Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Patent
1997-11-19
1999-11-16
Wilson, John J.
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
433172, A61C 800
Patent
active
059846801
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to rotation-limiting connecting mechanisms of the kind employing a non-round post engaged in a non-round socket to connect two parts endwise in a fashion that limits relative rotation between the parts around their common longitudinal axis as embodied, for example, in a dental implant and an abutment, artificial tooth, or another article designed and intended for non-rotational, detachable connection to that implant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In dental implantology as currently being practiced it is common to use rotation-limiting connecting mechanisms consisting, for example, of a hexagonal post or socket on an implant and a mating socket or post on an article intended to be attached to the implant. There being a wide variety of such articles (posts, copings, artificial teeth, etc.), it is the prevailing manufacturing practice to employ standard sizes of such posts and sockets so that all such articles will fit interchangeably on all available implants of a given manufacturer. The dimensions being used are small. Owing in part to the limitations of manufacturing tolerances, the sockets are a little larger across than the posts in order to assure that in every case the dentist will be able to put two parts together at chairside, and when necessary to take them apart without difficulty. Typically, the distance between opposing flat surfaces of a hexagonal post may be about 0.0005 inch smaller than the distance between opposing flat surfaces of a mating hexagonal socket. While this arrangement provides an essential rotation-limiting connection, it leaves a small amount of rotational looseness which is undesirable in that it does not provide the stability of a natural tooth. More importantly, the rotational wiggling between parts creates an environment in which the screw that holds an article fixed to an implant can work itself loose. It is critically important to a successful dental restoration on an implant that the restoration not come loose on the implant.
GENERAL NATURE OF THE INVENTION
Generally, in accordance with the invention, a non-round post is detachably connected to a non-round socket in a manner which limits the relative rotation between the post and socket. As in the prior art, the ends of the post and socket have opposing flat surfaces which are spaced apart slightly to facilitate initial insertion of the post into the socket. Upon further insertion of the post into the socket, however, means are provided on the post, socket, or both to more tightly engage the parts and reduce the relative rotation between them. In one embodiment of the invention, a socket has internal means adjacent its bottom for engaging a prior art post more snugly at its free end. In another embodiment of the invention, a post has external means near its base for engaging a prior art socket more snugly near its opening. In a third embodiment of the invention, both a socket and post are provided with internal means and external means, respectively, for tightly engaging with each other in a manner which greatly reduces the relative rotation between them. In either embodiment, it is found that when two parts bearing the post and socket are fastened together, relative rotation of the parts around their common axis is substantially eliminated, thus forming a true anti-rotational connection.
As practiced in the customary hexagonal post and socket fittings used in implant dentistry, the socket in the first and third embodiments may have a hexagonal configuration with six discrete contact members arrayed one each in the corners between adjacent flat walls which contact the post at each of its corresponding corners, whereas in the second and third embodiments the post may have contact means adjacent its base which contact the socket in each of its corners. When, for example, an abutment fitted with the improved socket according to the first embodiment is fastened to the hexagonal post of an implant with the usual abutment screw, little or no relative rotation between the abutm
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Implant Innovations, Inc.
Wilson John J.
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