Patent ID: 6685473
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
A foundation of a rigid prosthetic dental bridge, which can be formed in situ in the mouth of a patient, said foundation comprising:at least two modules, each module comprising at least one of: (a) a shaft; (b) a longitudinal connecting bar, (c) an indexing extension unit; and (d) a locking cap for releasably securing the indexing extension unit to the shaft, the shaft comprising; a threaded portion at a first end adapted to anchor the shaft into rigid dental material selected from the group consisting of tooth stubs and bone matrix; and a multi-faceted driving/retaining portion at the second end of the shaft for connecting to a driving tool for driving the screw end into the rigid dental material and for engaging the extension unit after the shaft is anchored into the rigid dental material, the longitudinal connecting bar extending longitudinally transversely to the shaft; and said indexing extension unit comprising: (i) a base portion having an outer circumferential surface and a multi-faceted internal circumferential surface, and end surfaces extending transversely to the outer and internal circumferential surfaces, the multi-faceted internal surface at least partially defining a central aperture extending through the base portion, the shaft extending through the central aperture so that the multi-faceted driving/retaining portion of the shaft engages the multi-faceted internal circumferential surface of the extension unit, and thus releasably but nonrotatably engaging the second retaining/driving portion of the shaft in any of a plurality of desired angular juxtapositions; and (ii) at least one pair of arms extending from said base, each from a location spaced radially outwardly from the internal circumferential surface, and forming a slot therebetween, for engaging and supporting one end of the connecting bar, the connecting bar also engaging and being supported by the indexing extension unit of a second module; the connecting bar being sufficiently flexible to form a closed loop around at least one arm of at least one extension unit; the multi-faceted internal circumferential surface permitting the nonrotatable engaging of the retaining end in different angular juxtapositions so as to orient the slot in a desired direction; each extension unit being releasably secured to the shaft by the locking cap, which acts without interfering with the connecting bar or the arms; wherein the rigid prosthetic dental bridge foundation is formed which can be supported on and removably secured to the combination of at least two shafts.