Implant with internal multi-lobed interlock

Abstract

A dental implant for supporting a dental prosthesis comprises a body portion and a top surface. The implant further comprises an internal cavity with an opening located at the top surface. The internal cavity comprises an interlock chamber having a depth measured from the top surface equal to a first distance. The interlock chamber comprising a cylindrical portion and plurality of semi-circular channels arranged around a periphery of the cylindrical portion. A threaded chamber that includes threads is located below the post-receiving chamber. The cylindrical portion has a first radius and the channels have a second radius, a ratio of the first radius to the second radius being between approximately 4:1 and 2:1.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A prosthodontic component configured to be coupled to a dental implant; the prosthodontic component comprising
 an upper portion configured to extend above the dental implant;   an interlock area configured to be inserted into an inner cavity of the dental implant, the interlock area comprising at least two protrusions that are arranged around a perimeter of the interlock area at approximately 120 degrees apart relative to a center axis of the prosthodontic component;   a post positioned below the interlock area and also configured to be inserted into an internal cavity of the dental implant, the post including a side wall that extends parallel to the center axis of the prosthodontic component; and   an inner bore extending through the upper portion, the interlock area and the post along the center axis of the prosthodontic component.   
     
     
         38 . The prosthodontic component of  claim 37 , wherein the interlock area includes three protrusions that are arranged around a perimeter of the interlock area at approximately 120 degrees apart relative to a center axis of the prosthodontic component. 
     
     
         39 . The prosthodontic component of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two protrusions include side walls that extend substantially parallel to the center axis of the prosthodontic component. 
     
     
         40 . The prosthodontic component of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two protrusions are half circular in shape. 
     
     
         41 . A prosthodontic assembly for installing a prosthetic tooth, the prosthodontic assembly comprising:
 a first prosthodontic component comprising a body portion and a top surface, the first prosthodontic component further comprising an inner cavity with an opening located at the top surface, the inner cavity comprising an interlock portion having a depth, the interlock portion being substantially cylindrical with at least two lobes situated around a perimeter of the interlock portion with a center of each of the at least two lobes being 120 degrees apart from each other relative to a center axis of the first prosthodontic component, the inner cavity further comprising a post chamber positioned below the interlock chamber and above a threaded chamber;   a second prosthodontic component comprising an upper portion configured to extend above the dental implant; an interlock area configured to be inserted into the interlock portion the dental implant, the interlock area comprising at least two protrusions that are arranged around a perimeter of the interlock area at approximately 120 degrees apart relative to a center axis of the prosthodontic component; a post positioned below the interlock area and configured to be inserted into the post chamber of the dental implant, the post including a side wall that extends parallel to the center axis of the prosthodontic component; and an inner bore extending through the upper portion, the interlock area and the post along the center axis of the prosthodontic component.   
     
     
         42 . The prosthodontic assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the interlock area of the second prosthodontic component includes three protrusions that are arranged around a perimeter of the interlock area at approximately 120 degrees apart relative to a center axis of the prosthodontic component and the first prosthodontic component includes three lobes with a center of each of the three lobes being 120 degrees apart from each other relative to a center axis of the first prosthodontic component. 
     
     
         43 . The prosthodontic assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two protrusions of the second prosthodontic component include side walls that extend substantially parallel to the center axis of the second prosthodontic component. 
     
     
         44 . The prosthodontic assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the at least two protrusions of the second prosthodontic component are half circular in shape.