Abstract: A dental protocol for creating an osteotomy for an implant is disclosed. A first drill is selected having a tip to create a pilot hole in the bone surface of a patient. The first drill includes a first boring section to create a bore hole for a second drill and a second boring section to create a coronal area on the hole near the bone surface. A first drill hole is created on the bone surface having a depth compatible with the length of the implant with the first drill and a coronal area. A second drill for creating a second hole having a width compatible with the body of the implant is selected. A second drill hole is created on the bone surface with the second drill.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: An implant for implantation into bone tissue having an exterior surface includes an elongated body and at least one thread. The elongated body has a distal end portion for being submerged in the bone tissue, a proximal end portion for being located near the exterior surface of the bone tissue, a central axis, and an outer surface. When viewed in cross-section, the elongated body has a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section includes a plurality of lobes and a plurality of dwells. Each of the plurality of dwells is disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of lobes. The thread extends radially outward with respect to the central axis from the outer surface of the elongated body between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. As the implant is screwed into the bone tissue, only the lobes on the elongated body engage the bone tissue. Because no contact exists between the dwells and the bone tissue, the amount of torque required to insert the implant is reduced.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: A set of dental impression components that may be used for either pick-up type (open tray) or transfer type (closed tray) impression molding techniques. The components are used with an impression material to fabricate a model at a site in a jawbone where an implant has been osseointegrated. The impression components include an impression coping having an outer surface with its bottom end configured to reside below the gingiva surrounding the implant. A passage exists through the impression coping which accepts a first means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a pick-up type impression application. The passage also accepts a second means for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a transfer type impression application.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A dental abutment forms an abutment post having a transmucosal base portion and a supragingival portion having a smaller transverse external cross-section than the proximal end of the base portion. The supragingival portion forms a through bore threaded at its proximal end and stepped to form an internal shoulder for seating the head of a screw for attaching the abutment post to the implant. The exterior surface of the abutment post forms a generally polygonal transverse cross-section for receiving hollow components having interior surfaces that can be telescoped over the abutment post.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: A single stage dental implant for implantation in living jawbone having overlying gingiva comprises a generally cylindrical body section having an exterior surface for confronting the jawbone and a head section attached to the body section for extending through the overlying gingiva when the body section is confronting the jawbone. The head section has an end portion which is generally near an outer layer of the gingiva. The implant further includes a bore within the head section extending to an opening at the end portion of the head section. The bore is defined by first, second, and third walls. The first wall has internal threads. The second wall has a larger diameter than the first surface and is substantially cylindrical. The second wall extends from the first wall toward the end portion. The third wall extends from the second wall to the opening and flares toward the opening to a diameter that is wider than a diameter of the second wall.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a ratchet wrench and a torque indicator combined concentrically in a single housing. The ratchet wrench is useful for driving a fastener used in dentistry, such as an abutment screw that holds an abutment on a dental implant. In operation, the handle of the wrench can be rotated in one direction (e.g. clockwise) to impart torque on the fastener. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g. counterclockwise), no torque is applied to the fastener as the handle is returned to a position where it is easy for the clinician to again rotate the handle to apply additional torque to the fastener. The return motion of the handle (e.g. counterclockwise rotation) may be stepless in operation which is brought about through a coiled clutch spring located in an annular space within a housing between the housing and a concentric driver member. To provide an indication of torque, a rotor body is supported coaxially within the driver member.

Abstract: A dental coping is set forth for placement over an abutment post that is attached to and protruding above a dental implant. The abutment post includes an outer surface with at least one structure for non-rotationally engaging a prosthetic tooth. The coping includes a base portion having an internally tapered surface for mating with a support surface of the implant. A wall extends away from the base portion for enveloping the abutment post. The wall includes at least one aperture for being aligned with and providing access to at least one of the non-rotational attachment engagement structures of the abutment post. The apertures are especially useful in the process of making the prosthetic tooth by allowing wax material to pass therethrough and engage the non-rotational features of an analog device replicating the abutment post such that a castable material will form antirotational features for mating with the antirotational features of the abutment post.

Abstract: A two-piece abutment system is disclosed. The first part includes a tapering inner surface which is part of a bore extending entirely through the first part. The first part includes a socket for mating with a boss or post on a dental implant. The elongated second part includes a threaded stem for engaging a threaded bore with a dental implant and a post which extends above the first part. The second part extends through the bore of the first part and is screwed into the implant. As the second part is screwed into the implant, a tapering external surface on the post of the second part frictionally locks with the tapering inner surface of the first part. The first part has a metallic core which is surrounded by a ceramic outer portion.

Abstract: A dental implant system for providing a progressively tightening anti-rotational connection between a post and a socket. Engagement means on the post and/or socket provide for a small degree of relative rotation between the post and socket upon initial connection, then a progressively tightening connection upon further penetration of the post into the socket and then a final connection which substantially eliminates the relative rotation between the post and socket.

Abstract: A set of dental impression components that may be used for either pick-up type (open tray) or transfer type (closed tray) impression molding techniques. The components are used with an impression material to fabricate a model at a site in a jawbone where an implant has been osseointegrated. The impression components include an impression coping having an outer surface with its bottom end configured to reside below the gingiva surrounding the implant. A passage exists through the impression coping which accepts a first component for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a pick-up type impression application. The passage also accepts a second component for attaching the impression coping to the implant for use in a transfer type impression application.

Abstract: An implant for implantation into bone tissue having an exterior surface includes an elongated body and at least one thread. The elongated body has a distal end portion for being submerged in the bone tissue, a proximal end portion for being located near the exterior surface of the bone tissue, a central axis, and an outer surface. When viewed in cross-section, the elongated body has a non-circular cross-section. The non-circular cross-section includes a plurality of lobes and a plurality of dwells. Each of the plurality of dwells is disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of lobes. The thread extends radially outward with respect to the central axis from the outer surface of the elongated body between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. As the implant is screwed into the bone tissue, only the lobes on the elongated body engage the bone tissue. Because no contact exists between the dwells and the bone tissue, the amount of torque required to insert the implant is reduced.

Abstract: A two-piece abutment system is disclosed. The first part includes a tapering inner surface which is part of a bore extending entirely through the first part. The first part includes a socket for mating with a boss or post on a dental implant. The elongated second part includes a threaded stem for engaging a threaded bore with a dental implant and a post which extends above the first part. The second part extends through the bore of the first part and is screwed into the implant. As the second part is screwed into the implant, a tapering external surface on the post of the second part frictionally locks with the tapering inner surface of the first part.

Abstract: A post-and-socket connector of the anti-rotational kind having means near the base of one or both parts for filling selected portions of the space between them and thereby restricting or eliminating relative rotation of the two parts round a common axis.

Abstract: A gold abutment for receiving a cast metal substrate of an artificial tooth has a non-rotational (hexagonal) socket in its base. To prevent distorting the socket in the casting process the base is provided with an annular groove. Larger than usual base diameters can be used with no noticeable distortion of the socket.