Abstract:
An implant fixture is disclosed. The implant fixture includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a base portion having a non-circular cross section and a receiver adapted to receive a prosthetic. A root portion extends from the base portion away from the receiver. An extension portion extends from the root portion away from the base portion. The extension portion extends primarily along one side of the longitudinal axis. A kit containing a plurality of implant fixtures having different configurations is also disclosed. Further, a method of inserting the implant fixture into a patient is also disclosed. The method uses piezoelectrically generated energy to seat the implant fixture in the patient&#39;s bone.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/282,929, filed on Nov. 18, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,258. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Dental implants are used to anchor a mechanical fixture, such as a dental prosthesis, into living bone. The implant is embedded into the bone to provide a solid foundation for connecting the dental prosthesis. The implants and their respective dental prostheses serve numerous purposes, such as to assist the user with chewing, to provide a mating surface for an opposing tooth to prevent the loss of the opposing tooth, and to present an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
   Prior to inserting the implant into the bone, the bone must be drilled to provide a recess for the insert to be implanted. Previously, implants were designed to be placed perpendicularly to the bone surface. The location of the implant in the user&#39;s mouth and the amount of mouth opening severely limit the ability to insert the head of the implant perpendicularly to the bone. Due to these limitations, most often, implants are inserted at an angle with respect to the bone surface. The angular insertion of an implant creates two problems: a) the mesial top portion of the implant is inserted too deeply into the bone, and, b) the distal top portion protrudes excessively from the bone. Furthermore, two problems arise at different stages of the treatment. The bone overgrows on the mesial aspect, thus requiring additional osseous surgery to remove excess bone. Later on, on the mesial aspect, the bone continues to resorb in order to accommodate biologic width. Biologic width is approximately 2 millimeters of connective tissue that wraps around a natural tooth or an implant and is constant. Violation of this area creates chronic inflammation and bone resorption. 
   To attempt to compensate for these problems, other prior art implants have been provided that disclose a top face that extends in a single plane oblique to a longitudinal axis of the implant. Such implants provide improved mechanical properties and anchorage but do not address biological fit, the implant exit and its relationship to the gum tissue. It would be beneficial to provide a dental implant having a top face with multiple slants. Slants on the mesiodistal aspect allow an angulated insertion of the top of the implant, having the top of the implant parallel to the bone surface and thus enabling a smooth development of biological width. The facial slant yields better aesthetic results due to the curved outline at the gum level. 
   A still further problem arises with implants after insertion into the mouth. Implants are threaded to secure the implant into the bone. The implants are axially symmetrical in order to enable such threading. Implants that are threaded and axially symmetrical do not anatomically fit the tooth roots, leaving a gap between the implant and bone in the coronal aspect, requiring significant time for healing. Such implants are prone to losing their primary stability, which is an important step in osseointegration. Osseointegration is the process by which the bone grows adjacent to the implant. Placement of an axially asymmetrical implant is less traumatic than the present rotational insertion method of an axially symmetric implant. It would be beneficial to provide an implant that is axially asymmetric and that fits the site of the extraction (body cavity) with little or no gap between implant and bone. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly, the present invention provides an implant fixture. The implant fixture comprises an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a base portion having a non-circular cross section, a receiver adapted to receive a prosthetic. A root portion extends from the base portion away from the receiver. An extension portion extends from the root portion away from the base portion. The extension portion extends primarily along one side of the longitudinal axis. 
   Additionally, the present invention provides a kit comprising a plurality of implant fixtures described above. At least a first implant fixture of the kit has a different configuration from a second implant fixture of the kit. 
   Further, the present invention provides a method of inserting an implant fixture into a body cavity using a piezoelectric insertion tool. The method comprises attaching the implant fixture to the piezoelectric insertion tool; inserting the implant fixture into the body cavity; and seating the implant fixture in the body cavity based on energy from the piezoelectric insertion tool. 
