Overdenture and Dental Implant Framework

Abstract

A dental prosthesis and a process for design and manufacturing, incorporating an overdenture and a dental implant framework that will be designed and manufactured simultaneously.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies intended to create the mating surface for an overdenture to a dental implant framework comprising:
 wherein the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are elements in a CAD software used for a Boolean operation;   wherein dimensions of the CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are dependent upon the design features of the dental implant framework including the design of retention features and attachments;   wherein some dimensions of the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are used in creating the mating surface for the overdenture to mate with the dental implant framework;   wherein some dimensions of the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are used in creating clearance gaps between the overdenture and dental implant framework;   wherein portions of the clearance gaps are intended to allow for attachments to be fixated to the overdenture and enable the overdenture to be retained to the dental implant framework by means of the retention features;   wherein the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are parametric and easily edited; and   wherein the design of the overdenture and dental implant framework is determined from digital data defining the appropriate tooth contours, gingiva contours and implant locations for the dental prosthesis.   
     
     
         2 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 1 , wherein the digital data for the design of the overdenture and dental implant framework have been derived from at least one of scanning a stone cast with analogs, scanning a diagnostic wax up, scanning an interim prosthesis, scanning an existing restoration or denture tooth set up, CAD models of the teeth and gingiva in a virtual set up, an intraoral scan of the implant locations in the patient's mouth, an intraoral scan of a diagnostic wax up, an intraoral scan or an interim prosthesis, an intraoral scan of an existing restoration or denture tooth set up taken in the patient's mouth, a CT scan or series of CT scans of the patient's mouth, and/or a CT scan or series of CT scans with the use of a radiographic stent in the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         3 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 1 , wherein the overdenture is intended to intimately mate to at least one surface of the dental implant framework. 
     
     
         4 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 1 , wherein the overdenture and dental implant framework can be manufactured simultaneously. 
     
     
         5 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of subtract bodies of  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the plurality of unique subtract bodies are dependent upon the design features of the overdenture and dental implant framework including at least one of a plurality of bridging structures, a plurality of fittings, a plurality of retention features, a plurality of attachments, CAD models of the teeth and/or CAD models of the gingiva contours. 
     
     
         6 . The dental prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein in the design features of the overdenture and dental implant framework are dependent upon one another, wherein changes to the orientation, dimensions or features of one design feature result in a simultaneous update in the design of the other dependent features. 
     
     
         7 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies or  claim 1 , wherein the overdenture consists of a monolithic design wherein the tooth contours and gingiva contours are included in the same body. 
     
     
         8 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies or  claim 1 , wherein the overdenture consists of a design wherein the tooth and gingiva contours are included in separate bodies. 
     
     
         9 . A unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique CAD subtract bodies intended to create the mating surface for an overdenture to a plurality of overdenture abutments comprising:
 wherein the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are elements in a CAD software used for a Boolean operation;   dimensions of the CAD subtract body or plurality of unique CAD subtract bodies that are dependent upon the design features of the plurality of overdenture abutments, plurality of retention features or plurality of attachments;   wherein some dimensions of the CAD subtract body or plurality of unique CAD subtract bodies are used in creating the mating surface for the overdenture to mate with plurality of overdenture abutments, plurality of retention features or plurality of attachments;   wherein some dimensions of the CAD subtract body or plurality of unique CAD subtract bodies are used in creating clearance gaps between the overdenture and plurality of overdenture abutments, plurality of retention features or plurality of attachments;   wherein the CAD subtract body or plurality of unique CAD subtract bodies are parametric and easily edited; and   wherein the design of the overdenture and the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies is determined from digital data defining the appropriate tooth and gingiva contours and implant locations for the dental prosthesis.   
     
     
         10 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein portions of the clearance gaps are intended to allow for attachments to be fixated to the overdenture and enable the overdenture to be retained to at least one of the dental implant framework and/or plurality of overdenture abutments by means of the retention features. 
     
     
         11 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the digital data for the design of the overdenture and plurality of overdenture abutments have been derived from at least one of scanning a stone cast with analogs, scanning a diagnostic wax up, scanning am interim prosthesis, scanning an existing restoration or denture tooth set up, CAD models the teeth and gingiva in a virtual set up, an intraoral scan of the implant locations in the patient's mouth, an intraoral scan of a diagnostic wax up, an intraoral scan of an interim prosthesis, an intraoral scan or an existing prosthesis or denture tooth set up taken in the patient's mouth, a CT scan or series of CT scans of the patient's mouth, and/or a CT scan or series of CT scans with the use of a radiographic stent in the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         12 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the overdenture is intended to intimately mate to at least one surface of the plurality of overdenture abutments, plurality of retention features or plurality of attachments. 
     
     
         13 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the overdenture and plurality of overdenture abutments can be manufactured simultaneously. 
     
     
         14 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the dimensions of the unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies are dependent upon the design features of the overdenture and plurality of overdenture abutments which include at least one of overdenture abutment design, overdenture abutment height, overdenture abutment diameter, overdenture abutment orientation, overdenture abutment emergence profile, retention features, attachments, CAD models of the teeth, and/or CAD models of the gingiva contours. 
     
     
         15 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 14 , wherein the design features of the overdenture and plurality of overdenture abutments are dependent upon one another, wherein changes to the orientation, dimensions or features of one design feature result in a simultaneous update in the design of the other dependent features. 
     
     
         16 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the overdenture consists of a monolithic design where the tooth contours and gingiva contours are included in the same body. 
     
     
         17 . The unique CAD subtract body or plurality of unique subtract bodies of  claim 9 , wherein the overdenture consists of a design wherein the tooth and gingiva contours are included in separate bodies.