Patent ID: 6695616
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A method for anchoring an oral appliance, comprising steps of:providing an implant anchor member having a threaded shaft extending in a first direction and a base attached to one end of the threaded shaft, with a substantially circular engagement receptacle formed in the base, opening in a direction opposite the first direction, and a torque application engagement surface formed on the base; providing a wrench with a gripping surface shaped for engagement with said torque application engagement surface; inserting said threaded shaft into an oral cavity by engaging said torque application engagement surface with said engagement surface of said wrench and rotating said wrench until said threaded shaft has penetrated to a desired depth; providing an upper angled support member having a circular base extending along a first axis, said circular base shaped for engagement with and rotation about said first axis within said circular engagement receptacle, and having a female prosthesis receptacle extending along a second axis, said second axis intersecting said first axis and forming a mounting angle; applying an adhesive to at least one of said circular engagement receptacle of said implant anchor and said circular base of said upper angled support member; engaging said circular base within said circular engagement receptacle; rotating said upper angled support member about said first axis until said female prosthesis receptacle points in a predetermined direction within said oral cavity; and allowing said adhesive to set, thereby securing said upper angled support member to said implant anchor member, with said female prosthesis receptacle pointing in said predetermined direction.