Abstract: A surgical tool for preparing a surgical sinus-lift osteotomy has a defined thread geometry in series with an osteotome tip to cut, crack and push bone from the sinus floor upward into the sinus cavity in a tactual, gentle and controlled motion. The apical osteotome tip is driven into a pre-drilled pilot osteotomy after the cutting threads are engaged and rotated until the sinus floor is cracked free. Once the bony sinus floor is cracked free, a fluid passageway can be pressurized with a sterile fluid at a defined pressure to release and push the sinus membrane upward into the sinus cavity to create a desired apical cavity for grafting while minimizing the risk of compromising or tearing the sinus membrane.

Abstract: A mechanism for separating the driver tip (28) of a driver tool (27) from an orthodontic bone screw (25) is shown. The mechanism includes a driver sleeve (36) formed with a female thread (38) that is threaded onto a male threaded portion (39) of the driver tool adjacent to the driver tip with the sleeve adapted to engage and push-off the head of the bone screw when rotated sufficiently.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system has an externally threaded root-formed base 2 with self-tapping flutes 5 formed into apical threads of the root-formed base for easy insertion and immediate locking in an osteotomy. The coronal portion of the base has either a male or a female self-locking tapered friction held post that includes an apical anti-rotational polygon 7, 23 to lock a prosthetic attachment to the base once attached.

Abstract: A maxillofacial anchoring and distraction system having an internally threaded anchoring or distraction fixture (12) and a selected length jack screw (14) for placement in an osteotomy. To minimize required bone height, a cut-away bone screw (16) or a solid mesh tip (17) is provided for insertion in bone in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the anchoring and jack screws. A flat surface portion (16c, 17a) serves as a reaction surface for the distal end of the jack screw. In a second embodiment a sealing screw (24) is used with distraction fixture (20) modified to include a sealing surface. After completion of distraction the sealing screw is used to seal off the distraction fixture for conversion into an implant suitable for receiving conventional prosthetic components.

Abstract: A maxillofacial anchoring and distraction system having an internally threaded anchoring or distraction fixture (12) and a selected length jack screw (14) for placement in an osteotomy. To minimize required bone height, a cut-away bone screw (16) or a solid mesh tip (17) is provided for insertion in bone in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the anchoring and jack screws. A flat surface portion (16c, 17a) serves as a reaction surface for the distal end of the jack screw. In a second embodiment a sealing screw (24) is used with distraction fixture (20) modified to include a sealing surface. After completion of distraction the sealing screw is used to seal off the distraction fixture for conversion into an implant suitable for receiving conventional prosthetic components.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system has an externally threaded root-formed base (2) with self-tapping flutes (5) formed into apical threads of the root-formed base for easy insertion and immediate locking in an osteotomy. The coronal portion of the base has either a male or a female self-locking tapered friction held post that includes an apical anti-rotational polygon (7,23) to lock the coronal attachment to the base once attached. The implant incorporates an esthetic biological gingival profile (10,11,31,32) to enhance inter-proximal bone attachment to the root-formed implant, which supports the surrounding papilla.

Abstract: A combined internal polygonal and locking drive tool (10,10′) used to engage a mating external implant mounting and drive fixture (12). The locking drive has an internal tapered locking drive section (10b) which is longitudinally in series with an internal polygonal section (10d) and has its largest diameter slightly larger than the smallest diameter of the internal polygonal portion. The combined delivery and drive tool can be incorporated with an external hand drive or power drill drive surface configuration.

Abstract: A self-drilling and tapping multi-drive bone screw (10) for rigid fixation of craniomaxillofacial tissue grafts and bone plates has a tip (12a) which incorporates a defined twist drill shaft with a sharp cutting point tip (12b) to easily pierce and drill a pilot hole and prepare for the insertion of self-tapping screw threads (12c). A cylindrical dome shaped head (14) for rigid fixation of craniomaxillofacial tissue grafts and geometrically sized bone plates is formed on the screw distal to the drilling and tapping features. A spline feature (14e) is incorporated into the cylindrically dome shaped head for easy pickup, assembly and insertion of the bone screw with a corresponding spline driver tool (20). The spline driver feature also allows the bone screw (10) to be driven with either a standard square or cross blade driver tool.

Abstract: A self-drilling and tapping multi-drive bone screw (10) for rigid fixation of craniomaxillofacial tissue grafts and bone plates has a tip (12a) which incorporates a defined twist drill shaft with a sharp cutting point tip (12b) to easily pierce and drill a pilot hole and prepare for the insertion of self-tapping screw threads (12c). A cylindrical dome shaped head (14) for rigid fixation of craniomaxillofacial tissue grafts and geometrically sized bone plates is formed on the screw distal to the drilling and tapping features. A spline feature (14e) is incorporated into the cylindrically dome shaped head for easy pickup, assembly and insertion of the bone screw with a corresponding spline driver tool (20). The spline driver feature also allows the bone screw (10) to be driven with either a standard square or cross blade driver tool.

