USRE43470EExpiredUtility
Dental implant systems and methods
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 17, 1995Filed: May 18, 2001Granted: Jun 12, 2012
Est. expiryNov 17, 2015(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Curtis K. Wade
A61C 8/0048A61C 8/0001
51
PatentIndex Score
4
Cited by
91
References
84
Claims
Abstract
A dental implant system having a temporary abutment made of plastic. An impression coping, also made of plastic, is attached to the temporary abutment using a snap fit. This snap fit obviates the need to remove the temporary abutment during the process of taking an impression of the mouth in the area around an implant. The cap may be provided for the temporary abutment that is attached thereto using the same snap fit mechanism. The snap fit mechanism comprises projections formed on one of the components and recesses formed on the other of the components, where the projections engage the recesses to maintain the components in a desired position relative to each other against incidental force. However, these components may be separated by deliberate application of manual force when required.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modified1. A prosthodontic procedure for forming a dental impression indicating a location of an implant member comprising the steps of:
placing the implant member into a patient's jaw bone;
providing a first temporary abutment member having an inner wall defining a bore a first mounting portion and an outer surface, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess surface and a projection;
attaching the first temporary abutment member to the implant member in a manner that prevents rotation of the first temporary abutment member relative to the implant member about an axis of the implant member and such that the outer surface of the first temporary abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue;
providing a prosthodontic impression member having a base portion a second mounting portion and an impression portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess surface and the projection, wherein the first mounting portion is adapted to engage the second mounting portion to support the prosthodontic impression member on the first temporary abutment member;
forming a recess on one of the inner wall of the first temporary abutment member and the base portion of the prosthodontic impression member;
forming a projection on the other of the inner wall of the first temporary abutment member and the base portion of the prosthodontic impression member;
displacing the prosthodontic impression member towards the first temporary abutment member until such that the first mounting portion engages the second mounting portion to support the prosthodontic impression member on the first temporary abutment member and the projection engages the recess surface to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the prosthodontic impression member but which allows the prosthodontic impression member to be removed by application of deliberate, manual force thereon;
embedding the impression portion of the prosthodontic impression member in impression material;
allowing the impression material to harden; and
applying deliberate, manual force to the hardened impression material to displace both the hardened impression material and the prosthodontic impression member embedded therein away from the first temporary abutment member.
2. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of forming one of the first temporary abutment member and the prosthetic prosthodontic impression member out of plastic.
3. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 2 , in which both the first temporary abutment member and the prosthetic prosthodontic impression member are formed out of plastic.
4. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
fabricating a prosthetic tooth using the hardened impression member and the prosthodontic impression member; and
mounting the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.
5. A prosthodontic assembly for forming of an impression indicating a location of an implant member to allow fabrication of a prosthetic tooth, the prosthodontic assembly comprising:
an abutment member having an inner surface defining a bore having a first bore portion defining a bore, an outer surface, a first mounting portion, and a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion being configured to mate with the implant member, the second mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member about a longitudinal axis of the implant member;
a screw member that extends through the bore in the abutment member and into the implant member to attach the abutment member to the implant member such that the outer surface of the abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue;
an impression member having a base portion a third mounting portion adapted to mate with the first bore portion the first mounting portion of the abutment member, where wherein the impression member is in a desired position relative to the first prosthodontic abutment member when the base portion mates with the first bore portion the third mounting portion mates with the first mounting portion;
attachment means integrally formed on both the abutment member and the impression member for attaching the impression member onto the abutment member in the desired position, where the impression member is attached wherein the attachment means attaches the impression member to the abutment member in a manner that resists inadvertent removal of the impression member from the abutment member but allows removal of the impression member from the abutment member by application of deliberate, manual force on the impression member in a direction away from the abutment member.
6. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5 , in which the attachment means comprises a projection formed on one of the inner surface first mounting portion of the abutment member and the base third mounting portion of the impression member and a recess surface formed on the other of the inner surface first mounting portion of the abutment member and the base third mounting portion of the impression member, the projection being sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess surface to enter and engage the recess surface when the impression member is in the desired position.
7. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 6 , in which at least one of the abutment and impression members is made of plastic.
8. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 7 , in which both the abutment and impression members are made of plastic.
9. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5 , in which the inner surface bore of the abutment member further defines a second bore portion of the bore for receiving is defined by an inner surface of the abutment member and the bore comprises first and second bore portions that receive the screw member in a manner that allows the screw member to rotate relative to the abutment member until the screw member engages the inner surface to securely hold the abutment member against the implant member.
10. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 9 , in which the inner surface of the second mounting portion the abutment member further defines a third bore portion of the bore adapted to receive a an implant mounting portion of the implant member in a manner that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member when the abutment member is attached to the implant member.
11. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5 , further comprising an abutment cap that temporarily covers the bore in the abutment member.
12. A prosthodontic procedure comprising the steps of:
osseointegrating a first implant member at a desired location;
attaching a first temporary abutment member to the first implant member;
attaching an abutment cap member onto the first temporary abutment member;
allowing gingival tissue around the first temporary abutment member to heal;
removing the abutment cap member from the first temporary abutment member;
attaching an impression member onto the first temporary abutment member;
applying impression material to the impression member;
allowing the impression material to solidify to form an impression in which the impression member is embedded;
removing the impression member from the first temporary abutment member with the impression member still embedded in the impression;
attaching a second implant member onto a second temporary abutment member;
attaching the second temporary abutment member to the impression member embedded in the impression;
applying model material to the second temporary abutment member and the second implant member;
allowing the model material to solidify to form a model in which the second implant member is embedded;
removing the second temporary abutment member from the impression member;
removing the second temporary abutment member from the second implant member;
attaching a permanent abutment member to the second implant member;
forming a prosthetic member on the permanent abutment member;
removing the first temporary abutment member from the first implant member; and
attaching the permanent abutment member and prosthetic member to the first implant member.
13. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of attaching the abutment cap member onto the first temporary abutment member comprises the steps of:
forming a projection on one of an inner surface of the first temporary abutment member and a base portion of the abutment cap member; and
forming a recess on the other of the inner surface of the first temporary abutment member and the base portion of the abutment cap member; wherein the first temporary abutment comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the abutment cap member comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and wherein
the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess to enter and surface to engage the recess surface when the abutment cap member is attached to the first temporary abutment member.
14. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of removing the abutment cap member from the first temporary abutment member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the abutment cap member in a direction away from the first temporary abutment member.
15. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of attaching the impression member onto the first temporary abutment member comprises the steps of:
forming a projection on one of an inner surface of the first temporary abutment member and a base portion of the impression member; and
forming a recess on the other of the inner surface of the first temporary abutment member and the base portion of the impression member; wherein the first temporary abutment comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the impression member comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and wherein
the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess surface to enter and engage the recess surface when the impression member is attached to the first temporary abutment member.
16. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of removing the impression member from the first temporary abutment member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the impression in a direction away from the first temporary abutment member.
17. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of attaching the second temporary abutment member onto the impression member comprises the steps of:
forming a projection on one of a base portion of the impression member and an inner surface of the second temporary abutment member; and
forming a recess on the other of the base portion of the impression member and the inner surface of the second temporary abutment member; wherein the impression member comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the second temporary abutment comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and wherein
the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess surface to enter and engage the recess surface when the second temporary abutment member is attached to the impression member.
18. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the step of removing the second temporary abutment member from the impression member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the model in a direction away from the impression member.
19. A procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which wherein the first temporary abutment member comprises a bore defined by an inner wall thereof, and the implant member comprises a threaded chamber, and wherein the step of attaching the first temporary abutment member onto the implant member comprises the steps of:
forming a bore in the first temporary abutment member defined by an inner wall thereof;
forming a threaded chamber in the implant member;
providing a screw member having a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded chamber in the implant member and an increased diameter portion;
passing the threaded portion of the screw member through the bore in the first temporary abutment member; and
rotating the screw member such that the threaded portion thereof engages the threaded cavity in the implant member, thereby displacing the screw member until the increased diameter portion thereof engages the inner wall of the first temporary abutment member.
