Dental implant system

Claim 2

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post, trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion made of porcelain material through which the prosthesis is attached to the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made entirely of a ceramic material, the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto by interaction between the ceramic and porcelain materials.

Claim 3

The dental implant as defined in claim 1 further including removable fastener means for securing the support post to the metallic fixture, said support post having an access bore from which the fastener means extends into the fixture through the receiving end portion thereof, and washer means deformed in response to threaded insertion of the fastener means into the fixture for sealing said access bore.

Claim 4

The dental implant as defined in claim 2 wherein said ceramic material of the support post is aluminum oxide.

Claim 5

The dental implant as defined in claim 3 wherein said coping portion is a separate piece completely covering the core section of the post.

Claim 6

The dental implant as defined in claim 1 wherein said trans-tissue means on the support post is an anatomically contoured formation on the coping portion.

Claim 7

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post, trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of aluminum oxide, the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, fastener means for securing the support post to the metallic fixture, said support post having an access bore from which the fastener means extends into the fixture through the receiving end portion thereof, and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to threaded insertion of the fastener means into the fixture for sealing said interface region, said coping portion being a separate piece made of porcelain material completely covering the core section of the post, said trans-tissue means comprising a conical formation intergral with the post while the supragingival core section includes a cylindrical portion and a curved transition surface portion interconnecting the cylindrical portion with the conical formation on the support post.

Claim 8

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post, trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of aluminum oxide, the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, fastener means for securing the support post to the metallic fixture, said support post having an access bore from which the fastener means extends into the fixture through the receiving end portion thereof, and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to threaded insertion of the fastener means into the fixture for sealing said interface region, said coping portion being a separate piece made of porcelain material completely covering the core section of the post, said trans-tissue means comprising a conical formation intergral with the post while the supragingival core section includes a cylindrical portion and a curved transition surface portion interconnecting the cylindrical portion with the conical formation on the support post.

Claim 9

The dental implant as defined in claim 6 wherein the fastener means includes a head portion engaging the washer means in spaced relation to the receiving end portion of the fixture, a screw portion threadedly inserted into the fixture and an intermediate shank portion interconnecting the head and screw portions on which the washer means is retained, said intermediate shank portion having means for limiting dental implant rupture thereto.

Claim 10

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of a ceramic material, the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, said trans-tissue means being a conical formation on the post while the supragingival core section includes a cylindrical portion and a curved transition portion interconnecting the cylindrical portion with the conical formation.

Claim 11

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of a ceramic material, the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, said trans-tissue means being a conical formation on the post while the supragingival core section includes a cylindrical portion and a curved transition portion interconnecting the cylindrical portion with the conical formation.

Claim 12

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post, trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of a ceramic material the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, fastener means for securing the support post to the metallic fixture, said support post having an access bore from which the fastener means extends into the fixture through the receiving end portion thereof, and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to threaded insertion of the fastener means into the fixture for sealing said interface region, the fastener means including a head portion in spaced relation to receiving end portion of the fixture, a screw portion threadedly inserted into the fixture and an intermediate shank portion interconnecting the head and screw portions on which the washer means is retained, said intermediate shank portion having means for limiting dental implant rupture thereto.

Claim 13

In a dental implant including a metallic bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion, a support post, trans-tissue means on the post for abutment with the receiving end portion of the fixture within an interface region, said post having a supragingival core section extending from the trans-tissue means, a prosthesis, and a coping portion to which the prosthesis is attached received on the support post; the improvement residing in said support post being made of a ceramic material the coping portion covering the post and being surface bonded directly thereto, fastener means for securing the support post to the metallic fixture, said support post having an access bore from which the fastener means extends into the fixture through the receiving end portion thereof, and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to threaded insertion of the fastener means into the fixture for sealing said interface region, the fastener means including a head portion in spaced relation to receiving end portion of the fixture, a screw portion threadedly inserted into the fixture and an intermediate shank portion interconnecting the head and screw portions on which the washer means is retained, said intermediate shank portion having means for limiting dental implant rupture thereto.

