Two-piece dental abutment

• US 5,829,977 A
• Filed: 10/15/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biomet 3i LLC (Zimvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Implant Innovations Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Daniel Y., Rogers, Dan Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US08/729,869
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 433/172, 433/173, 433/174, 433/175, 433/176
• US Class Current: 433/172
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/005 Connecting devices for joining an upper structure with an implant member, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0059 with additional friction enhancing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/006 with polygonal positional means, e.g. hexagonal or octagonal
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0066 with positioning means A61C8/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0069 tapered or conical connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0071 with a self-locking taper, e.g. morse taper
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 5/12 Forming profiles on internal or external surfaces making screw-thread by forging, pressing, or hammering B21K

Abstract

A two-piece abutment system is disclosed. The first part includes a tapering inner surface which is part of a bore extending entirely through the first part. The first part includes a socket for mating with a boss or post on a dental implant. The elongated second part includes a threaded stem for engaging a threaded bore with a dental implant and a post which extends above the first part. The second part extends through the bore of the first part and is screwed into the implant. As the second part is screwed into the implant, a tapering external surface on the post of the second part frictionally locks with the tapering inner surface of the first part.

Claims

1. The combination of a dental implant and an abutment, said implant for integrating with living jawbone and including a threaded bore and a boss protruding away from an upper portion thereof for engaging said abutment, said abutment comprising:

a first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having adjacent to said lower end a socket for receiving said boss of said implant, a portion of said bore being defined by a surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis in a direction toward said lower end at a predetermined angle, said first part including an annular shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis, said first part diminishing in cross-section from said shoulder to said upper end; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded portion for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding substantially above said upper end of said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle for engaging said tapered surface of said first part, said post engaging the wall defining said bore immediately adjacent to said upper end of said first part.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said shoulder separates first and second regions of said first part, said first region being adjacent to said implant and flaring outwardly from said central axis in a direction away from said lower end, said second region flaring inwardly toward said central axis in a direction toward said upper end.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle is in the range from about 5°

to about 20°

for providing a locking taper between said first and second parts.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said post includes a threaded hole for receiving a screw to attach a component onto said second part.

5. The combination of claim 4, further including an impression coping fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post.

6. The combination of claim 4, further including a healing cap fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post.

7. The combination of claim 4, further including a cylinder fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post, said cylinder for holding a permanent denition.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said post includes a flat surface for non-rotationally engaging components attached on said second part.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said post includes a recessed surface to be engaged by a tool for rotating said second part.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said socket and said boss have a non-round shape to resist the rotation of said abutment around said implant, said socket further including anti-rotational structure to resist the turning of said first part on said implant.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said anti-rotational structure includes a shim-like structure.

12. The combination of claim 10, wherein said anti-rotational structure includes a block-like structure.

13. The combination of claim 1, further including an artificial tooth attached on said post.

14. The combination of claim 1, wherein said socket is a portion of said bore.

15. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first part has an exterior surface for engaging soft tissue overlying said jawbone with a portion thereof being non-round.

16. The combination of claim 1, wherein said post protrudes above said first part by a distance that is larger than the height of said first part.

17. The combination of claim 1, wherein said post protrudes above said first part by a distance that is at least as large as approximately the length of said second part below said upper end of said first part.

18. The combination of claim 1, wherein said threaded portion is a threaded stem integral with said second part.

19. The combination of a dental implant and an abutment, said implant for integrating with living jawbone and including a boss protruding away from an upper portion of said implant for engaging said abutment and a threaded bore, said abutment comprising:

a first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said bore including adjacent to said lower end a socket including anti-rotational structure for receiving said boss of said implant, a portion of said bore being defined by a surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis in a direction toward said lower end at a predetermined angle being between about 5° and

20°

, said first part having a shoulder facing away from said implant for engaging another component; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding above said upper end of said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion tapering at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle for engaging said surface of said first part and providing a locking engagement between said first and second parts, said second part having a flat surface for engaging said another component and a threaded hole for receiving a screw for attaching said another component thereon.

20. The combination of claim 19, further including an impression coping fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post, said impression coping being said another component.

21. The combination of claim 19, further including a healing cap fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post, said healing cap being said another component.

22. The combination of claim 19, further including a cylinder fitting over said post and being attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post, said cylinder for holding a permanent denition, said cylinder being said another component.

23. The combination of claim 19,further including an artificial tooth attached on said post.

24. The combination of claim 19, wherein said first part has an exterior surface for engaging soft tissue overlying said jawbone with a portion thereof being non-round.

25. An abutment for attaching to a dental implant embedded in living jawbone and having a fitting at its upper end, said abutment comprising:

a first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having adjacent to said lower end a interlocking fitting for mating with said fitting of said implant, said bore being defined in part by a surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis in the direction of said lower end at a predetermined angle; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding substantially above said upper end of said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle, said tapered portion lockingly engaging said surface of said first part to hold said first and second part together, said post further having a non-round cross-sectional shape for non-rotationally mating with a dental prosthesis.

26. The abutment of claim 25, wherein said post includes a threaded hole for receiving a screw to attach a component onto said second part.

27. The abutment of claim 25, wherein said post includes a flat surface for non-rotationally engaging components attached on said second part.

28. The abutment of claim 25, wherein said socket includes anti-rotational structure to resist the turning of said first part on said implant.

29. The abutment of claim 25, wherein said first part has an exterior surface for engaging soft tissue overlying said jawbone with a portion thereof being non-round.

