Patent Application
20160022385
The present disclosure relates generally to a dental implant system and method of use. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a dental implant system including a prosthodontic base, an implant and a restoration. Also disclosed is a method of application of the dental implant system.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Missing tooth/teeth is a common problem that affects the oral health and general health of many people. A person can suffer from a single tooth missing, multiple teeth missing or even fully edentulous. Without appropriate replacement, a missing tooth/teeth can have many negative impacts on the dentition, occlusion, temporomandibular joint function, maxilla and mandible bone structure, as well as a person's overall general health.
Currently, there are many methods to replace missing tooth/teeth, ranging from removable partial restoration, full restoration, fixed bridge, to implant supported crown, bridge and overdenture.
Dental implants are typically more advanced methods for replacing one tooth and/or multiple teeth. One benefit of dental implants is the tendency of the dental implant to slow or stop the atrophic process of the jaw bone after a tooth or teeth are missing. Dental implants may be categorized differently, but for common root shaped endosteal implants, there are often two categories, namely, regular implant or mini implant based on size. For example, regular implants have a diameter larger than 3.0 mm (3.2 mm or larger in most cases) while mini implants have a diameter less than 3.0 mm. (1.8 to 2.9 mm, in most cases). Both regular and mini implants can be used to replace a singular tooth, multiple teeth or even a full dentition. However, mini implants are typically used with singular tooth replacements and overdenture.
It is an object of the present teachings to provide a novel dental implant system and method of use that overcomes the shortcomings of prior art restorations and methods.
This section includes a general summary of the disclosure and does not provide a comprehensive description or include full scope or all the features of the subject matter disclosed.
The present teachings provide a dental implant system including a prosthodontic base having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface configured to conform to and abut an edentulous ridge of a patient, the second surface having at least one post extending outwardly therefrom, the prosthodontic base defining at least one hole for receiving an implant. The dental implant system further includes a restoration having at least one artificial tooth, the restoration defining at least one opening to receive the post, wherein the restoration is attachable to the post(s) for fixing the restoration to the prosthodontic base. An implant having a head, a neck and a body is also provided. The body of the implant being insertable through the hole in the prosthodontic base and into a jaw bone of the patient for attaching the prosthodontic base to the edentulous ridge, the head being larger than a diameter of the hole in the prosthodontic base for securing the prosthodontic base adjacent the edentulous ridge of the patient. The dental implant system provides for efficient, minimum invasive and permanent replacement teeth for the patient.
In another aspect, the dental implant system includes the first surface of the prosthodontic base being formed based on an impression (conventional or digital impression) of the edentulous ridge.
In another aspect, the dental implant system includes a nail shaped implant for securing the prosthodontic base to the edentulous ridge of the patient. The implant may be a mini implant having a diameter less than about 3.0 mm. In one embodiment, the implant is configured to be installed through the prosthodontic base via an automatic device such as a nail gun. The implant being nail-shaped and configured for attachment to the edentulous ridge of the patient.
In another aspect, the dental implant system includes a plurality of holes defined by the prosthodontic base wherein the holes are positioned in part based on a cast of the edentulous ridge based on the impression and/or a radiography image of the alveolar bone of the patient.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method of providing permanent teeth replacement for a patient is disclosed. The method including obtaining an impression (conventional or digital) of the edentulous ridge of a patient wherein one or more teeth replacement are desired; forming a cast of the edentulous ridge based on the impression; and forming a prosthodontic base from the cast. The prosthodontic base defining first and second opposing surfaces. The method including shaping the first surface of the prosthodontic base to define a contour corresponding to the edentulous ridge, forming a post extending outwardly from the second surface, and cutting at least one hole through the prosthodontic base for attaching the prosthodontic base to the edentulous ridge. The method also includes forming a restoration including at least one replacement tooth, the restoration defining at least one opening for receiving the post(s) and articulating the restoration which may include attaching the prosthodontic base to the edentulous ridge of the patient and attaching the restoration to the prosthodontic base.
In another aspect, the disclosed method includes attaching the prosthodontic base on an edentulous ridge of the patient via a dental implant (or implants) inserted through the hole(s) in the prosthodontic base. In one embodiment, the step of installing the implant includes installing the implant using an automatic device such as a nail gun or a similar instrument.
