Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2003-03-25
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06537070
ABSTRACT:
That system creates osteogenesis in the jaw of a dental patient by surgically cutting a section of the jaw so that the cut section attaches to the coronal member, and as the coronal member separates from the apical member, the jaw segment which has been sectioned slowly moves away from the remaining jaw section so that osteogenesis begins to occur filling the gap between the separated tissue members. The movable segmented jaw section generally moves upwardly to raise the bone and gum level line (for the bottom jaw) to enhance the support structure for a dental implant to be placed in the jaw of the dental patient. By allowing the jaw tissue of the jaw segment (which is movable with respect to the remainder of the jaw) to adhere to the coronal member and move the coronal member vertically, not rotationally, with respect to the distraction member, tissue tear between the movable jaw segment and the coronal member is materially eliminated.
The present invention recognizes that distraction osteogenesis may be generated more simply by merely providing a combination distraction and dental implant system in which the system only comprises a combination dental distraction and implant device which comprises a head and a shaft portion. The shaft, preferably basically cylindrical, comprises a threaded, longitudinal shank section and a smooth-wall distal-end section. The distraction and implant device is engaged in the jaw of the patient in a conventional manner, i.e., by first tapping and screw threading the member into an undercut bore drilled into the jaw. In order to provide distraction osteogenesis, the jaw is surgically cut as described in my prior patent application, and rather than there being separate coronal and apical members, this new invention comprises merely providing a unitary, combination distraction and dental implant device which comprises a head and shaft, with the shaft comprising a threaded, shank section and a smooth, distal wall portion.
After the jaw is surgically cut as described in my prior application and the combined dental implant/distractor of the present invention is inserted in the jaw in the conventional manner, distraction osteogenesis can be generated. This occurs because the smooth, distal end of the device bears against, for instance, a round section in the bone cut surface or a bottom, round jaw surface (an alternate embodiment provides a base support member, like a disc or washer). Thus, further turning of the combined dental implant/distractor cannot cause it to move further in a vertical direction. Rather, as the device is slowly rotated, jaw tissue in the jaw segment (grown toward and adhered to the distraction device) moves upwardly. In order to provide incremental upward movement for the segmented jaw section, the distraction device is rotated and the tissue which adhered to the distraction device separates therefrom. Because of the threaded surface of the upper shank section of the distraction device and the jaw tissue which bears thereagainst, rotation of the device (blocked from vertical movement) will cause the upper segment of the jaw to climb or glide up the inclined plane of the threads or lift upwardly because of the vertical/lifting pressure of the threads against the contiguous and adjoining jaw section segment.
In order to enhance the healing process, in quality and time, between the jaw tissue and the combined distraction/implant device, BMP or other bone growth enhancing material can be introduced. The growth enhancing substance can be applied directly through interior channels in the distraction device either by using a syringe placed downwardly in a throughhole to distribute the BMP radially throughout channels in the device or it may be directly applied to the interstices between the jaw tissue and the distraction device itself. By providing such augmenting tissue restorative material such as BMP, the process for causing distraction osteogenesis and bone healing to occur will be materially enhanced in time while reducing the trauma to the jaw tissue which provides bear ing surfaces for the distraction device.
In another embodiment of this invention, a bottom plate or apical member, preferably a small disc, can be inserted in a drilled bore of the jaw prior to insertion of the combined distraction and implant device so as to provide a more effective bearing surface upon which the smooth distal end of the distraction device will rotate and bear. Such an apical member or thin metal plate could be made of a resorbable material such as PGA or PLA so that placement of the unitary implant and distraction device can be a one-time surgical activity in which the distraction device serves not only to create distraction osteogenesis, but it also serves as the support or implant securing mechanism for a later cap or crown (prosthesis).
The inventor's own prior, referred-to patent application (reproduced hereinafter) describes a system in which the implant is placed in the lower jaw, upper jaw or is placed in a jaw section (in the latter situation, an H cut is provided so to simultaneously allow the upper and lower jaw segments in a single jaw section to move opposite from each other). Distraction osteogenesis occurs because of their adherence of tissue to the apical and coronal members which move away from each other as the threaded distraction member rotates. In the present invention, separate coronal and apical members are no longer required because the distraction member, itself, is provided with threads in the region in which relative tissue movement is required for the sectioned jaw segment—whether two segments move opposite to each other, an upper segment moving upwardly towards the sinus or an upper segment in the lower jaw moves to raise the gum line.
The dental implant distraction device of this invention is physically identical, in one embodiment, to
FIGS. 8A and 8B
of my prior patent application. The device comprises a biocompatible material and is sized to be inserted into the jaw of a patient. Thus, for the patent claims directed solely to the new embodiment of the device itself,
FIGS. 8A and 8B
of my prior application provide support for the claims and the filing date of the earlier application shall apply to claims reading upon the device depicted in
FIGS. 8A and 8B
.
This invention is directed to both an apparatus and the method of creating distraction osteogenesis by providing a simple single mechanical unit, a combination dental implant-distraction device which is capable of creating distraction osteogenesis and providing a support for a conventional implant, crown or prosthesis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The numbering of the Figures in this patent application will commence with
FIG. 14
as
FIGS. 1 through 13
are taken from my prior patent application which is reproduced in its entirety hereinafter and incorporated expressly herein. For purposes of ease of reference:
FIG. 14
is a perspective view showing the integral, combination dental implant-distraction device of this invention which is also shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8B
of the prior application;
FIG. 15
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 14
showing a base, disc-like member or flat, apical member upon which the smooth-walled and smooth end, distal portion of the dental implant-distraction device bears during its rotation, thereby providing distraction osteogenesis;
FIGS. 14 and 15
show the position of the dental implant prior to the surgical cut in the bone creating the jaw surgical section segment which moves relative to the remainder of the jaw section; the surgical cuts were described in my prior patent application.
FIG. 16
is an enlarged, partial, sectional view of the threaded portion of the dental implant-distraction device and the jaw tissue growing proximate thereto, which, in combination allows the jaw segment to be moved upwardly as the distraction device incrementally rotates and the threads of the device provide lifting and inclined support for the jaw tissue thereby moving the jaw tissue upwardly when the device is incrementally r
Kenyon & Kenyon
Osteogen L.L.C.
Wilson John J.
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