Multi-segment Dental Implant with Adjustable Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental implants that experience bone loss or are initially placed too shallow can lead to exposed threads, inadequate restorative clearance, and visible transition lines, resulting in hygiene issues, bone loss, and potential implant failure, necessitating invasive repositioning or removal and reimplantation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-segment dental implant system comprising an apical segment with external threading and a coronal segment with identical or non-matching prosthetic connections, allowing for adjustable depth and removal of coronal segments post-osseointegration to address bone loss and clearance issues, featuring a connector mechanism for secure segment connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-depth dental implant is used, then the implant structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but it cannot address bone loss or provide adequate restorative clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The dental implant is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be independently positioned at different depths within the bone. This segmentation allows the implant to adapt to varying bone loss conditions and restorative clearance requirements while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If the implant is placed at a deeper level to address bone loss, then restorative clearance and hygiene are improved, but the initial placement becomes more complex and may require invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-configured with multiple segments of different lengths during manufacturing, allowing the surgeon to select and place the appropriate segment depth during surgery. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intraoperative adjustments or invasive repositioning procedures, while still achieving deep placement for optimal hygiene and bone loss prevention.
3Shape
If the prosthetic platform is positioned deeper, then transition lines are better camouflaged and restorative clearance is increased, but the implant requires more complex positioning and may affect adjacent structures
Solution Approach 1:
The implant segments are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing the prosthetic platform depth to be dynamically optimized during the restoration phase. The connector elements enable flexible arrangement of segments to achieve the desired emergence profile and transition line camouflage while maintaining control over positioning complexity through standardized connection interfaces.
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
Enables deeper prosthetic platforms, increased restorative clearance, better camouflage of transition lines, and reduced risk of peri-implant disease by allowing for segment removal and repositioning without invasive procedures, enhancing implant stability and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
Both tissue-level and bone-level endosteal implants are engineered to contact and thus integrate with bone at that specific minimum level
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-segment dental implant may include an apical segment including apical external threading at least partially surrounding the apical segment, wherein the apical segment defines a connection aperture including an coronal shoulder. The multi-segment dental implant may include a coronal segment including coronal external threading at least partially surrounding the coronal segment and terminating in a non-knife-edge apical skirt. The multi-segment dental implant may include a connector constructed and arranged to connect the apical segment and the coronal segment.