Dental Prosthesis Attachment System with Interlocking Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental prosthesis attachment systems with single surfaces of interference are prone to undesired detachment under high chewing pressures, as they lack sufficient retention mechanisms to securely maintain dentures on dental implants.

Innovation Solution

A dental prosthesis attachment system featuring a removable denture with an open-ended sleeve lined with retention material, including protrusions and recesses, and a removably insertable attachment pillar with complementary shapes, which provides multiple points of interlock for enhanced retention and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single surface of interference is provided between male and female members for denture retention, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of attachment under high chewing pressures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment system structureVSAvoiddenture retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single surface of interference is segmented into multiple surfaces of interference. The male member features multiple protrusions and the female member features corresponding recesses, creating multiple discrete contact points that distribute chewing forces and prevent detachment while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system employs asymmetric male and female members with complementary geometric features. The protrusions on the male member fit into corresponding recesses on the female member, creating an asymmetric interlocking mechanism that provides reliable retention under multidirectional chewing loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If multiple surfaces of interference are provided between male and female members, then the reliability of attachment under chewing pressures is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedenture retentionVSAvoidattachment system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment interface is segmented into multiple discrete protrusion-recess pairs distributed around the circumference of the male and female members. This segmentation provides multiple surfaces of interference that collectively enhance retention reliability while keeping each individual feature simple in geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple protrusions and recesses are merged into a single integrated attachment mechanism. The male member with multiple protrusions engages with the female member with corresponding recesses as one unified assembly, providing enhanced retention without requiring multiple separate attachment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single surface of interference is used for attachment, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to withstand high magnitude chewing forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment system fabricationVSAvoidretention force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment interface is divided into multiple protrusion-recess segments that can be manufactured using standard CNC machining or injection molding processes. Each segment is simple in geometry but collectively they provide the necessary retention strength to withstand high magnitude chewing forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The male and female members are made from materials with complementary properties - the male member from a harder material resistant to wear and the female member from a slightly softer material that provides frictional retention. This composite material approach enhances the strength of the attachment while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively secures the denture to the dental implant with increased mechanical retention, preventing undesired detachment during chewing and supporting higher pressure loads.

Implementation Method 1

The inner cavity is lined with a retention material defining an inner peripheral wall having at least one of a protrusion and a recess

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The attachment pillar has a peripheral wall provided with at least one of a protrusion and a recess removably interlockable with the at least one of the recess and the protrusion on the inner peripheral wall of the inner cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS10588721B2Attachment system for removable dental prosthesis and dental implant abutment
Publication Date: 2020.03.17 EBAY INC
  • US10588721B2 patent drawing
  • US10588721B2 patent drawing
  • US10588721B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A dental prosthesis attachment system is for an endosseous dental implant. The dental prosthesis attachment system includes: a removable dental prosthesis; a dental prosthesis portion secured to the removable dental prosthesis; and a dental implant portion securable to the dental implant and removably engageable with the dental prosthesis portion. The dental prosthesis portion includes an open-ended dental prosthesis sleeve having an outer surface and an inner cavity. The outer surface is secured to the dental prosthesis and the inner cavity is lined with a retention material defining an inner peripheral wall having at least one of a protrusion and a recess. The dental implant portion includes an attachment pillar removably insertable within the inner cavity of the dental prosthesis portion. The attachment pillar has a peripheral wall provided with at least one of a protrusion and a recess removably interlocked with the at least one of the recess and the protrusion on the inner peripheral wall of the inner cavity.