Dental implant

Abstract

The invention provides dental implants for fixed and removable prosthetic devices, and for other devices such as orthodontic devices, and has application to single tooth replacement, e.g., caps and crowns, and multiple tooth replacement using one or more implants, e.g., bridges, and multiple implants for full and partial prosthetic devices. Dental implants according to embodiments of the invention comprise a post or posts inserted into the jawbone and a base that is loaded, in the general area of the gum line, against the jawbone using the post or posts. According to some embodiments, the base is secured to each post, loaded against the jawbone, by a fastener system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental implant, comprising:
 at least one post which includes a screw thread extending along at least a portion of the at least one post, the at least one post being adapted to be secured in a mouth to a jawbone using the screw thread with a free end of the at least one post projecting from the jawbone generally towards an opposing jawbone;   a base including a major side and a hole in the major side for each post of the dental implant, each hole being adapted to receive at least a part of a respective post therein; and   a fastener system comprising a portion of the at least one post adapted to engage the base and secure the base to the jawbone when the at least one post is engaged with the base.