Fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly and methods of use
A fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly is provided. The fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly includes an abutment member, a male member, and a cap. The abutment member has an outer locating surface portion projecting downwardly from an upper end. The male member for attachment to the abutment member has an upper end for engagement within a cap in a recess in a dental appliance, and a continuous, unbroken skirt projecting from the upper end of the male member for engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member. The skirt may have a rounded, convex outer surface, and the male member may be constructed from a PEEK material.
1 . A dental attachment assembly convertible between a patient-removable state and a non-patient-removable state by interchanging retention members, the dental assembly comprising:
an abutment member configured to attach to a tooth root, implant, or adjacent tooth, the abutment member having
an upper end, and
an outer locating surface portion extending downwardly from the upper end;
a cap configured to be secured in a recess of a dental appliance;
non-patient-removable retention member comprising a snap engagement portion configured to couple to the abutment member to form a non-patient-removable attachment to the abutment member based on a retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds to convert the dental attachment assembly to a non-patient-removable state, the non-patient-removable retention member having an upper end configured to engage the cap, and a continuous skirt extending from the upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member to form a non-patient-removable engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, the skirt having a rounded, convex outer surface, the non-patient-removable retention member comprising a rigid material configured to provide the retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds when the non-patient-removable attachment forms to convert the dental attachment assembly to the non-patient-removable state;
wherein the abutment member comprises an engaging portion configured to engage the snap engagement portion of the non-patient-removable retention member to form snap engagement between the non-patient-removable retention member and the abutment member based on the retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds when the non-patient-removable retention member is attached to the abutment member; and
wherein the abutment member is configured to engage a patient-removable replacement retention member to form a patient-removable engagement to the patient-removable replacement retention member to convert the dental attachment assembly to a patient-removable state based on a retentive force of less than 10 pounds, wherein the patient-removable replacement member comprises a resilient material more resilient than the rigid material to provide the retentive force of less than 10 pounds when the patient-removable attachment forms to convert the dental attachment assembly to the patient-removable state,
wherein the patient-removable replacement retention member is configured to form the patient-removable engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, in place of the non-patient-removable retention member.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the abutment member has a socket extending inwardly from the upper end of the abutment member and a retention head projects from the upper end of the retention member for snap engagement in the socket.
3 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retention head has a lower end, and the skirt extends downwardly beyond the lower end of the retention head, whereby the skirt will contact the abutment member before the lower end of the retention head reaches the socket on re-insertion of the retention member into the abutment member.
4 . The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retention head does not project downwardly beyond the lower end of the skirt, whereby the lower end of the skirt contacts the abutment member prior to any other part of the attachment assembly.
5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the abutment member has a weep hole connecting a socket extending inwardly from an upper end of the abutment member to the outside of the abutment member for allowing saliva to escape.
6 . The assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the snap-engaging formations comprise an outwardly bulging portion of the outer locating surface portion of the abutment member and a corresponding concave ring portion of an inner surface of the skirt of the non-patient-removable retention member.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the abutment member comprises a generally cylindrical head having a convex outer surface portion adjacent said upper end, and the non-patient-removable retention member is generally cup-shaped with an internal cavity for fitting over said generally cylindrical head, the skirt having a concave inner surface portion for snap engagement over said convex outer surface portion to secure the members together, said convex and concave surface portions comprising the snap engaging formations.
8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the abutment member has a head portion at the upper end and a shaft depending downwardly from the head portion.
9 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the shaft does not form a straight line with a longitudinal axis of the head portion.
10 . The assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a second abutment member and a third abutment member, wherein a longitudinal axis of the shaft of the abutment member forms a straight line with a longitudinal axis of the head portion, wherein the second abutment member has a second shaft and a second head portion and wherein a longitudinal axis of the second shaft is at an angle of 10° to a longitudinal axis of the said second head portion, and wherein the third abutment member has a third shaft and a third head portion, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the third shaft is at an angle of 20° to a longitudinal axis of the said third head portion.
11 . The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the head portion comprises the outer locating surface portion, and wherein the outer locating surface portion is convex.
12 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a cavity for containing said upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member, the cavity having a rounded, concave inner surface for snap engagement over the rounded outer surface of the skirt of the non-patient-removable retention member, wherein the cap comprises a generally cup shaped member having a central longitudinal axis, a top wall and an annular side wall extending away from the top wall, the top wall and side wall having an outer surface shaped to engage with the recess in the dental appliance, and wherein the cavity is configured for swivel engagement with the non-patient-removable retention member adapted for non-swivel engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member attached to the tooth root, implant, or adjacent tooth;
the top wall having an interior top surface with a concave recess extending radially in an annular path along an outer annular peripheral portion of the interior top surface, the concave recess forming a curve having a first radius of curvature; and
the curve of the concave recess continuing along at least part of the inner surface of the side wall towards an open end of the rounded, concave inner surface of the cavity; and
wherein the curve is configured to provide swivel engagement with the non-patient-removable retention member between a non-swiveled position in axial alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the retention member and a fully-swiveled position in which the central longitudinal axis of the cavity is at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the non-patient-removable retention member.
13 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a cavity for containing said upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member, wherein the upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member comprises a swivel joint, and wherein the swivel joint and cap cavity together permit a swivelling of the cap over the non-patient-removable retention member.
14 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein a range of swivel of the cap over the non-patient-removable retention member is between 15-20 degrees.
15 . The assembly of claim 13 , wherein a range of swivel of the cap over the non-patient-removable retention member is approximately 30 degrees.
16 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap is configured for securing in the recess in the dental appliance, and comprises a cavity for containing said upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member, the cavity having a rounded, concave inner surface for snap engagement over the rounded outer surface of the skirt of the non-patient-removable retention member.