Abstract:
The present invention relates to dental implants and provides a flexible core abutment system using an implantable base member, a flexible inner core and an outer shell for receiving a restoration wherein the flexibility of the abutment simulates the shock absorbing properties typically provided by the ligaments of natural teeth.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to independent dental endosteal implants and, more specifically, to an abutment assembly that provides flexibility to the restoration without compromising the integrity and biologic requirements of passing through soft tissue and attaching to the implant. 
     One disadvantage of the prior art is that the feel of masticating different food items is different on implants. Another is that the mastication seems louder to the patient. Furthermore, when seating the crowns and bridges, the slightest misfit will prevent complete seating due to the lack of any flexibility. Another disadvantage of the prior art is that when implants are used next to natural teeth, if they are at the level of the natural teeth, they feel high and in premature occlusion as soon as the teeth are subjected to occlusional forces. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome these drawbacks by presenting an abutment assembly having a flexible nylon core to provide versatility to the implantation and usage of restorations. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other implant devices designed for the oral cavity. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,696 issued to Kasama et al. on Mar. 9, 1982. 
     Another patent was issued to Shimura et al. on Sep. 18, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,437. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,755 was issued to Fukuda on Dec. 29, 1992 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 18, 1996 to Willoughby as U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,182. 
     Another patent was issued to Willoughby on Feb. 23, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,721. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,505 was issued to Ford on Sep. 21, 1999. Another was issued to Willoughby on Sep. 4, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,753 and still yet another was published on Oct. 21, 2004 to Ilan as U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0209228. 
     Another patent was issued to Sapian on Nov. 27, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,282. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,152 was issued to Ford et al. on Mar. 23, 2010. Another application was published to Zhou on Feb. 27, 2008 as Chinese Patent Application Publication No. CN201026242 and still yet another application was published on Dec. 2, 2009 to Baruc as European Patent Application Publication No. EP2127612.
         U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,696   Inventor: Katsumi Kasama et al.   Issued: Mar. 9, 1982       

     The present invention provides an implant artificial denture comprising an intra-ossal implant implanted in the jaw, an elastic material fitted over the head of the intra-ossal implant, a crown of tooth and, if required, a receiver fitted over the head of the intra-ossteal implant, wherein the receiver prevents the elastic material from falling off when chewing and masticatory pressure or shock is applied thereto and the elastic material absorbs the chewing and masticatory pressure or shock applied thereto to prevent lesion of the surrounding tissue, and further provides an implant artificial denture equipped with a chewing load limit sensing device incorporated therein, which aids in preventing lesion of the surrounding tissue.
         U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,437   Inventor: Kaizo Shimura et al.   Issued: Sep. 18, 1990       

     An artificial tooth comprises a contacting member formed of a composite material having compatibility with living tissues and disposed at an outer portion of the artificial tooth to be contacted with alveolar bone, a metal base member having an opening therein and disposed inside of and attached to the contacting member, a metal post inserted into the opening of the metal base member and at least two elastic buffer members disposed in a space between the metal base member and the metal post. The composite material having compatibility with living tissues contains 40 to 95% by weight of a calcium phosphate compound and 60 to 5% by weight of an organic polymer. Each of the elastic buffer members is spaced apart for movably receiving the metal post by which pressure imposed upon the artificial tooth is transmitted.
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,755   Inventor: Hiroshi Fukuda   Issued: Dec. 29, 1992       

     A dental implant comprising an artificial root which is embedded in a jaw bone and a post to which an artificial tooth is attached, wherein a stress absorbing member made of a super elastic material is provided in at least a part of the implant between the artificial root and the post. Preferably, a stress absorbing system consisting of a super elastic material member and a polymeric material member is employed.
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,182   Inventor: Andrew J. M. Willoughby   Issued: Jun. 18, 1996       

