Abstract: A model head including a jaw insert having layers of varying materials replicating the anatomical features of a human jaw. The jaw may include a mock nerve system that provides a signal to indicate the condition of the nerve. The jaw also may include a circulatory system including vessels that simulate the bleeding that occurs when a vessel in a human has been damaged.

Abstract: A dental implant has a body and a plurality of distinct roots that extend outwardly from the main portion that generally define a coronal-apical axis. A porous tantalum metal portion is disposed at the body for engaging bone and the plurality of distinct roots are configured to resist a torsional force that is applied to the dental implant and around the coronal-apical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed within is a dental restorative system including a dental abutment having a longitudinal axis, lingual and facial aspects, a base portion for engagement with a dental implant, and a tapered coronal portion. The dental abutment further includes an emergence profile portion between the base portion and the tapered coronal portion. The emergence profile portion includes at least a first concave surface and at least a first convex surface. The dental abutment may further include an interproximally sloping margin shoulder and a reduced terminal portion located at the upper end of the tapered coronal portion. Alternative embodiments of the dental abutment are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dental implant devices, kits, and methods for implantation or use in a bone cavity, are disclosed. A dental implant can include a body portion, extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis, including a central bore extending from the proximal end to a termination point, located proximal of the distal end. The dental implant can further include and one or more channels extending between the central bore and an exterior surface of the body portion. A kit can include a set of different sized dental implants, a set of slugs including a resorbable material, and optionally, an injection tool. A method can include inserting the dental implant into a bone cavity, introducing a resorbable material into the central bore of the body portion, and permitting the resorbable material to flow from the central bore, through the one or more channels, and into the bone cavity.

Abstract: A dental implant can include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an apical end, a coronal end, and an exterior surface. A portion of the exterior surface can include a porous material. The dental implant can include at least one thread, including a non-porous material, having an interior surface and a bone-engaging surface. The interior surface can engage and wind around the exterior surface of the shaft and the bone-engaging surface can extend outwardly from the exterior surface of the shaft. The shaft can include one or more channels configured to communicate a flowable material, stored within the shaft, to the exterior surface. Each channel can include an opening at the exterior surface to release the flowable material. At least one channel can extend between a cavity of the shaft and the exterior surface and can optionally be angled toward the apical end.

Abstract: A modular implant includes a head, an intermediate part configured to engage bone, and an initially separate anchor configured to engage the head so that at least the head and the anchor cooperatively secure the intermediate part on the implant to form the modular implant. At least one of the head, the intermediate part, and the anchor has a plurality of forms, and each form is configured to be assembled on at least one form of the other two of the head, intermediate part, and anchor. The intermediate part may include a porous metal such as tantalum.

Abstract: An implant includes a head portion, an intermediate portion and an initially separate stem portion configured to engage the head portion so that at least the head portion and the stem portion cooperatively secure the intermediate portion on the implant. The implant may also include a locking mechanism configured to secure the head portion to the stem portion by a press fit or a threaded connection. The intermediate portion may include a porous metal such as tantalum.

Abstract: A dental implant has a body with a porous metal portion for engaging bone. The porous metal portion has an outer coronal to apical height and an outer diameter. Both the height and diameter are about 4 mm to about 6 mm. This permits the implant to be placed on a jaw with a reduced bone volume.

Abstract: An implant system can include a first rotatable flexible shaft comprising a biocompatible material and configured to be used as an implant for placement in the human body, the implant including an implant driving element positioned at a proximal end; a second rotatable flexible shaft including a cutting drill positioned at a distal end and a drill driving element positioned at a proximal end; and a surgical tool capable of being connected, in the alternative, to the drill driving element for forming a recessed surgical site and to the implant driving element for placing the implant in the recessed surgical site.

Abstract: An expendable bone implant has a first member with a coronal end portion configured for supporting a prosthesis. A second member is at least partially porous, engages the first member, and is configured to expand outwardly upon a longitudinal force being applied to at least one of the first and second members. This anchors the implant in bone before mastication forces are applied to the implant.

