Patent ID: 6540514
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A method for isolating a dental implant mounted in the upper or lower jawbone and gum tissue of a patient after using an impression material to obtain an impression of an abutment portion of the dental implant and/or an impression housing mounted on the dental implant and of the adjacent teeth and gum tissue, the dental implant having substantially an annulus thereabout, the method comprising the steps of:A. removing the impression material from the dental implant leaving the abutment portion of the dental implant substantially exposed; B. encapsulating at least the abutment portion of the dental implant so as to establish a zone of isolation relative to the abutment portion of the dental implant; C. occluding an area proximate to said housing about the annulus of the dental implant to resist incursion of the gum tissue into said area during a period of time at least sufficient to fabricate a permanent dental appliance to be mounted on the dental implant or for osseointegration of the dental implant to the jawbone; and D. relasably interconnecting said housing and the annulus of the dental implant so as to selectively maintain said zone of isolation for said period of time while substantially occluding said area to resist incursion of the gum tissue about the dental implant.