Claim 14

In a dental implant including a bone-embedded fixture including a receiving end portion exposed within an interfacing region between edentulous bone and gingival edge, a support post abutting the receiving end portion of the fixture within said interfacing region, said post having an access bore with an internal shoulder formed therein, and a prosthesis received on the support post, the improvement residing in: removable fastener means extending from the access bore into the fixture for securing the support post thereto in response to threaded insertion through said receiving end portion and washer means seated on the internal shoulder within the access bore for sealing the interface region in response to deformation by the fastener means during said threaded insertion of the fastener means.

Claim 15

In a dental implant including a bone-embedded fixture including a receiving end portion exposed within an interfacing region between edentulous bone and gingival edge, a support post abutting the receiving end portion of the fixture within said interfacing region, said post having an access bore with an internal shoulder formed therein, and a prosthesis received on the support post, the improvement residing in: removable fastener means extending from the access bore into the fixture for securing the support post thereto in response to threaded insertion through said receiving end portion and washer means seated on the internal shoulder within the access bore for sealing the interface region in response to deformation by the fastener means during said threaded insertion of the fastener means.

Claim 16

The combination as defined in claim 10 including a coping portion embedded in the prosthesis and surface bonded directly to the support post and a filler occupying the access bore in covering relation to the fastener means.

Claim 17

In a dental implant including a bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion exposed within an interfacing region between edentulous bone and gingival edge, a support post, abutting means on the post for engagement with the receiving end portion of the fixture within said interfacing region, said post having an access bore formed therein, a prosthesis received on the support post, removable fastener means extending from the access bore into the fixture for securing the support post thereto in response to threaded insertion through said receiving end portion and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to said threaded insertion of the fastener means for sealing the interfacing region, the fastener means including a head portion engaging the washer means in spaced relation to the receiving end portion of the fixture, a screw portion threadedly inserted into the fixture and an intermediate shank portion interconnecting the head and screw portions on which the washer means is retained, said intermediate shank portion having means for limiting dental implant rupture thereto.

Claim 18

In a dental implant including a bone-embedded fixture having a receiving end portion exposed within an interfacing region between edentulous bone and gingival edge, a support post, abutting means on the post for engagement with the receiving end portion of the fixture within said interfacing region, said post having an access bore formed therein, a prosthesis received on the support post, removable fastener means extending from the access bore into the fixture for securing the support post thereto in response to threaded insertion through said receiving end portion and washer means deformed within the access bore in response to said threaded insertion of the fastener means for sealing the interfacing region, the fastener means including a head portion engaging the washer means in spaced relation to the receiving end portion of the fixture, a screw portion threadedly inserted into the fixture and an intermediate shank portion interconnecting the head and screw portions on which the washer means is retained, said intermediate shank portion having means for limiting dental implant rupture thereto.

Claim 21

The method of claim 13 wherein said step of surface bonding includes firing the superstructure assembled on the cut abutment post to form a unitary body therewith.

Claim 22

The method of claim 14 wherein said ceramic material of the abutment post is aluminum oxide.

Claim 23

The method of claim 15 wherein said superstructure includes a separate coping portion surface bonded to the cut abutment post by said step of firing.

Claim 24

The method of claim 16 wherein said steps of fastening and sealing includes threadedly inserting into the fixture said screw fastener to deform a washer retained within the access bore.

Claim 25

The method of claim 13 wherein said ceramic material of the abutment post is aluminum oxide.

Claim 26

In a method of making a custom fitted dental appliance to be secured to an implant fixture having a receiving end portion exposed to an interface region formed in edentulous bone within which the fixture is embedded, the steps of: fitting a prosthesis support post into said region, said support post having an access bore therein; threadedly inserting a screw fastener into the implant fixture through the access bore to fasten the post to the fixture; said screw fastener having a head portion retained in the access bore; positioning a washer on the screw fastener within the access bore; and deforming the washer against the head portion in response to said threaded insertion of the screw fastener into the implant fixture.

