Precision attachment system with indirect retainer

Abstract

A precision attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis to a retention bar having a round section and an off-centered support section, and a C-shaped retention clip which is incorporated into the dental prosthesis and encloses the round section. A spacer clip is adapted for both the retention clip and the retention bar. The contact of the dental prosthesis with the indirect retainer surface of the support section prevents the free-end saddles from lifting off the alveolar ridge. The resilience of the dental prosthesis in the direction of the atrophying alveolar ridge remains possible. The indirect retainer surface and the slotted flange of the housing guide the retention clip to the round section when assembled with the retention bar.

Claims

1. A dental attachment system in combination with a dental prosthesis, the dental attachment system comprising a retention bar configured to be secured to crowns or dental implants in a mouth, the retention bar having a support section surmounted by a round section, the support section having an indirect retainer surface; and a generally flexible C-shaped retention clip having a pair of shoulders at an outer surface of the retention clip, the pair of shoulders snapping behind retention ledges in the dental prosthesis; and flexible retention wings clipping onto the round section of the retention bar; and the dental prosthesis comprising a housing; wherein the housing of the dental prosthesis contacts the indirect retainer surface of the support section; and wherein the housing has at least one extremity with a slotted flange.

2. The dental attachment system in combination with the dental prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein a passage is formed between a side surface of the support section of the retention bar and the housing; and wherein the side surface is opposite the indirect retainer surface.

3. The dental attachment system in combination with the dental prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein a center of the round section is closer to the side surface of the support section than the indirect retainer surface of the support section.

4. A dental attachment system in combination with a dental prosthesis, the dental attachment system comprising a retention bar configured to be secured to crowns or dental implants in a mouth, the retention bar having a support section surmounted by a round section, the support section having an indirect retainer surface; and a generally flexible C-shaped retention clip having a pair of shoulders at an outer surface of the retention clip, the pair of shoulders snapping behind retention ledges in the dental prosthesis; and flexible retention wings clipping onto the round section of the retention bar; and the dental prosthesis comprising a housing; wherein the housing of the dental prosthesis contacts the indirect retainer surface of the support section; wherein the housing has at least one extremity with a slotted flange; and wherein a diameter of the slotted flange is equal to a diameter of the round section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example.

(2) FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section through a dental prosthesis and a retention bar with the spacer clip incorporated.

(3) FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section through a dental prosthesis with the retention clip of this invention incorporated.

(4) FIG. 3 is a housing with a slotted flange.

(5) FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section through a dental prosthesis with a metal housing with slotted flange and a retention clip.

(6) The numbers correspond with the following descriptions:

(7) 1 dental prosthesis

(8) 2 retention bar

(9) 2a round section

(10) 2b support section

(11) 3 retention clip

(12) 4 spacer clip

(13) 4a spacer wing

(14) 4b extended spacer wing

(15) 5 retention wing

(16) 6 retention ledge

(17) 7 shoulder

(18) 8 indirect retainer surface

(19) 9 passage

(20) 10 alveolar ridge

(21) 11 housing

(22) 12 slotted flange

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) The retention clip (3) in an elastic material in its preferred embodiment is an open tubular segment having a C-shaped transverse cross section with retention wings (5). The outer aspects of the retention clip (3) have shoulders (7) to engage with the retention ledges (6) in the removable dental prosthesis (1).

(24) The retention bar (2) in its preferred embodiment has a round section (2a) which has dimensions to couple with the retention clip (3). The round section (2a) is supported by an off-centred support section (2b). The support section (2b) is on one side sufficiently wide to create a passage (9) for the retention clip (3). The opposing side is less wide and requires an asymmetrical spacer clip (4) which has only one extended spacer wing (4b) to guarantee a passage (9) for the retention clip (3).

(25) The spacer clip (4) in its preferred embodiment is a tubular plastic segment that has an identical C-shaped transverse dorsal cross section as the retention clip (3). The spacer clip (4) includes spacer wings (4a) which become gradually wider in order to provide extra space in the dental prosthesis (1) so that the retention clips (5) can open flexibly to engage or disengage the round section (2a) of the retention bar (2).

(26) The outer portions of the side walls of the spacer clip (4) have shoulders (7) to create retention ledges (6) for the retention clip (3) in the removable dental prosthesis (1) during processing.

(27) One extended spacer wing (4b) extends along the support section (2b) of the retention bar (2) in order to create a passage (9) for the retention clip (3).

(28) This extended spacer wing (4b) has also created sufficient passage (9) for the dental prosthesis (1) to rotate in one direction. Rotation in the opposite direction is inhibited by the close contact of the dental prosthesis (1) material against the indirect retainer surface (8) of the support section (2b) of the retention bar (2).

(29) To facilitate the processing and aftercare of the dental prosthesis (1), a housing (11) is provided which fits the outer aspect of the spacer clip (4) and makes contact with the indirect retainer surface (8) of the support section (2b). The housing (11) guarantees a perfect seat for the retention clip (3) and at least one extremity has a slotted flange (12) with a slot diameter of the round section (2a). The slotted flange (12) guides the retention wings (5) of the retention clip (3) towards the centre of the round section (2a) when the dental prosthesis (1) is inserted by the patient.

(30) In case the dental prosthesis (1) or the housing (11) for the dental prosthesis (1) is produced by CAD CAM technique, the spacer clip (4) is a virtual object and is first integrated with the retention bar (2) prior to the modeling of the dental prosthesis (1) or the housing (11).

(31) The housing (11) can be produced with the lost wax technique, by milling, selective laser melting or machining, and is by preference of metal.