Retrievable dental prothesis apparatus and method of fabrication

Claim 2

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected by a screw to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface and means at said base for engaging said implant and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said cast metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor, and so that said base interlocks with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor.

Claim 3

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said engaging means includes internal mating surfaces in a recess in said base capable of engaging and interlocking with corresponding mating surfaces at an upward extension of said implant.

Claim 4

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said internal mating surfaces and said corresponding mating surfaces are hexagonal surfaces.

Claim 5

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said cast metal portion is contoured near said base to facilitate corresponding soft tissue health adjacent said base and to provide access for oral hygiene purposes.

Claim 6

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said cast metal portion is a dental alloy.

Claim 7

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 5 wherein said dental alloy is gold-palladium alloy.

Claim 8

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 5 wherein said dental alloy is 52% gold-palladium alloy.

Claim 9

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected by a screw to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said cast metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and is directly connected to and interlocked with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an annular collar at said base, said collar having an annular ledge at the top thereof.

Claim 10

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected by a screw to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said cast metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and is directly connected to and interlocked with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an annular collar at said base, said collar having an annular ledge at the top thereof.

Claim 11

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 8 wherein said cast metal portion has a layer of porcelain fused to the outside surface thereof, said layer of porcelain extending downward to said ledge.

Claim 12

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 8 wherein said cast metal portion has a layer of resin at the outside surface thereof, said layer of resin extending downward to said ledge.

Claim 13

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said case metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said cast metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor, and so that said base interlocks with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor.

Claim 14

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said case metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said cast metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor, and so that said base interlocks with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor.

Claim 15

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said access aperture has a frustro-conically-shaped surface at said bottom thereof which engages a corresponding frustro-conically-shaped surface at the bottom of a head of said screw, said head having a recess therein with internal surfaces.

Claim 16

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 12 wherein said access aperture enters said cast metal portion so that said aperture provides access allowing an installation tool to engage said internal surfaces of said recess in said head in order to selectively loosen and to selectively tighten said screw.

Claim 17

The retrievable dental prosthesis of claim 11 wherein said access aperture has a flat annular-shaped surface at said bottom thereof which engages a corresponding flat annular-shaped surface at the bottom of a head of said screw, said head having a slot therein.

Claim 18

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said base metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and is directly connected to and interlocked with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor, said access aperture having a frusto-conically-shaped surface at said bottom thereof which engages a corresponding frusto-conically-shaped surface at the bottom of a head of said screw, said head having a recess therein with internal surfaces, said access aperture entering said cast metal portion from a back of said portion so that said aperture provides access allowing an installation tool to engage said internal surfaces of said screw in said head in order to selectively loosen and to selectively tighten said screw.

Claim 19

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said base metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said screw being disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and is directly connected to and interlocked with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor, said access aperture having a frusto-conically-shaped surface at said bottom thereof which engages a corresponding frusto-conically-shaped surface at the bottom of a head of said screw, said head having a recess therein with internal surfaces, said access aperture entering said cast metal portion from a back of said portion so that said aperture provides access allowing an installation tool to engage said internal surfaces of said screw in said head in order to selectively loosen and to selectively tighten said screw.

Claim 20

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a screw disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connected said cast metal portion to said implant.

Claim 21

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising a screw and an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor by said screw, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a screw disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connected said cast metal portion to said implant.

Claim 22

A combination retrievable dental prosthesis and implant anchor comprising an implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base, an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a connector disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said connector so that said connector is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion form said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant.

Claim 23

A combination retrievable dental prosthesis and implant anchor comprising an implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base, an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a connector disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said connector so that said connector is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion form said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant.

Claim 24

A cylinder apparatus used for fabricating a cast metal dental prosthesis comprising an elongated cylindrically-shaped member having a first bore passing longitudinally therethrough, said first bore having a frustro-conically-shaped surface at the bottom thereof, said member having a cylindrically-shaped recess at a bottom thereof and a second bore therein having a smaller diameter than said first bore connecting said first bore to said recess, said member having an annular collar at said bottom thereof and a portion extending downward from said collar, said collar having an annular ledge at a top thereof, said member being made out of a material capable of being used for lost-wax casting procedures.

Claim 25

A cylinder apparatus used for fabricating a cast metal dental prosthesis comprising an elongated cylindrically-shaped member having a first bore passing longitudinally therethrough, said first bore having a frustro-conically-shaped surface at the bottom thereof, said member having a cylindrically-shaped recess at a bottom thereof and a second bore therein having a smaller diameter than said first bore connecting said first bore to said recess, said member having an annular collar at said bottom thereof and a portion extending downward from said collar, said collar having an annular ledge at a top thereof, said member being made out of a material capable of being used for lost-wax casting procedures.

Claim 26

The cylinder of claim 18 wherein said material is a plastic material.

