Patent Document

PRIORITY INFORMATION  
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/662,106, filed Sep. 14, 2000, which claims priority and benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/153,843, filed Sep. 14, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to methods and devices that are used in implant dentistry to replace a natural tooth with a prosthetic tooth. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved healing cap that covers a dental implant after stage one surgery and an insertion tool that can be used to insert and/or remove the healing cap.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Implant dentistry involves the restoration of edentulous area(s) in a patient&#39;s mouth using artificial components, including typically an implant fixture or root and a prosthetic tooth and/or final abutment which is secured to the implant fixture. According to state of the art techniques, the process for restoring a tooth and its root is carried out generally in three stages.  
           [0006]    Stage I involves implanting the dental implant fixture into the bone of a patient&#39;s jaw. The oral surgeon first accesses the patient&#39;s jawbone through the patient&#39;s gum tissue and removes any remains of the tooth to be replaced. Next, the specific site in the patient&#39;s jaw where the implant will be anchored is widened by drilling and/or reaming to accommodate the width of the dental implant fixture to be implanted. Then, the dental implant fixture is inserted into the hole in the jawbone, typically by screwing, although other techniques are known for introducing the implant in the jawbone.  
           [0007]    The implant fixture itself is typically fabricated from commercially pure titanium or a titanium alloy. Such materials are known to produce osseointegration of the fixture with the patient&#39;s jawbone. The dental implant fixture also typically includes a hollow threaded bore through at least a portion of its body and extending out through its proximal end which is exposed through the crestal bone for receiving and supporting the final tooth prosthesis and/or various intermediate components or attachments.  
           [0008]    After the implant is initially installed in the jawbone a temporary healing screw or healing cap, which is ordinarily made of a dental grade metal, is secured over the exposed proximal end in order to seal the internal bore. The healing screw typically includes a threaded end, which is screwed into the internal bore of the implant. After the healing screw is in place, the surgeon sutures the gum over the implant to allow the implant site to heal and to allow desired osseointegration to occur. Complete osseointegration typically takes anywhere from four to ten months.  
           [0009]    During stage II, the surgeon re-accesses the implant fixture by making an incision through the patient&#39;s gum tissues. The healing screw is then removed, exposing the proximal end of the implant. A mold or impression is then taken of the patient&#39;s mouth to accurately record the position and orientation of the implant within the mouth. This is used to create a plaster model or analogue of the mouth and/or the implant site and provides the information needed to fabricate the prosthetic replacement tooth and any required intermediate prosthetic components. Stage II is typically completed by attaching to the implant a temporary healing abutment or other transmucosal component to control the healing and growth of the patient&#39;s gum tissue around the implant site.  
           [0010]    Stage III involves fabrication and placement of a cosmetic tooth prosthesis to the implant fixture. The plaster analogue provides laboratory technicians with a model of the patient&#39;s mouth, including the orientation of the implant fixture relative to the surrounding teeth. Based on this model, the technician constructs a final restoration. The final step in the restorative process is replacing the temporary healing abutment with the final restoration.  
           [0011]    There are several recurring problems or difficulties associated with securing the healing screw or cap to the implant during stage one and with removing the healing screw or cap during stage two surgery. For example, screwing the healing screw into the implant during stage one is time consuming, difficult and requires a secondary tool such as a screwdriver. Moreover, because the healing screw is small, it is difficult to handle and may be accidentally dropped into the patient&#39;s mouth if adequate care is not taken. Unscrewing the healing screw from the implant during stage two also is time consuming, difficult and requires an additional tool such as a screwdriver. Furthermore, the healing screw also may be accidentally dropped into the patient&#39;s mouth as it is removed from the implant if adequate care is not taken.  