   Also, the present invention provides a device for forming a cavity in a bone. The device comprises a first portion releasably couplable to a piezoelectric insertion tool, a second portion extending along a longitudinal axis, and a flange disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The flange extends along a plurality of planes. At least one of the plurality of planes extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of desired embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently desired. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a mesial side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a distal side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a lingual side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an occlusal view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a mesial side view, partially in section, of the implant shown in  FIG. 1  implanted into bone, with a dental prosthesis coupled to the implant; 
       FIG. 7  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a mesial side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a distal side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a lingual side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an occlusal view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a mesial side view, partially in section, of the implant shown in  FIG. 8  implanted into bone, with a dental prosthesis coupled to the implant; 
       FIG. 14  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a distal view of a first insertion tip used to form a body cavity into which a dental implant shown in any one of  FIGS. 1-14  may be inserted; 
       FIG. 16  is a distal view of a second insertion tip used to expand the body cavity shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a distal view of a third insertion tip used to expand the body cavity shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a distal view of a fourth insertion tip used to expand the body cavity shown in  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  is a mesial side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 21  is a distal side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a lingual side elevational view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 23  is an occlusal view of the dental implant shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a facial side elevational view of a dental implant according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 25  is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, of the implant of  FIGS. 19-23  implanted into bone; 
       FIG. 26  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of a kit of implants according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 27  is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a kit of implants according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 28  is a mesial view of a fifth insertion tip being used to prepare a body cavity to receive the implant of  FIGS. 19-23 ; 
       FIG. 29  is a mesial view of a sixth insertion tip being used to further prepare the body cavity of  FIG. 28  to receive the implant of  FIGS. 19-23 ; 
       FIG. 30  is a mesial view of a seventh insertion tip being used to further prepare the body cavity of  FIG. 29  to receive the implant of  FIGS. 19-23 ; 
       FIG. 31  is a mesial view of an eighth insertion tip being used to further prepare the body cavity of  FIG. 30  to receive the implant of  FIGS. 19-23 ; 
       FIG. 32  is a side elevational view of a piezoelectric insertion tool being coupled to the implant of  FIGS. 19-23 ; and 
       FIG. 33  is a flow chart illustrating the steps performed to insert the implant of  FIGS. 19-23  into a patient. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The term “facial” is defined to mean a direction closer to the lips and cheek of the user. The term “lingual” is defined to mean a direction closer to the tongue of the user. The term “mesial” is defined to mean a direction closer to an imaginary centerline of the mouth of the user. The term “distal” is defined to mean a direction farther from the imaginary centerline of the mouth. The term “occlusal” is defined to mean the top surface, such as the chewing surface, of a tooth. Further, as used herein, the term “configuration” is defined to mean size and/or shape. The following describes desired embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the desired embodiments of the invention. 
   Referring generally to the figures, several embodiments of a dental implant according to the present invention are shown. Dental implants are used to provide an anchor in a mouth for a prosthetic tooth, also known as a crown. 
     FIGS. 1-5  show five different views of an implant  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a facial view;  FIG. 2  is a mesial view;  FIG. 3  is a distal view;  FIG. 4  is a lingual view; and  FIG. 5  is an occlusal view of implant  100 .  FIG. 6  shows a partial sectional view of the mesial view of implant  100  having been inserted into a bone  50 , with a prosthetic tooth or crown  60  connected to implant  100 . 
   Referring to any of  FIGS. 1-6 , implant  100  includes a body  102  having a first end  110 , a second end  120 , and a longitudinal axis  130  extending between first end  110  and second end  120 . First end  110  includes a top face  112 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , desirably, top face  112  is generally annularly shaped with an opening  114  extending inward along longitudinal axis  130 . Opening  114  provides a connection into which prosthetic tooth  60  is coupled. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , top face  112  includes a first portion  132  that is slanted at a first angle β 1  relative to longitudinal axis  130 . Desirably, first portion  132  extends obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  130 . First portion  132  forms a slanted mesiodistal face. Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , top face  112  also includes a second portion  134  that is slanted at a second angle β 2  relative to longitudinal axis  130 . Second portion  134  forms a slanted facial face. Second portion  134  extends obliquely to longitudinal axis  130  and also at an angle to first portion  132 . Second portion  134  may be slanted obliquely relative to first portion  132 , or alternatively, second portion  134  may extend perpendicularly to first portion  132 . Both slanted mesiodistal face and facial face may have angles β 1 , β 2  that vary from shallow to steep, depending on the facial contours of the patient into which implant  100  is being inserted. Desirably, each angle β 1 , β 2  extends between about 5 degrees and 45 degrees relative to longitudinal centerline  130 , although those skilled in the art will recognize that angles β 1 , β 2  may extend at different angles as well. Further, while first and second portions  132 ,  134  are depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  6  to extend approximately one half of top face  112 , those skilled in the art will recognize that first and second portions  132 ,  134  may extend along different distances of top face  112 . 
