Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. An intra-oral scan is made of the patient's mouth having an installation site with a dental implant installed and a healing abutment attached to the dental implant. The healing abutment has at least one informational marker. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker and the three-dimensional model are used to manufacture a rapid prototype model of the patient's mouth, which includes a dental implant analog.

Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanocrystalline surface on an implant is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to form a roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of, without forming an alkoxide on the roughened surface, depositing nanocrystals on the roughened surface. The nanocrystals comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region so as to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.

Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a surgical guide to be placed in a patient's mouth. The patient's mouth is scanned to obtain surgical-region scan data at a region where an implant is to be located. The patient's mouth is also scanned in the opened position to acquire dental conditions opposite from the surgical region to obtain opposing-condition scan data. A virtual model is developed using the surgical-region scan data and the opposing-condition scan data. Using the virtual model, a surgical plan is developed that includes the location of the implant to be installed in the patient. A virtual surgical guide is also developed based on the surgical plan. The dimensions of instrumentation to be used with the surgical guide are checked to ensure they will fit within the mouth by use of the opposing-condition scan data. After checking, final surgical-guide manufacturing information is obtained for manufacturing the surgical guide.

Abstract: A dental implant made of a material comprising titanium. The implant includes a head portion having a non-rotational feature, a lowermost end opposing the head portion, and a threaded bottom portion for engaging bone between the head portion implant and the lowermost end. The implant further includes a nanocrystalline surface formed on at least a portion of the implant. The nanocrystalline surface includes discrete nanocrystals deposited on a roughened surface of the implant. The roughened surface includes at least one of a grit-blasted surface or an acid-etched surface. A portion of the roughened surface is exposed between at least some of the discrete nanocrystals such that the exposed roughened portion between the discrete nanocrystals is capable of contacting bone.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises forming a nanoscale roughened surface on the microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of depositing discrete nanoparticles on the nanoscale roughened surface though a one-step process of exposing the roughened surface to a solution including the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a material having a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.

Abstract: Methods of selecting or designing an implant to be used in a patient are provided. A CT scan of a patient's mouth is performed. A 3D CAD model of the patient's mouth is created utilizing data generated by the CT scan. Properties of the patient's mouth are determined based upon CT scan data and assigned to the 3D CAD model. A desired location for an implant is selected. A FEA simulation is performed on the 3D CAD model to choose an implant or to design an implant that optimizes a selected variable.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D anatomic digital model for determining a desired location for placing at least one dental implant in a patient's mouth. The method comprises the act of obtaining a first dataset associated with hard tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of obtaining a second dataset associated with soft tissue of the patient's mouth. The method further comprises the act of combining the first dataset and the second dataset to create a detailed structure of hard tissue and soft tissue having variable dimensions over the hard tissue.

Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. The method takes an impression of a mouth including a first installation site having a dental implant installed in the first installation site and a gingival healing abutment having at least one informational marker attached to the dental implant. A stone model is prepared based on the impression, including teeth models and model markers indicative of the at least one informational marker. The model is scanned. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker is determined to gather information for manufacturing the rapid prototype. Rapid prototype dimensional information is developed.

Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. An intra-oral scan is made of the patient's mouth having an installation site with a dental implant installed and a healing abutment attached to the dental implant. The healing abutment has at least one informational marker. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker and the three-dimensional model are used to manufacture a rapid prototype model of the patient's mouth, which includes a dental implant analog.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical guide for guiding the insertion of a dental implant into a desired location in a patient's mouth. The implant includes a non-rotational structure. The surgical guide includes a structure and a master tube. The structure has a negative impression surface to be fitted on and placed over gingival tissue, bone, and/or teeth in the patient's mouth. The structure includes an opening through which the dental implant is placed. The master tube is located at the opening. The master tube includes indicia for alignment with the non-rotational structure on the implant such that the non-rotational structure of the implant is at a known angular orientation with respect to the master tube. The present invention includes kits of various components used with the surgical guide and with the dental surgery using the surgical guide.

Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.