Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Patent
1996-01-19
1999-02-23
O'Connor, Cary E.
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
433173, A61C 800
Patent
active
058737200
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spacing member for a securing element (fixture) permanently anchored in the jawbone, comprising an essentially sleeve-shaped spacing element intended to be fitted on the securing element by means of a separate spacing screw. The screw is provided with an elongate, unthreaded middle area and, at its tip, an externally threaded portion which is intended to engage with an internally threaded bore in the upper part of the securing element. The sleeve-shaped spacing element is provided with a passage having an internally threaded portion for the spacing screw, so that the spacing screw, after it has been threaded through this portion, is integrally connected to the spacing element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
it is already known to anchor a tooth prosthesis permanently in the jaw with the aid of securing elements in the form of titanium screws, so-called fixtures, which are implanted in the jawbone. The screws are anchored in holes in the bone so that the upper part of the screw is situated to level with or just below the upper surface of the jawbone. The screw is then covered over with a flap of mucous membrane and is left unloaded for a rest period of 3-6 months in order for the bone to fix firmly to the implanted screw and form a unit therewith. After the rest period, the screw is exposed, and a spacing member, also preferably of titanium, is screwed into place, after which the tooth prosthesis is anchored on the spacing member. The tooth prosthesis must in this case be exactly matched to the appearance of the jaw with the titanium fixtures implanted.
In order to meet the individual requirements of different patients, there are a number of different types of spacing members on the market. The BRANEMARK SYSTEM, which is marketed by Nobelpharma AB, includes a number of standard spacers which consist of spacing cylinders of different lengths, from 3 to 10 mm, and separate spacing screws for securing the spacer on the fixture. The base portion of the spacing cylinders is adapted to the hexagon shape of the fixture, so that positive locking is achieved when this portion is applied to the fixture.
In order to improve the aesthetic result of a tooth reconstruction, other types of spacing members are also already known, see for example EP 0 291 103, EP 0 323 421 and ER 0 419 431. These spacing members also comprise an essentially cylinder-shaped spacer and a separate spacing screw.
In some cases it may be difficult to decide on the final type of spacing member which is to be used, or it may also be difficult to determine exactly the correct length of the spacer. In these cases, so-called healing spacers are used which are connected to the fixture temporarily while the final artificial crown is being made and tried out on the patient, but which are then replaced by the permanent spacer. Using a particular healing spacer improves the conditions for favorable incorporation of the mucous membrane, since the mucous membrane can be given a contour which is adapted to the contour of the permanent spacer. The healing spacers are similar to the standard spacers, but the sleeve and the screw are made in one piece. For thin reason, the healing spacers do not provide for positive locking to the upper part of the fixture.
Spacers which are made in this way, i.e. in which the screw and the actual spacing sleeve are in one piece, suffer from a number of disadvantages: the fixture, i.e. the entire tightening force is transmitted down to the fixture (the implant) which thereby runs a potential risk of becoming loose when the spacer is being tightened or loosened. is required in order to achieve proper tightening of the screw connection. movement, which can lead to the spacer breaking. be positioned. for the actual spacer, although this may be desirable since the spacer must be made of a biocompatible material and the screw should be made of a material with high strength.
All these disadvantages can be overcome by using a spacing member which has a separate spacing screw,
REFERENCES:
patent: 4780080 (1988-10-01), Haris
patent: 5286195 (1994-02-01), Clostermann
patent: 5302126 (1994-04-01), Wimmer et al.
patent: 5368160 (1994-11-01), Leuschen et al.
patent: 5431567 (1995-07-01), Daftary
patent: 5527182 (1996-06-01), Willoughby
patent: 5622500 (1997-04-01), Niznick
Nobelpharma Product Catalog 1991, Components for the Standard Restorative Procedure, p. 12.
Jorneus Lars
Loof Lennart
Nobel Biocare AB
O'Connor Cary E.
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