Patent ID: 7917223

Claim:
A dual-function abutment comprising: a top section configured for attachment to a temporary dental crown; a substantially conically shaped middle section exhibiting a top plane defining the conical base and a side envelope extending away from said top plane towards a bottom of said middle section, the diameter of said top section no more than the diameter of the conical base of said middle section; an electrical insulating separator secured to the bottom of said middle section; a metallic bottom screw section extending through said electrical insulating separator, said metallic bottom screw section mechanically coupled to, and electrically insulated from said middle section by said electrical insulating separator; and an electrical stimulation mechanism constituted of a power source and an electronic device in communication with the power source, said electrical stimulation mechanism exhibiting a pair of electrical contacts of opposing polarity, a first of said electrical contacts electrically connected to said metallic bottom screw, and a second of said electrical contacts connected to said middle section, said top section, middle section, electrical insulating separator and metallic bottom screw section together forming an enclosure of a sealed inner space, said electrical stimulation mechanism ensconced within said sealed inner space, wherein said electrical stimulation mechanism is arranged to provide stimulation signals in an external electrical path including said middle section and an implant connected to said metallic bottom screw section.