BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of the screw with a conical head portion, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of the post of the dental implant assembly.
FIG. 3 is a cut-away side view of the post of the dental implant assembly, with the screw installed in the post.
FIG. 4 is a cut-away side view of the post and second part of the dental assembly, with the screw installed, affixing the parts together.
FIG. 5 is three dimensional profile view of the screw, post, and second part of the dental implant assembly.
FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the dental implant assembly installed in the tooth of a user.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
3 . . . Tooth
9 . . . Jaw
19 . . . Screw
21 . . . Conical Shaped Screw Head Portion
23 . . . Threaded Portion
25 . . . Post
27 . . . Post Interior
29 . . . Post Interior Posterior Conical Section
31 . . . Post Posterior End Receiving Means
33 . . . Second Part
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the illustrations, FIG. 1 is a side view of the screw of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The screw 19 comprises two sections, a conical shaped screw head portion 21 and a threaded portion 23. The threaded portion 23 engages a dental implant, while the conical section engages a post for an artificial tooth.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the post of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The post 25 comprises a hollow structure with an interior 27 area. The interior of the post 25 comprises a columnar space with a diameter that is smaller at the posterior end than at the other, such that the interior 27 posterior area comprises a conical shape 29 for receiving the screw 19. The post 25 also comprises a receiving means 31 at its posterior end for engaging a dental implant.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of the screw 19 positioned in the post 25. When the screw 19 is in place, the bottom of the conical section 29 is flush with the junction of the post 25 and a dental implant, and the sides of the head of the screw 19 are in uniform and complete contact with the interior conical section 29 of the post 15. In this manner, the screw is prevented from making any movement other than rotational when engaging a dental implant, which prevents the screw from loosening when installed, thereby preventing fractures of the screw.
FIG. 4 shows an installed dental assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The post 25 receives the implant 33 in the posterior end, adjacent to the conical section 29, and the screw 19 is inserted into the interior of the post 27. Thereafter, the screw is tightened into a threaded bore contained in the implant, affixing the post to the implant. Once the screw is tightened, the conical section of the head portion of the screw 21 abuts the interior conical section of the post 29, and is prevented from any further movement.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of a perspective view of a dental implant in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The screw 19 fits into the post interior 27, and engages a threaded bore in the dental implant 33. When the screw is tightened in the post 25, the side of the head portion of the screw 21 is in complete contact with the post interior 27 and the screw threads 23 are in complete contact with the implant 33.
FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of a preferred embodiment of the dental implant of the present invention as installed in the mouth of a user. Once the implant 33 is affixed in the jaw of a user, the post 25 and screw 19 are affixed to the implant by placing the post 25 over the implant 22, inserting the screw into the post 25 and tightening the screw 19 into the implant 33, so that the side portion of the head of the screw 19 is in complete contact with the interior of the post 25. Once the screw 19 is tightened, the unique shape of the head prevents any further movement of the screw 19 due to lateral masticating forces applied on the tooth.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the post and screw mechanism of the present invention will be able to attach to an existing conventional implant. Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the implant of the present invention can be seen, wherein an implant with a male anchoring feature is capped with a post and screw, wherein the conical portion of the head of the screw extends only to the plane of the base of the post. Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of the implant of the present invention can be seen, wherein an implant with a female anchoring feature is capped with a post and screw, wherein the conical portion of the head of the screw extends only to the plane of the base of the post.
All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.
Patent Application
20080057477
