Flexible Flanged Healing Abutment for Bone Graft Biosealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental healing abutments are limited by their symmetrical design, which leads to interference with adjacent hard structures, inadequate coverage of bone grafts, and poor biosealing, resulting in bacterial intrusion and infection risks, especially when custom-manufactured asymmetric abutments are used.
Innovation Solution
A flexible flanged abutment with a soft body and laterally extending flange that can bioseal with the gingival perimeter, allowing for secure seating without interference and providing comprehensive bone graft coverage and biosealing, while being customizable to fit individual patient anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a symmetrical monolithic titanium healing abutment is used, then the abutment provides structural simplicity and hypoallergenic properties, but it causes interference with adjacent hard structures and inadequate coverage of bone grafts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a symmetrical monolithic abutment to an asymmetric two-part construction consisting of a cylindrical implant abutment and a custom-shaped flanged portion. The flanged portion is specifically contoured to match the asymmetric geometry of the bone graft and adjacent anatomical structures, eliminating interferences while maintaining structural integrity through the cylindrical base.
2Ease of operation
If the diameter of healing abutments is constricted to avoid interference, then the abutment can be seated without excessive interferences, but it leaves an undesirable open and uncovered area between the adjacent gingiva and healing abutment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by adding a lateral flanged dimension to the abutment design. The flanged portion extends laterally beyond the cylindrical abutment diameter, providing coverage of the bone graft and adjacent gingiva without requiring an increase in the vertical seating dimension. This dimensional addition allows the abutment to cover exposed areas while maintaining the same implant engagement footprint.
3Ease of operation
If a hard symmetrical healing abutment is used, then the abutment engages drive tools for securing into implants, but it does not provide adequate biosealing against bacterial intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by incorporating a flexible flanged portion that can deform to conform to the irregular surfaces of the bone graft and adjacent gingiva. This flexibility creates intimate contact and effective biosealing interfaces, while the cylindrical base portion maintains the rigid drive tool engagement interface. The combination of rigid and flexible portions resolves the contradiction between mechanical engagement and biological sealing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom-manufactured asymmetric abutments are used to fit individual patient anatomy, then the abutment can provide precise anatomical fit, but it increases device complexity and manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the abutment into two distinct functional segments: a standardized cylindrical implant abutment portion that engages the drive tool and secures to the implant, and a custom-shaped flanged portion that provides anatomical adaptation. This segmentation allows the complex custom portion to be manufactured separately and attached to the simple standardized portion, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining anatomical precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A flanged healing abutment for securing to an implant that has a bone graft. The flexible flange extends out laterally from the healing abutment body to contact the adjacent gingiva. The flange securely contacts the gingiva in a manner that contains the bone graft, and prevents bacterial infection of the bone graft. The flanged abutment is also able to form gingival emergence profiles. A method for securing a prosthesis to an implant utilizing a flanged healing abutment is also provided.