Patent ID: 6287117
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
An endossecous, root-form dental implant for insertion into an opening in the jawbone of a patient including:a body portion;an internally-threaded shaft extending into said implant from the top surface of said implant;a healing screw comprising a head portion joined to a threaded shank portion, said head portion having a size and shape sufficient to cover a proximal opening into said shaft;an implant extender having a top surface that substantially replicates the top surface of said implant, said extender having a distal end portion of a size and shape sufficient to engage and seat upon said implant atop said body portion, said extender including an internal longitudinal passage of sufficient size and shape to permit the threaded distal end portion of said healing screw to pass through said longitudinal passage, said passage including an opening in its proximal end having a size and shape complementary to the size and shape of the head portion of said healing screw;said internally-threaded shaft of said implant having a threaded region sufficiently long to engage said threaded distal end portion of said healing screw with said implant extender in place atop said implant and with the undersurface of the head portion of said healing screw covering the opening to said extender or, if said extender is absent, covering the opening into said internally-threaded shaft of said implant.