OF USE

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

[01] Devices and methods provided herein relate to a dental attachment assembly for anchoring a dental appliance with a base structure such as a tooth root or dental implant, and more specifically to a frictionally-retained compressible ball and socket assembly which adjustably attaches the dental appliance with the base structure.

Related Art

[02] Dental anchoring assemblies are utilized to anchor a dental appliance with a dental implant or tooth root, typically by fitting two or more partially-movable components together to provide an improved fit and comfort. In some assemblies, male and female parts have mating, snap engageable formations for releasably securing the male part to the female part. For example, the female part has a socket and the male part has a head for snap engagement in the socket. However, as repeated impacts of the socket and head may damage the retentive head of the male and cause wearing due to friction of the components as they move, a compressible annular ring may be provided to absorb the frictional forces and act as a cushion between the socket and the head. However, even the ring may wear out over a period of time and need to be replaced, requiring regular maintenance of the dental anchoring assembly that is uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient. Furthermore, to allow the compressible annular ring to be easily removed and replaced, the ring may be provided with a securing mechanism on a mating surface with the socket (such as a threaded portion), which further adds to the cost and complexity of the dental anchor assembly.

[03] It is therefore desirable to avoid the need for continued maintenance and simplify the design of the dental anchoring assembly. SUMMARY

[04] Embodiments described herein provide for a frictionally-retained detachable dental anchor device for adjustably attaching a dental appliance with a tooth root or implant. The dental anchor device includes a cap secured in the dental appliance, an abutment attached with a tooth root or implant, and a compressible retention member with a first end in fixed attachment with the cap and a second end in snap engagement with the abutment via a frictionally-retained ball secured within a cavity of the abutment. The retention member is formed using a compressible material to allow the ball to compress and the retention member to flex while inserting the ball into the cavity. Additional friction-retained and fixed attachment configurations of the dental anchor device are provided, along with methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the friction-retained and fixed attachment dental anchor devices.

[05] In one aspect of the invention, a dental attachment assembly comprises a cap for securing with a dental appliance, the cap having an open end defining an inner cavity; an abutment configured with an upper opening with a socket; and a retention member configured with a threaded portion to securely attach with the cap at a first end and configured with a spherical head to frictionally detachably attach with the socket of the abutment at a second end to form a frictional fit between the head and the socket and securely retain the dental appliance and abutment.

[06] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[07] The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[08] FIG. 1 is a side cutout view illustration of an abutment, retention member, and cap of a dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[09] FIGS. 1 B and 1 C illustrate side views of flat surfaced retention heads, according to one embodiment of the invention; [10] FIG. 2 is a side cutout view illustration of the dental attachment assembly in an angled, unattached configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[11] FIG. 3 is a side cutout view illustration of the dental attachment assembly in an attached, angled configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[12] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are side cutout view illustrations of a process of attaching the retention member with the abutment illustrating a compression of a ball and shaft portion of the retention member, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[13] FIG. 5 is a side cutout view illustration of a screw-retained dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[14] FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded view illustrations of a denture cap, retention cap and abutment of an outer surface retention configuration of a dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[15] FIG. 7A is a bottom side perspective view illustration of the retention cap of the outer surface retention configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[16] FIG. 7B is a top side perspective view illustration of the retention cap of the outer surface retention configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention

[17] FIG. 7C is a side view illustration of the retention cap of the outer surface retention configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention

[18] FIG. 7D is a side cutout view illustration of the retention cap of the outer surface retention configuration along lines C-C of FIG. 7C, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[19] FIG. 8 is a side view illustration of the retention cap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[20] FIG. 9 is a side cutout view illustration of the retention cap along lines A-A of FIG. 8 illustrating an inner spherical retention surface of the retention cap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[21] FIGS. 10A and 10B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of an acrylic pick up cap embodiment of the denture cap, according to an embodiment of the invention; [22] FIGS. 1 1 A and 1 1 B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of a burn out cap embodiment of the denture cap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[23] FIGS. 12A and12B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the abutment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[24] FIGS. 13A and 13B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of a screw-retained embodiment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[25] FIGS. 14A and 14B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of an acrylic pick up assembly of the screw-retained embodiment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[26] FIGS. 15A and 15B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the acrylic pick up assembly of the outer surface retention configuration in an angled orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[27] FIGS. 16A and 16B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the outer surface retention configuration in an angled orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[28] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a method of attaching a dental appliance with at least one dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[29] FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment of a removal tool for removing the dental attachment assembly in a folded configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[30] FIG. 18B illustrates one embodiment of the removal tool in an open configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[31] FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are front perspective views and top views, respectively, of the removal tool partially inserted into a space between a patient's gums and an implant-retained denture, according to one embodiment of the invention; [32] FIG. 20A is a side perspective view of the removal tool fully inserted into the space between the patient's gums and the implant-retained denture, according to one embodiment;

[33] FIG. 20B is a top perspective view of the removal tool fully inserted into the space between the patient's gums and the implant-retained denture and being threaded by a removal pen, according to one embodiment;

[34] FIG. 21 A is a side perspective view of a removal pen with an integrated retractable removal tool positioned adjacent to an implant-retained denture prior to initiating a process to remove the implant-retained denture, according to one embodiment;

[35] FIG. 21 B is a top perspective view of the removal pen with the integrated retractable removal tool extending therefrom and being inserted into the space between the patient's gums and the implant-retained denture, according to one embodiment;

[36] FIG. 22A is a side perspective view of the removal pen with the integrated retractable removal tool extending therefrom and inserted into the space between the patient's gums and the implant-retained denture embodiments of a removal tool and pen for removing the dental attachment assembly, according to one embodiment; and

[37] FIG. 22B is a top perspective view of a retractable extension rod which extends outwardly from the removal pen to provide leverage during removal of the dental attachment assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[38] Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide for a frictionally-retained detachable dental anchor device for adjustably attaching a dental appliance with a tooth root or implant. The dental anchor device includes a cap secured in the dental appliance, an abutment attached with a tooth root or implant, and a compressible retention member with a first end in fixed attachment with the cap and a second end in snap engagement with the abutment via a frictionally-retained ball secured within a cavity of the abutment. The retention member is formed using a compressible material to allow the ball to compress and the retention member to flex while inserting the ball into the cavity. Additional friction-retained and fixed attachment configurations of the dental anchor device are provided, along with methods of securing a dental appliance in a subject's mouth by means of the friction-retained and fixed attachment dental anchor devices.

[39] After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[40] The dental attachment device described herein functions similar to a fixed dental attachment system, yet can be more easily removed by a dental professional using a special tool. The dental attachment device described herein is useful to attach a dental appliance, such as a denture, with an implant and provide a retentive force of about 10 to 75 pounds, while also providing ease of engagement of the retentive member with the abutment due to the compressible nature of the materials used and the friction- retained snap-fit of the ball and socket components.

[41] As will be described in detail below, the retentive member is formed from a compressible material - such as a polymer or soft metal - to allow the retentive member to compress and flex while being attached or detached from an abutment secured to the implant. The compressible and flexible retentive member can then be secured with the abutment at a variety of angles, which is often necessary when securing a dental appliance to a plurality of implants extending at different angles across a person's upper or lower mandible. Additionally, the compressible ball eliminates the need for a separate compressible annular ring to be positioned in the socket of the abutment between the retention member and interior abutment walls, as well as the need for a securing mechanism for securing the annular ring to the abutment walls. The dental anchoring device is therefore easier to manufacture and requires less maintenance once inserted. A. Dental Attachment Assembly

