Dental implant and method for installing the same

Abstract

A dental implant having an external thread configuration and/or a structure which facilitates a single step dental implant/prosthesis installation or which significantly reduces healing time between surgeries. The invention also relates to a method for installing such a dental implant.

1 . A dental implant comprising: 
 an elongated externally threaded shaft having a longitudinal axis;    a distal end;    a proximal end;    a rotation head at said proximal end; and    said threaded shaft including a plurality of helical threads with the core to thread ratio of such threads being about 0.70 or less and said implant being less than 20 mm in length.    
     
     
         2 . The dental implant of    claim 1    wherein said core to thread ratio is about 0.45 to 0.65.  
     
     
         3 . The dental implant of    claim 2    wherein said core to thread ratio is about 0.50 to 0.60.  
     
     
         4 . The dental implant of    claim 1    wherein said threaded shaft includes first and second helical threads interleaved with one another and having different diameters.  
     
     
         5 . The dental implant of    claim 4    wherein said first thread includes a first proximal facing surface facing said proximal end and a first distal surface facing said distal end, wherein said first proximal facing surface forms a first acute proximal angle relative to a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein said first distal facing surface forms a first acute distal angle relative to a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and wherein said first acute proximal angle is greater than said first acute distal angle.  
     
     
         6 . The dental implant of    claim 5    wherein said first thread diameter is greater than said second thread diamter.  
     
     
         7 . The dental implant of    claim 6    wherein said first acute distal angle is less than 25°.  
     
     
         8 . The dental implant of    claim 1    including a replacement tooth receiving portion extending from said proximal end and being integrally formed with said threaded shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The dental implant of    claim 8    wherein said threaded shaft is free of any internal threaded portion.  
     
     
         10 . The dental implant of    claim 1    including an internally threaded bore extending into said shaft from said proximal end and along said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         11 . The dental implant of    claim 4    wherein said first and second threads includes first and second proximal facing surfaces forming first and second acute proximal angles, respectfully, relative to a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein said first and second threads include first and second distal facing surfaces forming first and second acute distal angles, respectfully, relative to a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and wherein said first and second acute proximal angles are greater than their corresponding first and second acute distal angles.  
     
     
         12 . The dental implant of    claim 1    including an integral dental prosthesis receiving post positioned at said proximal end and extending outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         13 . The dental implant of    claim 12    wherein said shaft is free of any internal bore.  
     
     
         14 . The dental implant of    claim 1    in combination with a dental prosthesis.  
     
     
         15 . The dental implant of    claim 1    being no greater than 15 mm.  
     
     
         16 . A method of installing a dental implant and appliance comprising the steps of: 
 providing a dental implant having a length less than 20 mm and a proximal end, a distal end and an externally threaded shaft, said shaft including a plurality of helical threads having a core to thread ratio of 0.70 or less and said implant further including a prosthesis receiving post positioned at said proximal end and extending outwardly therefrom;    drilling a hole into a tooth root or bone at a desired location;    inserting said distal end into said hole and rotating said dental implant to a desired degree of installation; and    attaching a prosthesis to said prosthesis receiving post.    
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 16    wherein said prosthesis is attached to said receiving post immediately after said insertion step.  
     
     
         18 . A dental implant, comprising: 
 an elongated externally threaded shaft having a longitudinal axis and a core to thread radio of no greater than 0.70;    a distal end;    a proximal end; and    an integral prosthesis receiving post positioned at said proximal end and extending outwardly therefrom.    
     
     
         19 . The dental implant of    claim 18    wherein said plurality of threads include a proximal facing surface forming a proximal angle with a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and a distal facing surface forming a distal angle with a line perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and wherein said proximal angle is greater than said distal angle.  
     
     
         20 . The dental implant of    claim 18    being less than 20 mm in length.