Patent ID: 7044735
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a dental implant in a bone that is adjacent to gum tissue, wherein the bone is part of at least one of an upper jaw and a lower jaw of a patient, the method comprising: creating a model of at least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw; creating a stent that overlays the model; holding a tube at a first position within the stent; placing the stent and the tube adjacent to at least one of the lower jaw and the upper jaw of a patient; creating a first image that shows the first position of the tube relative to the bone; viewing the first image; in response to viewing the first image, repositioning the tube to a second position in relation to the stent; after repositioning the tube to the second position, creating a second image that shows the second position of the tube relative to the bone; cementing the tube to the stent at the second position; cutting the gum tissue with a circular cutter to create a substantially round opening in the gum tissue; inserting a drill bit through the tube, whereby the tube helps guide the drill bit; drilling a hole into the bone; inserting the dental implant into the hole; attaching a healing cap to the dental implant to allow the gum tissue to heal around the healing cap; allowing the gum tissue to heal around the healing cap; inhibiting the gum tissue from completely closing the opening at any time during a period extending from when the substantially round opening was first created until the healing cap is removed from the dental implant; removing the healing cap from the dental implant while avoiding any further appreciable cutting of the gum tissue; attaching an abutment to the dental implant; and attaching a crown to the abutment.