Patent Publication Number: US-2006003290-A1

Title: Endosseous one-piece screw-type dental implants

Description:
This invention relates to endosseous dental implants, particularly to externally-threaded endosseous dental implants that combine the structure of an endosseous dental implant and an abutment.  
      These endosseous dental implants include a body portion that may be tapered or untapered, and may include a plurality of external, separate lead threads, or a single external thread over all or a portion of the implant body. The body portion of this implant may have a length in the range of about 6 to about 18 mm, a diameter in the range of about 2 to about 7 mm, and may, in whole or in part, have a surface that is machined, roughened by blasting or etching, coated with Hydroxylapatite, or any combination of these surface treatments. The implant may have any desired thread design/pitch, and may include cutting grooves or apical vents near the distal end.  
      The proximal end of these implants comprises a tapered head that functions as an abutment. This tapered head may comprise a truncated cone that may include one or more flat areas or partial grooves on its external surface. Between the body portion of the implant and the tapered head portion is a beveled shoulder that slopes downwardly and outwardly from the tapered head portion to a circumferential surface that may have a height in the range of about 4 to about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the shoulder slopes downwardly and inwardly from this circumferential surface into the body portion of the implant. In other embodiments, the shoulder may taper downwardly and outwardly, or may extend downwardly to form a substantially cylindrical surface. A downwardly, inwardly tapering portion may be beveled, and/or may have a slope in the range of about 5 to about 45 degrees. A downwardly, outwardly tapering portion may be beveled, and/or may have a slope in the range of about 5 to about 45 degrees. A downwardly-extending cylindrical portion may be about 0.5 to about 4 mm in length. The beveled shoulder may have an overall length in the range of about 0.25 to about 3 mm. The angular slope of the proximal portion of the beveled shoulder is about 10 to about 60 degrees.  
      The shoulder minimizes the need to prepare an abutment in a patient&#39;s mouth, and forms a finish line for seating and sealing a crown margin. The shoulder also provides adequate space for an aesthetic porcelain restoration. The shoulder also facilitates aesthetic placement of the margin under the soft tissue in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      These implants may also include, on the external surface of the head portion, inwardly-projecting grooves/notches/indentations. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/741,023, filed Dec. 19, 2003, and entitled “Multi-Part Abutment And Transfer Cap For Use With An Endosseous Dental Implant With Non-Circular, Beveled Implant/Abutment Interface,” describing both such structures, and a transfer cap that snaps into such structures.  
      These transfer caps comprise a hollow tube closed at the proximal end and open at the distal end, preferably having a cylindrical profile. At or near the closed proximal end of these caps is an undercut region, which may comprise one or more circumferential grooves, or a plurality of openings spaced apart from one another. The distal end of these caps is open to an internal passage that includes, on the inside wall surface, at or near the opening, one or more retention projections that snap/fit into inwardly-projecting grooves/notches/indentations on the outer surface of the head portion of an abutment.  
      In some embodiments, retention projections on the wall of the inner surface of the transfer caps comprise one or more said projections, complementary in size and shape to the inwardly-projecting grooves/notches/indentations on the outer surface of the head portion.  
      In use, after the endosseous dental implant is placed in a patient&#39;s mouth, the transfer cap is placed over the head portion. The internal projection or projections fit or snap into one or more of the externally-formed grooves, notches or other inwardly-projecting indentations on the outer surface of the head portion. When so placed, the bottom of the transfer cap preferably seats on the upper exposed surface of the implant including the beveled shoulder.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      These one-piece externally-threaded screw-type dental implants can better be understood by reference to the drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of one such implant, including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned, inwardly tapered portion, and a tapered head including one or more flat areas;  
       FIG. 1A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 1 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned straight cylindrical portion, and a tapered head including one or more flat areas;  
       FIG. 1B  shows another alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 1 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a contiguous distally-positioned, beveled portion, with two distinct parts, and a tapered head including one or more flat areas;  
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of another such implant, including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned, inwardly tapered portion, and a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant;  
       FIG. 2A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 2 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned straight cylindrical portion, and a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant;  
       FIG. 2B  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 2 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with two distinct parts, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant;  
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of another such implant, including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned, inwardly tapered portion, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant, into an internal passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces;  
       FIG. 3A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 3 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned straight cylindrical portion, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant, into an internal passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces;  
       FIG. 3B  shows another alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 3 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with two distinct parts, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant, into an internal passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces;  
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of another such implant, including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned, inwardly tapered portion, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces and a threaded region in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant;  
