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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system for mounting
a dental prosthesis on the jawbone comprising:
an implant means for permanently mounting to a cavity formed in a jaw bone,
said implant means having a bore with a fastening means;
an anchor means having a complementary fastening means for fastening to
said bore of said implant means, said anchor means having a seating means;
a prosthesis support means comprising an angled eyelet for coupling with
said prosthesis and a coupling means for coupling with said seating means
of said anchor means, said angled eyelet being angled at a fixed
predetermined angle about a longitudinal axis of said coupling means,
wherein said seating means seats said prosthesis support means;
means for rotatably seating said coupling means of said support means so
that said coupling means is freely rotatable through 360.degree. about the
longitudinal axis of said anchor means so that said support means is
alignable about any of the 360.degree. with respect to said anchor means
while maintaining said fixed predetermined angle, while said coupling
means of said support means is fully seated in said seating means of said
anchor means; and
means for immobilizing said coupling means relative to said seating means
once alignment has been made to prevent said support means from moving
relative to said seating means.
2. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according to
claim 1, wherein said angle of said eyelet is one of 5 degrees, 11
degrees, and 17 degrees.
3. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according to
claim 1, wherein said angled eyelet forms a female coupling joint having a
recess therein.
4. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system according to
claim 3, further comprising a complementary nylon male coupling means
which snaps into said eyelet, wherein the prosthesis is formed around said
complementary nylon male coupling means.
5. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system according to
claim 4, wherein said complementary nylon male coupling means is removably
coupled to said female coupling joint of said eyelet so that the
prosthesis can be readily detached from and attached to said eyelet.
6. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according to
claim 1, wherein said fastening means of said implant means comprises a
threaded bore and said complementary fastening means of said anchor means
comprises a complementary threaded shaft.
7. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system according to
claim 6, further comprising means for permitting said anchor to be grasped
during tightening or loosening of said anchor means to said implant means.
8. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system according to
claim 1, wherein said coupling means of said support means comprises a
projection formed in the direction of said longitudinal axis and comprises
a cross-shaped slot also formed in the direction of said axis for
permitting said projection to deform in a radial direction which is
perpendicular to said axis.
9. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according to
claim 8, wherein said seating means of said anchor means has a
complementary recess for seating said projection, said projection snaps
into said recess and retains said support means in said anchor means while
permitting said support means to freely rotate about said axis.
10. An angularly alignable prosthetic implant attachment system according
to claim 1, further comprising an alignment handle for attaching to said
angled eyelet for making a visual evaluation of the alignment of said
support means.
11. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according
to claim 10, wherein said alignment handle is snapped into said angled
eyelet to facilitate an intra-oral assessment of functional alignment
between two or more respective support means.
12. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according
to claim 10, wherein said alignment handle comprises an elongated
cylindrical body having an enlarged disk-like flange formed at one end and
a protrusion formed at the opposite end, said protrusion being removably
snapped into said eyelet.
13. An angularly alignable prosthesis implant attachment system according
to claim 12, wherein said protrusion formed at the opposite end is
substantially hourglass shaped in profile.
14. An angularly alignable anchor for a dental prosthesis for use with a
dental implant means comprising:
a base anchor means; and
a prosthesis support means,
wherein said base anchor means comprises a securing portion for removably
securing to said implant means and a female coupling means for securing
and seating said prosthesis support means;
wherein said prosthesis support means comprises an angled eyelet portion
for seating the dental prosthesis and a male coupling means for rotatably
coupling with said female coupling means of said anchor means, said angled
eyelet portion being angled at a fixed predetermined angle about a
longitudinal axis of said male coupling means,
means for rotatably seating said male coupling means of said support means
to said female coupling means of said anchor means to permit said male
coupling means to freely rotate through 360.degree. about the longitudinal
axis of said male coupling means, said longitudinal axis being coaxial
with a longitudinal aixs of said anchor means so that said prosthesis
support means is alignable about nay of the 360+ with respect to said
anchor means while maintaining said fixed predetermined angle, while said
male coupling means of said support means is fully seated in said female
coupling means of said anchor means; and
means for immobilizing said male coupling means relative to said female
coupling means once alignment has been made to prevent said support means
for moving relative to said anchor means.
15. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 14, wherein said angle
of said eyelet portion is one of 5 degrees, 11 degrees, and 17 degrees.
16. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 14, wherein said
angled eyelet portion forms a female coupling joint having a recess
therein.
17. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 16, further comprising
a complementary nylon male coupling means which snaps into said eyelet
portion, wherein the prosthesis is formed around said complementary nylon
male coupling means.
18. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 17, wherein said
complementary male coupling means is removably coupled to said female
coupling joint of said eyelet portion so that the prosthesis can be
readily detached from and attached to said eyelet portion.
19. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 14, wherein said
securing portion of said anchor means comprises a threaded shaft for
securing to said implant means.
20. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 19, further comprising
means for permitting said anchor means to be grasped during tightening or
loosening of said anchor means to said implant means.
21. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 14, wherein said male
coupling means of said support means comprises a projection formed in the
direction of said longitudinal axis and comprises a cross-shaped slot also
formed in the direction of said axis for permitting said projection to
deform in a radial direction which is perpendicular to said axis.
22. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 21, wherein said
female coupling means of said anchor means has a complementary recess for
seating said projection, said projection snaps into said recess and
retains said support means in said anchor means while permitting said
support means to freely rotate about said axis.
23. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 14, further comprising
an alignment handle for attaching to said angled eyelet portion for making
a visual evaluation of the alignment of said support means.
24. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 23, wherein said
alignment handle is snapped into said eyelet portion to facilitate a
visual intra-oral assessment of functional alignment between two or more
respective support means.
25. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 23, wherein said
alignment handle comprises an elongated cylindrical body having an
enlarged disk-like flange formed at one end and a protrusion formed at the
opposite end, said protrusion being removably snapped into said eyelet
portion.
26. An angularly alignable anchor according to claim 25, wherein said
protrusion formed at the opposite end is substantially hourglass shaped in
profile.
27. A method of mounting a dental prosthesis comprising one or more teeth
on one or more dental implants into a jawbone, comprising the steps of:
a) inserting one or more dental implants into the jawbone;
b) securing a corresponding number of anchors, one for each implant, each
anchor having a female coupling means for securing and seating a
prosthesis support into one of said implants;
c) seating a prosthesis support in each said female coupling means, said
support having an angled eyelet portion for seating said dental prosthesis
and a male coupling means for coupling with each female coupling means of
each said anchor, said angled eyelet portion being angled about a
longitudinal axis of said male coupling means, wherein said prosthesis
support is freely rotatable through 360.degree. about the longitudinal
axis of said male coupling means, said longitudinal axis being coaxial
with a longitudinal axis of each said anchor so that said prosthesis
support is alignable by rotating said prosthesis support while being fully
seated in its respective female coupling means;
d) aligning each prosthesis support by rotating said prosthesis support
about the longitudinal axis of its respective anchor;
e) marking the position, which indicates a proper alignment, of each
support relative to the respective anchor;
f) removing each prosthesis support and anchor from the respective implant;
g) bonding with adhesive each support to the respective anchor using said
marking to capture said proper alignment;
h) resecuring each anchor with said support into the respective implant;
and
i) attaching said dental prosthesis into the respective supports.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said aligning step is carried
out by snapping an alignment handle on each angled eyelet portion to
facilitate a visual intra-oral assessment of functional alignment between
two or more supports.
29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of
replacing each said anchor and the respective support by:
j) removing said dental prosthesis;
k) detaching an anchor and its respective support, which need replacing,
together from the respective implant;
l) repeating the steps of b) through i) using a new anchor, and a new
support, or a new dental prosthesis, or a combination of a new anchor, a
new support and a new dental prosthesis.