   With first and second portions  132 ,  134  slanting at different angles β 1 , β 2 , top face  112  can be said to have a compound slant relative to longitudinal axis  130 . For implant  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the compound slant is a mesiodistal slant and a facial slant. Only a mesiodistal slant and a facial slant will satisfy the clinical requirements of both aesthetics and functionality for implant  100 . These slants allow implant  100  to obtain perfect or near perfect alignment with the coronal part of the edentulous ridge of bone  50  after insertion. 
   Top face  112  also includes a third portion  133  that is slanted at a third angle β 3  relative to longitudinal axis  130 . Third portion  133  forms a lingual face. While third angle β 3  is shown in  FIG. 2  as extending approximately 90 degrees between lingual face and longitudinal axis  130 , those skilled in the art will recognize that angle β 3  may be more or less than 90 degrees. 
   Top face  112  is formed by a first plane P 1  that extends along first portion  132  and out of the plane of  FIG. 1  obliquely to longitudinal axis  130  along both a mesiodistal plane and also in a facial plane, and also a second plane P 2  that extends along second portion  134  and out of the plane of  FIG. 2  obliquely to longitudinal axis  130  along both the mesiodistal plane and also in a lingual plane. As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , both planes P 1 , P 2  extend obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  130 . An intersection of planes P 1  and P 2  form a line that extends oblique to longitudinal axis  130 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , body  102  desirably includes a highly polished collar  140  that extends approximately 0.5 mm from first end  110  toward second end  120 . Polished collar  140  allows the development of natural gingival sulcus around implant  100 . A rougher surface  142  desirably extends approximately 1.5 mm below collar  140  toward second end  120 . Rougher surface  142  accommodates biologic width of connective tissue  52  that typically surrounds a living tooth and provides a surface for connective tissue  52  to grow into after implant  100  is inserted into bone  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , second end  120  is generally tapered from smaller to larger in a direction toward first end  110 . Second end  120  is also closed with a rounded tip  122 . Second end  120  also includes external threads  124  to form a threaded connection that may be used to secure implant  100  into bone  50 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6  only, implant  100  is shown inserted into bone  50 . Since implant  100  includes external threads  124 , implant  100  may be screwed into bone  50  to provide a secure connection of implant  100  with bone  50 . 
   After implant  300  is inserted into bone  50 , crown  80  is secured to implant  300 . Crown  80  includes a recess  82  extending longitudinally therethrough. A bottom part of recess  82  narrows, forming a lip  89 . A coupling, such as a screw  86 , is inserted through recess  82  and extends beyond crown  80  and into opening  314  for a threaded connection with mating threads (not shown) in opening  314 . Screw  86  engages lip  89  to retain the head of screw  86  within recess  82 . Bottom surface  84  of crown  80  is contoured to mate with top face  312  of implant  300  to provide a close fit between crown  80  and implant  300 . After crown  80  is screwed onto implant  300 , a filler  90  is inserted into recess  82  to cover screw  86 . 
   While external threads  124  provide a desired connection between implant  100  and bone  50 , those skilled in the art will recognize that external threads  124  may be omitted, as seen in implant  200  shown in  FIG. 7 . Implant  200  includes a rough surface body  202 . Body  202  may be press-fit into bone and may optionally be secured to bone with an adhesive (not shown). A top face  212  desirably has the same compound slant as top face  112  described above. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8-12 , facial, mesial, distal, lingual, and occlusal views, respectively, of an alternate embodiment of an implant  300  are shown. Implant  300  includes a body  302  having a first end  310 , a second end  320 , and a longitudinal axis  330  extending between first end  310  and second end  320 . First end  310  includes a top face  312 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , desirably, top face  312  is generally annularly shaped with an opening  314  extending inward along longitudinal axis  330 . 
