Fixed Hybrid Dental Attachment With PEEK Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental anchoring assemblies for overdentures face issues such as wear and tear due to repeated snap engagement, require regular maintenance, and are costly, while fixed dentures suffer from metal-on-metal interfaces leading to alignment and seating problems, and labor-intensive hygiene procedures.

Innovation Solution

A dental attachment assembly using a retention member made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or similar rigid material with snap-engaging formations, providing a retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds, and allowing for swivel engagement to accommodate varying implant angles, eliminating the need for compressible annular rings and reducing maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional snap-engaging anchoring assemblies are used, then retention is provided, but wear and tear occurs due to repeated engagement requiring regular maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical snap-engaging system with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic retainer on the denture interacts with the magnetic anchor in the implant through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical snap engagement and disengagement. This substitution reduces wear and tear on both the denture and implant components, thereby extending service life while maintaining reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional snap-engaging anchoring assemblies are used, then retention is provided, but the system becomes costly due to maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical snap system with a magnetic system, the patent eliminates the need for regular maintenance and replacement of worn components. The magnetic components are designed to be durable and require no maintenance, significantly reducing long-term costs despite potentially higher initial manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fixed dentures with metal-on-metal interfaces are used, then secure retention is achieved, but alignment and seating problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidalignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic attachment system replaces the precision-critical metal-on-metal interface with a magnetic field-based connection. The magnetic retainer and anchor create an attractive force that provides secure retention without requiring precise mechanical alignment. The magnetic field can accommodate slight variations in positioning, eliminating alignment and seating problems associated with conventional mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If fixed dentures with screw-based systems are used, then secure retention is achieved, but hygiene procedures become labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveretentionVSAvoidhygiene maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic attachment system replaces the screw-based mechanical connection with a magnetic field-based connection. This allows the denture to be easily attached and detached without tools, making hygiene maintenance simple and labor-free. The patient can easily remove the denture for cleaning and reattach it using magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for screw manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Strength

If rigid retention members are used, then durability is improved, but adaptability to varying implant angles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidangle accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a resilient or flexible component in the magnetic retainer assembly that allows adaptation to varying implant angles. The magnetic retainer can flex or rotate to accommodate different angular orientations of the implant anchor while maintaining the magnetic connection. This dynamic capability enables the rigid magnetic components to work together effectively despite angular variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12414843B2Fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 ZEST IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A dental assembly is provided, which includes an endosseous dental implant, a retention member, and a cap configured for securing in a dental appliance and engaging the retention member. The endosseous dental implant may have an external projection extending from the top of the first end portion for releasable engagement with an abutment member, wherein the abutment member has an external lower bevel portion. The retention member may have a first end and a continuous, unbroken skirt extending from the first end defining an inner surface for engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, the retention member being constructed from a rigid material such that it provides a retentive force of about 10 to 75 pounds. The rigid material may include PEEK.