Abstract: Methods and dental prosthetics for providing soft tissue adhesion to a temporary healing abutment, or other dental prosthetic (e.g., temporary or permanent). Existing prosthetics generally do not provide any significant adhesion of the soft tissue surrounding the prosthetic, to the outer surface of the prosthetic itself. Because of the presence of gaps between such structures, or simple non-adhesion even where the structures may touch (but be free and unattached relative to one another), there is a tendency for pathogenic microbes to enter into such space between the structures, and for the soft gingival tissue to recede, particularly in patients with “thin” type periodontal tissue. The present disclosure provides materials and/or surface treatment (e.g., texturing) that ensures good bonding between the prosthetic and the soft tissue, reducing risk of infection, and reducing undesirable gingival recession surrounding the prosthetic anchored on a dental implant.

Abstract: Dental implants including radiopaque markers provided therein or thereon. The implant may also include customizable length characteristics. For example, a kit may include implants with different diameters (e.g., 3 diameters), where all of the implants are of a single (e.g., long) length. The appropriate diameter implant may be selected from the kit by the practitioner, and the long length implant may be cut (e.g., with a dental drill) to the appropriate length needed. The implants include radiopaque markers on or within the implant. For example, three series of markers may be provided on different “faces” of the implant, so that the three series of markers serve as reference points when scanning, allowing triangulation of the exact position of the implant in relation to the surrounding hard and soft oral tissues.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing anatomical healing caps, including forming an anatomical healing cuff body for a given tooth position, the anatomical healing cuff body having a cross-section and an exterior surface so that the anatomical healing cuff body provides substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged from the void or where a tooth would have emerged from a void of the given tooth position, and forming both lateral buccal and lingual handle extensions extending from the anatomical healing cuff body so that the manufactured anatomical healing cap includes a laterally extending buccal handle extension and an oppositely disposed laterally extending lingual handle extension, the buccal and lingual handle extensions being integrally formed with the healing cuff body. The healing caps can be formed using a casting jig, by machining, by 3D printing, or other suitable methods.

Abstract: Methods for taking a scan of a patient's oral cavity for use in fabricating a dental prosthesis. Such methods may include providing a healing cap configured to be received within a subgingival void of a given tooth position, taking a first scan of the healing cap, wherein the first scan is taken outside of a patient's oral cavity, seating the healing cap, taking a second scan, which is an intraoral scan of the healing cap and surrounding surfaces once the healing cap is seated, taken inside the patient's oral cavity; and integrating the first scan of the healing cap with the intraoral second scan of the healing cap and the surrounding surfaces into an overall oral cavity scan. A third scan, (e.g., 3D cone beam scan), can also be taken, which is overlaid or otherwise integrated with the first and second scans, for use in fabrication of a dental prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing anatomical healing caps, including forming an anatomical healing cuff body for a given tooth position, the anatomical healing cuff body having a cross-section and an exterior surface so that the anatomical healing cuff body provides substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged from the void or where a tooth would have emerged from a void of the given tooth position, and forming both lateral buccal and lingual handle extensions extending from the anatomical healing cuff body so that the manufactured anatomical healing cap includes a laterally extending buccal handle extension and an oppositely disposed laterally extending lingual handle extension, the buccal and lingual handle extensions being integrally formed with the healing cuff body. The healing caps can be formed using a casting jig, by machining, by 3D printing, or other suitable methods.

Abstract: A method of taking a scan of a patient's oral cavity may include providing an anatomical healing cap that can be received within a subgingival void of a given tooth position. The method may also include taking a first scan (e.g., an extraoral scan) of the anatomical healing cap before seating the anatomical healing cap into the subgingival void of the given tooth position, where the anatomical healing cap is coupled to an implant disposed adjacent the anatomical healing cap. Further, the method can involve taking a second scan (e.g., an intraoral scan) of the anatomical healing cap and surrounding surfaces, and then integrating the two scans into an overall oral cavity scan. Reference points from the first scan may be used to align the second scan with the first scan, integrating the two together.