[42] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the dental anchoring device 100 which may be attached with an implant (not shown) that may be anchored to a bone or other base structure (not shown) such as a tooth root. The assembly includes an abutment 102 which is secured to the implant and a cap 104 which is secured in a recess of a dental appliance. A retention member 106 serves to provide the frictionally-retained connection between the cap and the abutment. To this end, the retention member includes a shaft 108 which is threaded at a first end 1 10 in a threaded connection with the cap. A second end of the shaft which interfaces with the abutment includes a head 1 12 which is substantially spherical in shape and which is configured to create a frictional fit with a socket 1 14 found in an upper opening 1 16 of the abutment. The head includes a curved surface 1 18 configured to frictionally fit with a corresponding recessed surface 120 of the socket. Specifically, in the area of the recessed surface is an undercut that is engaged with the head 1 12, but the socket does not necessarily need to be curved to match the curved surface 1 18 of the head 1 12. In the embodiment in FIG. 1 , the side walls of the head 1 12 are convex, while the top of the head is flat in order to provide for a closer fit of the head 1 12 with the abutment. The inner surface of the opening 1 16 of the abutment narrows in diameter to a point where it is configured to securely fit the corresponding diameter of the head 1 12 at the mouth of the socket 1 14.

[43] One benefit of the compressible material for the retentive member 106 is that the diameter of the head 1 12 may be altered to increase or decrease the retentive force provided by the frictional-fit of the head 1 12 and socket 1 14. The greater the diameter, the more retentive force will be provided, while a smaller diameter head 1 12 will provide less retentive force. As mentioned above, the retentive force may vary from anywhere between about 10 to about 75 pounds, although some embodiments may provide as little as about 1 pound of retentive force for use in the initial positioning of the dental appliance and dental anchoring device.

[44] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 B and FIG. 1 C, one or more sides of the curved surface 1 18 may have flattened portions 1 19 to reduce the amount of friction between the curved surface 1 18 of the head and the corresponding curved surface 120 of the socket. [45] The cap 104 is configured with an annular surface 122 which may be curved to engage with a corresponding curved outer surface 124 of the abutment, providing an additional frictional fit for the dental attachment assembly.

[46] In one embodiment, a ball flange 126 may be provided as one or more protrusions extending perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 108 and which are configured to contact the cap 104. The ball flange 126 serves to help locate the ball 1 12 within the socket 1 14 and cap 104 and prevent vertical movement of the assembly.

[47] In the embodiment described herein, the retention member may be formed from a compressible or elastomeric material such as a polymer or a soft metal, non-limiting examples of which include polyether ether ketone (PEEK), nickel titanium (nitinol), pink TiCN coating or titanium. In one embodiment, the surfaces may be coated with a gold nitride coating to reduce friction.

[48] FIG. 2 is a side cutout view illustration of the dental anchoring device in an angled, unattached configuration illustrating the varying angles at which the retentive member 106 may be snap-fit into the abutment. In practical applications, the implant may protrude from the bone or tooth root at varying angles from the ideal vertical angle due to the structure of the bone or the placement of the implant during surgery. The dental anchoring device therefore corrects any angular displacement due to the rotation of the head 1 12 in the socket 1 14. In one embodiment, the angle of approach of the retentive head with respect to the abutment may vary up to about 20 degrees in any direction from the vertically-aligned orientation shown in FIG. 1 . In combination with another implant also offset at a similar angle, the dental anchoring device may therefore provide as much as about 40 degrees of angle correction.

[49] FIG. 3 is a side cutout view illustration of the dental attachment assembly in the angled orientation shown in FIG. 2 but where the retentive member 106 is now snap-fit into the socket 1 14 of the abutment 102. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the head 1 12 may be secured within the socket 1 14 despite the differential angle. Furthermore, the annular surface 122 of the cap 104 is also still fitted around the outer curved surface 124 of the abutment.

[50] FIGS. 4A-4C are side cutout view illustrations of the flexing and compression of the head 1 12 and shaft 108 of the retention member 106 during a process of attaching the retention member with the abutment at the angle already illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated specifically in FIG. 4B, the shaft 108 and head 1 12 of the retention member 106 are flexing and compressed due to the angle of the abutment with respect to the retention member 106. However, as shown in FIG. 4C, once the retention member 106 is frictionally snap-fit into the socket 1 14, the flexure and compression has been reduced such that the retention member 106 and abutment 102 provide a secure fit without inducing an undue amount of stress on the retentive member.