20. A procedure as recited in claim 19 , in which wherein the implant member comprises a body portion, and the bore in the first temporary abutment member comprises a receiving portion adapted to receive the body portion of the implant member, and wherein the step of attaching the first temporary abutment member onto the implant member comprises the steps of:
forming a body portion on the implant member;
forming the bore in the first temporary abutment member such that the bore contains a receiving portion adapted to receive the body portion on the implant member; wherein
engaging the body portion of the implant member engageswith a portion of the inner wall of the first temporary abutment member that defines the receiving portion of the bore to prevent rotation of the first temporary abutment member relative to the implant member.
21. A method procedure as recited in claim 12 , in which the at least one of the first temporary abutment member, abutment cap, impression member, and second temporary abutment member is made of plastic.
22. A prosthodontic procedure comprising the steps of:
placing an implant member into a patient's jaw bone;
providing a first temporary abutment member having a bore defined by an inner wall of the first temporary abutment member a first mounting portion and an outer surface, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess surface and a projection;
attaching the first temporary abutment member to the implant member in a manner that prevents rotation of the first temporary abutment member relative to the implant member about an axis of the implant member and such that the outer surface of the first temporary abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue;
providing a an impression member having a base second mounting portion and a flanged portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess surface and the projection, wherein the first mounting portion is adapted to engage the second mounting portion to support the impression member on the first temporary abutment member;
forming a recess on one of the abutment member inner wall and the base portion of the impression member;
forming a projection on the other of the abutment member inner wall and the base portion of the impression member; and
displacing the impression member towards the first temporary abutment member until such that the first mounting portion engages the second mounting portion to support the prosthodontic impression member on the first temporary abutment member in a manner that prevents rotation of the impression member relative to the abutment member about an axis of the abutment member and the projection engages the recess surface to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the impression member but which allows the impression member to be removed by application of deliberate, manual force thereon;
making an impression of the patient's mouth such that the flanged portion of the impression member is embedded in the impression;
fabricating a prosthetic tooth by making a model from the impression and the impression member; and
mounting the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.
23. A prosthodontic procedure for transferring a location of an implant member implanted in a patient's mouth to a model of the patient's mouth, comprising the steps of:
providing a first temporary abutment member having a bore defined by an inner wall of the first temporary abutment member, a first mounting portion, and an outer surface, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess surface and a projection;
displacing the first temporary abutment member such that it the first temporary abutment member engages the implant member and the outer surface extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue;
fastening the first temporary abutment member to the implant member by passing a fastener through the bore in the first temporary abutment member and into a threaded cavity in the implant member;
providing a prosthodontic member having a base second mounting portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess surface and the projection;
forming a recess on one of the abutment member inner wall and the base portion of the prosthodontic member;
forming a projection on the other of the abutment member inner wall and the base portion of the prosthodontic member;
displacing the prosthodontic member towards the first temporary abutment member until the projection engages the recess surface to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the prosthodontic member but which allows the prosthodontic member to be removed by application of deliberate force thereon;
forming an impression of the patients patient's mouth such that the prosthodontic member is embedded in the impression;
applying deliberate force to the impression such that the projection disengages from the recess surface, thereby allowing the impression and the prosthodontic member embedded therein to be removed from the patient's mouth;
providing a second temporary abutment member;
attaching the second temporary abutment member to the prosthodontic member embedded in the impression;
providing an analog of the implant member;
attaching the analog of the implant member to the second temporary abutment member to form an impression assembly; and
forming the model of the patient's mouth from the impression assembly.
24. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 23 , further comprising the step of forming wherein one of the first temporary abutment member and the prosthetic prosthodontic member is formed out of plastic.
25. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 24 , in which both the first temporary abutment member and the prosthetic prosthodontic member are formed out of plastic.
26. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 25 , in which the prosthodontic member is an impression member.
27. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 23 , in which the prosthodontic member is an impression member, the procedure further comprising the steps of:
fabricating a prosthetic tooth using the model;
mounting the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.