In another aspect, the method includes positioning the at least one hole in the prosthodontic base based in part on a review of a radiography image of the edentulous ridge of the patient.
Another aspect of the disclosed method of providing permanent teeth replacement for a patient includes forming a prosthodontic base via a CAD/CAM process. The method of forming the prosthodontic base further includes forming a first surface of the prosthodontic base for abutment with the edentulous ridge of a patient from a tissue compatible material. The first surface comprising a contour made from a cast or graphical representation of the edentulous ridge so that the first surface fits thereon in a stable position in a custom-fit relation.
In another aspect, the method disclosed includes providing a permanent teeth restoration and attaching the same to the edentulous ridge of a patient without requiring oral surgery or a surgical incision of the oral mucous. The method including permanently attaching the prosthodontic base for engagement with and support on the edentulous ridge of the patient by installing implants through the prosthodontic base and into the edentulous ridge of the patient via an automatic implant installation device and without requiring surgical incision of the oral mucous. The method further including attaching the restoration to the prosthodontic base by adhering the restoration to at least one post extending outwardly from the prosthodontic base.
Since the dental implant system includes a prosthodontic base attachable to the edentulous ridge via mini-implants, the system can be installed in a dental office quickly and easily without requiring oral surgery. The dental implant system is installed on the edentulous ridge without requiring surgical incision of the oral mucous or suturing the same following the installation process.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description, the appended claims and the following drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Detailed illustrative descriptions of example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The example embodiments may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” or “fixed” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
The contour 19 on the first surface 18 is shaped to conform to, and abut an edentulous ridge 25 of the patient (not shown). The first surface 18 is formed from a tissue-friendly material including one of gold, titanium, ceramic and/or alloys or combinations of thereof or similar tissue friendly materials. The prosthodontic base 12 may formed of one or more materials including wherein the first surface 18 is formed from a tissue friendly material such as those mentioned above, and a remainder of the prosthodontic base is formed from a different one of the materials mentioned above or another type of material such as plastic, acrylic or another durable material.
In one embodiment, the contour 19 of the prosthodontic base 12 is formed based on an impression taken of the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient by a dental professional. Bite registration information can be obtained conventionally or digitally. In a process well known in dentistry, the impression is then used to make a cast which is a replica of the edentulous ridge 25. The first surface 18 and contour 19 thereof is formed using the cast so that the contour 19 of the prosthodontic base 112 corresponds with the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient and is custom shaped to fit precisely thereon. Accordingly, the prosthodontic base 12 is custom manufactured to fit the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient. The position, orientation and size of the posts can be verified by the clinician as may be necessary. A temporary restoration (not shown) can also be made and provided to be used by the patient for testing the bite and/or during a time a permanent restoration is designed and manufactured.
Alternatively, the first surface 18 of the prosthodontic base 12 can be formed based on a digital impression of the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient. Bite registration information can also be obtained digitally.
In the embodiment of
Still referring to
In one embodiment, the holes 16 are located based in part on a visual inspection of the edentulous ridge 25 by a clinician. A review of a radiography image of the edentulous ridge 25 can also be used to locate the holes 16 so that the implants 15 are positioned to securely attach the prosthodontic base 12 to the patient's bone. In another embodiment, a radiography image of the patient's bone structure and/or an image of the edentulous ridge 25 can be viewed with an overlay of an image of the proposed prosthodontic base 12 for locating the holes 16 in the prosthodontic base 12.
Alternatively, for patients with a healthy oral cavity and related bone structure, the holes 16 can be spaced apart along each of a lingual and buccal side of the prosthodontic base 12.
Referring to
The implants 15 can be configured for installation via a pneumatic, electric or other type of powered nail gun or installation device for efficient installation of the implants into the bone of a patient with minimum pain. Typically, the implants 15 are formed of titanium or an alloy thereof so that the implant is compatible with the bone and tissue of the patient. Depending on the application and the size and proposed location of the prosthodontic base 12, the implants 15 can be sized accordingly. The head 32 of the implant sized to be larger than the diameter of the holes 16 so the head draws the prosthodontic base 12 towards the edentulous ridge 25 and attaches the first surface 18 of the prosthodontic base to the tissue of the edentulous ridge. In one embodiment, the implant 15 has a diameter of about 1.6 mm and a length of about 8 mm. In other embodiments, the implant 15 has a diameter in a range between about 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm and a length in a range between about 6 mm to about 18 mm.