   An external connection  316  extends upward from top face  312 , away from body  302 . External connection  316  provides an alternate manner by which a crown  80 , shown in  FIG. 13 , may be affixed to implant  300 . Crown  80  includes a recess  82  that extends from the bottom of crown  80  upward. Recess  82  is sized to accept external connection  316  such that a bottom surface  84  of crown  80  rests on top face  312  of implant  300 . Bottom surface  84  of crown  80  is contoured to mate with top face  312  to provide a close fit between crown  80  and implant  300 . 
   After implant  300  is inserted into bone  50 , crown  80  is secured to implant  300 . Crown  80  includes a passage  82  extending longitudinally therethrough. A bottom part of passage  82  narrows, forming a lip  89 . A coupling, such as a screw  86 , is inserted through passage  82  and extends beyond crown  80  and into opening  314  for a threaded connection with mating threads (not shown) in opening  314 . Screw  86  engages lip  89  to retain the head of screw  86  within passage  82 . Bottom surface  84  of crown  80  is contoured to mate with top face  312  of implant  300  to provide a close fit between crown  80  and implant  300 . After crown  80  is screwed onto implant  300 , a filler  90  is inserted into passage  82  to cover screw  86 . 
   Although implant  300  is shown in  FIGS. 8-11  and  13  with threads  324 , those skilled in the art will recognize that threads  324  may be omitted, such as in implant  400 , shown in  FIG. 14 , which is similar to implant  200  shown in  FIG. 7 , having a rough surface body  402 , but with an external connection  416  extending upward from a top face  412 . 
   Desirably, implants  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  are constructed from titanium, ceramic, or some other suitable biocompatible material. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that implants  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  may be used to replace any tooth within a patient&#39;s mouth, and are not specific to any region in the mouth as long as the diameter of implants  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  are varied and the angulations of top faces  112 ,  212 ,  312 ,  412  of each respective implant  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  is varied according to the particular contours of the region. 
   Exemplary tools  1000  that may be used to form a body cavity  80  in bone  50  into which implants  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  are to be inserted are shown in  FIGS. 15-18 . Tools  1000  may be supplied together in the form of a kit or, alternatively, tools  1000  may be provided separately. 
   Tools  1000  include a first tip  1010 , a second tip  1030 , a third tip  1050 , and a fourth tip  1070 . Although four tips  1010 ,  1030 ,  1050 , and  1070  are disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that tools  1000  may include more or less than four tips. 
   First tip  1010  includes a shaft  1012  that is releasably coupled to free end  1102  of piezoelectric tool  1100 . Shaft  1012  bends approximately ninety degrees with a first end  1012   a  coupled to piezoelectric tool  1100  and a second end  1012   b  extending along a longitudinal axis  1013 . Second end  1012   b  of shaft  1012  is connected to a generally circular flange  1014 . Flange  1014  is formed along at least two planes, P 3 , P 4  to mimic the compound angle of first end  110  of implant  100 . At least one of planes P 3 , P 4  extends obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  1013 .  FIG. 15  shows planes P 3  and P 4  intersecting at bend  1015 . 
   As shown in each of  FIGS. 15-18 , the portion of bone  50  to the left side of tool  1000  is slightly higher than the portion of bone  50  to the right side of tool  1000 . Bend  1015  in flange  1014  allows an operator to maintain an approximately even spacing between bone  50  and flange  1014  as first tip  1010  is inserted into bone  50  as body cavity  80  is formed. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 15 , a cutting face  1016  extends from flange  1014 , along longitudinal axis  1013  and away from shaft  1012 . Cutting face  1016  includes a generally concave exterior, with a rough cutting surface that extends around the entire perimeter of cutting face  1016 . A nub  1018  extends from cutting face  1016 , distally from flange  1014 . Nub  1018  also includes a generally concave exterior with a rough cutting surface. 
