Abstract: A medical implant package including a vial and a cap connected by a hinge. The vial includes a cavity for housing at least a portion of a dental implant. To access the implant, the cap is rotated about the hinge from a closed position to an open position. The cap defines a second cavity, separate from the vial cavity, sized to contain a healing screw. In one embodiment, the cap includes two portions connected by a living hinge which define the second cavity. The two cap portions, when moved relative to each other via the living hinge, permit access to the healing screw. In an alternative embodiment, the cap includes two retention members sized and configured to grip the healing screw. To remove the healing screw from the cap, the two retention members are displaced apart from each other by engaging them with a wedge extending from the vial.

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 retaining screw used to secure dental components, such as abutments, copings, and prosthesis to dental implants. The screw has a body formed from titanium and a spring-washer formed from gold. The spring-washer is adapted to prevent the screw from loosening or losing preload once tightened to the implant. The spring-washer includes an annular body with a plurality of flexible legs extending from the annular body; the legs prevent the screw from coming loose during shipping or while attached to an abutment.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an organic implant/abutment interface for dental implants. In one illustrative embodiment, the abutment comprises a body having a distal end which has an organic shape. In another illustrative embodiment, the implant comprises having a spherical coronal end which interfaces with the abutment allowing a formation of a seal.

Abstract: A method for immediately placing a non-occlusive and non-functional temporary dental implant prosthesis in the jawbone of a human patient with the prosthesis having a size and shape of a natural human tooth.

Abstract: Disclosed within is a dental restorative system including a dental fixture component having a longitudinal axis, a body portion, and an emergence profile portion adjacent to the body portion The dental fixture component also has a tapered coronal portion adjacent to the emergence profile portion, with the tapered coronal portion having one end adjacent to the emergence profile portion and a terminal end with a non-frustoconical surface and a non-circular cross section. The emergence profile portion may include one or more concave surfaces. The dental fixture component may further include an interproximally sloping margin shoulder. Certain embodiments of the dental fixture component include threaded body portions. Alternative embodiments of the dental fixture component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic dental device comprised of a composite material including a polymer material and a ceramic material mixed within the polymer material. In one embodiment, the ceramic fillers are substantially, homogeneously dispersed within the polymer material. In one embodiment, the ceramic material is bonded to the polymer material through a coupling agent. In addition, the prosthetic dental device can be comprised of a different composite material. This composite material includes a ceramic matrix having pores and an organic material infiltrated into the pores. To construct the ceramic matrix, ceramic particles, a binder material, and a porogen material are mixed to create a composite material which is then molded and heated to create a substantially rigid ceramic structure. At least some of the binder material and the porogen material are evaporated during the heating step to create pores in the matrix which are filled with the organic material.

Abstract: Disclosed within is a dental restorative system including an impression coping with a body portion having a first end, a second end, and an internal chamber having non-frustoconical side walls. The body portion also has a facial aspect and a lingual aspect and the distance between the first end and second end on the facial aspect is greater than the distance between the first end and second end on the lingual aspect. The first end of the impression coping may include an opening and an interproximal, continuous slope.. Certain embodiments of the impression coping include means for engaging an abutment or implant, located on the internal chamber. Other embodiments include external flange portions for retention of the coping in impression material. Alternative embodiments of the impression coping are also disclosed.

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: The disclosed fixture mount limits torque that may be applied when installing a dental implant and also serves as an impression post and an abutment for a temporary prosthesis. In preferred embodiments, the fixture mount is formed of plastic and is subject to chair side modifications by the surgeon so as to be better suited as an abutment. Methods of shaping the fixture mount for use as an abutment and for making a dental restoration using the shaped abutment are disclosed.

Abstract: A mount for holding and releasing dental implant components. The mount has a generally cylindrical body with a capture formed in the body. The capture includes an opening that is deformable between two positions. In a first position, a dental component is frictionally captured or engaged in the opening. In a second position, the dental component is released or disengaged as the opening deforms.

Abstract: An impression coping for taking an impression of a dental implant installed in the jawbone of a patient. The impression coping has a proximal end with an impression portion adapted to be embedded in impression material and a distal portion with a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism includes a housing having a locking member and biasing member. The locking member is biased to slideably move in the housing and engage the dental implant.

Abstract: In one aspect, a group of prefabricated components to form a drill guide system for drilling a properly spaced and oriented implant hole adjacent to another implant hole or adjacent to a fully-installed implant is disclosed. In another aspect, improved procedures for drilling a dental implant hole adjacent to another implant hole are disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a group of inter-connecting, prefabricated components of various shapes and sizes that can be assembled together to form a framework system directly onto dental implants installed in the patient's mouth is disclosed. In another aspect, a group of prefabricated components to form a drill guide system for drilling a properly spaced and oriented implant hole adjacent to another implant hole or adjacent to a fully-installed implant is disclosed. In yet another aspect, improved procedures for installing permanent, implant-supported dental restorations are disclosed, including an immediate loading procedure.

Abstract: A dental retaining screw used to secure dental components, such as abutments, copings, and prosthesis to dental implants. The screw having a locking mechanism adapted to prevent the screw from loosening during shipping or while experiencing vibrations. The locking mechanism includes a locking component and biasing members located in the head portion of the retaining screw.

Abstract: A dental retaining screw used to secure dental components, such as abutments, copings, and prosthesis to dental implants. The screw having a locking mechanism adapted to prevent the screw from loosening during shipping or while experiencing vibrations. The locking mechanism includes a locking component and biasing members located in the head portion of the retaining screw.

Abstract: A dental driving tool having a distal end with a drive mechanism adapted to drive a dental implant and a retention mechanism adapted to hold and carry the dental implant. The retention mechanism includes a housing having a ceramic locking member and corrosive resistant biasing member. Preferably, the housing is formed as an axial bore through the distal end, and the locking and biasing members are formed as a ball and spring, respectively.

Abstract: A dental retaining screw used to secure dental components, such as abutments, copings, and prosthesis to dental implants. The screw has a body formed from titanium and a spring-washer formed from gold. The spring-washer is adapted to prevent the screw from loosening or losing preload once tightened to the implant. The spring-washer includes an annular body with a plurality of flexible legs extending from the annular body; the legs prevent the screw from coming loose during shipping or while attached to an abutment.

Abstract: A manual dental driving tool adapted to drive a dental implant into the jawbone of a patient. The driving tool includes a handle at the proximal end, a ratchet assembly and a pin assembly located within the handle, and a tool engaging assembly located at the distal end. The pin assembly switches the driving tool between a manual mode and a ratchet mode.