Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-07-10
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a gingiva former.
A gingiva former of this type which can be connected to a dental implant is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,994. After the implant has had time to heal, a reopening is effected by means of a scalpel, an electrotome or a mucosa cutter to allow a screw cap connected to the dental implant to be removed from the implant and replaced by the gingiva former. The exterior of the gingiva former known from the U.S. patent is cylindrical, although today gingiva formers with differently shaped exteriors are also known. In another healing phase which follows the reopening, the gingiva former enables the efficient formation of the mucous border. It must be ensured that after the insertion of the crown structure, the gums lie against its gingival band in a way that is sealed against bacterial entry. Gingiva formers are provided which are appropriate matches for dental implants with varying diameters, and gingiva formers with appropriate heights are also available depending on the respective height of the gums. Problems can occur, however, if during the healing phase the mucosa doesn't fit in the desired way and the mucous border doesn't form in the desired way with respect to the exterior shape of the gingiva former. Thus, the fitting of the mucosa to the gingiva former can only be partially attained by local lifting of regions of the mucous membrane. Unacceptably large gaps between the gingiva former and mucosa can occur such that the desired tight seal cannot be assured long-term after the healing of the gums and then insertion of the transfer structure and after the completion of the superstructure.
Furthermore, a dental implant with a conical top piece is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,840. A membrane can be placed between the top piece and the of the body of the implant. On the side facing the body of the implant, the diameter of the conical top piece is essentially equal in size to the coronal end of the body of the implant. On the side of the head facing away from the body of the implant, the conical top piece has a substantially smaller diameter. In the region of the side of the head mentioned, slits are provided for the fastening of structures which enable stabilization during the healing phase. After the healing phase, a cap for attaching a crown structure or similar object is arranged on the top piece, where the aforementioned slits of the top piece enable a dental cement or some such thing to be fixed thereon.
Furthermore, a gingiva former is known from DE-A-33 00 764 which has a threaded bore in the side facing away from the dental implant. A key can be placed into this threaded bore either in order to insert the gingiva former into the dental implant or to extract it from the dental implant.
Finally, a bone screw with a washer for attaching tissue is known from U.S. Pat. 4,988,351. This washer has passage holes for receiving sutures, which holes run at an angle to its longitudinal axis. Pointing radially inwards, these passage holes end in a conical region which serves as a rest for the screw head. The washer is laid on its outer surface in order to attach the tissue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is the object of the invention to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to further develop a gingiva former such that the formation of the soft tissue is improved. The gingiva former should simple and functional to handle. Additionally, it should be easy to produce and enable the gingiva to be attached without difficulty.
This object is achieved by a gingiva former as described and claimed hereinafter.
The gingiva former according to the invention distinguishes itself by its functional construction and simple structure. At least one opening for introducing means for fastening the gingiva is located in its head portion. The opening is preferably designed as a slit or passage hole which leads to a central bore and into which normal dental materials can be introduced, particularly in order to be able to stitch appropriately prepared flaps of mucosa. The end face of the head portion contains the central, axial bore, which is designed as a through bore for a mounting screw or as a blind bore for engagement means of a tool used to screw the gingiva former into the body of the implant, which is embedded in the jaw bone. The slits or openings designed for use with the dental materials mentioned begin radially outwards in the side wall of the gingiva former, which wall preferably is essentially cylindrical and coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis, and end in the central bore mentioned previously. Additionally, the slits or openings mentioned preferably are arranged essentially at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, however, within the scope of the invention, they can also be inclined at a pre-determinable angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The gingiva former has, on one hand, a head with a side wall for placement of the gingiva and, on the other, a shaft for anchoring itself in the implant body. In a particular embodiment, the shaft has an outer thread for screwing into a corresponding inner thread of a recess in the implant body. In this case, the engagement means for a tool for screwing in the device are preferably located axially between the shaft and the openings, particularly designed as radial, which are provided for the dental materials mentioned. In another embodiment, the shaft is provided with contact faces, preferably having the contour of a polygon, particularly a hexagon, which keep it from turning with respect to the body of the implant.
Preferably, the at least one slit or opening or through bore is arranged in a radial plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In this case, the slit or opening preferably ends at the central bore which is provided coaxial to the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the slits or openings are advantageously arranged in the upper end region of the head portion, particularly in the upper half of the head portion, advantageously in the upper third adjacent to the free end or end face of the head portion.
Embodiments and specific developments of the invention are described in the subclaims as well as in the following specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3664345 (1972-05-01), Dabbs et al.
patent: 4856994 (1989-08-01), Lazzara et al.
patent: 4872840 (1989-10-01), Bori
patent: 4988351 (1991-01-01), Paulos et al.
patent: 5839899 (1998-11-01), Robinson
patent: 5921774 (1999-07-01), Kanomi et al.
patent: 3300764 A1 (1984-07-01), None
patent: 891748 A1 (1999-01-01), None
Khoury Fouad
Neugebauer Joerg
Crowell & Moring , L.L.P.
Friadent GmbH
Lewis Ralph A.
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