Claim 27

Milling apparatus used for deburring a cast metal dental prosthesis comprising: a lapping tool having a shank with a deburring flange attached thereto, a shaft connected to said flange and an engaging rod connected to said shank, said shank capable of rotatably engaging a recess in a base of said cast metal prosthesis so that said deburring flange engages a bottom surface at said base of said prosthesis; and a generally cylindrically-shaped elongated guide pin having an internal bore passing longitudinally therethrough, said guide pin capable of engaging an internal bore in said cast metal prosthesis so that one end of said guide pin engages a bottom of said bore in said prosthesis while said engaging rod of said lapping tool rotatably engages said internal bore in said guide pin in order that said deburring flange is capable of rotating and polishing said bottom surface of said prosthesis.

Claim 28

Milling apparatus used for deburring a cast metal dental prosthesis comprising: a lapping tool having a shank with a deburring flange attached thereto, a shaft connected to said flange and an engaging rod connected to said shank, said shank capable of rotatably engaging a recess in a base of said cast metal prosthesis so that said deburring flange engages a bottom surface at said base of said prosthesis; and a generally cylindrically-shaped elongated guide pin having an internal bore passing longitudinally therethrough, said guide pin capable of engaging an internal bore in said cast metal prosthesis so that one end of said guide pin engages a bottom of said bore in said prosthesis while said engaging rod of said lapping tool rotatably engages said internal bore in said guide pin in order that said deburring flange is capable of rotating and polishing said bottom surface of said prosthesis.

Claim 29

The milling apparatus of claim 20 wherein said deburring flange has cutting edges thereon.

Claim 30

The milling apparatus of claim 20 wherein said guide pin has a frustro-conically-shaped surface at said one end.

Claim 31

The milling apparatus of claim 20 wherein said one end of said guide pin is a flat end.

Claim 34

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of shaping wax in a recess in a bottom of said plastic cylinder before shaping said wax pattern in order to form internal surfaces that are capable of mating with said external surfaces of said implant.

Claim 35

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of polishing a bottom surface of said cast metal prosthesis.

Claim 36

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of fusing a porcelain layer to an outside surface of said cast metal prosthesis.

Claim 37

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of applying a resin layer to an outside surface of said cast metal prosthesis.

Claim 38

The method of claim 24 wherein said cast metal prosthesis is made out of gold-palladium alloy.

Claim 39

The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of cutting a top portion off said plastic cylinder before shaping said wax pattern so that said cylinder is sized to represent the height of said tooth to be replaced.

Claim 40

The method of claim 24 wherein said cast metal prosthesis has an annular collar at the base metal prosthesis has an annular collar at the base thereof.

Claim 41

The method of claim 24 wherein said plastic cylinder has internal surfaces formed integrally in a recess in a bottom of said plastic cylinder, said internal surfaces capable of mating with said external surfaces of said implant.

Claim 42

A combination retrievable dental prosthesis and implant anchor comprising an implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said base metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a screw disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor.

Claim 43

A combination retrievable dental prosthesis and implant anchor comprising an implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, an integral cast metal portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said cast metal portion having a base with an annular bottom surface and means at said base for engaging said implant anchor and interlocking therewith in order to prevent rotation of said base metal portion with respect to said implant anchor, said cast metal portion having an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, and a screw disposed inside and at a bottom of said aperture removably connecting said cast metal portion to said implant anchor so that said annular bottom surface of said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said screw so that said screw is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said cast metal portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said cast metal portion to said implant anchor.

Claim 46

The method of claim 34 wherein said mounting step includes engaging and interlocking said base of said dental prosthesis to said implant anchor so that said dental prosthesis is prevented from rotating with respect to said implant anchor.

Claim 47

The method of claim 35 wherein said base of said dental prosthesis has an annular bottom surface and said implant anchor has an annular top surface, said annular top and bottom surfaces directly interfacing with each other after said dental prosthesis is mounted onto said implant anchor.

Claim 48

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected by a connector to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising an integral portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said integral portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said integral portion having a base and an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said connector being disposed inside said aperture removably connecting said integral portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said connector so that said connector is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said integral portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said integral portion to said implant.

Claim 49

A retrievable dental prosthesis adapted to be removably connected by a connector to an implant anchor, said implant anchor adapted to be embedded in a patient's dental bone structure and to be disposed below a top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva, said dental prosthesis comprising an integral portion removably connected to said implant anchor, said integral portion being shaped to generally represent contours of a tooth of said patient to be replaced by said prosthesis, said integral portion having a base and an access aperture passing therethrough from an upper position above said base downward toward said base, said connector being disposed inside said aperture removably connecting said integral portion to said implant anchor so that said base extends downward below said top surface of said patient's overlying gingiva and directly interfaces with said implant anchor below said top surface of said gingiva, said aperture providing access to said connector so that said connector is capable of being selectively (a) loosened in order to remove said integral portion from said implant, and (b) tightened in order to removably connect said integral portion to said implant.