Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Statutory Invention Registration
1997-05-08
2001-08-07
Tudor, Harold J. (Department: 3641)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S024000
Statutory Invention Registration
active
H0001984
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the dental field of orthodontics and, more particularly, to an abutment for orthodontic anchorage to a dental implant which has osseointegrated with bone in a patient's mouth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In one class of systems used in orthodontic practice, arch-wires cooperating with brackets fixed to buccal surfaces of teeth are used to adjust the relative positions of teeth in a dental arch with appropriate forces applied over time to individual teeth in the arch. These wires are anchored at their ends to tubes, hooks and the like which are affixed to the patient's molars or other suitable teeth. Elastics and ligature threads are also used in orthodontics and these, too, cooperate with traction hooks and buttons affixed to the surfaces of a patient's teeth.
In cases where the patient is edentulous at the site where orthodontic anchorage is desired, an artificial root, notably an endosseous implant, with a suitable abutment attached, may provide support for orthodontic anchorage. It is known to attach molar bands to temporary crowns affixed to dental implants. The present invention discloses a new abutment to which molar bands and other orthodontic components may be directly attached, eliminating the need to construct a temporary crown.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A dental implant in the class of endosseous implants consists essentially of an elongated body implanted in the patient's mandible or maxillary and a socket for receiving a fitting or fittings which fix a prosthodontic restoration on the elongated body. Commonly, the socket is an internally-threaded bore. The restoration is then fixed to the implanted body with a screw threaded into the bore. Other forms of dental implants are in use and a wide variety of materials are used to make these implants. This invention is disclosed in connection with a typical endosseous implant as currently known to be the best mode of practice. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the illustrative embodiments of that implant. To the contrary, the invention is intended for use with any and all substitutes for natural root structures that are capable of providing the required anchorage, whether presently known or made available in the future.
Generally, according to the invention, an abutment (or post) which may be tubular in shape is fixed endwise to the implant so as to extend supragingivally through the overlying gingiva or mucosa. The tubular shape produces an internal bore in the abutment. The abutment is fastened to the implant with a screw that passes through the bore from the supragingival end to a shoulder within the bore on which the head of the screw rests.
The abutment is provided on its outer surface with a roughened surface. In a preferred embodiment, the roughened surface begins approximately 3 mm from the lower end which is seated on the implant so that there is about 3 mm of smooth external surface confronting the overlying gingiva. Because the roughened surface begins above the gingiva, the chances of the abutment irritating the gingiva are reduced. This roughened surface may extend in a coronal or supragingival direction for approximately 5 mm. In a preferred embodiment, it extends to the supragingival end of the abutment which opposes the lower end seated on the implant The roughened surface may extend all around the abutment. Alternatively, the roughened surface may extend approximately 180 degrees around the abutment so long as the abutment can be oriented around its longitudinal axis to place the roughened surface at the appropriate location (i.e. typically buccal confronting location) desired by the orthodontist. Using the available “hex” interlock that is in wide use in systems employing endosseous implants, the abutment can be fixed on the implant in any axial orientation desired.
The roughened surface on the abutment should be sufficiently rough to allow direct bonding of an orthodontic band or an orthodontic component to the material of the abutment. This material is usually titanium or a dilute alloy of titanium as presently in widespread use in the practice of dental implantology.
This invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention.
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Goodman Randy E.
Lazzara Richard J.
Salama Henry
Salama Maurice A.
Burnham Daniel J.
Implant Innovations, Inc.
Jenkins & Gilchrist
Tudor Harold J.
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