Abstract: A distraction osteogenesis fixture to be anchored in a bone, including a lower anchor, a translational screw, and an upper anchor. At least a portion of the lower anchor is externally threaded. At least a portion of the lower anchor includes an anti-rotational feature. The lower anchor includes an internal passage. At least a portion of the internal passage is threaded. At least a portion of the translational screw is externally threaded such that the translational screw is receivable by the threaded internal passage of the lower anchor. The upper anchor includes an internal passage for receiving a portion of the lower anchor and has an anti-rotational feature for engaging the anti-rotational feature of the lower anchor. The internal passage of the upper anchor includes a surface for engaging the translational screw. At least a portion of the upper anchor is externally threaded.

Abstract: A healing cap is provided for covering of an implant installed in a patient's mouth. The healing cap comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adapted to be inserted within a coronal opening formed in the implant. The healing cap further includes resilient fingers for engaging corresponding surfaces formed within the coronal opening of the implant. The distal end of the healing cap can include an indentation for receiving a snapping portion of an insertion tool.

Abstract: The invention provides a dental drill comprising a plurality of blades each distally terminating in an end cutting edge having a positive rake angle. Advantageously, this allows for efficient, accurate and safe formation of an endosseous implant-receiving osteotomy in a patient's jawbone. Desirably, any patient trauma or discomfort during the procedure is substantially eliminated or reduced and a precision-sized osteotomy for receiving an implant of a predetermined size is created.

Abstract: An attachment part for an implant or second attachment part can be produced at a production station. The external shape of the attachment part is scanned at a scanning station at which a wax model is used. The scanned information is digitized and transmitted to the production station. An insert which has the surface configuration of the implant or of the second attachment part is selected from among a number of units having different possible surface configurations. The unit is applied in or on a holder which is centered on a turntable. The holder is provided with or operates with or operates with orientation information for the holder relative to the table. The model which is designed as a wax model is applied on the holder over the unit. The turntable is rotated and the external shape of the wax model is scanned.

Abstract: A threaded implant for screwing into jawbone and supporting a spacer element in the screwed-in position is provided. The implant includes a socket arrangement which can cooperate with a tool for screwing in the implant. The socket arrangement also secures the spacer element in an applied position. The socket arrangement includes two separate sockets, of which the first socket can cooperate with the tool and the second socket permits rotational locking of the spacer element.

Abstract: A dental product is produced from material in powder form. In a first manufacturing stage, the product is given a shape which is larger than its final shape, and in further manufacturing stages the product is subjected to material shrinkage, sintering and working in order to obtain its final shape. Metal powder is applied to the mold tool, and the mold tool with the applied metal powder is placed in pressure-generating equipment where the powder applied to the mold tool is subjected to compaction pressure which compacts the powder so that at least 80% basic density is obtained in the material. The compacted material is then machined. After machining, the compacted material is removed from the mold tool. The sintering stage is then carried out so that the final shape is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for ventilating the middle ear by means of a ventilation tube which is made of a tissue-compatible material, preferably titanium, and with a through-channel for air communication between the cavity of the middle ear and the outside air. The ventilation tube comprises, on the one hand, a front portion (2) which is arranged to be introduced into bone tissue and is designed so that a permanent anchoring is obtained in the bone tissue, and, on the other hand, a rear portion (6) which forms a passage through the skin. The ventilation tube further comprises an outer tube (1) which is made of the said tissue-compatible material and an inner tube (8) which is arranged releasably in the outer tube and whose inner bore forms the said through-channel (14) for air communication between the cavity of the middle ear and the outside air.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (12) includes a tool for screwing in a surgical implant or for cutting a thread in human bone tissue with thread tap. Also included is a unit (2) for supplying power and controlling the speed of an electric motor included in the tool, for example a d.c. motor (1). Detection members (7, 8) transmit signals (i1), dependent on the torque of the tool, to display members which comprise a computer unit (9) with screen (10). Displayed on the screen is a curve which shows the torque in relation to the torsional angle position. A curve or curves displayed in this way form(s) the basis for assessing the quality of the implant or of the bone tissue.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system and assembly for inserting a dental implant into a pre-drilled bore in the jawbone is discussed. The dental implant assembly system includes an implant body to which is attached a healing cap for covering the central socket in the implant body during the healing period. The healing cap is mechanically coupled to the implant body before the insertion procedure by a coupling screw extending through bore in the healing cap into the central socket of the implant body. A recess in the bottom of the healing cap mates with a protrusion on the top of the implant body such that the healing cap is prevented from rotating relative to the implant body. A torque drive adapter engages the top of the healing cap for easy manipulation of the implant body/healing cap during the insertion procedure. The dental implant, healing cap, coupling screw and torque drive adapter are packaged together in a sterile package.

Abstract: The invention provides a depth gauging system and a method for forming depth indicating bands on amorphous hard carbon coated dental tool bits and the like. The method uses a laser to process, treat or pseudo-etch selected surfaces of the coated tool bit. Advantageously, the laser pseudo-etching creates bands or indicia that substantially preserve or retain some or all of the desirable bulk properties of the hard carbon coating, for example, the corrosion resistance. Desirably, the bands provide visual differentiation during the preparation of an osteotomy in bone material which allows a surgeon to precisely control the depth of the osteotomy.

