially no radial forces are acting on the holding rim of the holding shell and on the retention rim of the retention insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10687921B2Connection of a prosthesis structure with an implant structure

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 INSTITUT STRAUMANN AG

AI summary

A set is disclosed that includes a connection device for connecting a prosthesis structure with an implant structure or a capped tooth, the connection device having a retention insert and a holding shell. The set also including a mounting tool for mounting and demounting the retention insert of the connection device to and from the holding shell of the connection device such that a retention rim of the retention insert is moved in towards its central axis when a demounting head of the mounting tool is arranged within a space between an outer surface of the retention rim of the retention insert and an inner surface of a holding rim of the holding shell allowing the retention insert to be released from the holding shell.