Fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly and methods of use
AssigneeZest IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsTom Stratton, Steven Pelote, Maxwell Mckinnon, Eller Torres
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly is provided. The fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly includes an abutment member, a male member, and a cap. The abutment member has an outer locating surface portion projecting downwardly from an upper end. The male member for attachment to the abutment member has an upper end for engagement within a cap in a recess in a dental appliance, and a continuous, unbroken skirt projecting from the upper end of the male member for engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member. The skirt may have a rounded, convex outer surface, and the male member may be constructed from a PEEK material.
Claims16
A dental attachment assembly convertible between a patient-removable state and a non-patient-removable state by interchanging retention members, the dental 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 cap configured to be secured in a recess of a dental appliance;
- non-patient-removable retention member comprising a snap engagement 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 end configured to engage the cap, and a continuous skirt extending from the upper end of the non-patient-removable retention member to form a non-patient-removable engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, the skirt having a rounded, convex outer surface, the non-patient-removable retention member comprising a rigid material configured to provide the 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;
- wherein the abutment member comprises an engaging portion configured to engage the snap engagement portion of the non-patient-removable retention member to form snap engagement between the non-patient-removable retention member and the abutment member based on the retentive force of 10 to 75 pounds when the non-patient-removable retention member is attached to the abutment member;
- and
- wherein the abutment member is configured to engage a patient-removable replacement retention member to form a patient-removable engagement 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 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,
- wherein the patient-removable replacement retention member is configured to form the patient-removable engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member, in place of the non-patient-removable retention member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.