RETENTION ELEMENT FOR ATTACHING A FIRST DENTAL COMPONENT TO A SECOND DENTAL COMPONENT AND DENTAL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE RETENTION ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a retention element (1) for attaching a first dental component (20), such as an abutment, to a second dental component (30), such as a dental implant. The retention element (1) comprises a coronal attachment portion (2) for attaching the retention element (1) to the first dental component (20), and an apical attachment portion (4) for attaching the retention element (1) to the second dental component (30). The retention element (1) is elastically deformable at least in all directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2). The apical attachment portion (4) comprises at least one projection (8) extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion (4) towards the coronal attachment portion (2). Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising the retention element (1) and to a use of the retention element (1) for attaching a first dental component (20), such as an abutment, to a second dental component (30), such as a dental implant, outside a human or animal body.

Claims

1. A retention element configured to attach a first dental component to a second dental component, the retention element comprising: a coronal attachment portion configured to attach the retention element to the first dental component; and an apical attachment portion configured to attach the retention element to the second dental component; wherein the retention element is elastically deformable at least in all directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion towards the coronal attachment portion, and the apical attachment portion comprises at least one projection extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion towards the coronal attachment portion.

2. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the retention element has at least one portion extending from an apical end of the retention element to a coronal end of the retention element, said at least one portion being more flexible than the remainder of the retention element.

3. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the retention element has at least one cut-out portion extending from an apical end of the retention element to a coronal end of the retention element.

4. The retention element according to claim 3, wherein the retention element is a hollow body and the at least one cut-out portion penetrates an outer wall of the retention element.

5. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the coronal attachment portion comprises at least one projection extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion towards the coronal attachment portion.

6. The retention element according to claim 5, wherein the number of projections of the apical attachment portion is different from the number of projections of the coronal attachment portion.

7. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the apical attachment portion comprises two or more projections, each extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion towards the coronal attachment portion.

8. The retention element according to claim 1, further comprising a through hole extending through the retention element in the direction from the coronal attachment portion towards the apical attachment portion.

9. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the retention element has a marking.

10. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the retention element further comprises an indication and/or tracking device.

11. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the retention element is made of a metal, a polymer or a composite material.

12. A dental assembly comprising the retention element according to claim 1 and the first dental component.

13. The dental assembly according to claim 12, further comprising the second dental component.

14. A dental assembly comprising the retention element according to claim 1 and the second dental component.

15. A use of the retention element according to claim 1 to attach the first dental component to the second dental component.

16. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the first dental component comprises an abutment.

17. The retention element according to claim 1, wherein the second dental component comprises a dental implant.

18. The retention element according to claim 9, wherein the marking comprises a color code.

19. The retention element according to claim 10, wherein the indication and/or tracking device comprises an RFID tag.

20. The retention element according to claim 12, wherein the first dental component comprises an abutment.

21. The retention element according to claim 13, wherein the second dental component comprises a dental implant.

22. The retention element according to claim 14, wherein the second dental component comprises a dental implant.

23. The retention element according to claim 15, wherein the first dental component comprises an abutment.

24. The retention element according to claim 15, wherein the second dental component comprises a dental implant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Hereinafter, non-limiting examples of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a retention element according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of the retention element from a first angle, FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of the retention element from a second angle, FIG. 1(c) is a side view of the retention element from a first side, FIG. 1(d) is a side view of the retention element from a second side, and FIG. 1(e) is a top view of the retention element;

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the retention element shown in FIG. 1, an abutment and a dental implant, wherein FIG. 2(a) is an exploded perspective view of the dental assembly, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the dental assembly, showing the dental assembly in the assembled state;

[0077] FIG. 3 shows the dental assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly, showing the abutment with the retention element attached thereto prior to attachment to the dental implant, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly, showing the dental assembly in the assembled state;

[0078] FIG. 4 shows the dental assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly, illustrating a state in which the abutment is fixed to the dental implant by a screw, and FIG. 4(b) is a partly cross-sectional view of the dental assembly, showing the dental assembly in the assembled state; and

[0079] FIG. 5 shows the abutment of the dental assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5(a) is a side view of the abutment with the retention element attached thereto, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the abutment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0080] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a retention element 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention for attaching a first dental component to a second dental component.

