Apparatuses and methods for making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to dental implants

Abstract

The present invention includes apparatuses and methods for making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants. One preferred method includes the step of making a temporary hybrid prosthesis and at about the same time also making a duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis. The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis permits the final hybrid prosthesis to be made with fewer visits to a restorative dentist and with less dental laboratory time than is currently needed when making a final hybrid prosthesis.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis for use in making a final hybrid prosthesis, the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis comprising:
 a unitary structure in the shape of teeth and gum portions of a temporary hybrid prosthesis to be attached to dental implants in a patient's mouth,   wherein the unitary structure is made entirely of one type of material.   
     
     
         14 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 13 , further comprising duplicate temporary cylinders coupled to the unitary structure, the duplicate temporary cylinders having a position corresponding to the position of temporary cylinders in the temporary hybrid prosthesis to be attached to the dental implants in the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 14 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are substantially identical as the temporary cylinders. 
     
     
         16 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 14 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are not substantially identical as the temporary cylinders. 
     
     
         25 . The duplicate temporary prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are made out of a different type of material than the temporary cylinders. 
     
     
         26 . The duplicate temporary prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are not anodized. 
     
     
         27 . The duplicate temporary prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are not adapted to remain in the patient's mouth for as long as the temporary cylinders. 
     
     
         28 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are not adapted to remain in the patient's mouth for an extended period of time. 
     
     
         29 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders are not adapted to remain in the patient's mouth for at least six months. 
     
     
         30 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 24 , wherein the duplicate temporary cylinders do not need to be approved to be placed in a patient's mouth for an extended period of time by regulatory authorities. 
     
     
         31 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure is made of acrylic material. 
     
     
         32 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure is made of a material that is white. 
     
     
         33 . The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis according to  claim 13 , wherein the unitary structure is made of white acrylic material. 
     
     
         34 . A system for making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants in a patient's mouth comprising:
 a temporary hybrid prosthesis, wherein the temporary hybrid prosthesis comprises a first set of tooth-shaped structures made out of a first tooth-forming material and a first set of cylinders, wherein the first set of tooth-shaped structures and the first set of cylinders are connected together with a first mass of acrylic material, and wherein the temporary hybrid prosthesis is configured to be attached to the one or more dental implants in the patient's mouth by a first set of screws that pass through a first set of bores in the first set of cylinders and screw into threads in the dental implants; and   a duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis, wherein the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis has the same size and shape as the temporary hybrid prosthesis, wherein the temporary hybrid prosthesis comprises a second set of tooth-shaped structures made out of a second tooth-forming material and a second set of cylinders, wherein the second set of tooth-shaped structures and the second set of cylinders are connected together with a second mass of acrylic material, and wherein the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis is configured to be attached to the same one or more dental implants in the patient's mouth to which the temporary hybrid prosthesis is configured to be attached by a second set of screws that pass through a second set of bores in the second set of cylinders and screw into threads in the dental implants.   
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the second tooth-forming material and the acrylic material constituting the second mass of acrylic material are the same type of material. 
     
     
         36 . A cylinder that is adapted to be used in making a prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants in a patient's mouth comprising:
 a cylindrical body with a bore through the cylindrical body that is adapted to allow for a screw to pass through the bore and be screwed into threads in a dental implant;   wherein the cylinder is not adapted to remain in the patient's mouth for an extended period of time.   
     
     
         37 . The cylinder of  claim 36 , wherein the cylinder is not adapted to remain in the patient's mouth for at least six months. 
     
     
         38 . The cylinder of  claim 36 , wherein the cylinder is not anodized. 
     
     
         39 . The cylinder of  claim 36 , wherein the cylinder does not need to be approved to be placed in a patient's mouth for an extended period of time by regulatory authorities.