           [0012]    It should be appreciated that a set of two or more teeth can be replaced using the same procedure outlined above. In such a case, a single implant supports two or more prosthetic teeth. The present invention applies equally to the replacement of one tooth or multiple teeth.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    It is an objective of this invention to provide an improved dental implant and healing cap that enables a surgeon to quickly and simply attach the healing cap to the dental implant without the need for an additional tool. It is another object of this invention to provide a healing cap that is quickly and simply removed from the implant. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a healing cap made of an inexpensive injection-molded plastic or any of a variety of bio-compatible materials, such as, for example, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic, or any combination thereof.  
           [0014]    In one embodiment, the present invention provides a combination comprising a dental implant, a healing cap for covering a top surface of the implant and a tool for inserting the healing cap. The dental implant has a coronal opening. The healing cap comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured with one or more prongs adapted to be inserted into the coronal opening of the implant and to engage and secure the healing cap to the implant. The one or more prongs of the proximal end are adapted such that a healing cap removal force is required to disengage the healing cap from the dental implant. The distal end of the healing cap includes an indentation having a neck with a diameter smaller than a diameter of an adjacent portion of the indentation. The insertion tool comprises a first portion with one or more prongs adapted to be inserted into the indentation. The first portion is adapted such that a first removal force is required to remove the one or more prongs of the first portion from the indentation. The first removal force is less than the healing cap removal force.  
           [0015]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a set of dental components comprising a dental implant, a healing cap for covering a top surface of the dental implant when installed in a patient&#39;s jawbone and an insertion tool. The healing cap comprises a first end adapted to be snappingly mated to the implant with a healing cap removal force. The healing cap also includes a second end adapted to completely cover the top surface of the implant. The insertion tool includes a first portion to be snappingly mated to the second end of the healing cap with a first removal force. The first removal force is less than the healing cap removal force.  
           [0016]    In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of installing and removing a healing cap that covers a top surface of an implant installed in a patient&#39;s jawbone. The method comprises, in sequence, engaging in a snap fit a first portion of an insertion tool with a top portion of the healing cap, positioning the healing cap over a dental implant, inserting a proximal end of the healing cap into a coronal opening of the implant until the proximal end engages the coronal opening in a snap fit so as to secure the healing cap to the implant, and separating the first portion of the insertion tool from the top portion of the healing cap.  
           [0017]    For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
           [0018]    All of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    These and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of the preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of a dental implant having certain features and advantages according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dental implant of FIG. 1 taken along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 3;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a top view of the dental implant of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a top view of a healing cap having certain features and advantages according to the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the healing cap of FIG. 4;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the healing cap of FIG. 4;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the healing cap of FIG. 4 taken along line  7 - 7  of FIG. 4;  
         [0027]    FIGS.  8 A-C are partial cross-sectional time assembly views illustrating the healing cap of FIG. 4 being inserted into the implant;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 9A and B are detail views of the healing cap in the snapping chamber of implant assembly;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an insertion tool having certain features and advantages according to the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a close up view of the snapping portion of the insertion tool of FIG. 10;  
         [0031]    FIGS.  12 A-C are partial cross-sectional time assembly views illustrating the removal tool of FIG. 10 being inserted into the healing cap of FIG. 4, which is already inserted into the implant of FIG. 1;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a modified arrangement of a removal tool having certain features and advantages according to the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 is a close up view of the snapping portion of the removal tool of FIG. 13;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a modified dental implant having certain features and advantages according to the present invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of a healing cap having certain features and advantages according to the present invention; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 is a side view of another modified embodiment of an insertion tool that has certain features and advantages according to the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 17A is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 17 labeled  17 A.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 17B is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 17 labeled  17 B. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]    FIGS.  1 - 3  illustrate a dental implant  10  particularly suited for receiving a snap-in healing cap having certain features and advantages according to one embodiment of the present invention. The implant  10  has an outer surface that is preferably divided into three regions: a body portion  12 , a neck region  14 , and a top portion  16 . The body portion  12  preferably includes threads, and represents the portion of the implant  10  that is placed in either the mandible or the maxilla. As shown, the body portion  12  of the implant is substantially cylindrical; however, the body portion  12  could also assume a tapered or other known implant shapes, as desired. The threads of the body portion  12  preferably match preformed threads formed along the inner surface of an osteotomy formed in the patient&#39;s jawbone. However, the implant  10  could also be designed to be self-tapping. Preferably, the top portion  16  of the implant is substantially cylindrical and has a top surface  18  that is substantially flat.  
