Fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly and methods of use

A dental attachment assembly configured to be converted from a patient-removable state to a non-patient-removable state, the convertible dental attachment 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 non-patient-removable retention member comprising a snap engaging 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 retention member end, and
• a continuous skirt extending from the upper retention member end of the non-patient-removable retention member for the non-patient-removable engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, the skirt having a rounded, convex outer surface,
• wherein the non-patient-removable retention member comprises a rigid material configured to provide 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, upon engagement over the outer locating surface portion of the abutment member;
• wherein the abutment member comprises an engaging portion configured to engage the non-patient-removable retention member based on the outer locating surface portion to form the non-patient-removable snap engagement of the non-patient-removable retention member to the abutment member based on the retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds, wherein the abutment member is configured to engage with a patient-removable replacement retention member to form a patient-removable attachment 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 retention 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,
• a second upper end, and
• a second continuous skirt extending from the second upper end over the outer locating surface of the abutment member when the abutment member is engaged with the patient-removable replacement retention member, in place of the non-patient-removable retention member.