     Dental implant abutment systems, related devices, and implantology processes and techniques. The abutment systems include a base that is adapted to mount in nonrotating fashion on any desired dental implant, root form or blade, from any supplier, together with a fixation screw which secures the base to the implant. A core, to which an abutment is cast in customized shape and form as desired is attached to the base preferably in threaded fashion and secured with an appropriate antirotational mechanism. Alternatively, the core and abutment may be formed using CAM processes. Such abutment systems, unlike prevalent conventional systems, do not require a central access bore in the core or abutment components, and they occupy significantly less volume than conventional abutments. Accordingly, abutment systems according to the present invention more flexibly accommodate a wide range of axial inclinations between implant and the overlying crown or prosthesis, preclude loosening of fixation screws, allow precision attachments to be included in the abutments for providing virtually completely passively fitting patient removable prostheses, and save considerable time, effort and expense because of the added simplicity and lower parts inventory required. Also disclosed are tapered gingivectomy procedures for replicating natural tooth emergence which is enhanced by abutments according to the present invention, together with precision attachments, impression copings and analogs, and other peripheral components useful with systems and techniques of the present invention.
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,721   Inventor: Andrew J. M. Willoughby   Issued: Feb. 23, 1999       

     Dental implant abutment systems, related devices, and implantology processes and techniques. The abutment systems include a base that is adapted to mount in non-rotating fashion on any desired dental implant, root form or blade, from any supplier, together with a fixation screw which secures the base to the implant. A core, to which an abutment is cast in customized shape and form as desired is attached to the base preferably in threaded fashion and secured with an appropriate anti-rotational mechanism. Alternatively, the core and abutment may be formed using CAM processes. Such abutment systems, unlike prevalent conventional systems, do not require a central access bore in the core or abutment components, and they occupy significantly less volume than conventional abutments. Accordingly, abutment systems according to the present invention more flexibly accommodate a wide range of axial inclinations between implant and the overlying crown or prosthesis, preclude loosening of fixation screws, allow precision attachments to be included in the abutments for providing virtually completely passively fitting patient removable prostheses, and save considerable time, effort and expense because of the added simplicity and lower parts inventory required. Also disclosed are tapered gingivectomy procedures for replicating natural tooth emergence which is enhanced by abutments according to the present invention, together with precision attachments, impression copings and analogs, and other peripheral components useful with systems and techniques of the present invention.
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,505   Inventor: Christopher W. Ford   Issued: Sep. 21, 1999       

     The preferred embodiment consists primarily of an anchor for implantation into the patient&#39;s crestal bone or other suitable bony structure, an insert which is flexibly received within the anchor and would be mounted so as to allow modulation of forces being transferred from the insert to the anchor. The insert would also act as a platform for mounting the prosthetic or artificial tooth. The prosthesis allows elastic movement of the artificial tooth along three orthogonal axes.
         U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,753   Inventor: Andrew J. M. Willoughby   Issued: Sep. 4, 2001       

     Dental implant abutment systems, related devices, and implantology processes and techniques. The abutment systems include a base that is adapted to mount in nonrotating fashion on any desired dental implant, root form or blade, from any supplier, together with a fixation screw which secures the base to the implant. A core, to which an abutment is cast in customized shape and form as desired is attached to the base preferably in threaded fashion and secured with an appropriate antirotational mechanism. Alternatively, the core and abutment may be formed using CAM processes. Such abutment systems, unlike prevalent conventional systems, do not require a central access bore in the core or abutment components, and they occupy significantly less volume than conventional abutments. Accordingly, abutment systems according to the present invention more flexibly accommodate a wide range of axial inclinations between implant and the overlying crown or prosthesis, preclude loosening of fixation screws, allow precision attachments to be included in the abutments for providing virtually completely passively fitting patient removable prostheses, and save considerable time, effort and expense because of the added simplicity and lower parts inventory required. Also disclosed are tapered gingivectomy procedures for replicating natural tooth emergence which is enhanced by abutments according to the present invention, together with precision attachments, impression copings and analogs, and other peripheral components useful with systems and techniques of the present invention.
         U.S. Patent Number 2004/0209228   Inventor: Daniel Ilan   Published: Oct. 21, 2004       

     The present invention relates to a polymeric implant, especially useful for dental medicine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymerizable device comprising an artificial tooth&#39;s root and an abutment anchored therein and to a kit comprising interalia the same. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting said implant in the alveolar bore of previously extracted tooth.
         U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,282   Inventor: Schubert L. Sapian   Issued: Nov. 27, 2007       