[0082] The retention element 1 comprises a coronal attachment portion 2 for attaching the retention element 1 to the first dental component (see FIGS. 2 to 4), an apical attachment portion 4 for attaching the retention element 1 to the second dental component (see FIGS. 2 to 4), and an intermediate portion 6 arranged between the coronal attachment portion 2 and the apical attachment portion 4.

[0083] The apical attachment portion 4 comprises two projections 8, each extending in plural directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion 4 towards the coronal attachment portion 2, i.e., to the longitudinal direction of the retention element 1.

[0084] The retention element 1 is made of a metal, such as titanium or a titanium alloy. The retention element 1 may be manufactured, for example, by milling, such as CNC milling.

[0085] The retention element 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the retention element 1 (see FIGS. 1(a), (b) and (e). The retention element 1 is formed as a hollow, tubular body and has a cut-out portion 10 extending from an apical end 12 of the retention element 1 to a coronal end 14 of the retention element 1. The cut-out portion 10 penetrates an outer wall of the retention element 1, as is schematically shown in FIGS. 1(a), (b), (d) and (e).

[0086] The cut-out portion 10 formed in the outer wall of the retention element 1 renders the entire retention element 1 elastically deformable in all directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical attachment portion 4 towards the coronal attachment portion 2, i.e., in all the transverse directions of the retention element 1. In particular, the retention element 1 can be elastically compressed in the transverse directions thereof when attaching the retention element 1 to the first dental component and/or the second dental component (e.g., FIG. 3).

[0087] The coronal attachment portion 2 comprises five projections 16 extending in plural transverse directions of the retention element 1, as is schematically shown in FIGS. 1(a) to (e). Hence, the number of projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 is smaller than the number of projections 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 by three.

[0088] The projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 and the projections 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 allow for the retention element 1 to be attached to the second dental component and the first dental component, respectively, by snap fit, as will be explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0089] As is shown in FIGS. 1(a), (b), (d) and (e), the projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 are provided adjacent to the cut-out portion 10. In this way, a particularly reliable and efficient snap fit of the apical attachment portion 4 and the second dental component can be ensured.

[0090] The extensions of the projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 in the circumferential direction of the retention element 1 are larger than the extensions of the projection 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 in the circumferential direction of the retention element 1 (see FIG. 1(e)).

[0091] Further, as is also shown, for example, in FIG. 1(e), protruding heights of the projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 from an outer surface of the remainder of the retention element 1 are larger than protruding heights of the projections 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 from the outer surface of the remainder of the retention element 1. Two of the projections 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 are arranged so as to fully overlap with the projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4.

[0092] The retention element 1 further comprises a through hole 18 extending through the retention element 1 in the direction from the coronal attachment portion 2 towards the apical attachment portion 4.

[0093] FIGS. 2 to 4 show a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the retention element 1, a dental abutment 20 as the first dental component and a dental implant 30 as the second dental component. The abutment 20 of this dental assembly is further shown in FIG. 5.

[0094] The abutment 20 is made of a metal, a ceramic, a polymer or a composite material. The implant 30 is made of a metal, for example, titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

[0095] As is shown in FIGS. 2(a), 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 5(b), the abutment 20 has a through hole 22 extending through the abutment 20 from a coronal portion 24 to an apical portion 26 thereof. The through hole 22 comprises a screw seat 28 for resting a screw head (see FIG. 4(a)) thereon, as is schematically shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 5(b).

[0096] The apical portion 26 of the abutment 20 is formed with an annular cavity 27 (see FIG. 5(b)) for receiving the projections 16 of the coronal attachment portion 2 of the retention element 1, as is shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 4(a). Hence, the coronal attachment portion 2 of the retention element 1 can be securely held within the apical end of the through hole 22 by snap fit.

[0097] As is shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a), the implant 30 has a recess 32 formed at a coronal portion 34 of the implant 30, for receiving the retention element 1 and the apical portion 26 of the abutment 20. The coronal portion 34 of the implant 30 is formed with an annular cavity 36 (see FIG. 3(a)) for receiving the projections 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 of the retention element 1, as is shown in FIGS. 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b). Therefore, the apical attachment portion 4 of the retention element 1 can be securely held within the apical portion 34 of the implant 30 by snap fit.