         [0040]    As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the implant  10  includes an inner cavity  20 . The inner cavity  20  preferably includes a screw chamber  22 , a snapping chamber  24 , and an indexing chamber  26 . Preferably, the diameter of the screw chamber  22  is smaller than the diameter of the snapping chamber  24 . The snapping chamber  24  preferably includes a recess  25  that has an inner diameter D 1  that is slightly larger than the diameter D 2  of at least the adjacent portion of the indexing chamber  26 .  
         [0041]    The screw chamber  22  is preferably sized and configured so as to receive a bolt (not shown). The bolt can be used to temporarily or permanently attach a dental component, such as, for example, a temporary healing abutment or a final restoration to the implant  10 . As will be described later, the snapping chamber  24  and the recess  25  are sized and configured to engage a corresponding snapping structure in a healing cap.  
         [0042]    The indexing chamber  26  is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the illustrated arrangement, the indexing chamber  26  is substantially cylindrical with three lobes  28  that extend from the top surface  18  to the bottom of the indexing portion  26 . The three lobes  28  are preferably substantially half circular in shape and are symmetrically situated around the perimeter of the indexing portion  26 . Preferably, the center of each lobe  28  is about 120° apart from each other relative to a center axis  30  of the implant  10 .  
         [0043]    It should be appreciated that the indexing chamber  26  can be formed into a wide variety of other suitable shapes that may be used with efficacy, giving due consideration to the goals of providing anti-rotation of mating components. For example, the anti-rotation chamber  26  could comprise one or more radially inwardly or outwardly extending splines or recesses, flats, polygonal configurations and other anti-rotation complementary surface structures. In addition, an anti-rotational structure such as a hexagonal recess or protrusion may be situated on the top surface  18  of the implant  10 . Nevertheless, the illustrated arrangement appears to provide clinical efficacy, ease of use and also minimizes stress concentrations within the anti-rotation chamber  26 .  
         [0044]    FIGS.  4 - 7  illustrate one embodiment of a healing cap  32  having features and advantages in accordance with the present invention. The healing cap  32  is made of any of a variety of bio-compatible materials, such as, for example, an injection molded dental grade plastic, titanium, stainless steel, ceramics, and any combination thereof. Preferably, the healing cap  32  is made of an inexpensive injection molded dental grade plastic because such a material is generally less expensive than metal and ceramic materials.  
         [0045]    As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the healing cap  32  has two main parts: a cover portion  34  and a snapping portion  50 . The cover portion  34  has a substantially flat lower surface  36  or a non-planar surface with is complementary to the top surface  18  of the implant  10 . The diameter of the lower surface  36  is approximately the same as the top surface  18  of the implant  10 . The cover portion  34  also includes a top surface  38  that is substantially smooth and in the illustrated arrangement has a diameter slightly larger than the lower surface  36 . In the illustrated arrangement, a side wall  40  connects the top surface  38  to the lower surface  36 .  
         [0046]    Preferably, the cover portion  34  also includes at least one indentation  42  which is desirably located near or at the center of the top surface  38 . The indentation  42  includes a neck  44 , which has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of a lower portion  46  of the indentation  42 . The function of the indentation  42  will be described in detail below.  
         [0047]    The illustrated snapping portion  50  consists of a plurality of lever arms, prongs or tangs  52 . Each lever arm  52  preferably includes a protrusion  54 . The protrusions  54  are preferably sized and configured to snap into and resiliently engage the snapping chamber  24  of the implant  10 . Accordingly, the protrusions  54  have an outer diameter D 3  that is preferably slightly larger than the inner diameter D 2  of the indexing chamber  26  (see FIG. 2). Although in the illustrated arrangement the protrusions  54  are beveled (i.e., comprising two slanted sides and one flat side), it should be appreciated that the protrusions can also be fully or partially rounded as desired.  
