FIXED DETACHABLE DENTAL ATTACHMENT DEVICE, ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

• US 20120315599A1
• Filed: 06/07/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zest IP Holdings LLC (Zest Anchors LLC)
• Original Assignee: ZEST IP Holding LLC
• Inventors: Mullaly, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/2656 Snap attachments
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/277 Telescopic anchoring , i.e. using spring biased detents
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0048 Connecting the upper structure to the implant, e.g. bridging bars A61C8/0028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0053 with angular adjustment means, e.g. ball and socket joint
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/006 with polygonal positional means, e.g. hexagonal or octagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0062 Catch or snap type connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/008 Healing caps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0089 Implanting tools or instruments

Abstract

A fixed, detachable dental attachment device comprising a cap for securing a dental appliance, a ring, and an abutment to attachment to a tooth root or implant. Also described herein are methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject'"'"'s mouth by means of the dental attachment device. Further described herein is a dental attachment device for immediate load on a provisional denture and then incorporated into the final restoration

Claims

1. A fixed detachable dental attachment device, comprising:

a. a cap for securing a dental appliance having an open end and an inner cavity forming an annular wall that surrounds a retention head, and a first attachment portion;

b. a ring; and

c. an abutment comprising an upper portion and a second attachment portion, wherein the upper portion having a convex outer surface comprising an open end and a socket for receiving the ring and engaging the retention head.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention head comprises a head portion and a shaft.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the head portion is ball-shaped.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the head portion is in a shape selected from the group consisting of:

spherical, polyhedron, and spheroid.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the retention head projects above the lip of the annular wall.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion is secured to the dental appliance by means selected from the group consisting of:

a post, a screw, and an adhesive.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the abutment further comprises a cuff portion between the upper portion and attachment portion.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second attachment portion is adapted to be compatible with commercially available implants.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the second attachment portion is configured as a non-vital tooth root abutment, a mini-implant, or an intermediary abutment.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the annular wall of the cap engages over the convex outer surface of the abutment to secure the cap onto the abutment.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is adapted for swivel engagement on the abutment over a range of divergence.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the range of divergence between the cap relative to the abutment is at an angle from 0°

to about 20°

.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein cap diverges relative to the abutment at an angle selected from the group consisting of:

0°

, about 1°

, about 2°

, about 3°

, about 4°

, about 5°

, about 6°

, about 7°

, about 8°

, about 9°

, about 10°

, about 11°

, about 12°

, about 13°

, about 14°

, about 15°

, about 16°

, about 17°

, about 18°

, about 19°

, and about 20°

.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the abutment is pre-angled at about 20°

.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the cap is adapted for swivel engagement on the pre-angled abutment over a range of divergence.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the range of divergence between the cap relative to the pre-angled abutment is at an angle from 0°

to about 20°

.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the cap diverges relative to the pre-angled abutment at a total angle selected from the group consisting of:

about 20°

, about 21°

, about 22°

, about 23°

, about 24°

, about 25°

, about 26°

, about 27°

, about 28°

, about 29°

, about 30°

, about 31°

, about 32°

, about 33°

, about 34°

, about 35°

, about 36°

, about 37°

, about 38°

, about 39°

, and about 40°

.

18. A method of securing a dental appliance in a subject'"'"'s mouth using the device of claim 1.

19. A method of securing a dental appliance in a subject'"'"'s mouth comprising the steps of:

a. providing an abutment comprising an upper portion and an attachment portion, wherein the upper portion, having a convex outer surface, comprises a open end and a socket and wherein the socket contains a ring;

b. attaching an abutment into an existing non-vital tooth root, implant, or intermediary abutment by means of the attachment portion;

b. aligning a cap integral in the dental appliance over the abutment, wherein the cap has a open end and an inner cavity forming an annular wall that surround a retention head; and

c. engaging the retention head through the ring and into the socket of the abutment thereby securing the cap onto the abutment.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the annular wall of the cap engages over the concave outer surface of the abutment to secure the cap onto the abutment.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the annular wall of the cap engages over the concave outer surface of the abutment to create seal between the cap and the abutment.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein changes in the frictional force between the annular wall of the cap and the outer convex surface of the abutment, or the angle of convergence thereof, can vary the retentive force between the cap and abutment.