Abstract: Dental implants including radiopaque markers provided therein or thereon. The implant may also include customizable length characteristics. For example, a kit may include implants with different diameters (e.g., 3 diameters), where all of the implants are of a single (e.g., long) length. The appropriate diameter implant may be selected from the kit by the practitioner, and the long length implant may be cut (e.g., with a dental drill) to the appropriate length needed. The implants include radiopaque markers on or within the implant. For example, three series of markers may be provided on different “faces” of the implant, so that the three series of markers serve as reference points when scanning, allowing triangulation of the exact position of the implant in relation to the surrounding hard and soft oral tissues.

Abstract: Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. The casting jig includes an opening through the bottom surface through which an elongate handle may be inserted, allowing a temporary abutment to be coupled into the distal end of the elongate handle, so that the abutment is disposed in the well, held in place by the handle, as it is used as a core about which the anatomical healing cuff body is formed. A crown forming jig for forming an inexpensive, chair-side prepared bis-acrylic temporary crown that may be easily and quickly installed over the anatomical healing cuff body is also disclosed.

Abstract: Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. Each respective anatomical healing cuff body negative shape includes an asymmetrical cross-section and an irregular surface so that an anatomical healing cuff body having said shape is configured to provide substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged or should have emerged from the void (e.g., in the case of a congenitally missing tooth). The casting jig may further include a socket at a distal end of each well that is configured to receive therein a dental implant or dental implant analog.

Abstract: Anatomical healing abutments, kits and methods for promoting healing of gingival tissue around a subgingival void of a given tooth position. The abutment includes a cuff body having an anatomical subgingival portion extending from an implant end to the gingival margin of the patient, and an emergent crown portion extending occlusally from the subgingival portion beyond the gingival margin. A directional alignment body may be disposed on the cuff body and configured to extend bucally beyond an outer perimeter of the cuff body when the cuff body is anatomically aligned relative to the void. The subgingival portion has an asymmetric cross-section and is occlusally flared to anatomically fill the void and support gingival tissue around the void to minimize slump of tissue into the void. The crown portion has a mesial-distal width that spans a width of the gingival margin and an occlusal height to extend beyond the gingival margin.

Abstract: Methods and dental prosthetics for providing soft tissue adhesion to a temporary healing abutment, or other dental prosthetic (e.g., temporary or permanent). Existing prosthetics generally do not provide any significant adhesion of the soft tissue surrounding the prosthetic, to the outer surface of the prosthetic itself. Because of the presence of gaps between such structures, or simple non-adhesion even where the structures may touch (but be free and unattached relative to one another), there is a tendency for pathogenic microbes to enter into such space between the structures, and for the soft gingival tissue to recede, particularly in patients with “thin” type periodontal tissue. The present disclosure provides materials and/or surface treatment (e.g., texturing) that ensures good bonding between the prosthetic and the soft tissue, reducing risk of infection, and reducing undesirable gingival recession surrounding the prosthetic anchored on a dental implant.

Abstract: Methods of taking an impression or scan of a patient's oral cavity without requiring removal of a healing cap coupled within the implant in the subgingival void. The method may include providing an anatomical healing cap received within the subgingival void of a given tooth position, where the anatomical healing cap is coupled into an implant in the void. A scanning body or an impression post is inserted into an open end (e.g., the hollow core) of the anatomical healing cap, in-situ, with the anatomical healing cap positioned in the subgingival void, and the implant thereunder (or thereover for a maxillary tooth position). The scanning body or impression post is used as a reference in making the impression or scan. Because this is done without requiring removal of the healing cap, further collapse of the gingival tissue surrounding the void is prevented.

Abstract: Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. The casting jig includes an opening through the bottom surface through which an elongate handle may be inserted, allowing a temporary abutment to be coupled into the distal end of the elongate handle, so that the abutment is disposed in the well, held in place by the handle, as it is used as a core about which the anatomical healing cuff body is formed. A crown forming jig for forming an inexpensive, chair-side prepared bis-acrylic temporary crown that may be easily and quickly installed over the anatomical healing cuff body is also disclosed.