         [0048]    Although two lever arms  50  with protrusions  54  thereon are illustrated, this number may be varied to produce the desired retention force and simplify manufacturing. For example, as few as one protrusions may be sufficient, particularly in an interference fit construction such as that achieved with the structure shown in FIG. 2, where the protrusion  54  snap fits into a radially outwardly extending recess within the implant  10 . Six or more may alternatively be used.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIGS.  8 A-C, to attach the healing cap  32  to the implant  10  during stage I, the surgeon simply places healing cap  32  over the implant  10  and pushes the snapping portion  50  of the healing cap  32  into the implant  10 , as will be described in more detail below. As mentioned above, the protrusions  54  of the healing cap  32  preferably have at least a slightly larger diameter D 3  than the inner diameter D 2  of the indexing chamber  26 . Accordingly, the snapping portion  50  of the healing cap  32  is compressed as it passes through the indexing chamber  26  (see FIGS. 8A and B). Once the prongs  52  reach the snapping chamber  24 , they partially expand forming a snap fit between the healing cap  32  and the implant  10  (see FIG. 8C). Additionally and advantageously, as the healing cap  32  is mated against the top surface  18  of the implant  10 , the prongs  52  preferably resiliently engage a slanted inner surface  62  of the snapping chamber  22  (see FIG. 9A). Thus, the pressure exerted against the partially compressed prongs  52  by the slanted inner surface  62  of the snapping chamber  22  creates a responsive downward pulling force. This downward pulling force on the cap  32  causes the lower surface  36  of the healing cap  32  and the top surface  18  of the implant  10  to form a seal (see FIG. 8C). Advantageously, this prevents and/or minimizes leakage of saliva and bacterial contaminants into the implant  10  and thus reduces the risk of infection between stage 1 surgery and stage II surgery.  
         [0050]    Clinically and advantageously, the dentist can be assured of the proper placement or seating of the healing cap  32  because as the healing cap  32  is pulled or urged down into the implant  10  the dentist can “feel” the snap fit and hear the audible “click” as the prongs  52  snap into the snapping chamber  24  of the implant  10 . Additionally, the dentist may visually confirm that the healing cap  32  is properly placed or seated by viewing the lower surface  36  of the healing cap  32  and the top surface  18  of the implant  10  using a dental mirror. If desired, the proper placement or engagement of the healing cap  32  may be confirmed by attempting to remove the healing cap  32 . A properly seated coping will have perceivable resistance to removal forces as the prongs  52  become compressed as they are pulled back into the indexing chamber  26  (see FIG. 8B).  
         [0051]    To remove the healing cap  32  during stage two, the surgeon may use a removal tool  100 , which is depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. The tool  100  preferably includes a proximal stem  102  and a distal snapping portion  104 . The distal snapping portion  104  is similar in shape and function as the snapping portion  50  of the healing cap  32 . The main difference is that the snapping portion  104  of the removal tool  100  is configured to engage the indentation  42  on top of the healing cap  32  (FIG. 7) in a snap fit. Accordingly, the snapping portion  104  includes a plurality of prongs, tangs or lever arms  106 . Each lever arm  106  preferably includes a protrusion  108  that can be beveled (as illustrated) or rounded. As mentioned above, the protrusions  108  are preferably sized and configured to snap into and resiliently engage the indentation  42  of the healing cap  10  (see FIG. 7). Accordingly, the protrusions have an outer diameter D 4  that is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck  44  of the indentation  42 . Although two lever arms  106  with protrusions  108  thereon are illustrated, this number may be varied to produce the desired retention force and simplify manufacturing. For example, as few as one protrusions may be sufficient or six or more may alternatively be used.  