Claim 27

In a method of making a custom fitted dental appliance to be secured to an implant fixture having a receiving end portion exposed to an interface region formed in edentulous bone within which the fixture is embedded, the steps of: fitting a prosthesis support post into said region, said support post having an access bore therein; threadedly inserting a screw fastener into the implant fixture through the access bore to fasten the post to the fixture; said screw fastener having a head portion retained in the access bore; positioning a washer on the screw fastener within the access bore; and deforming the washer against the head portion in response to said threaded insertion of the screw fastener into the implant fixture.

Claim 28

In a dental implant for a restoration tooth, a bone-embedded fixture, a prefabricated support in abutment with the fixture and to which the restoration tooth is bonded and means for securing the support to the fixture, said prefabricated support being made entirely of ceramic material covered by the restoration tooth, said means for securing including a fastener and an access bore in the support from which the fastener extends into the fixture and means for locationally limiting dental implant rupture to the fastener within the access bore of the support.

Claim 29

In a dental implant for a restoration tooth, a bone-embedded fixture, a prefabricated support in abutment with the fixture and to which the restoration tooth is bonded and means for securing the support to the fixture, said prefabricated support being made entirely of ceramic material covered by the restoration tooth, said means for securing including a fastener and an access bore in the support from which the fastener extends into the fixture and means for locationally limiting dental implant rupture to the fastener within the access bore of the support.

Claim 30

In a dental implant for a restoration tooth, a bone-embedded metallic fixture, a prefabricated support in abutment with the fixture and to which the restoration tooth is bonded and fastener means extending from the support for securing thereof to the fixture, said prefabricated support being made entirely of ceramic material covered by the restoration tooth.

Claim 31

In a dental implant for a restoration tooth, a bone-embedded metallic fixture, a prefabricated support in abutment with the fixture and to which the restoration tooth is bonded and fastener means extending from the support for securing thereof to the fixture, said prefabricated support being made entirely of ceramic material covered by the restoration tooth.

Claim 32

In a dental implant assembly including an implant fixture to be disposed in a jaw-bone with a threaded hole formed therein; an abutment screw screwed into the threaded hole and rigidly supported therein; and a coping section attached to the abutment screw, an apparatus for supporting the coping section and sealing the abutment screw on the implant fixture, comprising a cylindrical post surrounding the abutment screw, and annular means surrounding the abutment screw between said cylindrical post and the implant fixture for sealing the cylindrical post against the implant fixture.

Claim 33

In a dental implant assembly including an implant fixture to be disposed in a jaw-bone with a threaded hole formed therein; an abutment screw screwed into the threaded hole and rigidly supported therein; and a coping section attached to the abutment screw, an apparatus for supporting the coping section and sealing the abutment screw on the implant fixture, comprising a cylindrical post surrounding the abutment screw, and annular means surrounding the abutment screw between said cylindrical post and the implant fixture for sealing the cylindrical post against the implant fixture.

Claim 34

The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said cylindrical post includes an interfacing portion and is made entirely of ceramic material.

Claim 35

The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said annular means is a flexible washer.

Claim 36

The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said annular means is a flexible washer.

Claim 37

In a dental implant assembly for supporting a dental prosthesis including an implant fixture to be disposed in a jaw-bone with a threaded hole formed therein, and an abutment screw screwed into the threaded hole and rigidly supported therein, an apparatus for resiliently supporting and sealing the abutment screw against the implant fixture, comprising a one-piece cylinder unit including a lower cylinder section surrounding the abutment screw and an upper cylinder section to be attached to the dental prosthesis, and annular flexible means surrounding the abutment screw for sealing said cylinder unit against the implant fixture.

Claim 38

In a dental implant assembly for supporting a dental prosthesis including an implant fixture to be disposed in a jaw-bone with a threaded hole formed therein, and an abutment screw screwed into the threaded hole and rigidly supported therein, an apparatus for resiliently supporting and sealing the abutment screw against the implant fixture, comprising a one-piece cylinder unit including a lower cylinder section surrounding the abutment screw and an upper cylinder section to be attached to the dental prosthesis, and annular flexible means surrounding the abutment screw for sealing said cylinder unit against the implant fixture.

Claim 39

Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said lower cylinder section has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the abutment screw, defining a space therebetween, and said annular flexible means being disposed in said space with a portion thereof between said lower cylinder section and the implant fixture.