   First tip  1010  is used to begin forming body cavity  80 . When coupled to piezoelectric tool  1100  and applied to bone  50  in the direction shown by arrow A in  FIG. 15 , first tip  1010  vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency to drill into bone  50  and form body cavity  80 . When flange  1014  approaches bone  50 , first tip  1010  is removed from bone  50  and uncoupled from piezoelectric tool  1100 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 16 , second tip  1030  is next coupled to piezoelectric tool  1100 . Second tip  1030  is similar to first tip  1030  but instead of cutting face  1016  extending from flange  1014 , second tip  1030  includes a generally concave exterior non-cutting face  1036  extending from a bent flange  1034 . A generally cylindrical shaft  1037  extends from non-cutting face  1036 . A generally cylindrical cutting nub  1038  having a rough cutting surface extends from shaft  1037 . Cutting nub  1038  has a slightly larger diameter than nub  1018  so that body cavity  80  is enlarged diametrically upon application of second tip  1030  to body cavity  80 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 17 , third tip  1050  has a similar configuration as second tip  1030 , but with a shaft  1057  that has a slightly larger diameter than shaft  1037  and a cutting nub  1058  having a rough cutting surface that has a slightly larger diameter than cutting nub  1038 . Fourth tip  1070 , shown in  FIG. 18 , has a similar configuration as third tip  1050 , but with a shaft  1077  that has a slightly larger diameter than shaft  1057  and a cutting nub  1078  having a rough cutting surface that has a slightly larger diameter than cutting nub  1058 . The diameter of cutting nub  1078  is at least the same size as that of non-cutting face  1076  such that body cavity  80  has a generally cylindrical shape as shown in  FIG. 18 . After body cavity  80  is formed, implant  100  is threaded into bone  50  surrounding body cavity  80  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   An alternate embodiment of a dental implant  500  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 19-23 .  FIG. 19  is a facial view;  FIG. 20  is a mesial view;  FIG. 21  is a distal view;  FIG. 22  is a lingual view; and  FIG. 23  is an occlusal view of implant  500 . Desirably, implant  500  is constructed from titanium, zirconium, ceramic, or some other suitable biocompatible material. 
   Referring to any of  FIGS. 19-22 , implant  500  includes a body  502  having a first end  510 , a second end  520 , and a longitudinal axis  530  extending between first end  510  and second end  520 . First end  510  includes a top face  512 . As seen in  FIG. 23 , desirably, top face  512  is generally non-circular with an opening  514  extending inward along longitudinal axis  530 . Opening  514  provides a connection into which crown  60  (shown in  FIG. 25 ) is inserted. While opening  514  provides an internal connection with which to couple crown  60  to implant  500 , those skilled in the art will recognize that an external connection  614  may extend upward from an alternate embodiment of an implant  600 , shown in  FIG. 24 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 25 , implant  500  is inserted into a body cavity  80  in a mouth, such as where a tooth (not shown) was previously removed. Body cavity  80  is defined by walls  82 . An area of tender tissue  84  may be allowed to remain within bone  50  because implant  500  will be inserted into at least part of body cavity  80  that was formerly occupied by the tooth and its roots. 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 19 and 22 , top face  512  of implant  500  includes a first portion  532  that is slanted at a first angle β 1  relative to longitudinal axis  530 . Desirably, first portion  532  extends obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  530 . First portion  532  forms a slanted mesiodistal face. Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , top face  512  also includes a second portion  534  that is slanted at a second angle β 32  relative to longitudinal axis  530 . Second portion  534  forms a slanted facial face. Second portion  534  extends obliquely to longitudinal axis  530  and also at an angle relative to first portion  532 . Second portion  534  may be slanted obliquely relative to first portion  532 , or alternatively, second portion  534  may be perpendicular to first portion  532 . Both slanted mesiodistal face and facial face may have angles β 1 , β 2  that vary from shallow to steep, depending on the facial contours of the patient into which implant  500  is being inserted. Desirably, each angle β 1 , β 32  extends between about 5 degrees and 45 degrees relative to longitudinal centerline  530 , although those skilled in the art will recognize that angles β 31 , β 32  may extend at different angles as well. Further, while first and second portions  532 ,  534  are depicted in  FIGS. 20 and 21  to extend approximately one half of top face  512 , those skilled in the art will recognize that first and second portions  532 ,  534  may extend along different distances of top face  512 . 
   With first and second portions  532 ,  534  slanting at different angles β 1 , β 32 , top face  512  can be said to have a compound slant relative to longitudinal axis  530 . For implant  500  shown in  FIGS. 19-23 , the compound slant is a mesiodistal slant and a facial slant. Only a mesiodistal slant and a facial slant will satisfy the clinical requirements of both aesthetics and functionality for implant  500 . These slants allow implant  500  to obtain perfect or near perfect alignment with the coronal part of the edentulous ridge of bone  50  after insertion. 