28. A prosthodontic assembly for forming an impression comprising:
an implant member adapted to be implanted into a patient's jaw bone;
a first prosthodontican abutment member having a first mounting portion, an inner surface defining a bore having first and second bore portionsa second mounting portion, and an outer surface, wherewherein the first boresecond mounting portion is adapted to mate with a portion of the implant member, the second mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member about a longitudinal axis of the implant member when the abutment member is attached to the implant member;
a second prosthodontican impression member having a basethird mounting portion adapted to mate with the second borefirst mounting portion, the third mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the impression member relative to the abutment member about a longitudinal axis of the abutment member when the impression member is attached to the abutment member, wherewherein the second prosthodonticimpression member is in a desired position relative to the first prosthodonticabutment member when the basethird mounting portion mates with the second borefirst mounting portion;
a fastener extending through the bore and into a threaded cavity in the implant member to fix the first prosthodontic abutment member relative to the implant member such that the outer surface of the abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; and
attachment means comprising a projection and a recess surface for attaching the second prosthodontic impression member onto the first prosthodontic abutment member in the desired position, where wherein the projection engages the recess surface such that the second prosthodontic impression member is attached to the first prosthodontic abutment member in a manner that resists inadvertent removal of the second prosthodontic impression member from the first prosthodontic abutment member but allows removal of the second prosthodontic impression member from the first prosthodontic abutment member by application of deliberate, manual force on the second prosthodontic impression member in a direction away from the first prosthodontic abutment member.
29. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the projection is formed on one of the inner surface of the first prosthodontic abutment member and the base portion of the second prosthodontic impression member and the recess surface is formed on the other of the inner surface of the first prosthodontic abutment member and the base portion of the second prosthodontic impression member, the projection being sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess surface to enter and engage the recess surface when the second prosthodontic abutment member is in the desired position.
30. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 29 , in which at least one of the first abutment and second prosthodontic impression members is made of plastic.
31. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 29 , in which both the first abutment and second prosthodontic impression members are made of plastic.
32. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which at least one of the first abutment and second prosthodontic impression member is injection molded out of plastic.
33. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the first prosthodontic member is an abutment member.
34. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 33 28, in which the bore extends through the abutment member.
35. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 33 28, in which the fastener is a screw member and the inner surface of the abutment member further defines a third first bore portion for receiving the screw member in a manner that allows the screw member to rotate relative to the abutment member until the screw member engages the inner surface to securely hold the abutment member against the implant member.
36. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 33 , in which the first bore portion is adapted to receive a portion of the implant member in a manner that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member when the abutment member is attached to the implant member.
37. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the first prosthodontic abutment member is a temporary abutment member and the second abutment member is, the assembly further comprising an abutment cap that covers the bore in the temporary abutment member.
38. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the second prosthodontic member is an impression member is configured to be embedded in impression material.
39. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the second prosthodontic impression member is cast in gold during fabrication of a prosthetic member.
40. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28 , in which the second prosthodontic impression member is a temporary cylinder.
41. A prosthodontic procedure for forming a dental impression assembly used to fabricate a prosthetic member for a patient, the procedure comprising the steps of:
providing an implant member having an upper surface and an internal surface defining an internal cavity, where the internal surface intersects the upper surface such the internal cavity communicates with the exterior through the upper surface; placing the implant member into the patient's jaw bone; providing an impression member having a base portion and an impression portion, where the base portion comprises a lower post sized and dimensioned to be snugly received within the internal cavity of the implant member; attaching the impression member to the implant member by inserting the lower post of the impression member into the internal cavity of the implant member to form a friction fit that inhibits removal of the impression member from the implant member; embedding the impression portion of the impression member in impression material; allowing the impression material to harden to form the impression assembly; and applying deliberate force to the hardened impression material to displace the impression assembly from the implant member.
42. A procedure as recited in claim 41 , in which the step of providing the implant member further comprises the step of threading the internal cavity.
43. A procedure as recited in claim 41 , further comprising the steps of:
attaching an implant analog to the impression member; embedding the implant analog in model material; and allowing the model material to harden to form a model of the patient's mouth.
44. A procedure as recited in claim 41 , further comprising the steps:
forming the implant member of metal; and forming the impression member of plastic.
45. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1, in which:
the first mounting portion is one of a bore or a base portion; and the second mounting portion is the other of a bore or a base portion; whereby the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
46. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1, in which the first mounting portion is a bore and the second mounting portion is a base portion, wherein the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
47. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5, in which the first mounting portion is the bore and the third mounting portion is a base portion, wherein the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
48. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 22, in which:
the first mounting portion is one of a bore or a base portion; and the second mounting portion is the other of a bore or a base portion; whereby the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
49. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 22, in which the first mounting portion is a bore and the second mounting portion is a base portion, wherein the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
50. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 23, in which the first mounting portion is the bore and the second mounting portion is a base portion, wherein the bore is adapted to receive the base portion.
51. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 28, in which the first mounting portion is a second bore portion and third mounting portion is a base portion, wherein the second bore portion is adapted to receive the base portion.
52. A prosthodontic procedure for forming a dental impression indicating a location of an implant member comprising the steps of:
placing the implant member into a patient's jaw bone; providing a first temporary abutment member having a first mounting portion, a bore and an outer surface, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess and a projection; attaching the first temporary abutment member to the implant member such that the outer surface extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; providing a prosthodontic impression member having a second mounting portion and an impression portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess and the projection; displacing the prosthodontic impression member towards the first temporary abutment member until the projection engages the recess to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the prosthodontic impression member but which allows the prosthodontic impression member to be removed by application of deliberate, manual force thereon, the prosthodontic impression member being attached to the first temporary abutment member in a manner that prevents rotation of the prosthodontic impression member relative to the first temporary abutment member about an axis of the first temporary abutment member; embedding the impression portion of the prosthodontic impression member in impression material; allowing the impression material to harden; and applying deliberate, manual force to the hardened impression material to displace both the hardened impression material and the prosthodontic impression member embedded therein away from the first temporary abutment member.
53. A prosthodontic assembly for forming of an impression indicating a location of an implant member to allow fabrication of a prosthetic tooth, the prosthodontic assembly comprising:
an abutment member having a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a bore, the first mounting portion being configured to mate with the implant member; a screw member that extends through the bore in the abutment member and into the implant member to attach the abutment member to the implant member such that the outer surface of the abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; an impression member having a third mounting portion adapted to mate with the second mounting portion of the abutment member, the third mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the impression member relative to the abutment member about a longitudinal axis of the abutment member, wherein the impression member is in a desired position relative to the abutment member when the third mounting portion mates with the second mounting portion; attachment means integrally formed on both the abutment member and the impression member for attaching the impression member onto the abutment member in the desired position, wherein the impression member is attached to the abutment member in a manner that resists inadvertent removal of the impression member from the abutment member but allows removal of the impression member from the abutment member by application of deliberate, manual force on the impression member in a direction away from the abutment member.
54. A prosthodontic procedure comprising the steps:
placing an implant member into a patient's jaw bone; providing a first temporary abutment member having a first mounting portion, an outer surface and a bore, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess and a projection; attaching the first temporary abutment member to the implant member such that the outer surface of the first temporary abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; providing an impression member having a second mounting portion and a flanged portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess and the projection; and displacing the impression member towards the first temporary abutment member until the projection engages the recess to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the impression member but which allows the impression member to be removed by application of deliberate, manual force thereon, the impression member being attached to the first temporary abutment member in a manner that prevents rotation of the impression member relative to the first temporary abutment member about an axis of the first temporary abutment member; making an impression of the patient's mouth such that the flanged portion of the impression member is embedded in the impression; fabricating a prosthetic tooth by making a model from the impression and the impression member; mounting the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.
