Abstract:
An anchoring receiver is implanted into a jaw bone region of a user and a novel screw and false tooth may be threadably inserted into the anchoring receiver. As the screw and false tooth member is screwed into the anchoring receiver, a biasible slit that bifurcates a bottom portion of the anchoring receiver may expand outwardly and against the jaw bone region of the user, thus providing a cost effective artificial tooth assembly having improved stability and firmness.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/828,395, filed May 29, 2013 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to the field of tooth implant devices and more specifically relates to an anchor and tooth-screw system. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    When a person needs one or a few teeth replaced, it can be an expensive and complicated process. The person generally has to get costly, elaborate surgery. Another common option is to use an entire set of dentures, which many find objectionable and overly burdensome. 
         [0008]    It is commonly understood in the medical art that bone implants are useful for affixing a prosthetic piece in a bone, in replacement of any lacking natural bone or related piece. Such implants are pervasively used in dental restoration operations or surgeries but typically require multiple procedures, a prolonged healing process, and are costly. Additionally, implants such as false teeth placed into implanted or natural bone require firm and precise positioning within the bone so that the tooth implant is permanently fixed; on the other hand, the successful permanent affixing of such tooth implant results in unnatural restriction of the false tooth within the jaw or gum. 
         [0009]    Thus, a need exists for improved implant systems and techniques overcoming at least the above mentioned challenges. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages, the present invention provides a novel anchor and tooth-screw system comprising an expanding anchor which can be embedded in the jawbone region of a user. Preferably, the anchor can be directly placed into a hole or cavity left by an extracted tooth. Thereafter, the screw of a false tooth assembly is screwed into the anchor, which in turn expands within a user&#39;s jaw for a snug fit. Consequently, the present invention may eliminate a need for bone replacement surgery or use of dentures to replace a single tooth. 
         [0011]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a tooth anchoring assembly. The tooth anchoring assembly preferably includes an anchoring receiver and an artificial tooth assembly. The tooth anchoring assembly is structured and arranged to implant into a jaw bone region of a user. 
         [0012]    The tooth anchoring assembly preferably comprises at least one anchoring receiver comprising a receiver body including a screw-receiving end, an inserting end coupled to the receiver body, and at least one gum engager. The receiver body preferably comprises plastic, more preferably FDA approved plastic for conforming to regulatory public health standards. In a preferred embodiment, such plastic may comprise polyetheretherketone which may essentially consist of a colorless organic thermoplastic polymer having high resistance to thermal degradation. The inserting end preferably comprises an outer thread located on an exterior of the inserting end. The inserting end also preferably comprises at least one biasable slit. The at least one gum engager is structured and arranged to provide friction between the receiver body of the anchoring receiver and a gum area of the user. Further, while the at least one gum engager is structured and arranged to generally inhibit the receiver body from relative movement, the gum engager still allows for slight movement, simulating the flexibility of a natural tooth. 
         [0013]    The artificial tooth assembly preferably comprises a false tooth member coupled to a screw which is structured and arranged to support the tooth member. Preferably the false tooth member is customizable to fit within a tooth-gap space inside the mouth of the user. The false tooth member may be structured and arranged to substitute for any type of tooth, including an incisor tooth, a canine tooth, a premolar tooth, and a molar tooth. 
         [0014]    The anchor and tooth-screw system may comprise a kit including the tooth anchoring assembly comprising at least one component selected from the anchoring receiver and the artificial tooth assembly. 
         [0015]    A method of using an anchor and tooth-screw system may comprise the steps of: implanting an anchoring receiver into a jaw bone region of a user; and screwing a screw of an artificial tooth assembly into a screw-receiving end of the anchoring receiver thus causing an outward expansion of the biasable slit of the receiver body of the anchoring receiver. 
         [0016]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an anchor and tooth-screw system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, anchor and tooth-screw systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a dental procedure utilizing an anchor and tooth-screw system comprising a tooth anchoring assembly structured and arranged to implant into a jaw bone region of a user according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating an anchoring receiver of the tooth anchoring assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the anchoring receiver of  FIG. 2A , illustrating an interior view of the anchoring receiver. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view illustrating a false tooth assembly comprising a false tooth member structured and arranged to substitute for an incisor tooth. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view illustrating the false tooth member of the artificial tooth assembly structured and arranged to substitute for a canine tooth. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view illustrating the false tooth member of the artificial tooth assembly structured and arranged to substitute for a premolar tooth. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3D  is a perspective view illustrating the false tooth member of the artificial tooth assembly structured and arranged to substitute for a molar tooth. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an artificial tooth implant procedure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the artificial tooth assembly is shown being screwed into an implanted anchoring receiver. The anchoring receiver is illustrated as expanding outwardly in the jaw bone region of the user during the implant procedure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the anchor and tooth-screw system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a one-piece anchor and false tooth screw and more particularly to an anchor and tooth-screw system as used to improve tooth implants. 
