Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-06
2001-04-10
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213774
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to restorative and cosmetic dentistry and particularly to the restoration of gum and bone between teeth using a papilla dental implant.
The natural gum profile or gum line of an individual typically covers the bottom portion of the teeth and invades the spaces between the teeth leaving small embrasure spaces in healthy teeth and gums. The gum profile may recede due to improper oral hygiene or gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. The recession of the gums causes the interdental spaces to increase in size. This is particularly acute with gingivitis and periodontal disease as the bacteria which cause these diseases eat away at the gingiva and bone, causing large voids between the teeth where once there was bone and healthy gum tissue.
In some cases, the papilla and bone are severely damaged and the gum tissue cannot adequately heal to its natural state, even after aggressive treatment, as there is inadequate structure to support the regrowth of the gum tissue. These voids, referred to as diastema's or sometimes called black triangles, can be aesthetically unsightly, especially when located between the front teeth.
Therefore, what is needed is a device which is implantable within the gum and bone of the void between the teeth, acting as an anchor for the bone and gum tissue to grow around. The present invention fulfills this need and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a gum tissue restorative system which utilizes a papilla dental implant that provides a platform or anchor for receded gum tissue to regenerate. The system comprises, generally, a papilla dental implant which is forcibly inserted and secured into a jawbone of the patient. The papilla dental implant includes a head having a base, and a shaft extending outwardly from the base of the head and tapering to a pointed terminus. The shaft of the papilla dental implant is inserted and secured into the bone, and the gum tissue is allowed to grow around the head of the papilla dental implant thereby reducing or even eliminating voids or diastemas between the teeth. The gum tissue may be cut to expose the jawbone before inserting the implant into the bone.
In one form of the invention, the papilla dental implant includes an arrow-shaped shaft which may have one or more barbs protruding therefrom. This form of the invention is generally tapped, terminus first, into the bone until the shaft and barbs are adequately secured into the bone and the head remains exposed.
In another form of the invention, the papilla dental implant includes a threaded shaft. In this form of the invention, the shaft is screwed into the bone until the shaft is submerged to a desired depth, securing the shaft in the bone and leaving the head exposed.
In yet another form of the invention, the papilla dental implant comprises a head having a collar rotatably connected to the head and a hollow body tapered shaft extending from the collar to a pointed terminus. The shaft includes multiple sections and a means for expanding the sections outwardly from the head. The means for expanding the sections outwardly include an expansion member movable relative to an inner threaded rod and slidably engaged with inner surfaces of the multiple sections. Both the inner threaded rod and the expansion member are disposed within the hollow body of the shaft. After inserting the shaft of the papilla dental implant into the bone, the head and inner threaded rod are rotated, moving the expansion member downwardly and expanding the sections outwardly to more securely hold the implant relative to the bone.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Kelly Bauersfeld Lowry & Kelly, LLP
Wilson John J.
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