Dental Retention Insert With Axial Slot For Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental connecting devices face challenges in providing a reliable, long-lasting, and efficient connection between dental prostheses and implants, with existing push-button connections often experiencing issues with force distribution and durability during chewing movements.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device featuring a retention insert with a cup-shaped design and an axial slot that allows for elastic snapping onto the implant head, providing a spring force for secure clamping and accommodating misalignments and varying forces, while being made from biocompatible materials like polyetheretherketone for durability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid retention insert is used to ensure stable connection, then connection strength is improved, but durability under varying forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention insert incorporates a flexible retention rim that can elastically deform to accommodate non-axial forces and misalignments during chewing movements, while maintaining secure connection. The rim's flexibility allows it to act as a spring element that absorbs varying forces without permanent deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the retention insert by selecting materials with appropriate elasticity and using a slot design that enables controlled deformation. This allows the insert to transition between rigid (for stable connection) and flexible (for force absorption) states as needed.
2Reliability
If a tight snap-on connection is used to ensure secure attachment, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention insert is designed with dynamic characteristics through its elastic retention rim that can deform during assembly and disassembly operations. The slot in the insert base enables the rim to flex outward during installation and release during removal, making the process easier while maintaining secure connection during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention insert is segmented into a base portion and a retention rim portion, with the slot creating a separation that allows independent movement of the rim. This segmentation enables the rim to flex for easier assembly/disassembly while the base remains stable for reliable connection.
3Strength
If a solid retention insert design is used to maximize strength, then connection strength is improved, but adaptability to misalignments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention rim is designed as a flexible element that can elastically deform to accommodate misalignments between the prosthesis and implant. The slot in the base allows the rim to flex outward and adapt to angular and positional variations while maintaining secure connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert transitions from a static solid design to a dynamic structure where the retention rim can move and deform in response to misalignments. The slot enables this dynamic adaptation while the overall structure maintains sufficient strength for reliable 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 solution enables a long-lasting, comfortable, and reliable connection by absorbing non-axial forces and maintaining flexibility, reducing stress on the retention insert and improving handling during assembly and use.
Implementation Method 1
The retention insert, with its end face that closes off the retention rim, can be essentially cup-shaped... The retention rim can then grip the head and hold the retention insert in place... a spring force can act from the retention rim onto the head when the retention insert is snapped into place
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A retention insert (1), for connecting a dental prosthesis structure to a dental implant or capping structure having a head designed for a press-fit connection, comprises a substantially circular disc-shaped end face (12), and a substantially ring-shaped retention edge (11), which protrudes from the end face (12) and has an outer surface (114). The end face (12) has an opening (121), and, starting from an end (11b) of the retention edge (11) directed away from the end face (12), a substantially axial slit (14) extends through the retention edge (11) and the end face (12) to the opening (121) of the end face (12). Connected to the opening on the end face, the slit of the retention insert according to the invention is a relatively simple structure which ensures that the retention insert, and in particular the retention edge thereof, has an elasticity sufficient for snap-fitting it onto the head or the patrix head. At the same time, a spring force from the snapped-on retention edge can therefore act on the head, such that the retention insert and parts connected thereto are clamped on the head. Moreover, this retention edge and this opening also have the result that imprecisions in the position of the implant structure, and in particular lack of parallelism, and also the effects of forces from different directions can be compensated, without the retention insert or parts thereof being substantially squeezed or similarly deformed.