         [0029]    Generally speaking, anchor and tooth-screw systems may comprise a single-tooth dental implant utilizing an anchor and a screw to create a custom fit for each individual user. The anchor and tooth-screw system may comprise a false tooth comprising a built-in screw protruding from a bottom of the false tooth, and an expanding anchor. The tooth may be fabricated from a material comparable to standard dentures or false tooth implants as understood by those with familiarity in the art. The anchor is preferably constructed from a moldable material, preferably plastic, more preferably from FDA-approved plastic. The screw of the false tooth is screwed inside of the anchor, which is placed within the patient&#39;s gum. As the tooth is screwed into the anchor, the anchor preferably expands to fill the opening within the jaw (e.g. the opening left by an extracted tooth). The design may come in different shades, shapes and sizes to accommodate all teeth. 
         [0030]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  an anchor and tooth-screw system  100  comprising tooth anchoring assembly  105  structured and arranged to implant into a jaw bone region  410  of a user (“patient”)  140  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that anchoring assembly  105  may comprise anchor and tooth-screw system  100 , and anchoring receiver  110  and artificial tooth assembly  120  may comprise in combination tooth anchoring assembly  105 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a dental procedure  150  whereby a dentist  145  (“technician”) may insert artificial tooth assembly  120  into anchoring receiver  110  of tooth anchoring assembly  105  such that false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  is secured and anchored firmly to substitute for a tooth which may have been extracted from the mouth of user  140 . 
         [0032]    In referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , tooth anchoring assembly  105  may generally comprise anchoring receiver  110  comprising receiver body  200  including a screw-receiving end  204 , a jaw inserting end  206  (“jaw engaging portion”), and at least one gum engager  230 . Inserting end  206  of anchoring receiver  110  may be structured and arranged to fixedly implant into jaw bone region  410  of user  140 , preferably via outer thread  210  of anchoring receiver  110 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , end  206  may comprise outer thread  210  located on an exterior of end  206 . End  206  may further comprise a biasable slit  220 . Biasable slit  220  may bifurcate at least a portion of outer thread  210  of anchoring receiver  110 . Biasable slit  220  is preferably structured and arranged to cause at least a portion of end  206  to expand outwardly against jaw area  410  of user  140  when a screw  310  (“false tooth supporting member”) of artificial tooth assembly  120  is being screwed and tightened such that tooth anchoring assembly  105  is firmly implanted to maintain dental integrity, as shown best in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0034]    Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that although jaw-inserting end is illustrated concentrically threaded, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other configurations may suffice. (e.g. end  206  may be molded to conform to the cavity in the jaw, or may have spiral threads other other jagged design, etc.) 
         [0035]    In continuing to refer to  FIG. 2A , gum engager  230  may comprise at least one protrusion located about an exterior of screw-receiving end  204  of anchoring receiver  110 . It should be appreciated that gum engager  230  is structured and arranged to provide friction between receiver body  200  of anchoring receiver  110  and gum area  420  of said user  140  thus restricting rotation of receiver body  200  within the jaw. To this end, gum engager  230  preferably includes a somewhat jagged design, such as the multiple crests shown in the figures. Additionally, gum engager  230  is preferably structured and arranged to allow a small degree of flexibility simulating a natural tooth. According to one preferred embodiment, receiver body  200  includes four (4) gum engagers  230  located circumferentially about an exterior of receiver body  200  of anchoring receiver  110 . Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other designs, including a different number of engagers, various shapes, and placement configurations, varying degrees of flexibility, etc. may suffice. 
         [0036]    In referring now to  FIG. 2B  showing a perspective view illustrating an interior view of anchoring receiver  110  preferably comprising an inner thread  222  which is preferably spiral. As shown, inner thread  222  is located within an inner volume of screw-receiving end  204  of anchoring receiver  110 . It should be appreciated that the inner thread may provide a supplemental tracking for enabling screw  310  of artificial tooth assembly  120  to be fixedly guided into anchoring receiver  110 . 
         [0037]    Preferably anchoring receiver  110  comprises a moldable material such as plastic, and more preferably FDA approved plastic for conforming to regulatory public health standards. Further, such FDA approved plastic may be biodegradable for environmentally friendly disposability. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment of anchor and tooth-screw systems  100 , the FDA approved plastic may comprise polyetherketone polymer compounds having chemical resistance properties for wear resistance from acidic-based consumables. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of anchor and tooth-screw systems  100 , the FDA approved plastic may comprise silicone having low toxicity for minimizing toxic intake. 
         [0040]    In yet another embodiment of anchor and tooth-screw systems  100 , the FDA approved plastic may comprise polyethylenes having chemical resistance properties for wear resistance realized from gentle oxidants and reducing agents. 
