Dental Implant System

Abstract

A dental prosthesis system includes a dental implant having a dental implant fixture and an internal locking collar extending upwardly from the dental implant fixture. The internal locking collar defines a central bore extending downwardly into the dental implant fixture. An abutment for cement has a base surface for placement against the dental implant, which defines a central hole aligned with the central bore. A securing mechanism secures the abutment for cement to the dental implant. The securing mechanism including an expansion locking system disposed through the central hole and within the bore. A portion of the expansion locking system is expandable outwardly so as to lock the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dental prosthesis securing system for use with a dental implant having a dental implant fixture and an internal locking collar extending upwardly from the dental implant fixture, the internal locking collar defining a central bore extending downwardly into the dental implant fixture, the dental prosthesis securing system comprising:
 (a) an abutment for cement having a base surface for placement against the dental implant, the base surface defining a central hole aligned with the central bore and including a prosthesis attachment surface extending upwardly therefrom; and   (b) a securing mechanism that secures the abutment for cement to the dental implant, the securing mechanism including an expansion locking system disposed through the central hole and within the bore, a portion of the expansion locking system expandable outwardly so as to lock the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         2 . The dental prosthesis securing system of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion locking system comprises:
 (a) an expansion member that includes manipulation surface from which at least two extendable expansion lock members extend downwardly therefrom, the expansion member defining a partially threaded bore extending concentrically therethrough, a portion of the partially threaded bore adjacent to the manipulation surface being threaded; and   (b) a cylindrical expander including a non-threaded lower portion and an upper portion that is threaded so as to be complimentary to the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore, wherein placing the cylindrical expander into the partially threaded bore and screwing the upper portion into the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore causes the extendable expansion lock members to extend outwardly and engage an inner surface of the central bore, thereby locking the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         3 . The dental implant system of  claim 1 , further comprising a washer disposed between the top portion of the male locking mechanism and the base surface of the abutment for cement. 
     
     
         4 . The dental implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the male locking mechanism comprises a disk that defines two oppositely disposed notches for engagement with a tool. 
     
     
         5 . The dental implant system of  claim 1 , wherein the dental implant fixture and the male locking mechanism comprise a material selected from a list of materials consisting of: titanium, zirconia, a ceramic, stainless steel, a noble metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A dental prosthesis system, comprising:
 (a) a dental implant having a dental implant fixture and an internal locking collar extending upwardly from the dental implant fixture, the internal locking collar defining a central bore extending downwardly into the dental implant fixture;   (b) an abutment for cement having a base surface for placement against the dental implant, the base surface defining a central hole aligned with the central bore and including a prosthesis attachment surface extending upwardly therefrom; and   (c) a securing mechanism that secures the abutment for cement to the dental implant, the securing mechanism including an expansion locking system disposed through the central hole and within the bore, a portion of the expansion locking system expandable outwardly so as to lock the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         7 . The dental prosthesis system of  claim 6 , wherein the expansion locking system comprises:
 (a) an expansion member that includes manipulation surface from which at least two extendable expansion lock members extend downwardly therefrom, the expansion member defining a partially threaded bore extending concentrically therethrough, a portion of the partially threaded bore adjacent to the manipulation surface being threaded; and   (b) a cylindrical expander including a non-threaded lower portion and an upper portion that is threaded so as to be complimentary to the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore, wherein placing the cylindrical expander into the partially threaded bore and screwing the upper portion into the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore causes the extendable expansion lock members to extend outwardly and engage an inner surface of the central bore, thereby locking the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         8 . The dental prosthesis system of  claim 7 , further comprising a washer disposed between the top portion of the male locking mechanism and the base surface of the abutment for cement. 
     
     
         9 . The dental prosthesis system of  claim 7 , wherein the top portion of the male locking mechanism comprises a disk that defines two oppositely disposed notches for engagement with a tool. 
     
     
         10 . The dental prosthesis system of  claim 7 , wherein the dental implant fixture and the male locking mechanism comprise a material selected from a list of materials consisting of: titanium, zirconia, a ceramic, stainless steel, a noble metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A dental implant system, comprising:
 (a) a dental implant fixture;   (b) an internal locking collar extending upwardly from the dental implant fixture, the internal locking collar defining a central bore extending downwardly into the dental implant fixture;   (c) an abutment for cement, including a base surface defining a central hole aligned with the central bore and including a prosthesis attachment surface extending upwardly therefrom; and   (d) an expansion locking system disposed through the central hole and within the bore, a portion of the expansion locking system expanded outwardly so as to lock the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         12 . The dental implant system of  claim 11 , wherein the expansion locking system comprises:
 (a) an expansion member that includes manipulation surface from which at least two extendable expansion lock members extend downwardly therefrom, the expansion member defining a partially threaded bore extending concentrically therethrough, a portion of the partially threaded bore adjacent to the manipulation surface being threaded; and   (b) a cylindrical expander including a non-threaded lower portion and an upper portion that is threaded so as to be complimentary to the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore, wherein placing the cylindrical expander into the partially threaded bore and screwing the upper portion into the threaded portion of the partially threaded bore causes the extendable expansion lock members to extend outwardly and engage an inner surface of the central bore, thereby locking the abutment for cement to the dental implant fixture.   
     
     
         13 . The dental implant system of  claim 12 , wherein the cylindrical expander defines a wrench engagement surface at an end adjacent to the upper portion, the wrench engagement surface being complimentary in shape to a tool for screwing the cylindrical expander into the expansion member. 
     
     
         14 . The dental implant system of  claim 11 , wherein the dental implant fixture and the expansion locking system comprise a material selected from a list of materials consisting of: titanium, zirconia, a ceramic, stainless steel, a noble metal, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The dental implant system of  claim 11 , further comprising a washer disposed between the manipulation surface and the abutment for cement.