Claims
- 1. A dental implant, comprising:
an implant body formed solely from two separate materials and including a metallic core forming the first material and a polymeric shell forming the second material, wherein the shell has an outer surface adapted to contact bone and has an inner surface that surrounds substantially all of the core and attaches directly to it.
- 2. The dental implant of claim 1 in which the core has a body with elongated cylindrical configuration and the inner surface of the shell completely surrounds the entire body and directly attaches to it.
- 3. The dental implant of claim 2 in which the shell has a modulus of elasticity lower than the core.
- 4. The dental implant of claim 3 in which the shell is formed from polyetheretheketone, and the core is formed from titanium or a titanium alloy.
- 5. The dental implant of claim 4 in which the shell is reinforced with carbon fiber, and the outer surface of the shell has a layer to promote osseointegration.
- 6. The dental implant of claim 3 in which the shell is attached to the core by one of resistive heating of the core, induction heating of the core, partially melting the shell with microwave radiation, spin welding, high temperature compression molding, ultrasonic welding, or biocompatible adhesives.
- 7. The dental implant of claim 6 in which the core has a proximal end that includes an anti-rotational mounting feature not surrounded by the shell.
- 8. A dental implant, comprising:
a metallic core and a polymeric shell, wherein the implant has a cross section in which the core has an outer surface, the shell has an inner surface that surrounds and directly contacts substantially all of the outer surface of the core and attaches directly to it, and the shell has an outer surface adapted to contact bone directly.
- 9. The dental implant of claim 8 in which the core and shell have an elongated cylindrical configuration, and the core has a proximal end that includes an anti-rotational mounting feature not surrounded by the shell.
Parent Case Info
1. This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/336,322 filed on Jun. 18, 1999 entitled “Dental Implant Having a Force Distribution Shell to Reduce Stress Shielding.”
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09336322 |
Jun 1999 |
US |
Child |
09746973 |
Dec 2000 |
US |