Patent ID: 8512039
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A method of anchoring a dental appliance in a patient's jaw, comprising the steps of: (i) securing an abutment member in the patient's jaw, the abutment member having a head an annular seat adjacent to the head, the head having an end face and an outer annular surface extending axially from the end face to the annular seat, and the head and the annular seat defining a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is facing away from the patient's jaw; (ii) securing a cap in a recess in a dental appliance, the cap containing a retainer ring, the retainer ring retaining an elastomeric ring adapted to engage the head, the cap having a rounded, concave annular inner surface adapted for swivel engagement over a rounded, convex outer surface of a retainer ring; an inner end face of the cap adapted to face the end face of the head of the abutment member and an upper end of the retainer ring, wherein the inner end face of the cap adapted for being axially spaced from both the opposing end face of the head and the upper end of the retainer ring to define a clearance permitting swiveling of the cap relative to the head and retainer ring through a predetermined angular range from an axially aligned orientation in which a central longitudinal axes of the cap and head are coaxial into swivel orientations in which the central longitudinal axis of the cap is angled relative to the central longitudinal axis of the head, the retainer ring having opposite open ends and an outer surface which is of rounded, convex cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction; (iii) placing the appliance on the abutment member with the cap generally aligned with the head of the abutment member and moving the appliance towards the abutment member until the elastomeric ring retained in the retainer ring engages the head, the retainer ring being of more rigid material than the elastomeric ring; and (iv) snapping the elastomeric ring retained in the retainer ring over the head of the abutment member and into engagement with the annular seat adjacent the head, wherein the inner end face of the cap being axially spaced from both the opposing end face of the head and the upper end of the retainer ring defining a clearance permitting swiveling of the cap relative to the head and retainer ring, whereby the dental appliance is releasably retained on the abutment member while the elastomeric ring allows vertical movement of the dental appliance relative to the abutment member and the swivel engagement between the retainer ring and cap allows the dental appliance to swivel relative to the abutment member.