   Top face  512  is formed along a first plane P 5  that extends along first portion  532  and out of the plane of  FIG. 20 , and also a second plane P 6  that extends along second portion  534  and out of the plane of  FIG. 20 . Both planes P 5 , P 6  extend obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  530 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 19-22 , body  502  desirably includes a collar  540  that extends approximately 0.5 mm from first end  510  toward second end  520 . A rougher surface  542  desirably extends below collar  540  toward second end  520 . Referring to  FIG. 21 , rougher surface  542  provides a surface for bone  50  to grow into after implant  500  is inserted into bone  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 19 ,  21 , and  22 , second end  520  forms a tapered root  550  that extends away from first end  510 . As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 22 , second end  520 , as well as root  550 , extends asymmetrically about longitudinal axis  530 . Root  550  includes a root portion  552  that extends from first end  510  and an extension portion  554  that extends from root portion  552 , away from first end  510 , and primarily along one side of longitudinal axis  530 . While  FIGS. 19 and 22  show a bottom end of extension portion  554  being totally along one side of longitudinal axis  530 , those skilled in the art will recognize that a portion of bottom end of extension portion  554  may extend along the other side of longitudinal axis  530 . 
   Root  550  has a generally convex face at an interface between root portion  552  and extension portion  544 . Root  550  tapers from larger to smaller in a direction away from first end  510 . The asymmetrical aspect of root  550  with respect to longitudinal axis  530  prevents rotation of implant  500  within body cavity  80  after insertion of implant  500  into body cavity  80 . The convex face of root  550  generally mimics a tooth root and provides for a relatively comparable fit of root  550  within body cavity  80 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 25 , implant  500  is shown inserted into bone  50 . Insertion of implant  500  into bone  50  will be described in detail later herein. After implant  500  is inserted into bone  50 , crown  60  is secured to implant  500 . Crown  60  may be secured to implant  500  in the same manner as described above with respect to implant  100 ,  300 , shown in  FIGS. 6 and 13 . 
   Implant  500  may be incorporated as part of a kit  700 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , kit  700  may include a plurality of implants  500  that are intended for insertion into a predetermined implant location in a mouth, such as a lower bicuspid. Implants  500  in kit  700  are of different configurations, in that at least implants  500  in kit  700  differ in size from other implants in kit  700 . With kit  700 , an oral surgeon is able to select the best fit implant  500  from kit  700  based on the position in the mouth where implant  500  is to be inserted with a minimum amount of modification of the configuration of the selected implant  500 . 
   Alternatively, implant  500  may be incorporated as part of a kit  800 . As show in  FIG. 27 , kit  800  may include a plurality of implants  500  that each correlate to a separate implant location within the mouth, such as a lower jaw, or one side of the lower jaw. Implants  500  are sized for a particular sized patient, and may be custom-fit, such as by filing or other suitable method. With kit  800 , the oral surgeon is able to select the proper tooth location from implants  500  in kit  800 , and to then modify the configuration of the selected implant  500  to conform to the configuration of the cavity into which implant  500  is being inserted. 
   One embodiment of a method of inserting implant  500  into a patient will now be described and is shown in  FIGS. 28-32  and the flow chart of  FIG. 33 .  FIG. 28  shows body cavity  80  with a damaged tooth having already been extracted therefrom. In step  2500 , body cavity  80  is prepared by coupling a fifth insertion tip  902  to piezoelectric insertion tool  1100  and inserting fifth insertion tip  902  into body cavity  80 . As shown in  FIG. 28 , fifth insertion tip  902  reflects the size and shape of body cavity  80  in the coronal one third. Fifth insertion tip  902  includes a shaft  904  that is releasably coupled to free end  1102  of piezoelectric tool  1100 . Shaft  904  bends approximately ninety degrees with a first end  904   a  coupled to piezoelectric tool  1100  and a second end  904   b  extending along a longitudinal axis  906 . Second end  904   b  of shaft  904  is connected to a generally circular flange  908 . Flange  908  is formed along at least two planes, P 7 , P 8  to mimic the compound angle of first end  510  of implant  500  (shown in  FIG. 20 ). At least one of the planes P 7 , P 8  extends obliquely relative to longitudinal axis  906 .  FIG. 28  shows planes P 7  and P 8  intersecting at bend  910 . 