Abstract: An instrument is connected to a driving-in tool or drilling tool for elements on or in the form of an implant or drill for dentine. The tool includes an electric motor, the torque of which can be sensed, and which can be controlled by a control unit. A display unit is arranged so as to partly or fully display a curve representing the driving-in function performed. A tightening function is determined by a scale based on the slope of the curve, wherein a flatter slope represents a lower quality function and a steeper slope represents a higher quality function. A frictional resistance which exists for an element during the driving-in of the element can be determined in order to allow secure locking (preload) of the element by tension in the material of the element. A torque-time curve can be used assess the bone quality of bone being implanted or drilled.

Abstract: A dental implant for supporting a dental prosthesis comprises a body portion and an abutment portion. The dental implant including a roughened surface. When the dental implant is installed into a patient's jawbone, the roughened surface extends above a crest of the jawbone. In one arrangement, the roughened surface extends at least 2 millimeters above the crest. In another arrangement, the roughened surface extends at least 3 millimeters above the crest. In yet another arrangement the roughened surface extends at least 4 millimeters above the crest. Methods for installing and manufacturing a dental implant are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated dental screw for retaining and securing components of a dental prosthetic implant stack. The screw is coated with a hard carbon coating/film to provide a low friction surface finish which advantageously results in improved preloading of the screw, and hence a high clamping force between the components of the dental prosthetic implant stack. The coating can comprise diamond-like carbon (DLC), amorphous diamond, crystalline diamond, or a combination thereof. The dental screw can include abutment retaining screws and prosthesis retaining screws. Other advantages provided by the hard carbon coating include high mechanical surface hardness, biocompatibilty, corrosion resistance, chemical inertness and low cost.

Abstract: A prosthodontic assembly for installing a prosthetic tooth comprises a dental implant and abutment combination and a healing cap. The combination includes an implant body portion and an abutment portion. The implant body portion is located at a distal end of the combination and is configured to lie at least partially below a crest of a patient's jawbone. The abutment portion is located at a proximate end of the combination and is configured to lie at least partially above the crest of the patient's jawbone. The abutment portion comprises a flared portion, a shoulder portion and a final restoration portion. The shoulder portion lies between the flared portion and the final restoration portion. A healing cap includes a body portion having a proximal and a distal end. The body portion defines an inner cavity which is sized and adapted so that the healing cap fits over the final restoration portion.

Abstract: A system which provides a range of dental screws. The same screw tightener is used to tighten different screws, of different constructions. Each screw is provided with an internal recess which operates with the screw tightener. The recess has elements extending inward toward the center axis of the screw which cooperate with the screw tightener. Bearing capacity is provided by a wedging action between the screw tightener and recess, and a driving function occurs through actually extending elements within the recesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant element for permanent anchorage in bone tissue in which at least the surface intended to face the tissue in the implantation region is made of a biocompatible material such as titanium and having a clinically well documented surface. The element is provided with a thin, uniform and adherent calcium-phosphate coating with a well controlled dissolution rate. The coating follows the topography of the underlying well documented surface in order to combine properties for rapid bone growth during the healing phase and properties for a guaranteed long-term stability during clinical loading conditions.

Abstract: A hearing aid amplifies sound and, by air conduction, stimulates the eardrum to vibrate. A hose or tube may be surgically implanted in the skull bone, or may be otherwise connected in order to convey amplified sound from an electronics module in the hearing aid to the middle ear to stimulate the eardrum to vibrate from the inside of the ear. By doing so, the auditory meatus is left free, and no intervention is required on the eardrum, the inner ear, or the bones of the middle ear.

Abstract: A rotationally symmetrical anchoring element made of biocompatible material for anchoring into bone tissue. A circumferential surface includes a lower portion adapted to be incorporated with bone tissue and an upper portion that is located outside the bone tissue following implantation. The upper portion is adapted for attachment of a spacer piece or prosthetic structure thereto. The upper portion includes an unthreaded conical portion having a diameter that increases with increasing distance away from an upper end gable surface of the element. The conical portion forms a bearing surface for cooperation with a conical surface of the spacer piece or the prosthetic structure. The conical surface matching the conical portion. An external thread provided at a top of the upper portion secures the conical surface of the spacer piece or the prosthetic structure against the conical portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated tool bit for a dental drilling/cutting system. The tool bit is used to prepare an osteotomy in the jawbone of a patient. The tool bit is coated with a hard carbon coating/film. The coating can comprise diamond-like carbon (DLC), amorphous diamond, crystalline diamond, or a combination thereof. The tool bit includes drilling bits, threadformers, counterbores, and cutting tips of osteotomes. Some of the advantages of the coated tool bit are reduced friction, enhanced cutting efficiency, improved heat dissipation, increased resistance to wear and corrosion, and reduced adhesion to bone, tissue and other debris.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an elongate support element for a replacement structure in a human body part such as the jaw. The support element is applied to implants in the jaw with great accuracy of fit. Identification information and supplementary information is delivered to computer equipment. Using the information, the computer equipment extracts control data for milling equipment which mills out the support element from a blank. Using the milling information, the milling equipment forms the support element according to a shape determined in the computer equipment. In addition, the information comprises details on the configuration of seats for the implants, and the positioning of the seats in the support element material.