         [0052]    Referring to FIGS.  12 A-B, to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  during stage II, the dentist simply places the snapping portion  104  of the removal tool  100  over the indentation  42  and pushes the snapping portion  104  into the indentation  42 . As mentioned above, the protrusions  108  of the handle  100  preferably have at least a slightly larger diameter D 4  than the neck  44  of the indentation  42 . Accordingly, the snapping portion  104  of the handle  100  is compressed as it passes through the neck  44  (see FIG. 12B). Once the protrusions  108  reach the lower portion  46  of the indentation  42 , the prongs  106  partially expand forming a snap fit between the handle  100  and the healing cap  32 .  
         [0053]    The handle  100  and healing cap  32  are preferably configured so that a force required to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  is less than the force required to remove the handle  100  from the healing cap  32 . Therefore, when the dentist lifts the removal tool  100  away from the implant  10 , the healing cap  32  remains attached to the handle  100  but detaches from the implant  10 .  
         [0054]    The snapping forces between the healing cap  32 , and the implant  10  are determined primarily by the outer diameter of the protrusions  54 , the inner diameter of the recess  25 , the inner diameter of the indexing chamber  26 , and relationships, such as, the friction or interference fit between contacting mated surfaces. Similarly, the snapping forces between the handle  100  and the healing cap  32  are determined primarily by the outer diameter D 4  of the protrusions  108 , the inner diameter of the lower portion  46 , the inner diameter of the neck  44 , the friction or interference fit between contacting mating surfaces. To decrease the snapping force, the inner diameter of the protrusions  54 ,  108  can also be decreased while maintaining the inner diameters of the recess  25  and the indexing chamber  26  and the inner diameters of the lower portion  46  and neck  44 . The snapping force may also be decreased or controlled by increasing the diameter of the indexing chamber  26  (or the neck  44 ) while maintaining the size of the protrusions  43  (or  108 ) and the recess  25  (or lower portion  46 ). In addition, the length and cross-section of the lever arms  106  as well as construction material may be varied to vary the retention force.  
         [0055]    As mentioned above, the healing cap can be made from any of a variety of bio-compatible materials, such as, for example, dental grade plastic, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic, or any combination thereof. The healing cap  32  is preferably made of an injection molded dental grade plastic, which is particularly useful for forming the snapping portion  52  because of its resilient properties. Accordingly, in one arrangement of the present invention, the cover  34  of the healing cap  32  is made of a metal or ceramic material while the snapping portion  50  is made a plastic material.  
         [0056]    If the healing cap  32  and/or the handle  100  and/or parts thereof are made of metal, such as, for example, Titanium or Stainless Steel, the surface of the protrusions  54 ,  108  may preferably be coated or otherwise treated with Teflon, diamond-like carbon coating (e.g. amorphous diamond), or titanium anodic coating, or any other lubricious coating capable of making the surfaces slide easier. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,463 incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a modified arrangement of a removal tool  200 . As with the previous arrangement, the removal tool  200  includes a proximal handle  202  and a distal snapping portion  204 . The snapping portion  204  includes a prong  206  and a protrusion  208 , which has a diameter D 4  greater than the diameter of the neck  44  of the healing cap  32 . The main difference in this arrangement is that the snapping portion  204  is not resilient. Thus, to remove the healing cap  32  during stage II, the dentist places the snapping portion  204  of the removal tool  200  over the indentation  42  and pushes the snapping portion  204  into the indentation  42 . As mentioned above, the protrusions  208  of the handle  200  preferably, have at least a slightly larger diameter D 4  than the neck  44  of the indentation  42 . Accordingly, the neck  44  is configured to deflect as the protrusion  208  passes through the neck  44 . Once the protrusion  208  reach the lower portion  46  of the indentation  42 , the neck  44  return to its original position thereby forming a snap fit between the handle  200  and the healing cap  32 . In such an arrangement, the healing cap  32  is preferably made of plastic so that the neck is resilient.  
