Orientable Dental Implant Ball-Socket Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental implants and posts are fixed in orientation, limiting the alignment and orientation of artificial teeth with surrounding teeth, especially after root canal therapy, which restricts the proper alignment and retention of caps.
Innovation Solution
An orientable dental device with a ball element and socket mechanism that allows for adjustable orientation within the jaw bone, enabling the stem to be positioned at various angles relative to the post, facilitating proper alignment and retention of artificial teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed orientation dental implants or posts are used, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the alignment and orientation of artificial teeth with surrounding teeth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dental device is divided into two main segments: a post portion that is fixed in the jawbone and a stem portion that can be oriented independently. This segmentation allows the stem to be positioned at various angles relative to the post, providing alignment flexibility while keeping the fixed post structure simple and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem portion is designed to be dynamically positionable relative to the post portion, allowing the practitioner to adjust the orientation of the stem after the post is fixed in the jawbone. This dynamic capability enables proper alignment of artificial teeth with surrounding teeth without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism during the initial fixation.
2Ease of operation
If the stem is made orientable relative to the post, then proper alignment of artificial teeth is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint between the post and stem allows the stem to be positioned at various angles relative to the post after the post is fixed in the jawbone. This dynamic positioning capability enables proper alignment of artificial teeth with surrounding teeth while maintaining a relatively simple joint mechanism that does not require complex actuators or adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The post portion is first fixed in the jawbone in a stable, simple configuration, establishing a reliable anchor point. Then, the stem portion is subsequently oriented and attached to the post at the appropriate angle. This preliminary fixation of the post simplifies the overall process by separating the fixation and orientation steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of an orientable dental device are discussed within the dental device includes a ball element that is positionable within a cup within a socket that is fixedly attached to a patient. The ball element includes a post that is orientable over a desired range (laterally and transversely and combination thereof) that allows for the incorporation of an artificial tooth (or teeth) to present a natural appearance.