Abstract: A dental torque ratchet head and driver handle (8) is formed with a chamber (12a) between first (30) and second (32) pivotably mounted handle members which receives a plastic insert (14) formed in a configuration selected so that the insert fractures at a selected torque to thereby ensure the application of a precalibrated level or torque to an abutment or prosthetic screw of an implant. A solid metal insert (14') can be used to convert the tool to a straight ratchet tool.

Abstract: A helical threaded bone tap (10,10',10") for preparing a surgical osteotomy with a defined thread configuration to allow for the insertion of a screw design implant. Incorporated into the tap are four cutting flutes (22) equally spaced, radially, to each other which allow for the removal of bone chips formed during the cutting of the thread. To better assist in this process, cutting flutes (22) are formed with a helical twist to draw the chips outward as the as the osteotomy is being tapped. Distal to the helical threaded bone tap (18) is a driving head having a polygonal configuration (26) and/or a latch type configuration (32) to allow these taps to be driven, respectively, by hand with a ratchet or by using a surgical drilling unit.

Abstract: A self-locking and threaded bone tack screw device (10) for fixing and retaining tissue grafts and synthetic membranes directly to a maxillofacial bone graft site. The tack has an oversized cylindrical dome shaped head (14) for retaining the tissue and synthetic membrane to the bone graft site and a hexagonal recess (14a) for easy insertion and removal of the device. The tip of the device incorporates a sharp pin point (12a) to easily pierce the tissue and membrane and initially penetrate into the bone graft site. A locking flange (12c) locks into the bone graft site in a single direction. A self-tapping screw thread (12f) is provided for driving the pin point tip into the bone graft site. Incorporation of the self-locking pin point tip in series with the self-tapping thread allows the hexagonal tool driven bone tack to be easily inserted and removed from the graft site without compromising its fixation.

Abstract: A maxillofacial anchoring and distracting system (10) is shown for lengthening the alveolar and small craniofacial skeletal bones by distraction osteogenesis. The distraction system includes a base plug (12), an internally and externally threaded anchoring screw body (14), a distraction jack screw (16) and healing screw (18). The base plug is press-fit into an osteotomy and acts as a baseplate to resist and transfer force received from the distraction jack screw to the subperiosteal corticotomy callus. The application of distraction force to the subperiosteal corticotomy via the distraction jack screw is resisted coronally by the anchoring screw body. Once the desired monofocal distraction osteogenesis has been completed, the maxillofacial anchoring and distraction system can be removed and easily replaced with an optimal length endosseous dental implant.

Abstract: A tri-spade dental drill with an enhanced cutting tip for preparing surgical sites for endosseous implants is described. The cutting tip incorporates a split point cutting surface for each of the three blades wherein the split point includes a positive rake angle. All three split points converge at the center of the drill, eliminating any chisel edges. The positive rake angle split point and its offset secondary cutting flutes breaks the removed bone into smaller chips, decreasing the principle cutting force necessary for drilling and facilitating material ejection.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system includes a dental implant having a multi-sided projection at its top end and an internally threaded or unthreaded passage extending into the body of the implant through an opening in the projection at the top of the implant, and an abutment having an internal passage for receiving a fastener that passes through the internal passage of the abutment, and threads into the internal passage inside the implant. The abutment has a multi-sided internal cavity at its bottom end with each of the cavity sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the abutment so that the cavity, when seated over the projection at the top of the implant, forms an anti-rotational, interlocking junction with the implant.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system comprising an artificial root and a canted coronal section. Interposed between the artificial root and the canted coronal section is an intermediate post having a locking formation adjacent both the coronal section and the artificial root. A floating screw is captured inside the intermediate post and permits the intermediate post to be secured to the artificial root independently from the coronal section. The coronal section can be secured on the intermediate post with a free screw.

Abstract: A low profile dental torque ratchet system is provided having a disposable breakaway color coded insert for holding a tool to be driven by a torsional ratchet wrench. Incorporated within the ratchet wrench is a driver that drives the tool until a preset torsional force shears the insert.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system comprising an artificial root and a canted coronal section. Interposed between the artificial root and the canted coronal section is an intermediate post having a locking formation adjacent both the coronal section and the artificial root. A floating screw is captured inside the intermediate post and permits the intermediate post to be secured to the artificial root independently from the coronal section. The coronal section can be secured on the intermediate post with a free screw.

Abstract: An endosseous dental implant system comprising an artificial root and a coronal portion. Interposed between the artificial root and the coronal portion is an adjustable internal jam nut for providing a selected preload when the coronal portion is mounted in the artificial root.