       FIG. 4A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 4 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with a distally-positioned straight cylindrical portion, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces and a threaded region in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant; and  
       FIG. 4B  shows another alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 4 , including an externally-threaded body portion, a cutting groove near its distal end, and, atop the body portion, a downwardly, outwardly angled, beveled shoulder, with two distinct parts, a tapered head including one or more flat areas, and an opening from the proximal end of the implant into an internally-threaded passage that includes wrench-engaging surfaces and a threaded region in which the threads begin at, or below, the opening, continue into, and terminate within the implant.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a one-piece endosseous dental implant  10 , that includes an externally-threaded portion  11  and, atop body portion  11 , beveled shoulder  12 . Atop shoulder  12  is tapered head  13 , that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  11  includes external threads  14  and apical cutting threads  15 . Shoulder  12  includes downwardly, outwardly-angled portion  16 , outer edge  17 , and downwardly, inwardly angled portion  18 . Tapered head  13  forms a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  20  at the proximal end of implant  10 . Head portion  13  includes one or more flat surfaces  19  for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
       FIG. 1A  shows an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  10 A, that includes an externally-threaded body portion  11 A and, atop body portion  11 A, shoulder  12 A. Atop shoulder  12 A is tapered head  13 A, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  11 A includes external threads  14 A and apical cutting threads  15 A. Shoulder  12 A includes downwardly, outwardly angled portion  18 A, outer edge  17 A, and circumferential, untapered portion  16 A. Atop portion  18 A is tapered head  13 A forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  20 A at the proximal end of implant  10 A. Head portion  13 A includes one or more flat surfaces  19 A for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
       FIG. 1B  shows another alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  10 B, that includes an externally-threaded body portion  11 B and, atop body portion  11 B, shoulder  12 B. Atop shoulder  12 B is tapered head  13 B, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  11 B includes external threads  14 B and apical cutting threads  15 B. Shoulder  12 B includes downwardly, outwardly angled portion  18 B having two distinct outwardly tapering regions, joined at outer edge  17 B. Atop portion  18 B is tapered head  13 B forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  20 B at the proximal end of implant  10 B. Head portion  13 B includes one or more flat surfaces  19 B for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a one-piece endosseous dental implant  21 , that includes an externally-threaded body portion  31  and, atop body portion  31 , shoulder  22 . Atop shoulder  22  is tapered head  23 , that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  31  includes external threads  24  and apical cutting threads  25 . Shoulder  22  includes downwardly, outwardly-angled portion  26 , outer edge  27 , and downwardly, inwardly-angled portion  28 . Atop portion  28  is head portion  23  forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  29  at the proximal end of implant  21 . Head portion  23  includes one or more flat surfaces  280  for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of implant  21  in a patient&#39;s mouth. Surface  29  includes an opening  29 A into internally-threaded passage/shaft  29 B. The threads in this passage begin at or near opening  29 A, and extend distally, ending inside implant  21 .  
       FIG. 2A  shows an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 2 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  21 A, that includes an externally-threaded body portion  31 A and, atop body portion  31 A, shoulder  22 A. Atop shoulder  22 A is tapered head  23 A, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  31 A includes external threads  24 A and apical cutting threads  25 A. Shoulder  22 A includes downwardly, outwardly angled portion  28 A, outer edge  27 A, and circumferential untapered portion  26 A. Atop portion  22 A is tapered head  23 A forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  29 C at the proximal end of implant  21 A. Head portion  23 A includes one or more flat surfaces  280 A for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth. Surface  29 C includes an opening  29 D into internally-threaded passage/shaft  29 E. The threads in passage  29 E begin at or near opening  29 D, and extend distally to end inside implant  21 A.  
       FIG. 2B  shows another alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  31 B, that includes an externally-threaded body portion  31 C and, atop body portion  31 C, shoulder  22 B. Atop shoulder  22 B is tapered head  23 B, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  31 C includes external threads  24 B and apical cutting threads  25 B. Shoulder  22 B includes downwardly, outwardly angled portion  28 B having two distinct outwardly tapering regions, joined to one another at outer edge  27 B. Atop portion  22 B is tapered head  23 B forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  29 B at the proximal end of implant  31 B. Head portion  23 B includes one or more flat surfaces  280 B for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth. Surface  29  includes an opening  29 F into internally-threaded passage/shaft  29 G. The threads in passage  29 G begin at or near opening  29 F and extend distally, ending inside implant  31 B.  
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of a one-piece endosseous dental implant  30  that includes an externally-threaded body portion  50  and, atop body portion  50 , shoulder  32 . Atop shoulder  32  is tapered head  33 , that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  50  includes external threads  35  and apical cutting threads  34 . Shoulder  32  includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  36 , outer edge  37 , and downwardly, inwardly tapering portion  38 . Atop shoulder  32  is head portion  33 , forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  44  at the proximal end of implant  30 . Head portion  33  includes one or more flat surfaces  40  for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 3  also includes, in head portion  38 , internal passage  42  that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  43  inside passage  42 . Passage  42  extends from top flat surface  44 , inside of, and terminates within implant  30 .  
