Abstract:
The specification and drawing figures describe and show an implant placement system that includes one or more graphic representations of a proposed dental implant site, and a device for determining bone and soft tissue data at the proposed dental implant site (“site”). A model is formed of the site for portraying dental implant site data. A variety of tools are sued to determine the size and angulations of the dental implant. After cutting the model, additional tools are used for drawing a graphic on the model. A pin, formable material and an implant guide are provided to transfer the placement information to the site. A drill is use to form a channel for the implant device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application, Ser. No. 10/078,002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,463, entitled a Drilling Guide for Dental Implantation, filed Feb. 20, 2002, naming as the inventor one co-inventor named in this document. 

   FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
   The apparatus and methods disclosed in this document pertain generally to dental implantation. More particularly, the new and useful implant placement system disclosed and claimed in this document provides an inexpensive but accurate and reliable system for determining the introduction point for placement of an implant, and for accurately defining three-dimensional axes for an implant channel for emplacement of an implant in a jaw. 
   BACKGROUND 
   While a number of dental implant placements methods currently are advocated, most require expensive machines and tools aided by computer-assisted technologies to prepare a dental implant site and to insert a dental implant in the site. Limitations of prior approaches include at least the considerable expense for sophisticated equipment and personnel to perform dental implants. A need exists in the industry for a new, useful and improved dental implant placement system capable of allowing a doctor or technician to inexpensively but accurately insert a dental implant. 
   SUMMARY 
   The implant placement system includes apparatus to diagnose an implantation protocol, and a method for placing an implant at an implant site. Accordingly, the implant placement system is useful in (1) determining bone and soft tissue data using tools familiar to all dentists and technicians (collectively, in this document, “dental technician”); (2) preparing and using a plaster model of the dental implant site using materials and tools also familiar to dental technicians; (3) using the plaster model, in combination with a pin mountable within the plaster model to locate the point atop the implant site, and direction within the implant site, for drilling a channel; (4) also using the plaster model, in combination with implant silhouettes and similar tools to determine the angles at which the pin should be inserted into the model; (5) forming with a malleable, formable, and curable material a form that holds the pin and a drilling guide substantially stationary; and (6) physically transferring the form and drilling guide to a patient&#39;s implant site to locate the axes along which the channel should be formed using a tool such as a drill. 
   In general, the implant placement system includes use of one or more graphic representations of the proposed dental implant site and adjacent teeth and jaw area, made using conventional photograph radiographs, film or digital, available in most dental offices (collectively, “graphic representations”). The system also includes a device for determining bone and soft tissue data, including at least bone and soft tissue dimensions, at the proposed dental implant site. Further, a model of the proposed dental implant site for portraying dental implant site data is prepared by making a plaster model from an impression that has been formed of a material having properties like rubber. The plaster model is cut transversely, important data are recorded physically on transverse faces of the cut model, and a pin positioning tools are used for determining the introduction point. A form is made from a malleable and curable substance that holds the pin assembly substantially stationary and, following the curing stage, can be transferred to a patient&#39;s proposed implant site to accurately and inexpensively mark the introduction point and the angles for drilling the channel into which the implant guide will be inserted. 
   It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the implant placement system will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying following description, drawing figures, and appended claims. 
   The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The implant placement system is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the implant placement system, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the implant placement system are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  of the drawing is a perspective view of a model of a dental implant site; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of a film implant overlay; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an actual dental implant site and a tool for forming an impression; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the formation of an impression; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the model showing markings; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the model with markings on the implant site; 
       FIG. 7  is a graphical representation of the implant site; 
       FIG. 8  is a graphical representation of the implant site and proposed implant; 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the model; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of the model showing the implant site; 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of a proposed cutting of the model; 
       FIG. 12  shows a cut-away of one segment of the model; 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of a tool for determining depth of tissue and bone; 
       FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic presentation of a measurements label; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing use of the measurements-determining tool; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of use of the measurements-determining tool for determining tissue depth at a proposed implant site; 
       FIG. 17  is a diagrammatic representation of use of the label shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a cut-away view showing a measurement means for ascertaining dimensions; 
       FIG. 19  is an end perspective view of a cut-away segment of the model; 
       FIG. 20  is an end perspective view of the cut-away segment shown in  FIG. 19  showing use of the dimension-determining tool; 
       FIG. 21  is an end view of the cut-away segment of the model showing various dimensions marked on the model segment; 
       FIG. 22  is perspective end view of the segment shown in  FIG. 21  with a depth and angle determination; 
       FIG. 23  is the perspective end view shown in  FIG. 21  with all markings indicated; 
       FIG. 24  shows the relationship between the marked-up end view and the second segment of the cut-away model; 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective end view showing desired drill location; 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective end view showing insertion of a drill bit in the model; 
       FIG. 27  is a perspective end view showing insertion of a pin; 
       FIG. 28  is a top perspective view showing reassembly of the model with the pin inserted; 
       FIG. 29  is a side perspective view showing a slidably engageable implant guide inserted over the pin; 
       FIG. 30  is a side perspective view of the model with a moldable material formed over the reassembled model; 
       FIGS. 31–34  are perspective views showing one component of exemplary implant guide; and 
       FIGS. 35–38  are another exemplary presentation of the implant guide. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–38 , a implant placement system is provided that in its broadest context includes apparatus to conduct a six-step procedure for placing a dental implant in an implant site: (1) determining bone and soft tissue data using tools familiar to all dentists and technicians (collectively, in this document, “dental technician”); (2) preparing a plaster model of the dental implant site using materials and tools also familiar to dental technicians; (3) using the plaster model, in combination with a silhouette and similar tools to locate the point on the model where the dental technician should drill a channel for inserting an implant pin; (4) placing the pin into the channel; (5) forming with a malleable and curable substance a form that holds the pin assembly substantially stationary; and (6) physically transferring the form to a patient&#39;s implant site to locate the axes on which the drill should prepare the implant site. 
