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: 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 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 titanium 6 A1/4V alloy is provided with a surface topography that is similar to the Osseotite® surface produced on commercially pure titanium. Native oxide is removed from the Ti 6A1/4V alloy, followed by contacting the metal at ambient temperature with an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution containing a relatively small amount of hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A dental assembly for vertical attachment of an implant to a dental abutment for restorative dental procedures is disclosed. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutment interface is formed on the proximal end of the cylindrical body. The interface includes a radial annular interior surface and a flat annular stop surface circumferentially bordering the interior bore. The assembly also includes an abutment including a stem and a post coupled to the stem. An interior bore is formed through the stem and the post. The abutment includes an interface section between the post and the stem. The interface section may include an annular radially curved exterior surface proximate to the post. The radially curved exterior surface and the circular flat surface interfaces with the abutment interface of the dental implant.

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 seatable 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: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of immersing the microscale roughened surface into a solution containing hydrogen peroxide and a basic solution to produce a nanoscale roughened surface consisting of ranopitting superimposed on the microscale roughened surface. The nanoscale roughened surface has a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A placement jig for locating a dental implant analog in a physical model of a patient's mouth includes a base, a guide-strut receiving feature, a throughbore, and an angled receiving feature. The guide-strut receiving feature is positioned within the base and is configured to receive a guide-strut of the physical model thereby positioning a lower surface of the placement jig at a desired distance from an opening of a bore in the physical model. The throughbore receives a screw therethrough that engages the dental implant analog such that the dental implant analog is removably coupled to the base. The angled receiving feature is positioned about the throughbore on the lower surface of the base. The angled receiving feature includes a mating surface that is configured to abut a custom abutment positioned between the mating surface and the dental implant analog.

Abstract: A set of healing abutments includes a first healing abutment and a second healing abutment. The first healing abutment has an upper surface with a first code thereon. The first code is associated with a size of the first healing abutment. The second healing abutment has an upper surface with a second code thereon. The second code is associated with a size of the second healing abutment. The first healing abutment and the second healing abutment have the same size. The first code is different from the second code.

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 for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. An intra-oral scan is made of the patient's mouth having an installation site with a dental implant installed and a healing abutment attached to the dental implant. The healing abutment has at least one informational marker. 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 and the three-dimensional model are used to manufacture a rapid prototype model of the patient's mouth, which includes a dental implant analog.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone. The implant includes titanium. The method includes deforming at least a portion of a surface of the implant to produce a first micro-scale topography. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the surface to produce a second micro-scale topography superimposed on the first topography. The second micro-scale topography is generally less coarse than the first micro-scale topography. The method further includes adding a submicron topography superimposed on the first and second micro-scale topographies, the submicron topography including tube-like structures.

Abstract: An implant includes two internal anti-rotational features. One anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage a driving tool, while the other anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage an abutment. An implant abutment system is provided with an angled abutment adapted to mate with one of the anti-rotational features. A second, straight abutment is adapted to engage with the other anti-rotational feature. An abutment is provided with resilient fingers to interface with the implant and provide tactile and audible feedback indicating when the abutment is properly seated. An abutment screw extends through the abutment and engages the implant bore distal of the stem of the abutment. The abutment screw limits axial movement of the abutment relative to the implant. A driving tool includes one of at least retention structure and visual alignment indicia is provided to facilitate screwing the implant into a patient's bone.

Abstract: A dental restoration system is disclosed including an implant for attachment to a jaw bone of a patient. The implant includes a cylindrical body having an interior bore formed between a distal end and a proximal end. An abutment includes an interior bore formed through the stem and the post and an interface section interfacing with the abutment interface of the dental implant. An abutment removal insert has a cylindrical end insertable into a groove formed in the interior bore of the abutment. An abutment removal tool screw is insertable within the abutment removal insert. The abutment removal tool screw includes a grip and an opposite end. The opposite end causes the abutment removal insert to contact the abutment. The grip is rotatable to cause the opposite end to create force against the implant to cause the abutment to be detached from the implant.

Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.

Abstract: An implant comprising two internal anti-rotational features. One anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage a driving tool, while the other anti-rotational feature is adapted to engage an abutment. An implant abutment system is provided with an angled abutment adapted to mate with one of the anti-rotational features. A second, straight abutment is adapted to engage with the other anti-rotational feature. An abutment is provided with resilient fingers to interface with the implant and provide tactile and audible feedback indicating when the abutment is properly seated. An abutment screw extends through the abutment and engages the implant bore distal of the stem of the abutment. The abutment screw limits axial movement of the abutment relative to the implant. A driving tool comprising one of at least retention structure and visual alignment indicia is provided to facilitate screwing the implant into a patient's bone.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.

Abstract: A method of designing a patient-specific prosthesis for a current patient includes receiving scan data of a mouth of the current patient to identify conditions at a location at which the patient-specific prosthesis is to be placed on a dental implant, and determining at least two clinical factors for the current patient. The method further includes identifying a desired outcome for soft tissue for the current patient at the location, and accessing a database having soft-tissue-outcome information for each of a plurality of previous patients. The database further includes clinical-factor information for each of the plurality of previous patients. Based on the soft-tissue-outcome information and the clinical-factor information for at least one of the plurality of previous patients being related to the current patient's desired outcome and the current patient's at least two clinical factors, the method includes developing a design for the patient-specific prosthesis for the current patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a healing abutment for attachment to a dental implant with marking locations thereon. The marking locations either lack or have markers that provide a binary code system for retrieving unique information about the healing abutment and the underlying implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a healing abutment for attachment to a dental implant with marking locations thereon. The marking locations either lack or have markers that provide a binary code system for retrieving unique information about the healing abutment and the underlying implant.