Polymeric Dental Implant Post Using PEEK for Customizable Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental implants made from metals like titanium are inflexible and costly to produce, limiting their ability to meet the specific needs of patients regarding rigidity and flexibility, and require extensive manual labor and high temperatures for manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The use of polymers with adjustable physical properties, such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and other high-strength plastics, which can be molded at lower temperatures and customized for rigidity and flexibility, allowing for improved retention and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal implants like titanium are used, then strength and biocompatibility are improved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing polymers with adjustable physical properties, specifically mentioning polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and other high-strength plastics that can be molded at lower temperatures and customized for rigidity and flexibility. This allows the implant material's mechanical parameters to be tuned to match specific patient needs, resolving the contradiction between inherent metal strength and required flexibility adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining polymer matrices with reinforcing elements such as carbon fiber or other fillers to achieve both the strength of metals and the flexibility/customizability of polymers. This composite approach allows tailoring of mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility and structural integrity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If metal implants are used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting polymers that can be processed at lower temperatures than metals, specifically mentioning that PEEK and other high-strength plastics can be molded at lower temperatures. This reduces energy consumption and manufacturing complexity while maintaining durability through careful selection of polymer grade and processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical working processes required for metal implants (such as machining, drilling, and high-temperature processing) with polymer molding processes. This substitution simplifies manufacturing steps, reduces equipment requirements, and lowers overall production costs while maintaining implant durability through proper polymer selection and processing.
3Strength
If rigid posts are used, then reinforcement and breakage resistance are improved, but flexibility under stress is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using polymers with adjustable rigidity parameters. The selected polymer materials can be formulated to provide appropriate stiffness for reinforcement while retaining enough flexibility to yield under unusual stress. This allows the post to be reinforced against normal loads while maintaining the ability to flex under abnormal conditions, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and stress flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a dental implant utilizing a polymeric dental post. The actual prosthetic portion of the implant may also be manufactured from a polymer. Various post designs are disclosed for setting and securing the post in a patient's jaw. Numerous polymers are disclosed and may be blended to achieve desired characteristics for both the post and prosthetic.