Abstract: A method of positioning a dental implant in a jaw bone using a piezoelectric cutting tool is provided. Ultrasonic vibration is generated with the piezoelectric cutting tool. The piezoelectric cutting tool is translated in a lateral direction to form a first cut into the jaw bone and to form a second cut into the jaw bone. The second cut intersects the first cut to define a multi-slotted aperture in the jaw bone for receiving at least one dental implant. The dental implant is inserted in the multi-slotted aperture from the lateral direction.

Abstract: A method of positioning a dental implant in a jaw bone using a piezoelectric cutting tool is provided. Ultrasonic vibration is generated with the piezoelectric cutting tool. The piezoelectric cutting tool is translated in a lateral direction to form a first cut into the jaw bone and to form a second cut into the jaw bone. The second cut intersects the first cut to define a multi-slotted aperture in the jaw bone for receiving at least one dental implant. The dental implant is inserted in the multi-slotted aperture from the lateral direction.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly kit and method for insertion into a bone, the assembly serving to support a dental prosthesis or other dental structure. The assembly includes a base plate having a bone-facing surface and a pillar-supporting surface that defines an off-center region; a ledge depending from the bone-facing surface of the basal plate; and a pillar extending from the off-center region of the pillar-supporting surface of the basal plate.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly 10 for implanting an artificial tooth into the mouth of a patient. The dental implant assembly 10 has a lower component 12 including a foot 16, a core 18, a shoulder 22 and a neck portion 20. The lower component 12 is seatable in an upper component 14 that is detachably attachable to the lower component 12. A barrel-shaped body 36, 38 is included in the upper component 14. It has major 36 and minor 38 members that are juxtaposed and adapted to secure a prosthesis 34.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly kit and method for insertion into a bone, the assembly serving to support a dental prosthesis or other dental structure. The assembly includes a base plate having a bone-facing surface and a pillar-supporting surface that defines an off-center region; a ledge depending from the bone-facing surface of the basal plate; and a pillar extending from the off-center region of the pillar-supporting surface of the basal plate.

Abstract: A dental drill system for use in preparing an osteotomy of a predetermined depth and diameter sized to receive a dental implant therein is disclosed. The drill system comprises at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter adapted to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter adapted to size the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter. The invention also teaches a method of using the dental drill system to form the osteotomy opening, the method comprising the steps of using a starter drill to define at least a portion of the osteotomy opening, using at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and using at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter greater than the first diameter to increase the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter.

Abstract: A dental drill system for use in preparing an osteotomy of a predetermined depth and diameter sized to receive a dental implant therein is disclosed. The drill system comprises at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter adapted to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter adapted to size the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter. The invention also teaches a method of using the dental drill system to form the osteotomy opening, the method comprising the steps of using a starter drill to define at least a portion of the osteotomy opening, using at least one elongate depth drill of a first diameter to drill the osteotomy opening to the predetermined depth, and using at least one elongate width increasing drill of a second greater diameter greater than the first diameter to increase the diameter of the osteotomy opening to the predetermined diameter.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant has a longitudinally extending axis with a first end, an opposite second end and a peripheral surface. The abutment-mount is used for delivering the dental implant to a prepared site of a jawbone with an implant drive tool and is also used as a device for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment-mount includes a screw, or other fastener for securing the abutment-mount to the implant. A surface is provided for attaching the dental prosthesis to the abutment-mount adjacent the first end. A structure is provided for transferring rotational force from the implant drive tool to the implant through the abutment-mount. An implant kit includes an abutment-mount, an implant and an abutment screw.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant terminates at one end in an anti-rotation member. The abutment-mount includes a body member having an longitudinal axis and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end defines an engagement member that is complementary in shape to the anti-rotation member of the dental implant. A prismatic portion extends from the second end of the body member along the longitudinal axis. The prismatic portion has a plurality of sides, with each side being parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body portion and the prismatic portion define a longitudinal opening passing therethrough that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A ball-topped screw for securing an abutment-mount to a dental implant while taking an impression of the abutment-mount using the indirect transfer method includes an elongated member having a first end and an opposite second end. A portion of the elongated member includes a threaded section for securing the first end of the elongated member and an abutment mount to a dental implant. A spherical member is affixed to the second end, whereby the spherical member provides a gripping shape for a dental impression material that has set around the spherical member while the elongated member secures an abutment mount to a dental implant.