30. A method of angularly aligning a support anchor which attaches to a
dental implant in a jawbone, comprising the steps of:
a) threading and tightening an anchor into said implant;
b) seating a prosthesis support, which has an angled female eyelet portion,
which is angled about a longitudinal axis of the anchor, in said anchor,
wherein said prosthesis support is freely rotatable through 360.degree.
about the longitudinal axis of said anchor so that said prosthesis support
is alignable by rotating said prosthesis support while being fully seated
in said anchor;
c) aligning said support relative to said anchor by rotating said support
about said axis while said support is seated in said anchor;
d) marking the relative position of said anchor and said support which is
indicative of the alignment;
e) removing said support and said anchor from said implant;
f) bonding said support to said anchor using said marking to capture the
alignment;
g) rethreading the bonded anchor and support into said implant, the
threading assuring said anchor to return to the exact same position as
during the marking step; and
h) attaching a dental prosthesis.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said aligning step is carried
out by snapping an alignment handle on said angled eyelet portion to
facilitate a visual inta-oral assessment of functional alignment between
two or more supports.
32. A method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of
replacing said anchor and said support by:
i) removing said dental prosthesis;
j) detaching said anchor and said support together from said implant;
k) repeating the steps of a) through h) using a new anchor, a new support,
or a new dental prosthesis, or a combination of a new anchor, a new
support, and new dental prosthesis. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an endosteal implant assembly and more
particularly, to a novel abutment/anchor, hereinafter referred to as
anchor, for adjustably supporting one or more prosthetic teeth or
appliances at a desirable orientation relative to the path of insertion of
the restoration. The present invention is particularly suited, but not
limited, to use with patient-removable restorations.
2. Background of the Prior Invention
A dental prosthesis for replacing one or more missing teeth may be
accomplished by placement of one or more dental implants in the jawbone
and corresponding number of anchors to which the dental prosthesis is
secured thereto. The anchor is normally screwed or bonded into the
implant. The implant is generally made from a titanium alloy or other
rigid materials which are non-reactive with human tissue or fluid.
It is well known that the angle of a dental anchor must be aligned with the
intended angle of the path of insertion of the restoration and must be
maintained from abutment to abutment, in cases where multiple implants are
employed, to facilitate a smooth and non-traumatic insertion and function
of a removable or a fixed appliance. The determination of the most
desirable path of insertion of the appliance may be governed by factors
such as the position of adjacent natural teeth, arc of closure, ridge
contour and the patient's dexterity. Prior inventions for adjustably
aligning the prosthetic tooth are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
4,713,004 to Linkow et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,623 to Driskell, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,780,080 to Haris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,601 to Linden, U.S. Pat. No.
4,854,872 to Detsch, U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,969 to Ward, U.S. Pat. No.
4,932,868 to Linkow et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,935 to Edwards.
Specifically, it is well known in the present field to place a dental
implant in the jawbone, whereby through the process of osseointegration
the bone grows closely around the implant, permanently integrating the
implant into the jawbone. Various attempts have been made in the past to
properly align the dental anchor in relation to the path of insertion with
an improperly aligned dental implant so that a prosthetic tooth, which is
to be formed on the dental anchor, properly aligns with the neighboring
teeth. One example of the prior technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,713,004 to Linkow et al (Linkow). In this example, an implant is placed
in the bone and one end of an angled threaded shaft is threaded into the
implant and rotated into a proper orientation. A wedge shaped collar
having an angled upper surface is placed around the angled shaft and the
upper surface is positioned to coincide with the angle of the shaft so
that the free end of the shaft extends perpendicularly from the angled
surface. A prosthetic tooth anchor is threaded on the free end of the
shaft to secure the collar in a set orientation. Linkow also discloses an
alternative embodiment of aligning a prosthetic tooth, in which, instead
of the angled shaft and collar, an intermediary anchor having a ball and
socket joint is threaded in the implant. A bolt, which is attached to a
prosthetic tooth anchor, is screwed completely through the ball to fix the
position of the ball relative to the socket once an alignment has been
accomplished.