     A biofunctional dental implant wherein a crown portion is connected to a root portion without the use of the conventional short screws, or the like. A flexible abutment projects upwardly from the root portion, and the crown portion is positioned in surrounding engagement with the flexible abutment. A threaded abutment post is advanced through the flexible abutment and into receipt by the root portion. The advancement of the abutment post through the flexible abutment generates an outward pushing force for causing a plurality of flexible splines of the abutment to bend outwardly and into engagement with an elastomeric cap of the crown portion for holding the crown portion atop the root portion. In one preferred embodiment, a replacement crown portion is detachably connected to an existing root portion by way of a removable abutment screw so as to enable a broken or worn crown portion to be removed and replaced without the need for a new surgery.
         U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,152   Inventor: Christopher W. Ford   Issued: Mar. 23, 2010       

     A dental implant assembly (20) including a core body (40, 140, 240, 340, 440) for engaging a tooth-replicating device (52). The core body (40, 140, 240, 340, 440) is disposed in an anchor body (24, 124, 224, 424), and a screw cap body (58) is disposed about the outer attachment surface (30, 130, 230, 430) of the anchor body (24, 124, 224, 424). The screw cap body (58) engages the bone (22) of a person to support the dental implant assembly (20) and holds the core body (40, 140, 240, 340, 440) and the anchor body (24, 124, 224, 424) together.
         China Patent Application Publication No. CN201026242   Inventor: Fengjian Zhou et al.   Published: Feb. 27, 2008       

     The utility model pertains to the oral medicine technical field, in particular to the dental implant technique. To reduce the troublesome process of the dental implant operation, the pile body and the base pile of present two-section dental implant are combined into an integrated dental implant. The integrated dental implant is divided into a root part and a coronal part, wherein the root part is provided with external screw threads and the root part can also be made into a branching root with 1-4 dental feet. The combined dental implant is made of nylon material or aramid fiber. Compared with prior two-section dental implant, the utility model has the advantage that the operation is more easy and convenient; the patient&#39;s pain is less; the operation is time saving and can be successful at one time; the price is lower, greatly reducing the period of treatment and the weight; and the load on the jaw bone is relieved. In use, the dental implant is very easy to hone into shape, so that the operation is more convenient and fast and the patient is more comfortable.
         European Patent Application Publication EP2127612   Inventor: Daniel Baruc   Issued: Dec. 2, 2009       

