Abstract: An implant system and a method of forming the implant system including an implant to be implanted into living bone. The implant includes titanium. The implant includes a first surface geometry on a first portion of a surface of the implant and a second surface geometry on a second portion of the surface of the implant. The first surface geometry includes at least a submicron topography including tube-like structures and the second surface geometry includes a first micro-scale topography, a second micro-scale topography superimposed on the first topography, and a submicron topography superimposed on the first and second micro-scale topographies, the submicron topography including the tube-like structures.

Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. The method takes an impression of a mouth including a first installation site having a dental implant installed in the first installation site and a gingival healing abutment having at least one informational marker attached to the dental implant. A stone model is prepared based on the impression, including teeth models and model markers indicative of the at least one informational marker. The model is scanned. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information for manufacturing the rapid prototype. Rapid prototype dimensional information is developed.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.

Abstract: An attachment member for mating with a dental implant includes a non-rotational structure and a body. The non-rotational structure is configured to mate with a corresponding non-rotational feature of the dental implant. The body extends from the non-rotational structure. The body has (i) an exterior side surface configured to at least partially engage gingival tissue adjacent to the dental implant, (ii) an exterior top surface that is exposed through the gingival tissue, (iii) a screw access bore for receiving a screw that attaches the attachment member to the dental implant in a removable fashion, and (iv) a set of radiopaque information markers that is located internal to the exterior side surface and the exterior top surface. The set of radiopaque information markers indicates information regarding the dental implant that is revealed in response to a scan from a computerized tomography (CT) scanner.

Abstract: A dental implant for insertion into bone within a patient's mouth comprises a body and a scannable code. The body includes a bone-engaging exterior surface, an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with an abutment, and an upper region. The upper region includes an upper surface for engaging the abutment. The scannable code on the upper surface provides information concerning the dental implant. The information includes at least two features of the dental implant.

Abstract: According to one example, a medical tray for a surgical procedure is disclosed. The medical tray can optionally comprise: a housing; and one or more tray inserts configured to be received within the housing and having a first major surface and one or more support. The one or more tray inserts are configured to receive a plurality of dental surgical instruments via a plurality of receptacles formed therein. The plurality of receptacles having corresponding openings in the first major surface. The one or more tray inserts configured to be at least one of: removable from the housing and configured with the one or more supports so as to be positionable exterior to and independent of the housing, or the plurality of receptacles are angled such that the dental surgical instruments when received therein are positioned at an acute angle relative to the first major surface.

Abstract: According to one example, a holding device system including a two-part holding frame having a blank holder coupled to a main frame is disclosed. The two-part holding frame can define a processing space and a fixation space. The holding device system can further include at least one fixation element having a head positioned within the fixation space and a threaded shaft extending within and engaged with a bore of the two-part holding frame. In one example, when the blank holder is coupled to the main frame, the at least one fixation element is unable to be removed from the two-part holding frame.

Abstract: A method and system of selecting a surface finish for a computer designed component associated with an anatomical area of a specific patient. A computer designed component is created. The component includes at least one surface. An interface of finishing software displays an image of the component and the at least one surface. A plurality of finishes available for the at least one surface is displayed. A selection of one of the plurality of finishes for the at least one surface is input by a user. The component data and finishing data may then be sent to a computer aided manufacturing system to manufacture the computer designed component.

Abstract: A method of providing an accurate three-dimensional scan of a dental arch area is disclosed. The arch area has two segments and a connecting area between the two segments. The connecting area has homogeneous features. A connecting-geometry tool with at least one definable feature is affixed to the arch area. The definable feature overlays at least part of the connecting area. The arch area is scanned to produce a scanned dataset of the arch area. The definable feature of the connecting-geometry tool on the connection area is determined based on the scanned dataset. The dimensions of the arch area are determined based on the data relating to the definable features from the scanned dataset.

Abstract: Packaging systems for dental implants and methods for implanting a packaged implant are provided herein. The packaging system includes a housing and a cap forming an enclosure for a dental implant and corresponding healing screw. The housing includes a first and second base portion that interact with a platform that receives a portion of the dental implant to present the dental implant to a user during use.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly is disclosed. The dental implant assembly includes an implant having a bore within a coronal end, an abutment configured to couple to the implant to the coronal end, a screw configured to secure the abutment to the implant, and a gasket configured to seal an interface between the implant and the abutment.

Abstract: A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method includes the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further includes forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further includes the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A dental implant with a specialized thread arrangement is disclosed. The dental implant includes a cylindrical upper section and a tapered lower section coupled to the cylindrical upper section. A helical thread is located on the exterior surface of the cylindrical upper section and the tapered lower section. A path is defined by the helical thread. The helical thread has a section on the exterior surface of the cylindrical body section and a section on the tapered body section. A cutting tooth is formed on the helical thread where the thread section on the cylindrical body section transitions into the thread section on the tapered body section. The cutting tooth allows minimal torque to be applied to create stability of the implant by cutting into the dense part of the bone.

Abstract: Various implant analogs and dental modeling techniques are disclosed herein. The implant analogs are versatile and can be used in traditional modeling techniques or in rapid-prototyping techniques for producing dental models.

Abstract: Drill bits for cutting bones adjacent to soft tissue are disclosed. According to one example, the drill bit includes a working portion having a top cutting surface including a first top cutting surface and a second top cutting surface. The second stop cutting surface has an angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit that is less than an angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill bit of the first top cutting surface.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.

Abstract: A dental restoration system is disclosed. A dental restoration system includes an implant, retention component, dental component and driver tool. The retention component is sealable in a retention chamber of the implant. The retention component includes a driver section for interfacing with a driving head of the driver tool and a dental component engagement section with a threaded surface. The dental component includes a retention component interface surface with threads. The dental component engages the retention component via the threaded surface interlocking with the threads of the retention component interface surface when the dental component is inserted in the implant. The driver tool is used to rotate the retention component to engage the dental component apically. The retention component contacts the retention component wall and the dental component contacts an annular shoulder of the implant when the dental component is fully attached to the implant.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.

Abstract: A dental implant system including an implant and an abutment is disclosed. The implant includes a generally cylindrical body, a central axis, a distal end for anchoring in a patient's bone and a proximal end opposing the distal end. The proximal end includes a roughened lateralized surface that surrounds an abutment-engaging region. The lateralized surface is disposed at a negative slope relative to the central axis. The abutment includes an upper portion for supporting a tooth-like prosthesis and a lower portion for engaging the abutment-engaging region of the dental implant. The diameter of the lower portion of the abutment is smaller than the diameter of the implant at its proximal end. The lower portion includes a first surface with a soft-tissue enhancing material. The first surface and the lateralized surface defining a circumferentially extending recess having a V-shaped cross-section for receiving and attachment to the soft tissue.