Another technique employed in the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,780,080 to Haris. Haris places a conventional dental implant in the
jawbone, and also secures an intermediary anchor to the implant. To
correct the improper orientation of the implant and the anchor, an
asymmetrically shaped frusto-conical prosthetic tooth anchor is positioned
coextensively with the intermediary anchor. By rotating the asymmetrically
shaped anchor about the longitudinal axis of the implant, various
alignments can be achieved. Once a proper setting is identified, the
frusto-conically shaped anchor is bonded to the intermediary anchor while
the intermediary anchor is still permanently secured to the implant.
Yet another technique employed in prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,832,601 to Linden. Linden utilizes a hexagonally-shaped intermediary
anchor which is fastened to a complementary hexagonal bore formed in a
dental implant. A prosthetic tooth anchor is adjustably secured to the
intermediary anchor with a screw. The intermediary and the prosthetic
tooth anchors function much like a ball and socket joint when the screw is
loosened. That is, the prosthetic tooth anchor may move universally within
the intermediary anchor. Once a proper alignment is made, the intermediary
anchor and the prosthetic anchor may then be entirely removed from the
implant. The screw is then tightened to immobilize the prosthetic support
anchor relative to the intermediary anchor. The prosthetic support anchor
with a prosthetic tooth formed thereon and the intermediary anchor is then
placed back into the implant and secured thereto by a conventional means
such as bonding or by a mechanical means.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,935 to Edwards also employs a conventional
implant technique for setting an implant in the jawbone. An intermediary
anchor is temporarily plugged into the implant and is properly positioned
therein by rotating the anchor which is set at a predetermined angle. The
anchor is then bonded to the implant once properly positioned. A
prosthetic tooth anchor is then screwed into the angled intermediary
anchor for supporting a prosthetic tooth thereon.
While these prior inventions make provisions for aligning a prosthetic
tooth with the neighboring teeth, there are numerous disadvantages. These
would include extreme complexity, to a point of impossible execution in
actual clinical situations; limited application, suited only to fixed,
permanently cemented restorations such as bridges or single crowns; not
applicable to patient-removable restorations; the necessity of screw
access holes on the chewing surfaces of the artificial teeth (described as
"Swiss Cheese" effect in recent literature); and limited serviceability
and retrievability of abutments or anchors. In short, the prior inventions
do not present a simple, practical method for independent alignment of
implant supported retrievable anchors for patient-removable restorations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Recently, the use of dental implants has seen a tremendous growth. The
technique of placement of the implants into the jawbone has been refined
and the success rate has been excellent. For people with no teeth or roots
of teeth left, the implants represent an exciting treatment option. The
present invention was devised with the intention to simplify and make more
effective the procedures for the operator and to further increase the
success rate for the patients. Specifically, because of a simple bonding
method and a unique two component adjustable anchor with alignment
handles, it is now possible to provide patients with accurately aligned,
simple, economical and extremely effective anchors as a means for
removably retaining implant supported restorations. With the present
invention the implant does not have to be exactly placed and/or aligned
with the desired path of insertion of the dental appliance since the
anchor can be independently adjusted to facilitate the alignment.
Additionally, the anchor has been formed so that a dental prothesis may be
taken completely off the anchor and placed back on the anchor by the user.
The present invention comprises an implant utilizing a conventional
osseointegration technique for firmly anchoring the implant in the jawbone
and a two-piece anchor. One piece is configured as a dental prosthesis
support for removably supporting one or more prosthetic teeth and a second
piece is configured as a threaded base portion for semi-permanently
attaching to the implant. More specifically, the support is removably and
adjustably situated within the threaded base portion so that the support
is rotatable within the threaded base portion about the longitudinal axis
of the threaded base portion. The support has an upper protrusion that is
angled with respect to a lower portion thereof. By rotating the support
with respect to the threaded base portion, a plurality of alignments can
be achieved. The support comes with various preselected angles so that
various alignments can be realized using various selections of the
pre-angled supports. In addition, unique alignment handles are employed to
facilitate an intra-oral assessment of functional alignment between two or
more anchors. The handles also simplify the insertion of the implant
assembly into the implant by providing an extension surface for easy
grasping and handling of the assembly. The handles may be used either to
carry the support with its base snapped onto it to the implant in the
mouth, or the support alone to the base already situated in the implant.