   More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1–38 , an implant placement system  10  is provided that in its broadest context includes one or more graphic representations  12  of a proposed implant site  14 . One or more graphic representations  12  may be selected from a group of graphic representations consisting of photographs, x-ray photographs, panographs, and digital graphic representations. In addition, implant placement system  10  includes a model  16 . Model  16  is created to portray the actual proposed implant site  14 . Model  16  is created for depicting data in connection with proposed dental implant site  14 . Also, included in implant placement system  10  is a moldable form  18  as shown in  FIG. 30 . As shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 5–6 , and  FIGS. 9–12 , model  16  is formed of plaster. Model  16  formed of plaster is further formed from an impression of the dental arch  20  at proposed implant site  14  as shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, model  16  is a plaster model  16  that is cured from a pour-up from an impression of proposed dental implant site  14 . Moldable form  18  installable on model  16  is useful for transferring desired drilling axis  22  from model  16  to proposed implant site  14  of a patient. 
   In addition, implant placement system  10  includes one or more channel positioning tools  24 . As best shown by cross-reference among  FIGS. 7–8 ,  13 – 22 , and  25 – 38 , channel positioning tools  24  include a device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data. Device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data includes in one embodiment a needle  28 . Device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data, in another embodiment, includes a needle and a stop  30  slidably engageable with needle  28 . As further shown in  FIGS. 1–38 , device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data is a tissue-penetrating needle  28 ′. In another embodiment, device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data includes a stop  30 ′ that is slidably engageable with needle  28 ′. In operation, stop  30  is useful in determining depth of bone and soft tissue. One or more channel positioning tools  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 25–27 , provides means  32  for defining three axes  34   a–c  of implant channel  36  as shown in  FIG. 27 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an implant placement system  10  includes a silhouette  38 . Silhouette  38  is used by a technician during operation of implant placement system  10  for determining size and angulation of a dental implant  40 . In addition, one or more channel positioning tools  24  of implant placement system  10  includes a cutter (not shown) for making a tomographic transverse cut of model  16  into at least two segments  42   a,b  as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 11–12  and  19 – 27 . The cutter (not shown) may be selected from a group of cutters consisting of straight saws, rotating circular saws, electric and electrical cutters, and heat-activated cutters. Also included is a marker (not shown) for drawing a graphic rendition  44   a,b  of the covering tissue  46  and the underlying bone  48 . The marker (not shown) is selected from a group of markers consisting of pens, pencils, soft-tipped fine indelible markers, brushes, and electronic and electrical markers. Graphic rendition  44   a  of tissue  46 , and graphic rendition  44   b  of bone  48 , are perhaps best shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 21–22 . 
