Components for use with implants and related methods

Abstract

A system for taking an impression of an implant implanted in a patient's body may comprise an abutment comprising an implant engaging portion and a component supporting portion. The implant engaging portion may be configured to engage with an implant configured to be implanted in a patient's body and the component support portion may comprise at least one retention groove. The system may further comprise an impression coping configured to receive the component supporting portion and comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove, wherein the impression coping is made from a material comprising metal.

1 . A system for taking an impression of an implant implanted in a patient's body, the system comprising:
 an abutment comprising an implant engaging portion and a component supporting portion, the implant engaging portion being configured to engage with an implant configured to be implanted in a patient's body and the component support portion comprising at least one retention groove; and   an impression coping configured to receive the component supporting portion and comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove,   wherein the impression coping is made from a material comprising metal.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impression coping comprises an apical end that is configured to rest on a shoulder of an implant with which the abutment is engaged when the impression coping is in snap-fit engagement with the abutment. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the impression coping is a two-piece construction comprising an insert and a housing configured to receive the insert. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the insert comprises at least one deflection tab carrying the at least one protrusion feature. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one deflection tab comprises two deflection taps disposed substantially opposite one another. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one deflection tab is elastically deflectable. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one protrusion feature has a convex surface profile with a radius of curvature of ranging from about 0.015 in. to about 0.025 in. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention groove is disposed proximate the implant engaging portion. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the implant engaging portion comprises a frusto-conical region configured to mate with an opening in a coronal neck of an implant. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the frusto-conical region tapers at an angle ranging from about 1.5° to about 15°. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component supporting portion of the abutment comprises an anti-rotational feature configured to hinder rotation of a component supported on the abutment. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention groove has a radiused surface profile. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the surface of the at least one retention groove has a radius of curvature ranging from about 0.01 in. to about 0.06 in. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one retention groove has a depth ranging from about 0.001 in. to about 0.006 in. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the abutment is configured to engage with an implant having a coronal neck diameter ranging from about 4.1 mm to about 6.5 mm. 
   
   
       16 . A system for replacing a body part with a prosthetic part, the system comprising:
 an abutment comprising an implant engaging portion and a component supporting portion, the implant engaging portion being configured to engage with an implant configured to be implanted in a patient and the component supporting portion comprising at least one retention groove; and   a framework for a prosthetic part, the framework comprising at least one protrusion feature configured to engage with the at least one retention groove on the abutment to retain the framework on the abutment.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the framework is made from a material comprising metal. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the implant engaging portion comprises a frustro-conical region configured to mate with an opening in a coronal neck of an implant. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the framework is configured to form part of a permanent tooth restoration. 
   
   
       20 . A kit for making and implanting dental restorations, the kit comprising:
 an abutment comprising an implant engaging portion and a component supporting portion, the implant engaging portion being configured to engage with a dental implant and the component supporting portion comprising at least one retention groove disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the component supporting portion;   an impression coping comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove;   a temporary coping comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove.   
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an analog comprising a component supporting portion that comprises at least one retention groove disposed on an outer peripheral surface; and   at least one burnout coping comprising at least one protrusion feature configured for snap-fit engagement with the at least one retention groove on the analog.   
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the component supporting portion of the analog has substantially the same dimensions of the component supporting portion of the abutment. 
   
   
       23 . A method for taking an impression of an implant implanted in a patient's body, the method comprising:
 snap-fitting at least one protrusion feature on an impression coping made of a material comprising metal to at least one retention groove disposed on an abutment attached to an implant implanted in a patient's body;   placing impression material over at least a portion of the impression coping; and   removing the impression coping together with the impression material placed over at least the portion of the impression coping from the abutment by lifting the impression coping from the abutment with a lifting force sufficient to disengage the at least one protrusion feature from the at least one retention groove.   
   
   
       24 . A method for implanting a permanent tooth restoration, the method comprising:
 engaging at least one protrusion feature on a framework of a permanent tooth restoration with at least one retention groove disposed on an abutment attached to a dental implant implanted in a patient's body.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the framework is made from a material comprising metal.