Abstract: An immediate provisional implant is provided, and method of use therefor, that serves to protect permanent dental implant anchors and overlying tissue during the healing and osseointegration process. Potentially damaging forces resulting from patient use of a temporary prosthesis during the osseointegration period are carried by the immediate provisional implant, rather than impinging upon non-osseointegrated permanent implant anchors or overlying tissue. The immediate provisional implants are self-threading and are inserted in osteotomies located near permanent dental implant anchors. The temporary prosthesis is removed after a period allowed for osseointegration of the permanent implant anchors, and the provisional implants can also be removed at the same time. The immediate provisional implants are non-linearly tapered from a maximum thread diameter near the bone surface to a more narrow distal end, providing immediate stability without the benefit of osseointegration.

Abstract: An immediate provisional implant is provided, and method of use therefor, that serves to protect permanent dental implant anchors and overlying tissue during the healing and osseointegration process. Potentially damaging forces resulting from patient use of a temporary prosthesis during the osseointegration period are carried by the immediate provisional implant, rather than impinging upon non-osseointegrated permanent implant anchors or overlying tissue. The immediate provisional implants are self-threading and are inserted in osteotomies located near permanent dental implant anchors. The temporary prosthesis is removed after a period allowed for osseointegration of the permanent implant anchors, and the provisional implants can also be removed at the same time. The immediate provisional implants are non-linearly tapered from a maximum thread diameter near the bone surface to a more narrow distal end, providing immediate stability without the benefit of osseointegration.

Abstract: An immediate provisional implant is provided, and method of use therefor, that serves to protect permanent dental implant anchors and overlying tissue during the healing and osseointegration process. Potentially damaging forces resulting from patient use of a temporary prosthesis during the osseointegration period are carried by the immediate provisional implant, rather than impinging upon non-osseointegrated permanent implant anchors or overlying tissue. The immediate provisional implants are self-threading and are inserted in osteotomies located near permanent dental implant anchors. The temporary prosthesis is removed after a period allowed for osseointegration of the permanent implant anchors, and the provisional implants can also be removed at the same time. The immediate provisional implants are non-linearly tapered from a maximum thread diameter near the bone surface to a more narrow distal end, providing immediate stability without the benefit of osseointegration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated dental screw for retaining and securing components of a dental prosthetic implant stack. The screw is coated with a hard carbon coating/film to provide a low friction surface finish which advantageously results in improved preloading of the screw, and hence a high clamping force between the components of the dental prosthetic implant stack. The coating can comprise diamond-like carbon (DLC), amorphous diamond, crystalline diamond, or a combination thereof. The dental screw can include abutment retaining screws and prosthesis retaining screws. Other advantages provided by the hard carbon coating include high mechanical surface hardness, biocompatibilty, corrosion resistance, chemical inertness and low cost.

Abstract: A threaded dental implant assembly is provided for insertion into a pre-drilled bore in the jawbone is disclosed. The threaded dental implant assembly includes a threaded implant body to which is attached a healing cap for covering the central socket in the implant body during the healing period. The healing cap is mechanically coupled to the implant body before the insertion procedure by a coupling screw extending through bore in the healing cap into the central socket of the implant body. A recess in the bottom of the healing cap mates with a protrusion on the top of the implant body such that the healing cap is prevented from rotating relative to the implant body. A tool engages the top of the healing cap for easy manipulation of the implant body/healing cap during the insertion procedure. The tool is disengaged from the healing cap after the insertion procedure thereby leaving the implant body and healing cap in the jawbone.