Patents Assigned to Diro, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6592370
    Abstract: An abutment (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) for a medical or dental implant has a prosthetic receiving tapered post formed with a locking step (10e) for removably restraining a sleeve member such as an emergence cuff (12, 12A). The emergence cuff is receivable on the post of the abutment and has an outer surface configuration which merges confluently with the abutment outer surface. The emergence cuff is formed with a snap on interface (12g) for use with a second sleeve (14, 14A) having a complimentary snap on interface (14e). When the second sleeve is open ended, a pin (16) is shown for closing off the outer end of the second sleeve, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6325628
    Abstract: A temporary dental prosthesis (60) which can be placed before, after or simultaneously with the placement of permanent implant i securely and accurately fixed to mounting assemblies (58). Each mounting assembly (58) has a combination implant/abutment member (10) screwed into a bore formed in the cortical bone with a smooth convex basal portion (12) received in a complimentary shaped recess formed at the entrance of the bore. A coping (30) is received on the head (16) of the combined implant/abutment member (10) and retained there by a pin (50) having a threaded portion (56) received in a threaded bore (24). The copings (30) and pins (50) are received in oversized bores formed in a blank temporary prosthesis and resin is injected around the copings and pins to secure the copings to the prosthesis at locations corresponding to the positions of the combined implant/abutment members (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J Morgan
  • Patent number: 6290500
    Abstract: An abutment has a central portion between a post portion receivable in a dental implant and a head portion having a selected configuration. A shelf extending from the head portion outwardly to the central portion forms an angle alpha between approximately 0 and 30 degrees with an imaginary plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head portion to form a confluent joint with a crown of various emergence profiles thereon. A crown is fabricated, in certain embodiments, utilizing a sleeve having a negative image closely matching that of the selected head portion configuration. The finished crown is attached to the abutment, as by cement, polished and then inserted into the osteotomy site, angularly adjusted and locked in place using a seating device made by means of a seating jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J Morgan, Thomas D Driskell
  • Patent number: 6200345
    Abstract: A first member (10,10′,10″) has a bore formed with a self holding taper which receives the post of a second member (14,14′,14″) formed with a matching self holding taper. A bacterial/endotoxin-seal is provided by having a portion of either the bore, contiguous to its mouth, or the post, at a location which corresponds to the location of the mouth of the bore when in the locked position, provided with a sealing taper (10c,16c) with a different angle selected to form an interference fit. The sealing taper (10c,16c) extends only along a minor portion of the longitudinal axis of the respective bore and post. The first member (10,10′,10″) is provided with an outer surface to promote osseointegration when used in bony sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J Morgan
  • Patent number: 5888066
    Abstract: A converter assembly for converting a dental implant having a threaded bore is shown having a cylindrical converter pin (22) with one end portion (24) threaded for reception in the threaded bore of the inplant. An opposite end portion (26) is formed with a locking taper which is receivable in a bore (34) of an abutment member (30) having a matching locking taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5827062
    Abstract: A two part abutment system (50,50' and 64,64',64") is shown for use with a root member (10) implanted in the alveolar bone (16) particularly suited for use when the root member (10) is not positioned sufficiently deep within the the bone to thereby expose portions of the root member. The abutment member (50,50') is formed with a root member shoulder receiving seat in communication with a bore having at least a portion with a non-circular surface. A post (64,64',64") having a non-circular head (66) having a shape conforming to that of non-circular portion of the bore and a shank (68) extending therefrom is received through the bore into the socket (28) of the root member (10). Suitable locking means such as cement is used to fix the abutment to the root member. An adaptor (70, 70') is shown for converting a root member (74) having a threaded bore (72) for use with the two part abutment system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Driskell, Vincent J. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5749731
    Abstract: An emergence cuff (30,30') formed of suitable biocompatible synthetic plastic is shown having a bore adapted to be received on an abutment in turn mounted on a root marker implanted in the alveolar ridge of a patient. The cuff has a bore (36) generally matching the crown receiving surface of the abutment and an outer surface which goes from a feathered edge portion with the bore a first end (34,34') closest to the root member and a larger outer surface at the second end. The gum tissue is sutured onto the cuff and abutment so that after sufficient healing when the cuff is removed a sulcus is formed to receive a crown with the interface of the crown and the abutment located below the gum line. The emergence cuff can also serve as the cervical portion of a temporary crown (40) by attaching it thereto as by using a mechanical interlock (39), if desired. An optional radially inwardly extending flexible lip (48) is shown at the first end to provide a positive seat for the cuff member on the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: DIRO, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Morgan, Norman J. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 5499918
    Abstract: An emergence cuff (30) formed of suitable biocompatible synthetic plastic is shown having a bore adapted to be received on an abutment in turn mounted on a root member implanted in the alveolar ridge of a patient. The cuff has a bore (36) generally matching the crown receiving surface of the abutment and an outer surface which goes from a feathered edge portion with the bore at the end (34) closest to the root member and a larger outer surface at the second end. The gum tissue is sutured onto the cuff and abutment so that after sufficient healing when the cuff is removed a sulcus is formed to receive a crown with the interface of the crown and the abutment located below the gum line. The emergence cuff can also serve as the cervical portion of a temporary crown (40) by cementing or bonding it thereto, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Diro, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Morgan, Norman J. Shepherd