B. Screw-Retained Configuration

[51] FIG. 5 is a side cutout view illustration of a screw-retained dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention, where instead of the ball and socket configuration, a cantilevered screw 128 protrudes through the cavity 1 16 in the abutment 102 and forms a threaded connection 130 with the abutment 102 to create a fixed connection. As illustrated above with regard to FIG. 1 , the annular surface 122 of the cap 104 provides a sliding retentive surface with the outer curved surface 124 of the abutment to allow for minimal rotation of the screw 128 and cap 104 with respect to the abutment.

[52] This embodiment is useful for obtaining a highly secure fit between an implant and the dental appliance which will provide a significant retentive force. As described further below, this configuration may only be needed for one implant where several implants are being used to secure a dental appliance across the surface of a person's mouth.

C. Outer Surface Retention Configuration

[53] In another alternative embodiment, an abutment 132 may be utilized with a retentive cap 134 and a denture cap 136 to provide retentive force on the outer surface of the abutment without the use of the head and socket configuration. FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded view illustrations of the denture cap 136, retention cap 134 and abutment 132 of an outer surface retention configuration of a dental attachment assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated herein and also above in FIG. 1 , the outer surface 124 of the abutment 130 forms a curved surface which mates with a corresponding curved surface 122 of the retention cap 132 to form a frictional fit. The retentive cap 134 may then be threaded with the denture cap 136 using a threaded surface 138 on the retentive cap 134 and a corresponding threaded surface 140 on the denture cap 136.

[54] FIGS. 7A-7D are illustrations of the retention cap 134 of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the threaded surface 138. FIG. 8 is a side view illustration of the retention cap 134 showing an acrylic finishing line 142 where acrylic from the surrounding denture can create a smooth finish with the denture cap, according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 9 is a side cutout view illustration along lines A-A of FIG. 8 illustrating an inner spherical retention surface 122 of the retention cap 134, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 also illustrates a retention cap 134 with a vertical surface 144 which serves as a wraparound retentive feature.

[55] FIGS. 10A and 10B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of an acrylic pick up cap 146 embodiment of the denture cap 136, according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 1 1A and 1 1 B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of a burn out cap 148 embodiment of the denture cap, according to an embodiment of the invention. The acrylic pick up cap 146 includes a plurality of retaining channels 150 that acrylic will flow through to hold a dental appliance such as a denture with the cap 146. The burn out cap 148 is used in cast bar situations.

[56] FIGS. 12A and12B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the abutment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. The abutment has an internal thread 152 for securing threaded components such as a healing collar, impression coping screw and Cantilever screw. Additionally, an internal driving feature 154 is visible, which serves to tighten the abutment into the implant.

[57] FIGS. 13A and 13B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of a screw-retained embodiment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention, where a cantilever screw 128 is secured through an opening of the retention cap 134 and into a threaded connection with the abutment 132. FIGS. 14A and 14B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of an acrylic pick up assembly of the screw-retained embodiment of the outer surface retention configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 15A and 15B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the acrylic pick up assembly of the outer surface retention configuration in an angled orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 16A and 16B are side view and side cutout view illustrations, respectively, of the outer surface retention configuration in an angled orientation, according to an embodiment of the invention.

D. Method of Use

[58] FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a method of attaching a dental appliance to a plurality of implants using the various dental attachment assemblies described herein. For example, where a patient is being fitted with a complete upper or lower denture, a plurality of implants will be inserted into the bone structure across the area where the denture is to be placed. In some embodiments, as few as 2 or as many as 6 implants may be used. In the embodiments described herein, the frictionally-retained dental attachment assembly may be utilized for the majority of the implants while fewer of the implants - even just one - will utilize the fixed, or screw-retained, dental attachment assembly. This provides flexibility in attaching the majority of the implants with the dental appliance while still providing a fixed connection at one implant which will ensure the retention of the entire dental appliance against any amount of retentive force.

