DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100159419A1
• Filed: 01/27/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grant Dental Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cheyenne Mountain Dental Group
• Inventors: Grant, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/174
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/001 Multiple implanting technique, i.e. multiple component implants introduced in the jaw from different directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0048 Connecting the upper structure to the implant, e.g. bridging bars A61C8/0028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/005 Connecting devices for joining an upper structure with an implant member, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0066 with positioning means A61C8/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0068 with an additional screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0069 tapered or conical connection

Abstract

A dental implant system comprises a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient'"'"'s jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery. The system also includes an implant screw that is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient'"'"'s jawbone. The system further includes a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw and has a head and a threaded end. The threaded end of the securing screw passes through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient'"'"'s jawbone.

Claims

1. A method for securing a dental implant to a patient'"'"'s jawbone, the method comprising:

removing a portion of the patient'"'"'s gum at a treatment site sufficient to expose the patient'"'"'s jawbone;

removing a portion of the patient'"'"'s jawbone at the treatment site;

positioning a base member at the treatment site such that the base member is embedded within the patient'"'"'s jawbone at the treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat topside defined by an outer perimeter, a tapered central opening and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer perimeter;

inserting a securing screw through the screw hole;

rotating the securing screw until the securing screw is screwed into the patient'"'"'s jawbone and a head of the securing screw is at least flush with the top side of the base member;

inserting an implant screw through the central opening, wherein the implant screw has a head with a tapered section and a threaded end; and

turning the implant screw to secure the threaded end within the jawbone and to seat the head of the implant screw within the tapered opening of the base member.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the base member includes two screw holes that are positioned between the outer periphery and the central opening, and further comprising inserting securing screws through each of the screw holes.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the screw holes are located in corners of the base member.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the top side of the base member is generally flush with the patient'"'"'s jawbone.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the top side further includes at least one matable feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member, and further comprising attaching a crown to the implant screw, wherein the crown includes a corresponding matable feature that mates with the feature on the base member to non-rotationally secure the crown to the base member.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the implant screw includes a threaded hole and the crown includes a bolt, and wherein the bolt is screwed into the threaded hole.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the base member has a generally flat bottom side, wherein the central opening tapers inward from the top surface to the bottom surface with a constant taper, and wherein the base member has an outer periphery that tapers with a straight taper inward from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the portion of the patient'"'"'s jawbone that is removed forms a rectangular cavity in the patient'"'"'s jawbone.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the treatment site is where a tooth previously existed, and wherein the base member is sized to be generally the same size as the removed tooth.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the base member is roughened.

11. A dental implant system comprising:

a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient'"'"'s jawbone at a treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery;

an implant screw comprising a head, and a threaded end, wherein the threaded end is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient'"'"'s jawbone, and wherein the head is adapted to be seated within the central opening of the base member after the threaded end is screwed into the patients jawbone; and

a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw, wherein the securing screw comprises a head and a threaded end, wherein the threaded end is adapted to pass through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient'"'"'s jawbone.

12. A system as in claim 11, wherein the threaded end of the securing screw is pointed.

13. A system as in claim 11, wherein the central opening is tapered and has a beveled edge, and wherein the implant screw has a tapered head section to seat within the tapered central opening.

14. A system as in claim 11, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member.

15. A system as in claim 14, further comprising a second securing hole and a second securing screw.

16. A system as in claim 15, wherein the securing holes are located in opposing corners of the base member.

17. A system as in claim 11, wherein the securing hole has a tapered section and the head of the securing screw has a tapered section.

18. A system as in claim 11, wherein the securing screws have a diameter of about 1.5 mm.

19. A system as in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of retention grooves located on the outer periphery of base member.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein the outer periphery of the base member tapers inward from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface, and wherein the taper begins below retention grooves.

21. A system as in claim 11, wherein the outer periphery of the base member is roughened.

22. A system as in claim 11, further comprising a crown that is adapted to be mounted to the head of the implant screw, wherein the top side of the base member further includes at least one matable feature, wherein the crown includes a corresponding matable feature that mates with the feature on the base member to non-rotationally secure the crown to the base member.

23. A system as in claim 22, wherein the implant includes a threaded hole and the crown includes a bolt, and wherein the bolt is screwed into the threaded hole.

24. A platform for securing a dental crown to a patient'"'"'s jawbone, the platform comprising:

a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient'"'"'s jawbone at a treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat top side, a generally flat bottom side, an outer periphery, a central opening and a screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery, wherein the central opening tapers inward with a constant taper from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to receive an implant screw, wherein the top side further least one matable feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member.

25. A platform as in claim 24, wherein the outer periphery includes a plurality of retention grooves, and wherein the outer periphery tapers with a straight taper inward from the retention grooves to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface.

26. A platform as in claim 24, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member.

27. A platform as in claim 24, further comprising a second securing hole and a second securing screw.

28. A platform as in claim 27, wherein the securing holes are located in opposing corners of the base member.