55. A prosthodontic procedure for transferring a location of an implant member implanted in a patient's mouth to a model of the patient's mouth, comprising the steps of:
providing a first temporary abutment member having a first mounting portion, an outer surface and a bore, the first mounting portion comprising one of a recess and a projection; displacing the first temporary abutment member such that it engages the implant member and the outer surface of the abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; fastening the first temporary abutment member to the implant member by passing a fastener through the bore in the first temporary abutment member and into a threaded cavity in the implant member; providing a prosthodontic member having a second mounting portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess and the projection; displacing the prosthodontic member towards the first temporary abutment member until the projection engages the recess to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the prosthodontic member but which allows the prosthodontic member to be removed by application of deliberate force thereon; forming an impression of the patient's mouth such that the prosthodontic member is embedded in the impression; applying deliberate force to the impression such that the projection disengages from the recess, thereby allowing the impression and the prosthodontic member embedded therein to be removed from the patient's mouth; providing a second temporary abutment member; attaching the second temporary abutment member to the prosthodontic member embedded in the impression; providing an analog of the implant member; attaching the analog of the implant member to the second temporary abutment member to form an impression assembly; and forming the model of the patient's mouth from the impression assembly.
56. A prosthodontic assembly comprising:
an implant member adapted to be implanted into a patient's jaw bone; an abutment member having a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, an outer surface and an inner surface defining a bore, wherein the first mounting portion is adapted to mate with a portion of the implant member, the first mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member about a longitudinal axis of the implant member when the abutment is attached to the implant member and the outer surface extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; an impression member having a third mounting portion adapted to mate with the second mounting portion of the abutment member, the third mounting portion having an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the impression member relative to the abutment member about a longitudinal axis of the abutment member when the impression member is attached to the abutment member, wherein the impression member is in a desired position relative to the abutment member when the third mounting portion mates with the second mounting portion; a fastener extending through the bore and into a threaded cavity in the implant member to fix the abutment member relative to the implant member; and attachment means comprising a projection and a recess for attaching the impression member onto the abutment member in the desired position, wherein the projection engages the recess such that the impression member is attached to the abutment member in a manner that resists inadvertent removal of the impression member from the abutment member but allows removal of the impression member from the abutment member by application of deliberate, manual force on the impression member in a direction away from the abutment member.
57. A prosthodontic procedure for forming a dental impression indicating a location of an implant member comprising the steps of:
placing the implant member into a patient's jaw bone; providing a first abutment member having a first mounting portion and an outer surface, the first mounting portion comprising the one of a recess surface and a projection; attaching the first abutment member to the implant member in a manner that prevents rotation of the first abutment member relative to the implant member about an axis of the implant member and such that the outer surface of the first abutment member extends from the implant member and is adapted to engage the patient's gum tissue; providing a prosthodontic impression member having a second mounting portion and an impression portion, the second mounting portion comprising the other one of the recess surface and the projection, wherein the first mounting portion is adapted to engage the second mounting portion to support the prosthodontic impression member on the first abutment member in a manner that prevents rotation of the prosthodontic impression member relative to the first abutment member about an axis of the first abutment member; displacing the prosthodontic impression member towards the first abutment member such that the first mounting portion engages the second mounting portion to support the prosthodontic impression member on the first abutment member and the projection engages the recess surface to form a snap fit that prevents inadvertent removal of the prosthodontic impression member but which allows the prosthodontic impression member to be removed by application of deliberate, manual force thereon; embedding the impression portion of the prosthodontic impression member in impression material; allowing the impression material to harden; and applying deliberate, manual force to the hardened impression material to displace both the hardened impression material and the prosthodontic impression member embedded therein away from the first abutment member.
58. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 57, wherein one of the first abutment member and the prosthodontic impression member is formed out of plastic.
59. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 58, in which both the first abutment member and the prosthodontic impression member are formed out of plastic.
60. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 57, further comprising the steps of:
fabricating a prosthetic tooth using the hardened impression member and the prosthodontic impression member; and mounting the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.
61. A prosthodontic procedure comprising the steps of:
osseointegrating a first implant member at a desired location; attaching a first abutment member to the first implant member; attaching an abutment cap member onto the first abutment member; allowing gingival tissue around the first abutment member to heal; removing the abutment cap member from the first abutment member; attaching an impression member onto the first abutment member; applying impression material to the impression member; allowing the impression material to solidify to form an impression in which the impression member is embedded; removing the impression member from the first abutment member with the impression member still embedded in the impression; attaching a second implant member onto a second abutment member; attaching the second abutment member to the impression member embedded in the impression; applying model material to the second abutment member and second implant member; allowing the model material to solidify to form a model in which the second implant member is embedded; removing the second abutment member from the impression member; removing the second abutment member from the second implant member; attaching a permanent abutment member to the second implant member; forming a prosthetic member on the permanent abutment member; removing the first abutment member from the first implant member; and attaching the permanent abutment member and the prosthetic member to the first implant member.
