Combination distraction dental implant and method of use

Abstract

A combination dental implant/prosthetic support and distractor for facilitating distraction osteogenesis comprises a basically cylindrical shaft having a set of threads on the outside surface and a smooth, distal tip which bears against the bone of the jaw of the patient. Rotation of the device in the mouth of the patient, after a suitable surgical cut is made, causes the adjacent tissue to move or ride up the screw threads to create space between the cut jaw segment and the balance of the jaw tissue. This space is then filled in by distraction osteogenesis. The implant/distractor is left in-situ, after the distraction is finished, for securement thereto of a dental prosthetic, either a bridge or crown. In an embodiment of the invention, a flat disc is placed in the blind bore drilled into the jaw such that the distal tip of the shaft of the combined implant/distractor, will bear against it. A protective cap and/or collar can be provided, suitable shaped, to protect the shaft/gum line from bacterial attack. Also, the shaft may be provided with an internal passageway and one or more radially extending branches. Growth-enhancing material can be passed through the passageway and branches to promote bone development and recovery. In another embodiment, a coronal member is provided, extra-osseously, to facilitate the distraction osteogenesis process. In one version of the device, fluting is provided to the exterior surface of the shaft so that bone growth is enhanced at that intersection. Also, the shaft can be provided with a flat disc at its head to reduce rocking of the device in the mouth.

1 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . Apparatus for installing a dental prosthesis in the jaw of a patient comprising: 
 a) a dental implant comprising an incremental distraction mechanism having a proximal end and a distal end and provided with means for selectively and incrementally moving a sectioned jaw portion in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the distraction mechanism, thereby inducing distraction osteogenesis; and    b) a prosthesis support means disposed on the proximal end of the distraction mechanism for securing said dental prosthesis, wherein said incremental distraction mechanism and said prosthesis support means are integrated into a single system.    
   
   
       61 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said dental prosthesis is a crown or bridge.  
   
   
       62 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said prosthesis support means comprises a dental implant having a center bore with internal screw threads which matingly engage with external screw threads of said dental prosthesis.  
   
   
       63 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein said incremental distraction mechanism comprises a longitudinal shaft having a threaded section and a smooth, distal tip.  
   
   
       64 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 63 , wherein said threaded section is provided with incremental rotation enabling means for selectively, incrementally rotating said threaded section.  
   
   
       65 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein said incremental rotation enabling means comprises a hex-shaped head of said longitudinal shaft.  
   
   
       66 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 64 , wherein said incremental rotation enabling means comprises a hex-shaped bore of said longitudinal shaft.  
   
   
       67 . A combination dental implant-distraction device comprising: 
 an expansion component having a proximal end and a distal end which comprises, a threaded longitudinal shaft displaced between the proximal and distal ends, a distal tip distal to the shaft, and a prosthesis support means displaced at the proximal end of the expansion component for securing a dental prosthesis, wherein the distal tip has a narrower diameter than the shaft.    
   
   
       68 . The device of  claim 67 , wherein the device further comprises a hollow coronal component, wherein the hollow coronal component has internal threads which engage the threaded longitudinal cylindrical shaft, and a means for engaging a surgically sectioned jaw.  
   
   
       69 . The device of  claim 68 , wherein the hollow coronal component is located extra-osseously.  
   
   
       70 . The device of  claim 69 , wherein the means for engaging the surgically sectioned jaw comprises an extended spike which projects from the coronal component into a gum lining of the surgically sectioned jaw.  
   
   
       71 . The device of  claim 68 , wherein the hollow coronal component is located intra-osseously.  
   
   
       72 . The device of  claim 67 , wherein the head has a central, hex-shaped blind bore which cooperates with a turning key to facilitate incremental rotation of the mechanical component.  
   
   
       73 . The device of  claim 67 , wherein the prosthesis support means comprises a center bore through the head and the shaft with internal screw threads, which matingly engage with external screw threads of a dental prosthesis.  
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 73 , wherein the dental prosthesis is a crown or bridge.  
   
   
       75 . The device of  claim 67 , which further comprises a cap adapted to sit and frictionally fit over the device.  
   
   
       76 . The combination dental implant-distraction devices of  claim 67 , further comprising an anti-rotational groove in the longitudinal cylindrical shaft.  
   
   
       77 . The device of  claim 67 , further comprising a center bore through the head and shaft, which communicates with a plurality of radially extending branches which exit the outside circumferential surface of the device.