Dentistry – Prosthodontics – Holding or positioning denture in mouth
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-06-26
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Prosthodontics
Holding or positioning denture in mouth
C433S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During a typical dental implantation procedure, the tissue surrounding the jawbone is cut to expose the implantation site. A hole is drilled into the bone, and a dental implant is positioned into this hole. The tissue is then sutured, and the implant is left in the bone for several months as healing and osseointegration occur. During this healing period, a prosthesis or artificial tooth is custom made to fit in the patient's mouth. During a second surgical procedure, the tissue surrounding the implantation site is again cut. The prosthesis is then connected to the end of the implant.
Typically, a dental abutment is located between the implant and prosthesis. The abutment serves several functions but generally provides a structure for extending the implant above the gum-line. One end of the abutment connects to the implant while a second end of the abutment connects to the prosthesis. Typically, a screw holds the abutment to the implant, and either another screw or cement holds the abutment to the prosthesis.
Abutments may have numerous configurations, but generally they have a straight or angled cylindrical configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,622 entitled “Spacer” to Rangert et al. illustrates an angled abutment, shown in
FIG. 1
(prior art).
FIG. 1
shows a one-piece angled abutment at
10
. This abutment includes a conical base portion
12
and a conical upper portion
14
. These two portions are not removable from one another and are formed together to make a unitary member.
A first bore
16
extends downwardly through both the base and upper portions, and a second threaded bore
18
extends through the upper portion. The base portion
12
has a conical shape and includes a bottom surface
20
that abuts against the end of an implant (not shown). An interior portion of the bottom of bore
16
has a non-cylindrical shape
22
to provide anti-rotational engagement between the abutment and implant. A screw (not shown) passes into bore
16
, abuts against a ledge
24
, and holds the abutment to the implant.
The upper portion
14
tapers away from the base portion at a preselected angle, preferably between 25° and 40°. The prosthesis fits around the upper portion and abuts against a ledge
26
at the top of the base portion. A screw (not shown) passes into a threaded bore
18
to hold the prosthesis to the abutment.
One important disadvantage with prior straight and angled abutments is that the base portion cannot be removed from the upper portion. In some instances, however, the base portion needs to be removed or replaced. For example, the tissue surrounding the base of the abutment tends to recede over time. As this tissue recedes, more and more of the abutment is visible in the patient's mouth. The abutment, usually made of the metal titanium, has an unappealing appearance and disrupts the aesthetic quality of the prosthesis.
As another disadvantage, prior abutments have base and upper portions made from the same material. Generally, the abutments are formed as a solid piece of titanium or other suitable material. Numerous advantages could be realized if the base portion were formed from one material while the upper portion were formed from another material.
As another disadvantage, prior abutments are not well suited to have the base portion colored or coated while leaving the upper portion uncolored or uncoated.
The present invention solves the problems discussed above with prior dental abutments and provides further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a multi-piece abutment having a cuff portion that can be removed from an upper portion. The cuff and the upper portion are two separate pieces that connect together to form the abutment. The upper portion has a base that connects to the top of the cuff. Once the upper portion and cuff are connected, the abutment is used in a conventional fashion with the cuff attaching to the implant and the upper portion attaching to the prosthesis.
The present invention has numerous advantages. For instance, after the prosthesis is connected to the abutment and placed in the mouth of the patient, the abutment may be disassembled into two separate pieces. In some circumstances, the cuff of the abutment may need to be replaced with a new or different cuff. This replacement cuff, for example, may be shorter or wider than the original cuff to compensate for receding tissue around the prosthesis.
As another advantage, the upper portion and the cuff may be made from different materials. Various combinations of materials may be used to meet particular needs of the patient. For example, the cuff may be formed from a material having good aesthetic qualities, especially where the abutment is likely to be exposed, and the upper portion may be formed from a material having a high strength, especially where the abutment requires added strength. The upper portion, for instance, could be made from titanium while the cuff is made from a gold alloy, polymer, or ceramic.
As another advantage, the cuff may be colored or have a coating, such as porcelain. This coloring or coating could be separate from the upper portion and would enhance the aesthetics of the abutment.
The invention, accordingly, comprises the apparatus and method possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that are exemplified in the following detailed description. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Armstrong Peter S.
Bassett Jeffrey A.
Day Thomas H.
Lyren Philip S.
Pettersen Carl W.
Lyren Philip S.
Sulzer Dental Inc.
Wilson John J.
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