30. The abutment of claim 25, wherein said threaded portion is a threaded stem integeral with said second part.

31. An abutment for holding a dental prosthesis that is to be attached to a dental implant embedded in living jawbone, said abutment comprising:

a first part having a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having means for non-rotationally mating with said implant and an internal surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis, said first part including an annular shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis, said first part diminishing in cross-section from said shoulder to said upper end; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for threadably engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding above said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle, said tapered portion engaging said internal surface of said first part in response to said threaded stem being threadably engaged in said threaded bore of said implant, said post engaging the wall defining said bore immediately adjacent to said upper end of said first part, said post further having a non-round cross-section shape for non-rotationally mating with said dental prosthesis.

32. The abutment of claim 31, wherein said post includes a threaded hole for receiving a screw to attach a component onto said second part.

33. The abutment of claim 31, wherein non-round cross section of said post is defined by a flat surface for non-rotationally engaging components attached on said second part.

34. The abutment of claim 31,wherein said mating means is a socket.

35. The abutment of claim 34, said mating means includes anti-rotational structure to resist the turning of said first part on said implant.

36. The abutment of claim 31, wherein said first part has an exterior surface for engaging soft tissue overlying said jawbone with a portion thereof being non-round.

37. The abutment of claim 31, wherein said tapered portion of said bore and said tapered outer surface are angled between 5°

to 20°

to provide a locking engagement between said first and second parts.

38. The abutment of claim 31, wherein said shoulder is in a plane that is generally perpendicular to said central axis.

39. An abutment for holding a dental prosthesis that is to be attached to a dental implant embedded in living jawbone, said abutment comprising:

a first part having a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having means for non-rotationally mating with said implant and an internal surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis, said first part further having an annular shoulder facing away from dental implant for engaging a dental prosthesis, at least a portion of said shoulder being below said upper end such that said first part is capable of providing lateral support to said dental prosthesis, said first part diminishing in cross-section from said shoulder to said upper end; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for threadably engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding above said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle, said tapered portion engaging said internal surface of said first part in response to said threaded stem being threadably engaged in said threaded bore of said implant, said post engaging the wall defining said bore immediately adjacent to said upper end of said first part.

40. The abutment of claim 39, further including an artificial tooth attached on said post and on said shoulder.

41. The abutment of claim 39, wherein said shoulder has an annular shape.

42. The abutment of claim 39, wherein said shoulder is in one plane.

43. A kit of dental components comprising:

an abutment including a first part having a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having means for non-rotationally mating with said implant and an internal surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis, said abutment further including an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said first part including a shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis, said second part including a threaded stem for threadably engaging a threaded bore of a dental implant and a post protruding above said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle, said tapered portion frictionally engaging said internal surface of said first part in response to said threaded stem being threadably engaged in said threaded bore of said implant, said post portion engaging the wall defining said bore immediately adjacent to said upper end of said first part;

a healing cap for placement over said post including means for attaching said healing cap to said post; and

an impression coping for placement over said post including means for attaching said impression coping to said post.

44. The kit of claim 43, wherein said second part includes a threaded hole and said means for attaching said healing cap includes a screw engaging said threaded hole.

45. The kit of claim 43, wherein said second part includes a threaded hole and said means for attaching said impression coping includes a screw engaging said threaded hole.

46. The kit of claim 45, wherein said screw is elongated and said impression coping is a pick-up coping.

47. The kit of claim 45, wherein said screw is a wide-head screw and said impression coping is a transfer coping.

48. The kit of claim 43, wherein said shoulder on said abutment further supports said impression coping.

49. The kit of claim 43, wherein said shoulder on said abutment further supports said healing cap.

50. An abutment for attaching to a dental implant embedded in living jawbone and having a fitting at its upper end, said abutment comprising:

a tubular first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said tubular first part having adjacent to said lower end an interlocking fitting for mating with said fitting of said implant, said bore including a tapered portion, said tubular first part having a height measured between said lower end and said upper end, said first part including a shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding above said upper end of said first part by a distance that is larger than said height of said tubular first part, said elongated second part including a tapered outer surface for engaging said tapered portion of said bore.

51. The abutment of claim 50, wherein said tapered portion of said bore and said tapered outer surface of said elongated second part are angled between 5°

to 20°

to provide a locking engagement between said first and second parts.

52. The abutment of claim 50, wherein said shoulder separates first and second regions of said first part, said first region being adjacent to said implant and flaring outwardly from said central axis in a direction away from said lower end, said second region flaring inwardly toward said central axis in a direction toward said upper end.

53. An abutment for attaching to a dental implant embedded in living jawbone and having a fitting at its upper end, said abutment comprising:

a tubular first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said tubular first part having adjacent to said lower end an interlocking fitting for mating with said fitting of said implant, said bore including a tapered portion, said first part including a shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded stem for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding above said first part by a distance that is at least as large as approximately the length of said second part below said upper end of said first part, said elongated second part including a tapered outer surface for engaging said tapered portion of said bore.

54. The combination of a dental implant, an abutment, and an impression coping, said implant for integrating with living jawbone and including a threaded bore and a boss protruding away from an upper portion thereof for engaging said abutment, said abutment comprising:

a first part having an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a bore extending therethrough along said central axis, said first part having adjacent to said lower end a socket for receiving said boss of said implant, a portion of said bore being defined by a surface that tapers inwardly toward said central axis in a direction toward said lower end at a predetermined angle, said first part including a shoulder positioned below said upper end for supporting a dental prosthesis; and

an elongated second part for extending through said bore of said first part, said second part including a threaded portion for engaging said threaded bore of said implant and a post protruding substantially above said upper end of said first part, said second part including an outer surface with a tapered portion that tapers at an angle substantially the same as said predetermined angle for engaging said tapered surface of said first part, said post engaging the wall defining said bore immediately adjacent to said upper end of said first part and including a threaded hole for receiving a screw to attach a component onto said second part; and

wherein said impression coping fits over said post and is attached thereon by a screw engaging said threaded hole in said post.