         [0058]    It should also be noted that although in the illustrated embodiments the healing cap  32  is removed from the implant  10  by engaging a removal tool with the healing cap  32 , the healing cap  32  can also be separated from the implant  10  by using a dental pick (not shown) or other conventional dental implement. Specifically, the dentist can use the dental pick or other implement to pry the healing cap  32  away from the implant  10 . In such an arrangement, the healing cap  32  does not necessarily include the indentation  42 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 15 illustrates a modified dental implant  300 , which can also be used with the snap-in healing cap  32  described above. Like numbers are used to refer to parts similar to those of FIGS.  1 - 3 . In this embodiment, the inner cavity  20  of the dental implant  300  does not include a snapping chamber. As such, the indexing chamber  26  extends to the screw chamber  22 .  
         [0060]    In the illustrated embodiment, when the healing cap  32  is engaged with the dental implant  300 , the prongs  52  and the protrusions  54  of the healing cap  32  are configured contact the walls  302  of the indexing chamber  26  and exert a positive force outwardly in a radial direction. Accordingly, the protrusions  54  (see FIG. 5) have an outer diameter D 3  that is preferably slightly larger than the inner diameter D 2  of a portion of the indexing chamber  26 . As such, the healing cap  32  is secured to the top surface  18  of the dental implant  10  by the friction or interference fit between the protrusions  54  and the walls  302  of the implant  300 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 16 illustrates a modified embodiment of a healing cap  310 , which can be used with the dental implants of FIGS.  1 - 3  and FIG. 15. Like numbers are used to refer to parts similar to those of FIGS.  4 - 7 . In this embodiment, the indentation  312  comprises a neck  314  and a cylindrical portion  316 , which lies beneath the neck  314 . The neck  314 , at its smallest point, has a diameter D 5 , which is smaller than the smallest diameter D 6  of the cylindrical portion  316 . In one embodiment, the neck has a diameter D 5  of approximately 0.065 inches while the cylindrical portion has a diameter of approximately 0.080 inches.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 17 illustrates an insertion tool  340 , which has certain features and advantages according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool  340  comprises a first section  344  and a second section  346  that are preferably connected by a common handle  342 . In a modified embodiment, the first and second sections  344  and  346  can be connected to separate handles. The first section  344  includes an insertion snapping portion  348  while the second section  346  includes a removal snapping portion  350 .  
         [0063]    In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion and removal and snapping portions  348 ,  350  extend in opposite directions with respect to a longitudinal axis  352  of the handle. However, in modified embodiments, the insertion and removal snapping portions  348 ,  350  can extend in the same direction or be rotated less than 180 degrees from each other.  
         [0064]    In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  342  comprises a substantially cylindrical section  354  having a first diameter which tapers down to a smaller second diameter at the first and second sections  344 ,  346 . The substantially cylindrical section  354  has preferably has a diameter of at least approximately 0.5 inches, such that the handle  354  can be easily grasped by the dental practitioner. The substantially cylindrical section preferably includes a pair of flattened portions  356  near the first and second ends  344 ,  346 . The flattened portions  356  preferably define a plane, which lies generally traverse and more preferably perpendicular to an axis  358  extending through the nearest snapping portion  348 ,  350 . As such, the flattened portions  356  provide an ergonomic surface to which a force F can be applied to insert and remove the snapping portions  348 ,  350  as will be explained in more detail below.  
         [0065]    The removal snapping portion  350  is similar in shape and function as the snapping portion  104  of the removal tool  100  described above. That is, the removal snapping portion  350  is configured to engage the indentation  42  on top of the healing cap  32  (FIG. 7) in a snap fit. Accordingly, the snapping portion includes one or more lever arms, prongs or tangs  370  (see FIG. 17A). Each lever arm  370  preferably includes a protrusion  372  that can be beveled or rounded (as illustrated). As mentioned above, the protrusions  372  are preferably sized and configured to snap into and resiliently engage the indentation  42  of the healing cap  10 . Accordingly, the protrusions have an outer diameter D 4  that is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck  44  of the corresponding indentation  42 . Although two lever arms  370  with protrusions  372  thereon are illustrated, this number may be varied to produce the desired retention force and simplify manufacturing. For example, as few as one protrusions may be sufficient or six or more may alternatively be used.  