62. A procedure as recited in claim 61, wherein the first abutment member comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the abutment cap member comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and wherein the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the recess surface to engage the recess surface when the abutment cap member is attached to the first abutment member.
63. A procedure as recited in claim 61, in which the step of removing the abutment cap member from the first abutment member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the abutment cap member in a direction away from the first abutment member.
64. A procedure as recited in claim 61, wherein the first abutment member comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the impression member comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the attachment surface to engage the recess surface when the impression member is attached to the first abutment member.
65. A procedure as recited in claim 61, in which the step of removing the impression member from the first abutment member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the impression in a direction away from the first abutment member.
66. A procedure as recited in claim 61, wherein the impression member comprises one of a projection and a recess surface, and the second abutment member comprises the other one of the projection and the recess surface, and wherein the projection is sized, dimensioned, and located relative to the attachment surface to engage the recess surface when the second abutment member is attached to the impression member.
67. A procedure as recited in claim 61, in which the step of removing the second abutment member from the impression member comprises the step of applying deliberate manual force to the model in a direction away from the impression member.
68. A procedure as recited in claim 61, wherein the first abutment member comprises a bore defined by an inner wall thereof, and the implant member comprises a threaded chamber, and wherein the step of attaching the first abutment member onto the implant member comprises the steps of:
providing a screw member having a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded chamber in the implant member and an increased diameter portion; passing the threaded portion of the screw member through the bore in the first abutment member; and rotating the screw member such that the threaded portion thereof engages the threaded cavity in the implant member, thereby displacing the screw member until the increased diameter portion thereof engages the inner wall of the first abutment member.
69. A procedure as recited in claim 68, wherein the implant member comprises a body portion, and the bore in the first temporary abutment member comprises a receiving portion adapted to receive the body portion of the implant member, and wherein the step of attaching the first abutment member onto the implant member comprises the steps of:
engaging the body portion of the implant member with a portion of the inner wall of the first abutment member that defines the receiving portion of the bore to prevent rotation of the first abutment member relative to the implant member.
70. A procedure as recited in claim 61, in which at least one of the first abutment member, abutment cap, impression member, and second abutment member is made of plastic.
71. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5, in which the first mounting portion is a projection and the second mounting portion is a cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive the projection.
72. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 71, in which the projection is shaped as a polygon and the cavity is shaped as the polygon of the projection such that rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member is prevented when the cavity is mated with the projection.
73. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 72, in which the projection is hexagonal and the cavity is hexagonal.
74. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5, in which the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion mate in a manner that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the impression member.
75. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the first temporary abutment member to the implant member comprises attaching a third mounting portion of the first temporary abutment member to a fourth mounting portion of the implant, the third mounting portion mating with the fourth mounting portion to prevent rotation of the first temporary abutment member relative to the implant member.
76. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 75, in which the third mounting portion is a projection and the fourth mounting portion is a cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive the projection.
77. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 76, in which the projection is shaped as a polygon and the cavity is shaped as the polygon of the projection such that rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member is prevented when the cavity is mated with the projection.
78. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 77, in which the projection is hexagonal and the cavity is hexagonal.
79. A prosthodontic procedure as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of displacing the prosthodontic impression member towards the first temporary abutment member comprises mating the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion in a manner that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the impression member.
80. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 53, wherein the first mounting portion is a projection.
81. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 53, wherein the first mounting portion has an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member about a longitudinal axis of the implant member.
82. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 5, in which the first mounting portion is a projection and the implant member comprises a cavity, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive the projection.
83. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 82, in which the projection is shaped as a polygon and the cavity is shaped as the polygon of the projection such that rotation of the abutment member relative to the implant member is prevented when the cavity is mated with the projection.
84. A prosthodontic assembly as recited in claim 83, in which the projection is hexagonal and the cavity is hexagonal.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
Track USRE43470E — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.
We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.