   As shown in each of  FIGS. 28-31 , the portion of bone  50  to the right side of tool  1100  is slightly higher than the portion of bone  50  to the right side of tool  1100 . Bend  910  in flange  908  allows an operator to maintain an approximately even spacing between bone  50  and flange  908  as fifth insertion tip  902  is inserted into bone  50  as body cavity  80  is formed. 
   A cutting face  912  extends from flange  908 , asymmetrically along longitudinal axis  906  and away from shaft  904 . Cutting face  912  includes a rough cutting surface  914  that extends around only an aspect of cutting face  912 . A facial aspect  916  of fifth insertion tip  902  has no active cutting surface in order to preserve the thin bone  54  on the facial side of bone  50 . Operation of insertion tool  1100  vibrates fifth insertion tip  902  back and forth as shown by arrow B. 
   After fifth insertion tip  902  has enlarged body cavity  80  to a desired size, fifth insertion tip  902  is then removed from body cavity  80  and piezoelectric tool  1100 , and is replaced by a sixth insertion tip  920 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , sixth insertion tip  920  is inserted in to body cavity  80  and reshapes the middle third of body cavity  80 . Similarly to fifth insertion tip  902 , sixth insertion tip  920  includes a rough cutting surface  924  that extends around only an aspect of a cutting face  922 , but does not include an active cutting surface around a facial aspect  926  of sixth insertion tip  920 . 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 30 , sixth insertion tip  920  is replaced by a seventh insertion tip  930  that reshapes the apical third of body cavity  80  and forms a root extension  81 . Root extension  81  increases the stability of implant  500  in body cavity  80 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , an eighth insertion tip  940  is then used to refine opening defining body cavity  80 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 32 , eighth insertion tip  940  is then removed from piezoelectric tool  1100  and an insertion tip  1110  is coupled to piezoelectric tool  1100 . In step  2502 , implant  500  is selected based on the tooth for which implant  500  and its associated crown  60  is being replaced. Implant  500  may be selected from kit  700  or  800  as described above. Alternatively, implant  500  may be selected from a plurality of implants  500 , although not necessarily from a kit. Still alternatively, implant  500  may be from a stand-alone supply and need not necessarily be part of a kit. 
   In step  2504 , implant  500  is coupled to insertion tip  1110 . Insertion tip  1110  may include a nub  1112  that is inserted into opening  514  in implant  500  in a male/female relationship as shown by the arrow “C” in  FIG. 32 . Nub  1112  may provide at least a slight interference fit within opening  514  so that implant  500  remains coupled to insertion tip  1110  as implant  500  is inserted into body cavity  80  in step  2506 , but yet still allow insertion tip  1110  to easily release from implant  500  after implant  500  is inserted into body cavity  80 . 
   In step  2508 , with implant  500  inserted into body cavity  80 , as shown in  FIG. 25 , piezoelectric insertion tool  1100  embeds implant  500  into body cavity  80  based on vibrational energy generated by operation of piezoelectric insertion tool  1100 . Implant  500  may be at least slightly larger than body cavity  80  so that implant  500  is force-fit into body cavity  80 . Implant  500  engages walls  82  defining body cavity  80  in an interference fit. 
   Insertion of implant  500  into body cavity  80  is performed using ultrasonically generated vibrations without the need to rotate implant  500  about its longitudinal axis  530  within body cavity  80 . Additionally, insertion of implant  500  within body cavity  80  may be performed without the use of an adhesive, although an adhesive, such as a biologically active cement that stimulates bone growth, may be used to further secure implant  500  into body cavity  80 . 
   After implant  500  is securely inserted into body cavity  80 , piezoelectric insertion tool  1100  is uncoupled from implant  500 . Next, and illustrated in  FIG. 25 , crown  60  may be coupled to implant  500  as is described above with respect to implant  100 . Alternatively, the crown may be cemented to implant  500 . 
   While the above invention is described with respect to dental implants, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be adapted to other implants besides dental implants. 
   Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.