Scan body with snap-in retention capability

Abstract

A scan body for intraoral scanning includes a snap-in retention capability for engagement with a dental implant having a first engagement section. The second engagement section is configured for a snap-in or frictional fit with the first engagement section to releasably secure the scan body to the implant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scan body for snap-in retention with a dental implant extending along a first elongate axis, the implant comprising a first engagement section, the scan body comprising an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end and defining a second elongate axis, wherein a scan feature comprising at least one flat is provided at the first end of the elongate body and a second engagement section is provided generally near the second end of the elongate body, the second engagement section comprising an irregular hex defining a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides comprising an alternating arrangement of contact surfaces, wherein a first set of sides each comprise a contact surface defining one or more engagement ribs and wherein a second set of sides each comprise a planar contact surface. 
     
     
         2 . The scan body of  claim 1 , wherein the irregular hex comprises six sides, wherein three of the sides correspond to the first set of sides and the other three sides correspond to the second set of sides. 
     
     
         3 . The scan body of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of sides alternate with the second set of sides around the entirety of the plurality of sides of the irregular hex. 
     
     
         4 . The scan body of  claim 1 , wherein a first dimension is defined between the second elongate axis and an outermost portion of the one or more engagement ribs of each contact surface of the first set of sides and a second dimension is defined between the second elongate axis and an outermost portion of the planar contact surfaces of each of the second set of sides, and wherein the first dimension is at least partially larger than the second dimension. 
     
     
         5 . The scan body of  claim 4 , wherein the first dimension is between about 0.25%-8% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         6 . The scan body of  claim 4 , wherein the first dimension is between about 0.25%-4% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         7 . The scan body of  claim 4 , wherein the first dimension is about 2% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         8 . The scan body of  claim 4 , wherein the first dimension is about 0.0482 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The scan body of  claim 4 , wherein the second dimension is about 0.0473 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A male irregular hex component for snap-in releasable engagement with a female hex receiver of an implant, the male irregular hex component comprising:
 a first set of sides, each of the first set of sides comprising a face defining at least one rib; and   a second set of sides, each of the second set of sides comprising a face defining a planar surface,   wherein each face of the first set of sides alternate with the faces of the second set of sides around the entirety of the male irregular hex such that each face of the first set of sides comprises faces of the second set of sides positioned adjacent thereto on either side thereof.   
     
     
         11 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 10 , wherein the male irregular hex component is configured for frictional releasable engagement with the female hex receiver of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rib of each face of the first set of sides provides for snap-in releasable engagement with the female hex receiver of the implant. 
     
     
         13 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 10 , wherein the male irregular hex comprises a central axis, wherein a first dimension is defined between the central axis and an outermost portion of the at least one rib of each face of the first set of sides, wherein a second dimension is defined between the central axis and an outermost portion of the planar surface of each face of the second set of sides, and wherein the first dimension is at least partially greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         14 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 13 , wherein the first dimension is between about 0.25%-8% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         15 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 13 , wherein the first dimension is between about 0.25%-4% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         16 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 13 , wherein the first dimension is about 2% greater than the second dimension. 
     
     
         17 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 13 , wherein the first dimension is about 0.0482 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 13 , wherein the second dimension is about 0.0473 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 10 , wherein the face of each of the first set of sides comprises at least two ribs, wherein the ribs are generally spaced a distance apart from each other. 
     
     
         20 . The male irregular hex component of  claim 10 , further comprising an elongate body extending from the male irregular hex, an end of the elongate body comprising a scan feature configured for recognition by a dental scanner, wherein the scan feature comprises at least one flat. 
     
     
         21 . A scan body for snap-in retention with an implant or implant analog, the implant or implant analog comprising a first engagement section, the scan body comprising:
 an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end, the elongate body comprising:
 a first end portion; 
 an upper section; 
 a lower section; and 
 a second engagement section comprising an irregular hex component configured for releasable engagement with the first engagement portion, wherein at least one contact surface of the irregular hex component comprises at least one engagement rib. 
   
     
     
         22 . The scan body of  claim 21 , wherein the irregular hex component comprises six contact surfaces and wherein three of the contact surfaces comprise at least one engagement rib. 
     
     
         23 . The scan body of  claim 22 , wherein the three contact surfaces comprising the at least one engagement rib alternate with the other three contact surfaces such that every other contact surface comprises at least one engagement rib. 
     
     
         24 . The scan body of  claim 22 , wherein the three contact surfaces comprising the at least one engagement rib define a dimension that is at least partially greater than a comparable dimension of the other three contact surfaces. 
     
     
         25 . The scan body of  claim 21 , wherein the scan body is used with an implant when using an intra oral scanner, and wherein the scan body is used with an implant analog when using a table top scanner. 
     
     
         26 . The scan body of  claim 21 , wherein a force of between about 0.4-8 lbf is required to cause disengagement between the first and second engagement sections. 
     
     
         27 . A method of fastening a scan body to an implant comprising:
 providing a dental implant, the dental implant comprising a female socket;   providing an intraoral scan body, the scan body comprising a male engagement body, the male engagement body being generally complementary in shape to the female socket of the implant; and   engaging the male engagement body of the scan body within the female socket of the implant with a detachable friction fit.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the male engagement body comprises an irregular hex comprising alternating contact surfaces, wherein a first set of contact surfaces comprise at least one rib projecting therefrom and wherein a second set of contact surfaces comprise a substantially planar surface.