         [0041]    In still another embodiment of anchor and tooth-screw systems  100 , the FDA approved plastic may comprise polyetheretherketone comprising a colorless organic thermoplastic polymer having high resistance to thermal degradation. 
         [0042]    Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other materials may suffice. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3D , artificial tooth assembly  120  may comprise false tooth member  300  and a false tooth support member, preferably comprising screw  310 , structured and arranged to support false tooth member  300 . False tooth member  300  and screw  310  may comprise in combination artificial tooth assembly  120 . As shown, screw  310  may be integrally mounted to a bottom portion of false tooth member  300 . Screw  310  may be structured and arranged to threadably-insert into screw-receiving end  204  of anchoring receiver  110 . It should be noted that false tooth member  300  may comprise a variety of shades, tints, colors, shapes, sizes, profiles, and sharpness or dullness, and may be custom molded to match the patient&#39;s natural tooth. Such tooth may be molded according to any currently known method, or method(s) which may be developed in the future. Additionally, a premade custom or generically sized tooth may be further shaped (e.g. chiseled) according to any known current of future method, according to the needs of the particular patient. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A  illustrating false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  structured and arranged to substitute for incisor tooth  322  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, tooth member  300  may comprise an appearance and profile to substitute for incisor tooth  322  located in the premaxilla above and on the mandible below. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 3B  illustrating false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  structured and arranged to substitute for canine tooth  324  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, false tooth member  300  may comprise an appearance and profile to substitute for canine tooth  324  located in the maxillary bone. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 3C  illustrating false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  structured and arranged to substitute for premolar tooth  326  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, false tooth member  300  may comprise an appearance and profile to substitute for premolar tooth  326  located between the canine and molar teeth. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 3D  illustrating false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  structured and arranged to substitute for molar tooth  328  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As shown, false tooth member  300  may comprise an appearance and profile to substitute for molar tooth  328  generally located toward the back of the mouth. 
         [0048]    Upon reading the teachings of this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., the system may be used to implant more than a single tooth. Additionally, procedures implanting a plurality of false teeth, using less anchoring receivers than the number of teeth implanted, (i.e. a bridge) is within the scope of the invention. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , showing biasable slit  220  of anchoring receiver  110  expanding outwardly in jaw bone region  410  of user  140  during ‘in-use’ condition  450  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, when artificial tooth assembly  120  is inserted into anchoring receiver  110  and securely screwed in place, screw  310  preferably causes biasable slit  220  to open causing end  206  to push outwardly against jaw bone region  410  of user  140  such that biasable slit  220  of receiver body  200  acts as an anchor and firmly implants artificial tooth assembly  120  in place. In such a manner, biasable slit  220  affixes anchoring receiver  110  and provides stability to false tooth member  300 . 
         [0050]    It should be appreciated that at least one dimension of false tooth member  300  is customizable to fit within a tooth-gap space inside a mouth of user  140 . In such a manner, false tooth member  300  may be adjustably shaped to fit varying tooth-gap spaces. 
         [0051]    In a preferred method of constructing and preparing anchor and tooth-screw systems  100 , false tooth member  300  and anchor are preferably customized to specifically fit the user. According to one preferred embodiment, each component is producible via at least one 3D printer. The 3D printer preferably prints plastics as described herein that are FDA approved. Other methods of custom product, including methods which become available with emerging technology will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0052]    Anchor and tooth-screw systems  100  may be sold as a kit comprising at least one, and preferably all of the following parts: tooth anchoring assembly  105  comprising anchoring receiver  110  and artificial tooth assembly  120 ; and at least one set of user instructions. The kit may include instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Anchor and tooth-screw systems  100  and/or individual components of the system, may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for anchor and tooth-screw system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , implanting anchoring receiver  110  into jaw bone region  410  of user  140 ; step two  502 , screwing screw  310  of artificial tooth assembly  120  into screw-receiving end  204  of anchoring receiver  110 ; step three  503 , expanding outwardly biasable slit  220  of receiver body  200  of anchoring receiver  110 ; and step four  504 , anchoring false tooth member  300  of artificial tooth assembly  120  into gum area  420  of user  140 . Step one  501  of implanting may be carried out after removing a tooth. Thus, receiver  110  may be implanted in the hole or cavity left pursuant to the extraction. According to one embodiment, receiver  110  may simply be placed in the cavity site. Alternatively, filler material may be utilized depending on the particular need of the patient and/or technician preference. Also alternatively, the cavity site may be prepared (e.g. by drilling, chiseling etc.) as required to accommodate implanting based on specific needs of the patient, size of receiver, technician preference, etc. 
         [0054]    Additionally, according to the above method, any component of the system may be generically prefabricated, customized, adjusted, and/or shaped, etc. 
         [0055]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0056]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.