Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-06-12
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244867
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to multi-part abutments adapted for use with dental implants, particularly endosseous dental implants, and, more particularly, cylindrical-shaped endosseous dental implants. Such abutments have multiple parts, namely a first part called a connector, and a second part that may, for example, be an angled abutment body or a straight abutment body that can be placed in any one of a plurality of desired positions. In preferred embodiments, these multiple parts are secured to a dental implant by a single fastener that joins the multiple parts of the abutment to one another, and to the implant. When the multi-part abutment is seated atop a dental implant, the body covers the connector, and forms a single, preferably sealed, external margin with the top surface of the implant.
The multi-part abutment of this invention comprises part one, denoted a connector, having a projection of a shape and size, at its distal end, that is adapted to fit into an opening or passage at the proximal end of a dental implant. Alternatively, part one may have a recess of a shape and size, at its distal end, that is adapted to fit over a projection, such as a multi-sided projection, at the proximal end of a dental implant.
Part one includes a multi-featured, preferably a multi-sided surface, on its external wall. This surface has a size and shape adapted to engage a preferably frictionally, features of complementary size and shape at or near the bottom end of abutment part two. In preferred embodiments, a multisided surface has, for example, six to twelve faces or sides to permit connection to abutment part two, denoted a body, which has a complementary cavity or opening with, for example, from six to twelve faces or sides. These complementary configurations permit part two to be placed in any one of a plurality, e.g. six to twelve positions over part one. Alternatively, part one may include connecting features other than a multisided surface that engage complementary connecting features in a cavity or opening in part two, such as spines, grooves or slots and projections, and pins and holes or slots.
Parts one and two also include a passage along their longitudinal axes for receiving a fastener. Such a fastener preferably includes a shaft that passes through the passage in part two, through a similar, colinear passage in part one, and into the passage or opening at the top of the dental implant. There, the fastener is adapted to engage the passage or opening at the top of the implant. Preferably, a threaded portion at the distal end of the fastener engages complementary threads on the interior wall of the passage or opening in the dental implant.
Part two preferably includes, at its distal end, a multi-sided cavity of a size, shape and configuration that interdigitates and connects with the multi-sided surface on the external wall of part one. This distal end of part two has, in such preferred embodiments, a multi-sided cavity with e.g. six to twelve sides or faces to permit part two to interdigitate in any one of a number of positions over part one.
Part two has, at its proximal end, a prosthesis-engaging or prosthesis-forming portion that can be of any desired size or shape, and formed at any angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the abutment. In some embodiments, this proximal end of part two has a frusto-conical-shaped portion that lies along the longitudinal axes of the two parts, where it forms an angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of the two parts.
In preferred embodiments, part two, like part one, includes a passage along its longitudinal axis for receiving a fastener. This longitudinal passage is of a size, shape and configuration that is substantially similar to the size, shape and configuration of the longitudinal passage in part one so that a single fastener can pass through both passages, joining abutment parts one and two to one another and to a dental implant. Thus, as in part one, the passage is preferably cylindrical in shape, and includes an internal shelf or flange for engaging one end of the single fastener that is adapted to join the two parts to one another, and to a dental implant.
In preferred embodiments, the fastener includes a cylindrical-shaped shaft having a threaded portion at its distal end, and having a flange at its upper end that is of a size and shape adapted to engage the shoulder or flange in the interior passage of abutment part two. Alternatively, the shaft can have, at its distal end, a portion of a size and shape adapted to frictionally engage, or cement into a passage or opening inside the top of a dental implant.
Thus, the abutment of this invention includes a connector, denoted part one, and an abutment body, denoted part two, that fits over part one, and seats, preferably sealingly, atop a dental implant, thus providing a low profile abutment assembly. This two part abutment can be placed in a plurality of positions, as desired, and can be joined to a dental implant with a single fastener, preferably a fixation screw.
In preferred embodiments, the abutment body and connector are friction-fitted to one another. The resulting body/connector assembly is also friction-fitted to the complementary structure of existing dental implants, including dental implants with an external projection and dental implants with an internal, multi-sided passage or other abutment/implant connection structure.
In preferred embodiments, the connector may have, at its distal end, an external taper-lock, multi-sided structure, or an internal multi-sided structure for attachment to an implant. Preferably, the connector includes internal threads to engage a tool that disengages the connector from the implant.
In preferred embodiments, the abutment body has an internal multisided cavity at or near its distal end for connection to a multi-sided external wall projection on the connector (part one). The proximal end of the body includes an access hole for a fixation screw. Internal threads in the passageway through the body portion include internal threads to engage a tool that can disengage the body from the connector.
The outer structure of the body can vary depending upon its intended function or use. An angled body provides an angulation adjustment to the longitudinal axis of an implant. Such a body may be rotated to and placed in a desired orientation using the interdigitating multi-sided connections between the connector and body assembly. Because the connector and the body are separate, the body can be cast to gold with no connector attached, thus avoiding deformation of the connector during casting. The abutment body can be joined to an implant without the connector, if desired, or with the connector to form a multi-part abutment.
In preferred embodiments, the multi-part abutment of this invention is packaged with an angled, one piece carrier, preferably a plastic carrier. This carrier delivers the connector at a desired angle and orientation to an implant placed in the jawbone of a patient. The distal end of the carrier includes an internal multi-sided cavity to engage the connector. This cavity is at an angle to the axis of the carrier's body to facilitate proper placement of the connector, thus establishing precise indexing and positioning of the connector's lower end on an implant's upper end.
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Aravena Ines M.
Niznick Gerald A.
Bright Patrick F.
Sulzer Dental Inc.
Wilson John J.
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