Also disclosed is a method of providing one or more permanent replacement teeth for a patient. The method including obtaining an impression (conventional or digital) of an edentulous ridge 25 of a patient wherein one or more teeth replacement are desired; forming a cast of the edentulous ridge based on the impression; and forming a prosthodontic base from the cast. The prosthodontic base defining first and second opposing surfaces. The step of forming a prosthodontic base including: shaping the first surface of the prosthodontic base 12 to define a contour 19 corresponding to the edentulous ridge 25 wherein the restoration is to be located, forming a post 24 extending outwardly from the second surface, and cutting or otherwise providing at least one hole 16 through the prosthodontic base for attaching the prosthodontic base to the edentulous ridge 25. The method further including forming a restoration 14 including at least one replacement tooth, the restoration defining one or more opening 30 for receiving the post/posts 24.
A step of articulating the restoration 14 including positioning and orienting the post 24 to extend outwardly from the second surface 20 of the prosthodontic base 12 so that the restoration fits in the patient's dentition adjacent any remaining teeth and conforms to the bite registration of the patient's opposing teeth. Additionally, the step of articulating the restoration includes positioning and orienting the opening(s) 30 defined by the restoration 14 to cooperate with the post(s) 24 so that the restoration 14 is positionable and mountable on the prosthodontic base 12 so that the restoration fits together with and the bite registration matches the adjacent or opposing teeth of the patient.
In one embodiment, the method further includes attaching the prosthodontic base 12 on an edentulous ridge 25 of the patient via an implant 15 inserted through the hole(s) 16 in the prosthodontic base. The implant 15 typically being a mini implant having a body diameter in a range between about 1.0 mm and about 2.9 mm. The step of inserting the implant through the prosthodontic base 12 and into the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient may include using an automatic device such as an electric or pneumatic nail gun to insert a nail shaped implant 15 into the bone of the patient. The process being a non-surgical process which can be performed by a dentist. The process of installing one or more implants 15 into the alveolar bone of the patient does not require a surgical incision of the tissue of the oral mucous or exposing the alveolar bone of the patient.
The method of forming the prosthodontic base 12 includes in one embodiment positioning at least one hole in the prosthodontic base based in part on a review of an radiography image of the alveolar bone of the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient. A visual inspection of the edentulous ridge 25 or a photo or image thereof may also be reviewed prior to locating the holes 16 for receiving the implants 15. This step helps to ensure the prosthodontic base 12 is secured to healthy tissue and bone of the patient for providing a permanent installation of the prosthodontic base.
In one embodiment, the method includes forming the prosthodontic base 12 in part via a CAD/CAM process wherein data from a digital scan of the edentulous ridge 25 of the patient is transmitted to a processor for use by a CAD device to design the prosthodontic bases 12 and corresponding restoration 14. An associated computer-aided machining (CAM) process can also be utilized for manufacturing and/or milling the prosthodontic base 12 and restoration 14 in accordance with the CAD designed restoration and prosthodontic base. The CAD/CAM process can be fully automated or require some inputs and interaction by an operator or technician operating the CAD/CAM device(s).
In one embodiment, one or more images of the patient's dentition, the edentulous ridge 25, and/or a radiography image or other type image of the patient's oral cavity including the edentulous ridge and/or associated teeth are used in one or more overlays in connection with the process of forming the prosthodontic base 12 and restoration 14.
The step of forming the prosthodontic base 12 further includes forming the first surface from a tissue compatible material which may include one of titanium, gold, porcelain, ceramic or another material which is compatible and non-toxic for abutment and long term positioning of the prosthodontic base 12 adjacent the edentulous ridge 25 and tissue of the patient.
The method further comprising attaching the prosthodontic base 12 to the edentulous ridge 25 via an implant 15 installed through the oral mucous of the patient as discussed hereinabove.
Example embodiments and methods thus being described, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments and example methods may be varied through routine experimentation and without further inventive activity. Variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/029,722 filed Jul. 28, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62029722 | Jul 2014 | US |
