Abstract: A dental implant healing screw formed from two pieces: a threaded shaft and a collar. The healing screw functions as a conventional healing cap to protect the coronal end of the dental implant and as a driver to drive the dental implant during the implantation procedure.

Abstract: A dental implant that reduces the potential for stress shielding. The dental implant utilizes an implant body that includes a metallic core and a shell disposed about the metallic core. The shell is made from a material that has a lower modulus of elasticity than the metallic core. The metallic core also is connected to a mounting end to which a prosthetic tooth may ultimately be attached.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant that is fully coated by hydroxylapatite. The dental implant includes a proximal end having a tool engaging region, a self-tapping distal end, and a generally cylindrical middle region that connects the two ends. The distal end, the middle region, and the self-tapping features are fully covered by a hydroxylapatite coating.

Abstract: A device for retaining and delivering dental implant components includes a retainer-delivery member which may be pivotally attached to a handle member and selectively detached therefrom. The retainer-delivery member has a plurality of multi-sized stepped down portions for hands-off insertion into, and frictional engagement with various dental implant components. The retainer-delivery member can retain one or more of the components for delivery to the implant site and can be manipulated for initial connection to the implant.

Abstract: A dental implant for osseointegration in alveolar bone. The implant includes at least three different and distinct surface regions.

Abstract: A vial for a dental implant delivery system. The vial includes a clip and a lid that is permanently attached to the body of the vial. The lid disengages from the top of the vial when the body of the vial is squeezed.

Abstract: A two-piece dental abutment having a cuff portion that is removable from a upper portion. The cuff is made from a material different than the upper portion.

Abstract: A dental implant (10) for osseointegration in alveolar bone. The implant includes an annular shoulder (18) and a plurality of splines (32) extending axially therefrom for interdigitated engagement with similar splines of an abutment for supporting a tooth prosthesis. The bone-engaging surface (22) of the implant includes a biocompatible porous metal surface (24) into which bone can grow, an intermediate non-porous, rough, biocompatible metal surface (26) to which bone can attach that is located between the porous surface and the annular shoulder, and a smooth, non-porous biocompatible metal surface (28) located between the intermediate surface and the annular shoulder.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial having two cavities. One cavity in the body of the vial houses an implant and a driver mount, and the other cavity in the lid of the vial houses a healing screw.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant includes a body which is substantially covered by a random surface roughening without adversely affecting the cutting edge and thus the amount of torque needed to thread the implant into bone tissue. During the surface treatment process, the cutting edges of the implant are covered with a removable shield. The shield may engage the implant through openings on either side of the cutting edge. The shield is adaptable for use with implants having multiple cutting edges since the shield may include a plurality of arms connected by a base. The shield may be snapped onto the distal end of the implant.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant for implantation into bone. The implant includes multiple flutes disposed around the tapping end. Each flute has a helical configuration. During tapping, bone chips are directed upwardly and away from the tapping end.

Abstract: A dental positioning guide has two pins connected to a hub section. The pins may be rotated to a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A self-tapping implant for implantation into bone. The implant includes multiple flutes disposed around its tapping end. Each flute includes three separate concave cavities working in conjunction to tap the bone. A first cavity provides a primary cutting edge; a second cavity provides a repository for bone chips; and a third cavity provides both cutting and storing of bone.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant includes a body which is substantially covered by random surface roughening without adversely affecting the cutting edge and thus the amount of torque needed to thread the implant into bone tissue. During the surface treatment process, the cutting edges of the implant are shielded from the roughening treatment.

Abstract: A bone contouring tool for removing bony tissue surrounding an implanted dental implant and having an elongated shank with a blade and a pilot pin disposed at one end. The pilot pin extends downwardly from the blade and provides guidance during removal of the bony tissue.

Abstract: A packaging system for dental implants and method for implanting a packaged implant. The packaging system includes a vial and a vial cap forming an enclosure for an implant and driver cap. The driver cap is press fit to both the implant and vial cap and engages the implant to impart driving forces thereto. Once the implant is driven to into position, the driver cap serves as a conventional healing screw to cover the implant.

Abstract: An implant and a process for treating the same wherein the implant has a highly pure coating of crystalline hydroxylapatite (HA). The implant is initially coated with HA using a plasma spraying technique and is then subjected to a two stage process, including a hydrothermal treatment stage and a leaching stage. The resulting implant is highly crystalline, containing only a small percentage of amorphous calcium phosphate and essentially being free of calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and calcium carbonate.

Abstract: A spinal disk implant comprises a solid body having four faces arranged to define a right-rectangular solid body and two faces that define the ends of the solid body. The faces that define the right-rectangular body include two opposed side faces and two opposed transverse faces. A kit that may be used by a surgeon includes an implant and an implant delivery tool dimensioned to releasably hold the implant. The delivery tool preferably has an implant holder with a pair of flexible opposed arms extending from a base, separated so that the implant can fit between the arms. Optionally, the implant holder may have a breakable release band extending around the implant to hold it in place until a weak link in the release band is intentionally broken during implantation.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly includes an implant for osseointegration in alveolar bone, an abutment removably attached to the implant for supporting a tooth prosthesis, and a screw received through an axial bore in the abutment and engaging a threaded bore in the implant. The implant includes an annular shoulder and a plurality of splines spaced from one another to define slots therebetween and disposed circumferentially about the opening of the threaded bore. The abutment includes an annular end face in engagement with the annular shoulder of the implant. A cylindrical recess is disposed radially inwardly of the annular end face and receives the splines of the implant therewithin. The cylindrical recess communicates with the axial bore. A plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending splines defining slots therebetween are disposed within the cylindrical recess and are interleaved with the splines of the implant.