Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-07
2001-12-04
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325628
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to dental implants and more particularly to a temporary prosthesis and method for using.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The natural teeth of an individual may be lost as a result of dental disease or trauma, making it desirable to replace such teeth with one or more prosthetic devices. An example of a prosthetic device is a dental implant which is surgically positioned within the mandibular of maxillary alveolar bone.
One type of dental implant has a first implant member for placement in an osteotomy site in the alveolar bone of a patient. Following healing, a head member, commonly called an abutment, is mounted in or on the first implant member and a tooth simulating prosthesis or crown is then mounted on the abutment, or in the case of edentulous individuals, a bridge supporting abutment is mounted in the first implant member. A successful system of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,623. In that patent, a first implant or root member having a first or outer end formed with a female socket circumscribed by a shoulder and having a suitable anchoring means, such as outwardly extending fins, is placed in an osteotomy site or implant receiving cavity in the alveolar bone with suitable surgical instruments and techniques. The first implant member is inserted into the cavity with the upper portion of the member a selected distance below the opening of the cavity, that is, below the crest of the bone, e.g., two or three millimeters. A healing plug is inserted into a female socket of the first implant member and particles of a natural and/or synthetic bone growth stimulating grafting material are then packed within the cavity around the shoulder of the implant member and the wound is then allowed to heal for four to six weeks or longer until osseointegration has been completed.
Following healing, the dentist surgically accesses and removes the plug and replaces it with an abutment. The abutment has a male portion received within the female socket and an intermediate, outer, generally hemispherical surface portion which may extend through the surface of the crest of the bone which had previously been reamed to form a complimentary configuration when forming the cavity. The hemispherical surface portion is non-irritating to soft tissue and promotes mucosal healing. A prosthetic device can be attached to the abutment.
During the healing process care must be taken to avoid the transmission of forces on the implant which could cause dehiscence of the integrating implant. In the case of an edentulous individual, this would mean that solid foods would have to be eschewed for the healing period of four to six weeks or longer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a temporary prosthesis, mounting components and a method for installing the prosthesis which can be used during the healing time of surgically positioned implants or whenever it is advantageous to attach a device to a temporary fixed implant. Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus and a method for securing a surgical stent or other device for use in implant surgery or for other purposes. Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus and a method by which a failing prosthesis can be secured on a temporary basis, that is, for a limited period of time.
Briefly stated, in accordance with the invention, single stage, combination implant/abutment members are screwed into the cortical bone between existing or planned permanent implants. The implant/abutment members have a head portion positioned above the mucosa. A precisely formed plastic coping is placed on each head portion and then a direct pick-up by and attachment of the coping to a temporary prosthesis can be effected or alternatively, a transfer pick-up impression of the copings can be done. With the use of implant analogs, a stone model can be poured for fabrication of the prosthesis extraorally. The prosthesis, for example a full or partial arch prosthesis, is then supported on the implant/abutment members spaced above the permanent implant sites thereby preventing transmission of transmucosal forces from the temporary prosthesis to the integrating implants caused by movement of the temporary prosthesis or food bolus. As a result, the patient is able to eat a more solid and diversified diet immediately post operatively. By means of the invention a temporary prosthesis can be securely and accurately placed, if desired, on the same day as that of the permanent implant surgery.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the combination implant/abutment member is formed of biocompatible material, such as titanium or titanium alloy, with a hemispherically shaped basal portion adapted to be received in a complimentary formed seat in the cortical bone, a threaded post extending in one direction from the basal portion and a cylindrical head extending in an opposite direction from the basal portion. The cylindrical head is formed with at least one flat, and preferably a plurality of spaced apart flats, to facilitate rotary attachment of the members in the bores in the cortical bone. A tapered section is formed on the coronal portion of each head which serves as a coping seat and an axially extending bore is formed through the end face of the head portion with the outer portion of the bore being threaded and the inner portion of the bore being formed with a non-circular surface, e.g., hexagonal. The coping, formed of ceramic, metal or suitable moldable plastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, bondable to a prosthesis member, to be discussed, has an outer periphery generally frusto-conical in configuration with a first tapered bore extending from the larger end face and a second bore having a straight section of a selected length extending from the smaller end face and with a second tapered section formed at the end of the straight bore section extending to a junction with the first tapered bore. The first tapered bore is complimentary in angle and diameter to that of the coping seat on the head of the implant/abutment member for reception thereon. The second bore receives an elongated pin formed of biocompatible material such as the same material as that of the implant/abutment member having at one end a tapered portion complimentary in angle and diameter to that of the second taper of the coping which serves as a pin receiving seat and a threaded distal end for threaded reception in the threaded bore of the implant/abutment members. The main shaft portion of the pin has a diameter selected to closely fit in the straight bore of the coping and the other distal end is formed with a screw driving slot in the end face thereof. The length of the elongated pin is selected preferably to extend beyond the coping and at least partially through the temporary prosthesis.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4738623 (1988-04-01), Driskell
patent: 4906191 (1990-03-01), Söderberg
patent: 5078606 (1992-01-01), Söderberg
patent: 5556280 (1996-09-01), Pelak
DIRO, Inc.
Haug John A.
Lewis Ralph A.
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