[0098] Further, the implant 30 has a threaded bore 38 extending below the recess 32 in the apical direction of the implant 30, as is shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b). Moreover, the implant 30 has an outer threaded portion 39 for screwing the implant 30 into a patient's jaw bone (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0099] When attaching the abutment 20 to the dental implant 30, the coronal attachment portion 2 of the retention element 1 is first attached to the abutment 20 by snap fit, i.e., by engaging the projections 16 with the annular cavity 27, as is shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 5(a). Subsequently, the apical portion 26 of the abutment 20 is inserted into the recess 32 of the implant 30 so that the protrusions 8 of the apical attachment portion 4 of the retention element 1 are received in the annular cavity 36 formed in the apical portion 34 of the implant 30. Hence, the retention element 1 is securely held within this apical portion 34 by snap fit, thus reliably attaching the abutment 20 to the implant 30.

[0100] In the process of attaching the abutment 20, having the retention element 1 attached thereto, to the implant 30, the retention element 1 is first elastically deformed, i.e., elastically compressed, in the transverse directions thereof upon insertion of the retention element 1 into the recess 32, and subsequently restored to its initial shape, once the projections 8 are received in the annular cavity 36. This snap in process of the projections 8 provides an audible and tactile feedback to the user of the dental assembly, such as a clinician or a technician, e.g., in a dental laboratory, indicating that the abutment 20 with the retention element 1 attached thereto is properly seated in the implant 30 (see FIGS. 2(b), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b)).

[0101] After the abutment 20 has been properly attached to the implant 30 via the retention element 1, the abutment 20, the retention element 1 and the implant 30 are securely fixed in the attached state by inserting a screw 40 through the coronal opening of the through hole 22 of the abutment 20, passing the screw 40 through the through hole 18 of the retention element 1 and screwing the screw 40 into the threaded bore 38 of the implant 30. In the fully inserted state of the screw 40, which is illustrated in FIG. 4(a), a lower threaded portion 42 of the screw 40 is received within the threaded bore 38 of the implant 30 and a screw head 44 of the screw 40 rests on the screw seat 28 of the abutment 20, thereby firmly holding the abutment 20, the retention element 1 and the implant 30 in their relative positions.

[0102] In the manner detailed above, the abutment 20 can be fixed to an implant placed in a patient's jaw bone. Specifically, the implant 30 can be screwed into the patient's jaw bone by means of the outer threaded portion 39 of the implant 30. Once the implant is osseointegrated in the jaw bone, the abutment 20 is fixed to the implant 30 through the retention element 1 and the screw 40, as has been detailed above.

[0103] Further, the retention element 1 may be used for attaching first and second dental components, such as the abutment 20 and the implant 30, respectively, to each other outside a human or animal body, e.g., in a dental laboratory. In particular, in the manner detailed above, the abutment 20 can be fixed to a jaw bone model in the dental laboratory, e.g., using an implant analogue instead of the implant 30.

[0104] While the dental assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention detailed above comprises an abutment as the first dental component and a dental implant as the second dental component, the retention element of the invention may be used for the attachment of various other dental components to each other, as has been explained in detail above.

[0105] In particular, the first dental component may be, for example, an impression taking component, such as an open or closed tray impression post, an intra-oral scanning or desk top scanning locator, a healing cap, a temporary restoration, a final restoration etc.

[0106] The second dental component may be, for example, an implant analogue, e.g., for use in a dental laboratory, as has been explained in detail above.

[0107] For the case of a multi-piece abutment, e.g., a two-piece abutment, the first dental component may be one piece of the abutment and the second dental component may be another piece of the abutment. Further, a base piece or unit of the multi-piece abutment may be attached to a dental implant by the retention element of the invention.

[0108] If first and second dental components such as those given above are used instead of the abutment 20 and the dental implant 30, these components are attached to each other by means of the retention element 1 substantially in the same manner as detailed above for the case of the abutment 20 and the dental implant 30.