   As indicated, implant placement system  10  includes in one embodiment impression  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Impression  20  is made of a malleable curable substance. As best shown in  FIGS. 3–4 , impression  20  is created by packing the malleable curable substance on implant site  14  of a patient, as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4 . Cured moldable form  18  is removable from model  16  and transferable to the actual implant site  14 . In operation, during formation of moldable form  18 , a pin  50 , as perhaps best shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 27–30 , is inserted into a channel  36  formed in model  16 , usually in a segment  42   a , before reassembly of segments  42   a  and  42   b  into a single or reassembled model  16 , as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 30 . In connection with channel  36 , implant placement system  10  includes means  54  for locating channel  52  on model  16 . Means  54  for locating channel  52  includes use of silhouette  38  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Graphic renditions  44   a,b  of tissue  46  and of bone  48  are marked on segment  42   a  as shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 19–24 . As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 19–20 , a series of dots  56   a–n  are located on a first surface  58  of segment  42   a  to correspond to the tissue  46  and bone  48  data obtained from use of device for determining bone and soft tissue data  26  such as needle  28  and stop  30 . To the extent that subscripts to numerical designations include the lower case letter “n,” as in “a–n,” the letter “n” is intended to express a large number of repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscript. Using a marker (not shown), series of dots  56   a–n  may be connected as shown in  FIGS. 20–22 . Further, using silhouette  38  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the location and at least one axis  34   a  of the three desirable axes  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  26 , and  27 , may be superimposed on the first surface  58  of segment  42   a . As further shown in  FIG. 24 , segment  42   b  having second surface  60  is rejoined with first surface  58  of segment  42   a  of model  16 . A drill bit  62 , of the kind well known to those skilled in the art, as shown in  FIG. 26 , may be used to form channel  36  in model  16 . Pin  50  is inserted into channel  36 , as perhaps best shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 27–30 . A dental implant guide  64  is removably insertable over pin  50 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . Moldable form  18  is packed around reassembled segments  42   a,b  of model  16 , pin  50 , and dental implant guide  64 , as shown best in  FIG. 30 . 
   Implant placement system  10  also includes means  66  for recording site data obtained from application of the device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data. Means  66  for recording implant site data, in one embodiment, includes the label  68  shown in  FIG. 14 , and also shown in  FIG. 17 . As will be evident to one skilled in the art, label  68  is merely one example, although exemplary, of means  66  for recording implant site data for reference and use by a technician. 
   The implant placement system shown in drawing  FIGS. 1–38  includes a number of embodiments none of which is intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. Claim elements and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function, which include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. 
   OPERATION 
   In operation, as shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 1–38 , implant placement system  10  is used by a technician to properly place an implant  40  at an implant site  14 . The technician obtains one or more graphic representations  12  of a proposed implant site  14 . Bone and tissue data are collected in connection with the actual implant site  14 . Bone and tissue data are collected using, in combination, model  16 , channel positioning tools  24 , which include a device  26  for determining bone and soft tissue data, silhouette  38 , pin  50 , means  54  for locating channel  36 , drill bit  62 , dental implant guide  64 , and means  66  for recording implant site data on model  16 , specifically on segments  42   a,b  of model  16 . Moldable form  18 , and dental implant guide  64  collectively in place, are transferred to implant site  14 , thus identifying for the technician the three axes along which channel  36  may be formed in implant site  14  for insertion of dental implant  40 . 
   After an impression  20  is made, plaster model  16  may be cast from impression  20 . Plaster cast  70  is cured to form model  16  as best shown in  FIG. 1  As also shown in  FIG. 1 , plaster cast  70  may be trimmed before use of the cast as model  16 . 
   Further, a preliminary mark  72 , as best shown in  FIGS. 19–22 , may be placed on plaster cast  70  at a proposed functional and aesthetic location for dental implant  40 . Using silhouette  38 , the preferred lateral direction and size of dental implant  40  may be selected as shown in  FIG. 22 . In addition, one or more adjacent root angulation lines may be scribed on plaster cast  70  as indicated by  FIG. 9 . Using a cutter (not shown), plaster cast  70  is cut at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis through the preliminary mark  72  at appropriate distances and angulations of adjacent teeth to form segments  42   a,b . Cutting plaster cast  70  into segments  42   a,b  exposes both first surface  58  of segment  42   a  and second surface  60  of segment  42   b . Exposing first surface  58  and second surface  60  allows a technician to scribe series of dots  56   a–n  on at least segment  42   a , thus locating and showing on first surface  58  of segment  42   a  the collected soft tissue and hard tissue data. Placing silhouette  38  against the graphic  74  thus scribed on first surface  58  of segment  42   a  determines the preferred transverse direction of dental implant  40  at actual implant site  14 , as well as the sizing of dental implant  40 , as shown by cross-reference between  FIGS. 19–22 . In addition, additional dots  56   a–n , as best shown by cross-reference to  FIGS. 10–22 , through holes formed in silhouette  38  may be used to locate the center top location  76  and the center apex location  78 . The technician may draw a directional line  80  between series of dots  56   a–n , including center apex location  78  and center top location  76 , to disclose the optimal location of dental implant  40  at and within the proposed dental implant site  14 . The technician also may form a groove  82  on first surface  58  of segment  42   a  coincident with directional line  80  that is dimensionally consistent with the sizing of dental implant  40  to identify the proper position and placement of dental implant  40  along the x-, y-, and z-axes within dental implant site  14 .