Omni-Abutment Geometry for Scan-Based Orientation and Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental abutments lack features that facilitate easy orientation determination and secure seating, leading to challenges in digital scanning and proper positioning during prosthetic fabrication.
Innovation Solution
The omni-abutment features an irregular ovoid transverse cross-section and tri-lobe structure, combined with keyed configurations and additional surface features, allowing for precise orientation and secure seating through scanning and verification mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical abutment shape is used, then manufacturing is simple, but orientation cannot be determined during scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment incorporates an irregular ovoid transverse cross-section with a tri-lobe structure instead of a symmetric cylindrical shape. This asymmetric geometry creates unique scanning signatures that enable precise orientation determination while maintaining manufacturability through single-piece construction
2Device complexity
If a symmetric cylindrical abutment is used, then the structure is simple, but secure seating and orientation verification are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tri-lobe irregular ovoid structure provides asymmetric geometric features that enable reliable orientation verification and secure seating. The keyed configuration between the abutment and gingival healing cuff ensures proper positioning while the overall structure remains relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The irregular ovoid transverse cross-section with tri-lobe structure creates a unique scanning signature that provides feedback for orientation verification. This allows the practitioner to confirm correct seating and orientation through digital scanning
3Quantity of substance
If a hollow cylindrical abutment is used, then material usage is reduced, but orientation cannot be determined from the exterior surface
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow abutment maintains material efficiency while incorporating an irregular ovoid transverse cross-section with tri-lobe structure. This asymmetric exterior geometry enables orientation determination from the outer surface without requiring additional material
Data Source
AI summary
An omni-abutment includes (i) an apical connection portion that mates/attaches with the receiving portion on a corresponding implant; and (ii) a coronal superstructure. The dental abutment provides features that are not currently found in abutments on the market, allowing the abutment to be used as a key foundation for scanning, impression taking, stability testing, and much more which ultimately would lead to an easier restorative process and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. The abutment could also be used for fabrication of a final prosthesis. The abutment may include alignment indents or protrusions in a platform thereof, internal grooves (e.g., square or rounded) as a tri-lobe or other configuration in the central axial hollow channel, recesses (e.g., divots, grooves) in the exterior periphery for increased adhesion to a gingival healing cuff, internal threading in the hollow channel, and a hex, NC or other connection at the apical connection portion.