Dental implant

Abstract

A dental implant is provided for supporting a dental prosthesis. The implant can comprise a body having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end. The dental implant can include at least one thread located on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body. The thread can include a proximal flank and a distal flank. The thread can also include a face that extends between the proximal flank and the distal flank. Further, the dental implant can include a first helical groove formed on the face and/or a second helical groove formed on the body.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of attaching a dental implant and a dental component, the method comprising:
 providing the dental implant, the dental implant comprising a lower portion including a thread on an outer surface and a cavity open at a proximal end of the dental implant, the cavity comprising a conical chamber, an interlock recess, and a threaded chamber;   mating the dental component with the dental implant, the dental component comprising a coronal end, an apical end, a shaped portion, a conical portion below the shaped portion, an interlock portion comprising a hexagonal shape extending all the way to the apical end of the dental component, and an inner bore extending through the center of the dental component; and   inserting a screw in the inner bore of the dental component and the cavity of the dental implant to secure the dental component to the dental implant, the screw comprising an externally threaded lower region to engage the threaded chamber of the dental implant.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein mating the dental component with the dental implant comprises fitting the hexagonal shape of the interlock portion of the dental component within the interlock recess of the dental implant. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein mating the dental component with the dental implant comprises at least partially inserting the conical portion of the dental component into the conical chamber of the dental implant. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the conical portion of the dental component has a length measured along the longitudinal axis from a coronal end of the conical portion to an apical end of the conical portion, wherein the interlock portion of the dental component has a length measured along the longitudinal axis from a coronal end of the interlock portion to an apical end of the interlock portion, and wherein the ratio of the length of the conical portion and the length of the interlock portion is about 1:1. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the conical chamber of the dental implant has a length measured along the longitudinal axis from a coronal end of the conical chamber to an apical end of the conical chamber, wherein the interlock recess of the dental implant has a length measured along the longitudinal axis from a coronal end of the interlock recess to an apical end of the interlock recess, and wherein the ratio of the length of the conical chamber and the length of the interlock recess is about 1:1. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the inner bore of the dental component comprises a first and second region, and wherein the first region comprises a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the second region whereby a seat is formed between the first and second regions. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein inserting the screw comprises supporting the screw on the seat formed between the first and second regions of the inner bore of the dental component. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the second region of the inner bore comprises an internal thread, and wherein inserting the screw comprises engaging the externally threaded lower region of the screw with the internal thread of the inner bore of the dental component. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the screw includes a recess configured to receive a tool to install or remove the screw from the dental implant. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the hexagonal shape of the interlock portion defines a plurality of side surfaces and an end surface transverse to the side surfaces, wherein the hexagonal shape of the interlock portion has beveled sides and beveled corners along its perimeter at the apical end of the dental component such that the perimeter is beveled relative to the side surfaces and the end surfaces. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the lower portion of the dental implant is tapered. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dental implant comprises a pair of threads on the outer surface. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dental component is an abutment. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dental component is a healing cap, impression coping, temporary healing abutment, or final abutment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dental component comprises dental grade titanium or ceramic. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dental implant comprises titanium or ceramic.