Abstract: A method of designing a skeletal implant comprises measuring physical characteristics of the bone to be implanted, generating a macro-design of the implant based on the physical characteristics, and determining a micro-design for the implant to ensure that strain in the bone is kept between 100 and 3000 microstrain to promote bone growth and to minimize bone resorption during functional loading. In an alternate embodiment, a dental implant comprises a crest portion having a circular bottom surface, an opposite circular top surface, and a side wall intermediate the bottom surface and the top surface, the top surface being adapted for attaching the dental prosthesis thereto. A circular base portion has a crestal end, an opposite apical end, and a core section intermediate the crestal end and the apical end having an outer surface. A helical thread extends about a portion of the outer surface of the core section that secures the device within existing bone.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant has a longitudinally extending axis with a first end, an opposite second end and a peripheral surface. The abutment-mount is used for delivering the dental implant to a prepared site of a jawbone with an implant drive tool and is also used as a device for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment-mount includes a screw, or other fastener for securing the abutment-mount to the implant. A surface is provided for attaching the dental prosthesis to the abutment-mount adjacent the first end. A structure is provided for transferring rotational force from the implant drive tool to the implant through the abutment-mount. An implant kit includes an abutment-mount, an implant and an abutment screw.

Abstract: A dental implant for having a longitudinal axis for implanting in bone, has a crest module having a top end, a bottom end and a wall having an outer surface and a threaded section. The threaded section has a crestal end and an apical end, the crestal end abutting the bottom end of the crest module, a helical thread extending along a portion of the first section from a base end outwardly to a distal end. The threaded section also has a length, a major diameter being defined as the diameter of the threaded section measured at the distal end of the thread and a minor diameter being defined as the diameter of the threaded section measured at the base end of the helical thread. The major diameter is constant along the length of the threaded section, whereas a selected thread feature is chosen as a function of a selected biomedical characteristic. The selected thread feature could include the minor diameter, the thread pitch or the thread geometry.

Abstract: A denture tooth system (10) for a partially or completely edentulous patient, comprising a block of denture teeth (12), each tooth including enlarged undercut surfaces (14) disposed thereupon to permit greater mechanical retention to a rigid base to which the block (12) is secured. The denture tooth system (10) also includes a reduced gingival contour (16) to accommodate implanted attachments or bars and one or more teeth opposing the block. Each one or more posterior opposing teeth includes an enlarged central fossa (20). The block (12) is positioned and configured so that only a lingual cusp (22) of a given maxillary posterior tooth occludes with the central fossa (20) of one of the one or more opposing mandibular posterior teeth in centric occlusion.

Abstract: A method for preparing the mucosal tissue of a patient for the reception of a denture anchoring intramucosal insert employs a temporary insert of a construction such that it may be inserted into a freshly formed cavity in the mucosal tissue during the healing period without interfering with usage of a normal denture.

Abstract: An endodontic implant for insertion into the jawbone of a patient through a bore formed in a tooth to stabilize the tooth. The implant comprises an elongated post having sides tapering inward from a larger diameter first end to a smaller diameter second end. A plurality of external threads are formed on the post and extend along the length of the post from the first and second ends for a predetermined distance. An intermediate, tapered, smooth-sided section is formed on the post between the first and second threaded portions.

Abstract: An intramucosal insert and method of retaining a denture utilizing the same. The intramucosal insert comprises a metallic projection having a dome-shaped head adapted to be seated within the mucosal tissue surrounding the jawbone of a patient, a planar base having top and bottom surfaces and contiguous side edges and an elongated neck having a cross section narrower than the cross section of the head connecting the head and the base. In utilizing the intramucosal insert, the base is secured in position in the denture, with the neck and head portions projecting outward therefrom. An elongated bore is formed in a mucosal tissue having a diameter proximate the cross-section of the neck of the insert. An enlarged cavity is formed at the interior end of the bore in the mucosal tissue having a shape proximate the shape of the head of the insert with a bottom surface extending outward from the sides of the bore to define a seat for the bottom surface of the head of the insert.