     An abutment assembly device (115) comprises an abutment (122) for supporting a dental prosthesis (102). The abutment (122) includes a supporting surface (124) and an internal cavity with a rimmed opening, a hollow retainer wherein at least a portion of the retainer is flexible allowing that portion of the retainer to be inserted through the rimmed opening and snap into position retained by the rimmed opening. A screw for engaging the abutment assembly device (115) with an implant is provided, comprising a screw body and a screw head, wherein the screw head is wider than the screw body so that when the screw is inserted through the retainer and the retainer is retained by the rimmed opening, the screw head is retained by the retainer. 
     There are other dental endosteal implant abutments for replacing missing teeth. While these implants may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system having a flexible inner core. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein said flexible core is nested between an outer shell and an abutment base. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein said abutment base further comprises a post projecting from the bottom portion thereof for fixture to implant. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein the restoration is solidly attached to the outer shell of the abutment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein said inner core is manufactured of a bio-compatible flexible material, like nylon. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein said flexible material provides biocompatibility and flexibility while maintaining the stringent requirements of implant abutments in terms of rigidity, bio-compatibility and bondability to restorations. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system providing a similar feel as natural teeth while masticating. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system allowing for complete seating of restorationseven with a slight misfit. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system that avoids premature occlusion when used next to natural teeth. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system wherein the flexibility provided by the flexible core enables implants to be connected directly to natural teeth. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment system that reduces the shocks of occlusional forces on the implants which contribute and encourage bone loss around the body of the implant that may ultimately result in the loss of integration. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an abutment assembly that is safe and durable in an oral environment. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a flexible core abutment system comprising a base member, a flexible inner core and an outer shell for receiving a restoration wherein the flexibility of the abutment simulates the elastic properties typically provided by the ligaments of natural teeth. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an orthographic view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded sectional view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an assembled view of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Flexible Core Abutment Assembly of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Flexible Core Abutment Assembly of the present invention     11  fastener aperture of  10       12  abutment base     13  body of  12       14  anti-rotational shape     16  head of  12       18  flexible core     20  outer shell     22  gum line     24  bone     26  restoration     28  titanium     30  zirconium     32  nylon or any other flexible material     34  adhesive or mechanical retention     36  base retaining flange     38  flange of  18       40  flange of  20       42  exterior surface of  20       44  interior surface of  20       46  exterior surface of  18       48  interior surface of  18       50  outer shell cavity     52  flexible core cavity     54  base of  16       56  access recesses     58  implant post     60  mechanical retention       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  shown is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention is a flexible core abutment assembly that is fastened to an implant post  58 . The flexible core abutment assembly  10  comprises an abutment base  12  with a substantially flared body  13  an anti-rotational structure  14  projecting downwardly therefrom providing an anti-rotational feature of the abutment base and a head  16  projecting upwards therefrom, a flexible core  18  and an outer shell  20  with a fastener aperture  11  passing longitudinally through the assembly forming means for anchoring the abutment assembly  10  to the implant post  58 . The restoration  26  is fixedly attached to outer shell  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective view of the present invention. The components of the abutment assembly  10  comprise an outer shell  20 , flexible core  18  and an abutment base  12  with an anti-rotational structure  14  projecting downward therefrom with a fastener aperture  11  passing longitudinally through said assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is an orthographic view of the present invention. Illustrated is the assembled abutment assembly  10  comprising an outer shell  20 , flexible core  18  and an abutment base  12  having a hex  14  shape providing an anti-rotational feature to said abutment assembly  10  when fixedly attached to the aforementioned implant post. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is a bottom view of the present invention, taken from  FIG. 3  as indicated. Illustrated is a bottom view of the abutment assembly  10  showing the outer shell  20 , flexible core  18  and abutment base  12  with protruding abutment hex  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is a cross sectional view, taken from  FIG. 3  as indicated, of the abutment assembly  10 . Depicted are the mating surfaces of the nested outer shell  20 , flexible core  18  and abutment base  12  bonded together with an adhesive element  34 . The flexible core  18  is preferably manufactured of a nylon material  32  to provide flexibility and the abutment base  12  and outer shell  20  are preferably manufactured of titanium  28  or zirconium  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , shown is a partial exploded view of the abutment assembly  10 . Shown is the flexible core  18  bonded to the abutment base  12  with an adhesive element  34  and the outer shell  20  prepared to be secured to the flexible core  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is an exploded sectional view of the abutment assembly  10  of the present invention. Shown is the abutment base  12  having a body  13  with an angular downwardly flared retaining platform  36  extending peripherally from the base  54  and the flexible core  18  with a flared peripheral angular flange  38  to be seated on the retaining platform  36 . The outer shell  20  has a mating peripheral projection defining a corresponding shell flange  40  to be seated on said core flange  38 . The outer shell  20  has an exterior surface  42  for receiving the restoration and an interior surface  44  defining a shell cavity  50  for receiving the exterior surface  46  of the flexible core  18 . The core  18  has an exterior surface  46  corresponding with the interior surface  44  of said outer shell  20  and an interior surface  48  defining a core cavity  52  corresponding with the head  16  of said abutment base  12 . Access recesses  56  are provided to allow entry into shell cavity  50  and core cavity  52 . It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is an exploded sectional view of the abutment assembly  10  of the present invention. The abutment base  12  having body  13  provides a mechanical retention element  60  in the form of a roughened or threaded surface covering head  16  through the downwardly angular flared retaining platform  36  extending peripherally along the base  54 . The outer shell  20  has a mating peripheral projection defining a corresponding shell flange  40  to be seated on said core flange  38 . The outer shell  20  has an exterior surface  42  for receiving the restoration and an interior surface  44  which also provides a mechanical retention element  60  in the form of a roughened or threaded surface defining a shell cavity  50  for receiving the exterior surface  46  of the core  18 . The core  18  has an exterior surface  46  corresponding with the interior surface  44  of said outer shell  20  and an interior surface  48  defining a core cavity  52  corresponding with the head  16  of said abutment base  12 . Access recesses  56  are provided to allow entry into shell cavity  50  and core cavity  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , shown is a sectional view of the abutment assembly  10 . Depicted are the mating surfaces of the nested outer shell  20 , flexible core  18  and abutment base  12  fixedly attached through micro mechanical locking or thread  60 . The core  18  is preferably manufactured of a nylon material  32  to provide flexibility and the abutment base  12  and outer shell  20  are preferably manufactured of titanium  28  or zirconium  30 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.