Dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same

Abstract

A dental implant system and method for effecting a dental restoration using the same.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dental implant system comprising: 
 an implant fixture adapted to be deployed in a bone;    an impression coping adapted to be selectively deployed on said implant fixture and in a dental impression;    a laboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed on said impression coping and in a dental cast;    a spherical abutment adapted to be selectively deployed on said laboratory analog; and    a multiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed on said spherical abutment.    
     
     
         2 . A dental implant system according to  claim 1  wherein said system further comprises a cover screw adapted to be selectively deployed in said implant fixture.  
     
     
         3 . A dental implant system according to  claim 1  wherein said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment may be used to generate a cast permanent abutment which may be received by said laboratory analog and said implant fixture.  
     
     
         4 . A dental implant system according to  claim 3  wherein said cast permanent abutment is adapted to receive a prosthetic tooth.  
     
     
         5 . A dental implant system according to  claim 1  wherein said implant fixture comprises a longitudinal bore, and further wherein the wall of said longitudinal bore is configured so as to form a “Morse'a taper”.  
     
     
         6 . A dental implant system according to  claim 1  wherein said spherical abutment comprises a hex-shaped ball.  
     
     
         7 . A dental implant system according to  claim 6  wherein said multiaxis abutment comprises a hex-shaped ball recess for receiving said hex-shaped ball of said spherical abutment.  
     
     
         8 . A dental implant system according to  claim 6  wherein said multiaxis abutment comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said hex-shaped ball recess is formed in said distal end of said multiaxis abutment, and further comprising a passageway extending between said proximal end and said distal end, with said passageway opening on said hex-shaped ball recess.  
     
     
         9 . A dental implant system according to  claim 1  wherein said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment may be used to generate a machined permanent abutment which may be received by said laboratory analog and said implant fixture.  
     
     
         10 . A dental implant system according to  claim 8  wherein said machined permanent abutment is adapted to receive a crown.  
     
     
         11 . A method for effecting a dental restoration, said method comprising: 
 providing a dental implant system comprising: 
 an implant fixture adapted to be deployed in a bone;  
 an impression coping adapted to be selectively deployed on said implant fixture and in a dental impression;  
 a laboratory analog adapted to be selectively deployed on said impression coping and in a dental cast;  
 a spherical abutment adapted to be selectively deployed on said laboratory analog; and  
 a multiaxis abutment adapted to be adjustably deployed on said spherical abutment;  
   positioning said implant fixture in said bone;    positioning said impression coping on said implant fixture;    making a dental impression of said impression coping and the surrounding portions of the patient's mouth;    removing the dental impression, with said impression coping attached thereto, from the patient's mouth;    positioning said laboratory analog on said impression coping;    making a cast of said laboratory analog and a portion of said impression coping;    removing the dental impression from said impression coping;    removing said impression coping from said laboratory analog;    positioning said spherical abutment in said laboratory analog;    positioning said multiaxis abutment on said spherical abutment and angling said multiaxis abutment atop said spherical abutment to the extent required for the dental restoration;    securing said multiaxis abutment in its angled position atop said spherical abutment;    generating a permanent abutment from the combined spherical abutment/multiaxis abutment;    positioning said permanent abutment in said laboratory analog;    generating a prosthetic tooth for said permanent abutment; and    removing said permanent abutment from said laboratory analog and positioning said permanent abutment on said implant fixture.    
     
     
         12 . An implant fixture adapted to mate with an impression coping with a single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         13 . An implant fixture according to  claim 12  wherein said implant fixture has a bore configured to receive the impression coping, said implant fixture and the impression coping being configured to mate when said implant fixture and the impression coping are positioned with said predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         14 . An implant fixture according to  claim 12  wherein said implant fixture has a bore, said implant fixture being adapted to mate with a cover screw for sealing said bore.  
     
     
         15 . An implant fixture according to  claim 12  wherein said implant fixture has flutes for cutting bone.  
     
     
         16 . An implant fixture according to  claim 12  wherein said implant fixture has threads for securing said implant fixture to bone.  
     
     
         17 . An implant fixture according to  claim 12  wherein said implant fixture includes a distal end with an exterior taper.  
     
     
         18 . An implant fixture adapted to mate with an abutment with a single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         19 . An implant fixture according to  claim 18  wherein said implant fixture has a bore configured to receive the abutment, said implant fixture and the abutment being configured to mate when said implant fixture and the abutment are positioned with said predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         20 . An implant fixture according to  claim 19  wherein a portion of said bore comprises a “Morse'a taper”.  
     
     
         21 . An implant fixture according to  claim 18  wherein said abutment comprises a spherical abutment.  
     
     
         22 . An implant fixture according to  claim 18  wherein said abutment comprises a permanent abutment.  
     
     
         23 . An impression coping adapted to mate with an implant fixture with a single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         24 . An impression coping according to  claim 23  wherein the implant fixture has a bore configured to receive said impression coping, the implant fixture and said impression coping being configured to mate when the implant fixture and said impression coping are positioned with said predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         25 . An impression coping according to  claim 23  wherein said impression coping is adapted to mate with a laboratory analog with a second single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         26 . An impression coping according to  claim 25  wherein the laboratory analog has a bore configured to receive said impression coping, the laboratory analogue and said impression coping being configured to mate when the laboratory analog and said impression coping are positioned with said second predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         27 . A laboratory analog adapted to mate with an impression coping with a single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         28 . A laboratory analog according to  claim 27  wherein said laboratory analog has a bore configured to receive the impression coping, said laboratory analog and the impression coping being configured to mate when said laboratory analogue and the impression coping are positioned with said predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         29 . A laboratory analog according to  claim 27  wherein said laboratory analog is configured to be incorporated in a dental cast.  
     
     
         30 . A laboratory analogue according to  claim 27  wherein said laboratory analog has a notch for enhancing fixation of said laboratory analog in a dental cast.  
     
     
         31 . An abutment adapted to mate with an implant fixture with a single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         32 . An abutment according to  claim 31  wherein the implant fixture has a bore configured to receive said abutment, the implant fixture and said abutment being configured to mate when the implant fixture and said abutment are positioned with said predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         33 . An abutment according to  claim 31  wherein said abutment is adapted to mate with a laboratory analog with a second single predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         34 . An abutment according to  claim 33  wherein the laboratory analog has a bore configured to receive said abutment, the laboratory analog and said abutment being configured to mate when the laboratory analog and said abutment are positioned with said second predetermined orientation.  
     
     
         35 . An abutment according to  claim 31  wherein said abutment comprises: 
 a spherical abutment, receivable in the implant fixture; and  
 a multiaxis abutment mounted on said spherical abutment.  
 
     
     
         36 . An abutment according to  claim 35  wherein one of said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment includes a head; and 
 the other of spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment has a socket configured to receive said head.  
 
     
     
         37 . An abutment according to  claim 36  wherein said head and said socket are configured so that said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment pivot, but do not rotate, relative to one another.  
     
     
         38 . An abutment according to  claim 36  wherein said head defines a hex-shaped ball; and 
 wherein said socket defines a hex-shaped ball recess.  
 
     
     
         39 . An abutment according to  claim 36  wherein one of said spherical abutment and said multiaxis abutment has a passage for providing adhesive for fixing said head with respect to said socket.  
     
     
         40 . An abutment according to  claim 31  wherein said abutment is generated according-to a modeled abutment.  
     
     
         41 . An abutment according to claim  40  wherein said abutment is generated by casting or milling.