Asymmetric Scallop Shell for Soft-Tissue Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for immediate dental implant placement often result in irreversible soft-tissue changes and loss of the biologic seal in the tissue-zone, leading to esthetic and anatomical alterations, with insufficient focus on preserving the macro- and micro-anatomy of the soft-tissue gingiva after tooth removal.
Innovation Solution
A soft-tissue preservation arrangement involving a hollow shell with an asymmetrically scalloped design that tapers outwardly, coupled to a dental implant via a temporary post, allowing independent positioning and orientation to mimic the natural tissue socket, and filled with a luting compound matching the tissue color to re-establish the biologic seal and preserve esthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If immediate implant placement is performed after tooth removal, then treatment time is reduced and bone preservation is improved, but irreversible soft-tissue changes occur and the biologic seal is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow shell is pre-formed with an asymmetrically scalloped configuration that mimics the natural tissue socket architecture. This preliminary structure is ready for immediate placement at the time of implant insertion, allowing the biologic seal to be re-established proactively rather than waiting for natural tissue healing, thus preventing irreversible soft-tissue changes while maintaining the time benefits of immediate placement
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shell acts as an intermediary device between the implant and the soft tissue. It provides a temporary structural framework that guides tissue healing and maintains the biologic seal during the critical early healing period, mediating between the implant placement and natural tissue regeneration processes
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional extraction and implant placement methods are used, then simple surgical procedure is achieved, but loss of interdental papillae and gingival architecture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow shell provides localized structural support precisely where needed - in the tissue-zone surrounding the implant. The asymmetrically scalloped configuration targets specific anatomical regions (interdental papillae areas) with enhanced support, while leaving other areas to heal naturally, thus preserving critical gingival architecture without complicating the overall surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shell employs asymmetric scalloping that mirrors the natural asymmetric architecture of the gingival tissue and interdental papillae. This asymmetric design provides differentiated support to various regions of the soft tissue, preserving the natural contours and architecture of the gingiva while maintaining surgical simplicity through a single pre-formed component
3Reliability
If tooth extraction is performed, then diseased tooth is removed, but morphologic change to anatomy and exposure of internal tissues occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow shell converts the harmful void created by tooth extraction into a beneficial structured environment for healing. The extraction socket, which normally represents tissue loss and architectural disruption, is transformed into a protected space filled with the shell that actively supports tissue regeneration and maintains anatomical form during healing
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, a soft tissue preservation arrangement includes a hollow shell defining an interior volume extending from a proximal opening to a distal opening. The proximal opening is defined by a first perimeter that is smaller than a second perimeter defining the distal opening such that the shell tapers outwardly from the first perimeter to the second perimeter. The second perimeter is asymmetrically scalloped. The hollow shell either (1) is transparent or semi-transparent or (2) has a color configured to correspond to a color of a gingival tissue or a tooth.