In carrying out the installation of the implant and the anchor, one or more
implants are initially strategically placed in the jawbone. After the
implants are fully integrated, i.e, after the jawbone completely grows
around the implants, a base portion with or without a prosthetic support
and alignment handle seated therein is threaded into each implant and
fully tightened thereto. If a prosthetic support of a desired angle and an
alignment handle have not been previously seated in each base, an
alignment handle is snapped into each angled prosthetic support and the
alignment handle with the angled prosthetic support is then seated in each
base portion. Each prosthetic support with its alignment handle is rotated
about the longitudinal axis of the base until the best alignment is
achieved. If a visual assessment of mutual alignment of the handles
snapped in the anchors does not indicate a satisfactory alignment even if
the supports are adjusted, a differently angled prosthetic support may be
used in various bases to achieve a satisfactory alignment of all anchors.
When the best alignment is achieved, the alignment of the support with
respect to the base is marked so as to capture the desired orientation.
Following marking and removal from the implant, the support is then
separated from the base portion. The base portion and the support are
cleaned and bonded utilizing a conventional bonding technique, with the
support being aligned with respect to the base portion using the mark to
properly orient the support. Once the bond is set, the support and the
threaded base portion, now as one piece, is ready to be threaded back into
the implant. The threads of the base are coated with a medical grade
silicone adhesive to seal the threads from oral fluids to eliminate
bacterial growth and to prevent the anchor from loosening from the
implant. The adhesive properties of this type of silicone material are
such that it is possible to allow deliberate unthreading of the anchor
from the implant if replacement is required. When the anchor is completely
threaded into the implant, the precision threading assures that the anchor
will be returned to the exact same position as during the marking step.
Since the bonding takes place completely outside the patient's mouth, the
procedure is easy to accomplish. In addition, since the properly oriented
base portion and support are bonded outside the mouth, the bonding takes
place in a dry environment and the strength of the bond is thus not
affected by the saliva of the patient. Moreover, in the present invention,
the support comprises a female eyelet, similar to the type disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,367, whereby a dental prothesis having one or more
prosthetic teeth is removably attached to one or more female eyelets. In
particular, the prosthesis has one or more nylon male caps embedded
thereto, each male cap seating on one of the female eyelets, as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,367. Thus, the metal female eyelet of the anchor is
protected from wear by the nylon-to-metal contact of the snap-in nylon
male. However, should the female eyelet or any other portion of the anchor
suffer any wear or damage, it can be readily replaced with a new anchor by
simply removing the dental prosthesis and unscrewing the anchor from the
implant. The new anchor is aligned using the alignment technique as
described above.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a simple and yet
effective means and a method for aligning anchors of an endosteal implant.
Another object of the invention is to provide an anchor that is readily
removable and replaceable with respect to the endosteal implant.
Another object of the invention is to provide a dental prosthesis that is
readily removable and reattachable to one or more anchors of the
corresponding number of endosteal implants.
Still another object of the invention is to enable the bonding of a
prosthetic support to the base support in a dry environment.
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become
readily apparent hereafter from the following description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present dental implant unit in
unassembled form.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, with
the dental assembly unit in assembled form.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the angled support for mounting a dental
prothesis thereto.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the angled support, showing the slotted
lower portion thereof.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the angled support with a removable nylon
cap placed on the upper portion thereof.