[59] In a first step 1302, an abutment is secured to an implant or other root structure that will support the dental appliance. Next, the frictionally-retained retention members are fitted onto at least one abutment (step 1304), and at least one fixed retention member is attached to at least one abutment (step 1306). In step 1308, the friction- retained retention members are attached to their respective caps, and in step 1310, the fixed retention members are attached to their respective caps. In step 1312 the non- swiveling retention member is removed from the cap and a swiveling retention member is inserted into the cap. In step 1312, the dental appliance may be engaged onto the abutment by the snap engagement of the retention member onto the abutment and may be swiveled or rotated into place through use of the swivel joint between the cap and retention member, which is further enhanced by the concave recess within the cap. E. Dental Removal Tool and Pen

[60] In one embodiment, a removal tool may be used to enable easy removal of the friction-retained dental appliance. The removal tool may comprise two parts - a removal loop and a removal pen. The removal loop may be a thin, circular loop partially inserted into a gap between a patient's gums and the dental appliance to create half loops on either side of the gap (i.e., an outer surface of the appliance and an inner surface of the appliance), and the removal pen may be a long, cylindrical shaft which is inserted into respective half loops present on either side of the gums when the circular loop is partially inserted. The removal pen is then used as a lever to pull or push against a portion of the dental appliance to separate the dental appliance from the gums.

[61] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B illustrate one embodiment of the removal loop 202, which is the thin, circular loop that can be threaded between a gap between a patient's gum and the dental appliance, as will be shown below. The loop 202 may include a friction covering or larger diameter portion 204 on a first end 202A of the loop 202 where the removal pen 206 (shown below in FIG. 19B) will contact the loop 202 to minimize movement of the the loop along the length of the removal pen 206. FIG. 18A illustrates the removal loop 202 in a folded configuration as it would appear once partially inserted into the gap between the gums and the dental appliance, while FIG. 18B illustrates the loop 202 in a flat, unfolded configuration prior to being inserted into the gap. As seen in FIG. 18B, the removal loop may also have a narrower diameter second end 202B to make it easier to insert into the gap.

[62] FIG. 19A is a side perspective view illustration of the second end 202B of the removal loop 202 being inserted into a gap 208 between a patient's gums 210 and a dental appliance 212, according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 19B is a top perspective view illustration showing the narrow diameter second end 202B as it is initially threaded through the gap and exposed on an inner portion of the mouth and the dental appliance. In FIG. 20A, the loop 202 is partially inserted into the gap such that half of the loop where the first end 202A is located is visible on an outer portion of the mouth, while the half of the loop 202 where the second end 202B is located is visible on an inner portion of the mouth. When the loop 202 is moved into the folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 20A, the removal pen 206, shown in FIG. 20B, can be inserted through the half loop on the outer portion and the half loop on the inner portion of the mouth. In one embodiment, the removal pen 206 also includes a flexible end piece 214 which is designed to contact a top surface of the dental appliance where the user will apply pressure when removing the dental appliance 212 with the removal pen 206. With both half loops engaged, a user can then pull upwards (or downwards, depending on whether the appliance is on a bottom portion of the mouth or a top portion of the mouth) and use the force applied by the flexible end piece 214 on the dental appliance as a lever to lift the loop 202 away from the gap 208, thus using lever action to easily remove the dental appliance 212 without having to pull aggressively on the dental appliance or cause discomfort to the patient.

[63] An alternative embodiment of the removal tool 200 is illustrated in FIG. 21A, where the loop 202 is integrated into a proximal end 216 of the removal pen 206, and where the removal pen 206 is a housing which covers an extendible arm 218 which can extend from either the proximal end 216 or distal end 220 of the removal pen 206 to effectuate the removal operation. In operation, as shown in FIG. 21 B, the loop 202 is extended from the proximal end 216 and into the gap between the gums and the dental appliance, as has been previously shown. The loop 202 may be extended from the pen 206 using a slider bar 222 or other advancing mechanism on the housing of the pen 206. Once the second 202B of the loop 202 is partially inserted into the gap, as shown in FIG. 22A, the user can then actuate the extendible arm 218 from an extended position on the distal end 220 to extend through the interior half loop and across the top surface of the dental appliance, as shown in FIG. 22B. Note that because the loop 202 is integrated into the pen 206, it does not need to extend through a half loop on the outer portion of the mouth since it is already connected with the loop on the outer portion. With the extendible arm 218 and the flexible end piece 214 now in position over the dental appliance, the same lever arm motion can be applied at the distal end of the pen 206 to effectuate the removal of the dental appliance from the dental attachment assembly.

[64] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.