Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2004-09-07
Picard, Leo (Department: 2125)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Product assembly or manufacturing
C433S201100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06788986
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for producing an individually made, implant-supported tooth replacement, in particular from any arbitrary, also biocompatible, materials, and more particularly with the aid of CAD-CAM technology. The invention further relates to a method for producing a tooth replacement element, which is intended to be positioned and fastened on at least one implant, or at least one tooth stub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Within the scope of the present invention, the term “tooth replacement” is understood to be a structure which complements or replaces not only the visible portion of a tooth or a group of teeth, but also its root, and which therefore constitutes a complete replacement of one or several teeth of a patient. In the finished state, this tooth replacement consists of several components, which are interlocked or fastened on each other. Thus, within the scope of the present invention, the term “tooth replacement element” is understood to be a structure which is supported on an implant or a tooth stub, and which essentially projects past the jawbone and the gums. A tooth replacement element can in particular constitute a component of an implant-supported tooth replacement.
The first component of the tooth replacement is an implant, which is inserted into the jawbone of the patient and is then also called an implant insertion. The further components of the tooth replacement will be later built on this implant insertion. The implant insertion generally constitutes the basis for a tooth replacement replacing one or several teeth. A tooth replacement intended to replace one tooth is supported on a single implant, and a tooth replacement intended to replace several adjoining teeth is generally supported on at least two implants. The implants are intended to be implanted, or respectively inserted, by the dentist into the jawbone of a patient, and they are provided by the dentist ready to use and sterilized. The implants can be essentially designed to be cylindrical or tapering and are in the form of screws or pins. On its crown end, each implant has a positioning element. In the installed state of the tooth replacement, the implants are not visible on the patient, or only to a limited degree.
The second component of the tooth replacement is constituted by a connecting element, which in technical terms is called an abutment. One abutment is fastened on each implant. In the installed state of the tooth replacement the abutments are not visible in the patient, or only to a limited degree. They are used to connect the implants with the further components of the tooth replacement. Each abutment has a second positioning element on its proximal end which, together with the first positioning element arranged on the associated implant, forms a positioning device providing protection against rotation.
The third component of the tooth replacement is constituted by connecting elements, generally screws, for the mutual fastening of the implant and the abutment. These connecting elements are also not visible in the patient in the installed state of the tooth replacement. The mutual connection of the implant to the abutment is generally reversible.
The fourth component of the tooth replacement is called a framework, bridge frame or cap. It is secured against vertical displacement, or respectively fastened, on one or several abutments, generally with the aid of a suitable cement or adhesive, or by means of a horizontal or vertical screw connection. The individual cap can be used for replacing one tooth and can be mounted on one abutment. However, a structure made of several caps in connection with an intermediate member, called a portic, can also be intended as the bearing element for an implant bridge for replacing several teeth, and can be mounted on several abutments. Although caps are not, or only slightly, visible after the tooth replacement has been installed in the patient, their nature can have a certain influence on the esthetic aspect of the tooth replacement, which will be explained further down below.
The fifth component of the tooth replacement is constituted by a facing, which encloses the framework, or respectively the bridge frame, or respectively the cap. The facing is the only component of the tooth replacement which is visible in the installed state of the tooth replacement of the patient. The facing is intended to replace the visible area of the tooth. The framework, or respectively the bridge frame, or respectively the cap, on the one hand, and the facing on the other, are irreversibly connected with each other.
It is also possible to use a so-called full crown in place of the framework, or respectively the bridge frame, or respectively the cap, as well as the facing which, as just described, constitute the fourth and fifth component of the tooth replacement. In this case the tooth replacement comprises only four components, namely the implant, the abutment, the connecting elements and the full crown.
The framework and the facing together, or the full crown by itself, form a unit which will also be called a supra-structure within the scope of the present description. The supra-structure is fastened reversibly or irreversibly on the abutment. Reversibly fastened supra-structures can be removed from the abutment, if required.
In regard to functionality, shape and appearance, the tooth replacement should be as similar as possible to the natural tooth, or respectively the natural teeth, to be replaced, of the patient.
As already mentioned, within the scope of the present description the term tooth replacement should be understood to be a structure intended to be fastened directly or indirectly on implants or tooth stubs. On the one hand, the term tooth replacement includes abutments which are fastened on implants, frameworks which are fastened on abutments, and facings which are attached to the frameworks, furthermore also abutments which also constitute frameworks, and integral parts which include all components of a tooth replacement, with the exception of the implant itself. On the other hand, elements which can be fastened on prepared teeth, such as crown- or bridge-like elements, also fall under the term tooth replacement.
The production of implantable tooth replacements can take place in various ways, and the tooth replacement being made can also be embodied differently, as described above. In general, the planning and production of a tooth replacement comprises several method steps described in what follows, which are partially performed by a dentist and partially by a dental technician.
The area of responsibility of the dentist starts with the preparation of a negative impression, which is also called a jaw impression. The making of a negative impression, or respectively a jaw impression, is a method step wherein a measurement is taken of the patient, but which does not leave a trace on the patient, or respectively does not result in changes. Thereafter, a working model is made by the dental technician on the basis of the jaw impression. The working model represents the conditions in the jaw of the patient in which the tooth replacement is to be integrated. The dentist provides information regarding the number of implants, as well as other information, as required. Furthermore, the dentist inserts the implants. Another negative impression is taken after the insertion of the implants, which provides more accurate information to the dental technician, which will be described further down below. Following the prescribed required healing phase following the insertion of the implants in the jaw of the patient, the dentist lays the implants, or respectively their outer areas, open. The optimum position of the implants is of decisive importance for the shape of the further components in respect to occlusion, function and appearance. Unfortunately it is not always possible in the course of inserting the implants in the jaw of the patient to arrange them optimally in respect to the ideal expectation regarding occlusion, function an
Glaeser Rainer
Kappert Heinrich F.
Traber Tony
Chambers Guy W.
DCS Forschungs & Entwicklungs AG
Jarrett Ryan
Picard Leo
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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