Abstract: A model head including a jaw insert having layers of varying materials replicating the anatomical features of a human jaw. The jaw may include a mock nerve system that provides a signal to indicate the condition of the nerve. The jaw also may include a circulatory system including vessels that simulate the bleeding that occurs when a vessel in a human has been damaged.

Abstract: Dental implants, dental abutments, and dental systems are disclosed. A dental implant can include an implant body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end. An internal bore can be provided within the implant body, and can have a coronal end, adjacent to the coronal end of the implant body, and an apical end. The internal bore can include a first internally facing surface, extending from the coronal end of the internal bore towards the apical end of the internal bore, at least a portion of which tapers inwardly towards the apical end of the internal bore. The internal bore can further include an internally threaded portion positioned between an apical end of the first internally facing surface and the apical end of the internal bore. A dental abutment can be configured to engage with the dental implant.

Abstract: Dental implants made at least in part of a porous tantalum material for enhancing the osseointegration of the dental implant into surrounding bone. For example, there is provided a dental implant which includes a porous tantalum portion and an outer portion having a color generally replicating the color of natural teeth. The dental implant further comprises a core portion and the porous tantalum portion at least partially surrounds the core portion. An esthetic portion is disposed at least the outer portion and the porous tantalum portion is disposed for at least partially reinforcing the esthetic portion. After implantation of the implant, bone tissue may osseointegrate into the porous tantalum portion to anchor the implant in position within the surrounding bone. Other embodiments of implants are provided, each implant including at least a portion thereof formed of porous tantalum for improved osseointegration.

Abstract: A drive tool for accepting and rotationally locking the head portion of an orthopedic screw, such as a dental implant, to impart driving torque to the screw. In one exemplary embodiment, the drive tool includes an elongate body having an opening at its proximal end which is sized to receive the head portions of at least two different dental implants, the head portions of the dental implants being oriented at different angles with respect to the implant body portions. When the head portion of an implant is received within the opening, the drive tool is rotationally locked with respect to the implant. In this position, the body of the drive tool remains oriented so that same is substantially colinear with the body portion of the implant. Although the invention is described in the context of a drive tool used with a dental implant having a body portion and a head portion or abutment portion, the invention is more broadly applicable to drive tools which may be used with other types of orthopedic screws.

Abstract: A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.

Abstract: Prosthetic apparatuses with probiotic microorganisms to control colonization of pathogenic bacteria are disclosed. The prosthetic apparatus may include a first portion having a first mating surface, a second portion having a second mating surface that conforms to the first mating surface, and at least one strain of probiotic microorganisms retained between the first and second mating surfaces prior to implantation of the prosthetic apparatus.

Abstract: Dental compositions are disclosed. A dental composition can include a reaction produce of a reaction mixture comprising a first mixture and a second mixture. The first mixture can include a ceramic based biomaterial, and the second mixture can include mineral trioxide aggregate and a phosphoric acid monomer.

Abstract: A bone implant surgery system is used for simulating a dental surgical procedure having a display that shows placing a simulated bone implant at a simulated implant site on a living body by using a simulated surgical tool holding the simulated bone implant. At least one hand-held haptic device is used to control the surgical tool and at least one controller is specifically configured to cause movement of the surgical tool on the display based on motions of the haptic device and to cause haptic feedback to a user holding the haptic device depending on the position of the surgical tool on the display. A user may then review and evaluate the results of the surgical simulation.

Abstract: A multi-unit dental implant system including a dental implant, a straight abutment, an angled abutment, and a plurality of copings or other components configured to universally fit on the cone-section of the straight abutment and the cone-section of the angled abutment.

Abstract: A dental drill is disclosed which allows for an osteotomy to be formed in a shape which closely matches the cylindrical shape of many dental implants. In so doing, the implant engages more tissue of the resulting osteotomy, thus resulting in greater ability for the tissue to penetrate and fuse with the implant while also reducing the chances of infection and reducing the overall recovery time. In addition, by forming the dental drill with a relatively obtuse angulation between the termini of the drill flutes, the cutting forces are spread across a larger cutting area thus reducing wear on the drill itself. Moreover, by spreading the cutting force over a larger area, the heat generated by the drill is reduced and thus the discomfort afforded to the patient is reduced.