         [0066]    The removal snapping portion  350  and healing cap  32  are preferably configured so that a force required to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  is less than the force required to remove the snapping portion from the healing cap  32 . Therefore, when the dentist lifts the insertion tool  340  away from the implant  10 , the healing cap  32  remains attached to the tool  340  but detaches from the implant  10 .  
         [0067]    In contrast, the insertion snapping portion  348  is configured so that the force required to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  is greater than the force required to remove the insertion snapping portion  348  from the healing cap  32 . As with the removal portion  350 , the insertion portion  348  is configured engage the indentation  42  on top of the healing cap  32  (FIG. 7) in a snap fit. The insertion portion  348  includes one or more lever arms, prongs or tangs  380 . Each lever arm  380  preferably includes a protrusion  382  that can be beveled or rounded. Although two lever arms  380  with protrusions  382  thereon are illustrated, this number may be varied to produce the desired retention force and simplify manufacturing. For example, as few as one protrusions may be sufficient or six or more may alternatively be used. The protrusions  382  are preferably sized and configured to snap into and resiliently engage the indentation  42  of the healing cap  10 . Accordingly, the protrusions have an outer diameter D 7  that is slightly larger than the diameter of the neck  44  of the indentation  42 . However, to reduce the force required to remove the insertion snapping portion  348  from the healing cap  32 , the outer diameter D 7  of the insertion snapping portion is preferably smaller than the outer diameter D 4  diameter of the removal snapping portion  350 . In addition, or instead of, the insertion snapping portion  348  can be made of a less resilient material as compared to the removal snapping portion  350  and/or the lever arms  380  can be thinner and/or for flexible than the lever arms  370  of the removal snapping portion  350 .  
         [0068]    Preferably, the insertion tool  340  includes indicia  390   a ,  390   b  to distinguish the insertion snapping portion  348  from the removal snapping portion  350 . In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia  390   a ,  390   b  comprises a single groove on the handle  354  near the insertion snapping portion  348  and two grooves near the removal snapping portion  350 . Of course, the indicia may be formed in a variety of other ways. For example, the letter “R” can be used to indicate the removal snapping prong  350  and/or the letter “I” can be used to indicated the insertion snapping prong  348 . In other embodiments, the snapping portions  348 ,  350  can have different colors. In other embodiments, only one of the two snapping portions  348 ,  350  may include indicia.  
         [0069]    In use, the insertion tool  340  can be used to insert the healing cap  32  into the dental implant  10  and to remove the healing cap  32  from the dental implant  10 . To attach the healing cap  32  to the implant  10  during stage I, the surgeon first inserts the insertion snapping portion  348  into the indentation  42  of the healing cap  32 . As such, the healing cap  32  is secured to the tool  340  and the dental practitioner can use the tool  340  to move the healing cap  32  into the patient&#39;s and to position the healing cap  32  over the dental implant  10 . Once in position, the dental practitioner uses the tool  340  to push the snapping portion  50  of the healing cap  32  into the implant  10 . As mentioned above, the insertion snapping portion  348  is configured so that the force required to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  is greater than the force required to remove the insertion snapping portion  348  from the indentation  42 . Thus, when the dentist lifts the insertion tool  340  away from the implant  10 , the tool  340  detaches from the healing cap  32  and the healing cap  32  remains attached to the implant  10 .  
         [0070]    To remove the healing cap, the dental practitioner inserts the removal snapping portion  350  into the indentation  42  of the healing cap  32 . As mentioned above, the handle removal snapping portion  350  and healing cap  32  are preferably configured so that the force required to remove the healing cap  32  from the implant  10  is less than the force required to remove removal snapping portion  350  from the healing cap  32 . Therefore, when the dental practitioner lifts the tool  340  away from the implant  10 , the healing cap  32  remains attached to the tool  340  and detaches from the implant  10 .  
         [0071]    Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications, combinations and subcombinations and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Technology Category: a