FIG. 6 is a front elevational cross-sectional view taken along the line
6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectioned view of the alignment handle seated
on the angled support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a dental implant unit in unassembled form. The dental implant
comprises an implant 30 and an anchor having a base 20 and an angled
support 10. The implant has an elongated body 31, which is preferably made
of a titanium alloy or other suitable materials which do not react with
human tissue or fluid. Openings 32 are formed in the lower portion of the
implant. A threaded cavity 33 is formed from the upper end of the implant
for attaching the base. The purpose of the openings 32 is for the jawbone
to grow thereinto and form a strong bond therewith. The base includes a
threaded shaft 21 for mating with the threaded cavity 33 and an upper body
22 with flattened surfaces 23. The flattened surfaces form a gripping area
for an appropriate tool i.e., during tightening against or loosening the
base from the implant. The upper body forms a cavity 24 for providing a
snap fit retention with a slotted lower projection 11 of the angled
support 10. Specifically, a convex profiled waist 11e and a complementary
surface profile formed in the cavity 24 permits the slotted lower
projection to retain therein while permitting a rotational movement about
a longitudinal axis 2 of the implant assembly.
The angled support comprises a wedge shaped intermediary body 12 with an
angled upper surface 12a. The slotted lower projection 11, which has an
hourglass profile, extends perpendicularly from a lower surface of the
body 12 and an upper angled female eyelet 13 extends perpendicularly from
the angled surface 12a. The female eyelet 13 is slightly tapered toward
the uppermost surface thereof to form a truncated conical seat, with an
opening 14 formed therein for seating a male cap 40. The detailed
description of the female eyelet follows below in conjunction with the
description of the male cap 40.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG.
1, with the implant unit 1 in assembled form. A pair of holes 15, set at
180.degree. apart, is formed on the female eyelet 13 to permit drainage of
saliva should saliva enter through the opening 14 of the female eyelet.
Note that the female eyelet is angled at .alpha..degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis 2 of the implant.
FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the support 10. The female eyelet
is shown at an angle .alpha. relative to the longitudinal axis of the
implant unit. The angle .alpha. is fixed, and the support 10 with
differently angled female eyelet is used when different angles are needed.
The female eyelet is preferably formed with angle .alpha. at 5.degree.,
11.degree., and 17.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis 2. It is to
be noted that, due to the angling of the female eyelet, by rotating the
support 10 about the longitudinal axis 2 of the base 20, various offset
positions about the 360.degree. of the axis 2 can be achieved.
FIG. 4 illustrates the lower projection 11 of the support 12, which
conforms to the hourglass shape of the cavity 24 formed within the base
20. In particular, the lower projection 11 extends downwardly from the
body 12 and the projection has a pair of slots which intersect at a right
angle, with the slots extending in the direction of the projection.
Accordingly, four identically shaped prongs 11a, 11b 11c, 11d are formed.
The slots enable the prongs to move resiliently in the radial direction
which is perpendicular to the direction of the projection when inserted or
seated in the cavity 24 of the base 20. The convex profiled waist 11e and
the complementary profile surface formed in the cavity 24 and the
cross-slots of the projection permit a light snap fit retention with the
base while permitting the support 10 to rotate about the longitudinal axis
2. In addition, the cuts also provide space for the adhesive to fill
during the bonding stage so that a strong bond is formed between the
support 10 and the base anchor 20.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show a male prothesis retention cap 40 placed over the female
eyelet 13. In particular, the female eyelet takes a form of a cup having a
substantially cylindrical upstanding side wall 13b. The outer surface of
the side wall of the socket generally is slightly tapered in outline
toward the uppermost surface 13a thereof. The inner surface of the side
wall is contoured to form a necked-down region or constriction 13c in a
form of a convex arc shaped profile. The female eyelet 13 is preferably
formed of titanium or other metallic material which conventionally finds
use in the field of dentistry.
The male cap 40 preferably is formed of a plastic material having
sufficient strength and durability to permit repeated connection and
disconnection with the female eyelet. The material of the male cap should
also provide a measure of resilience to permit a snap fit retention with
the female eyelet. In addition, the material of the male cap should
develop a retaining friction between the male cap and the female eyelet to
retain the male cap and a dental prothesis, which is formed around the
male cap, in a positive manner, while permitting removal and reinsertion
of the male cap with the dental prothesis when desired. The male cap | | |