       FIG. 3A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 3 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  50 A that includes an externally-threaded body portion  30 A and, atop body portion  30 A, shoulder  32 A. Atop shoulder  32 A is tapered head  33 A, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  30 A includes external threads  35 A and apical cutting threads  34 A. Shoulder  32 A includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  35 A, outer edge  37 A, and circumferential, untapered portion  36 A. Atop portion  30 A is head portion  33 A, forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  44 A at the proximal end of implant  50 A. Head portion  33 A includes one or more flat surfaces  40 A for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 3A  also includes, in head portion  33 A, internal passage  42 A that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  43 A inside passage  42 A. Passage  42 A extends from top flat surface  44 A, inside of, and terminates within implant  30 A.  
       FIG. 3B  shows another alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 3 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  50 B that includes an externally-threaded body portion  30 B and, atop body portion  30 B, shoulder  32 B. Atop shoulder  32 B is tapered head  33 B, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  50 B includes external threads  35 B and apical cutting threads  34 B. Shoulder  32 B includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  35 B with two distinct outwardly angled portions, joined to one another at outer edge  37 B. Atop portion  32 B is head portion  33 B, forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  44 B at the proximal end of implant  50 B. Head portion  33 B includes one or more flat surfaces  40 B for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 3B  also includes, in head portion  38 B, internal passage  42 B that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  43 B inside passage  42 B. Passage  42 B extends from top flat surface  44 B, inside of, and terminates within implant  50 B.  
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a one-piece endosseous dental implant  60  that includes an externally-threaded body portion  61  and, atop body portion  61 , shoulder  62 . Atop shoulder  62  is tapered head  63 , that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  61  includes external threads  64  and apical cutting threads  65 . Shoulder  62  includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  66 , outer edge  67 , and downwardly, inwardly tapering portion  68 . Atop shoulder  62  is head portion  63  forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  69  at the proximal end of implant  60 . Head portion  63  includes one or more flat surfaces  70  for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of implant  60  in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 4  also includes, in head portion  63 , internal passage  71  that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  72  and threaded region  73  inside passage  71 . Passage  71  extends from top flat surface  69 , inside of, and terminates within implant  60 .  
       FIG. 4A  shows an alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 4 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  60 A that includes an externally-threaded body portion  61 A and, atop body portion  61 A, shoulder  62 A. Atop shoulder  62 A is tapered head  63 A, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  61 A includes external threads  6435 A and apical cutting threads  65 A. Shoulder  62 A includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  74 , outer edge  75 , and circumferential, untapered portion  76 . Atop portion  61 A is head portion  63 A, forming a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  69 A at the proximal end of implant  60 A. Head portion  63 A includes one or more flat surfaces  70 A for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of implant  60 A in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 4A  also includes, in head portion  63 A, internal passage  72 A that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  71 A and threaded region  73 A inside passage  72 A. Passage  72 A extends from top flat surface  69 A, inside of, and terminates within implant  60 A.  
       FIG. 4B  shows another alternate embodiment of the implant of  FIG. 4 , here a one-piece endosseous dental implant  60 B that includes an externally-threaded body portion  61 B and, atop body portion  61 B, shoulder  62 B. Atop shoulder  62 B is tapered head  63 B, that serves as an integral abutment. Body portion  61 B includes external threads  64 B and apical cutting threads  65 B. Shoulder  62 B includes downwardly, outwardly angled beveled portion  77  with two distinct outwardly angled portions,  78  and  79 , joined to one another at outer edge  80 . Head portion  63 B forms a frusto-conical cone having a flat surface  69 B at the proximal end of implant  60 B. Head  63 B includes one or more flat surfaces  70 D for engaging an implant placement tool to facilitate placement of the implant in a patient&#39;s mouth.  
      The implant of  FIG. 4B  also includes, in head  63 B, internal passage  72 B that includes internal wrench-engaging surfaces  71 B and threaded region  73 B inside passage  72 B. Passage  63 B extends from top flat surface  69 B, inside of, and terminates within implant  60 B.  
       FIGS. 1, 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  2 A,  2 B,  3 ,  3 A,  3 B,  4 ,  4 A and  4 B, show transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C, positioned over head portions of the implants. These transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C have a right cylindrical body portion  157 ,  157 A,  157 B and  157 C, including closed, flat, proximal ends  155 ,  155 A,  155 B and  155 C, and upper, external retention structures  156 ,  156 A,  156 B and  156 C. Retention structures  156 ,  156 A,  156 B and  156 C are circumferential grooves formed just below top surfaces  155 ,  155 A,  155 B and  155 C. Transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C are open at end  154 ,  154 A,  154 B and  154 C. Inside transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C are hollow passages.  
      Transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C are of sufficient length and diameter to fit over the head portions of the implants when the distal surfaces around opening  154 ,  154 A,  154 B and  154 C are seated on the upper surfaces of the implants. On transfer caps  152 ,  152 A,  152 B and  152 C, at or near opening  154 ,  154 A,  154 B and  154 C, are a plurality of projections or protrusion  153 . These protrusions are of a size and shape complementary to inward projections, such as inward projection  150 , on the implants.