Abstract: Dental implants made at least in part of a porous tantalum material for enhancing the osseointegration of the dental implant into surrounding bone. For example, there is provided a dental implant which includes a porous tantalum portion and an outer portion having a color generally replicating the color of natural teeth. The dental implant further comprises a core portion and the porous tantalum portion at least partially surrounds the core portion. An esthetic portion is disposed at least the outer portion and the porous tantalum portion is disposed for at least partially reinforcing the esthetic portion. After implantation of the implant, bone tissue may osseointegrate into the porous tantalum portion to anchor the implant in position within the surrounding bone. Other embodiments of implants are provided, each implant including at least a portion thereof formed of porous tantalum for improved osseointegration.

Abstract: A prosthetic dental device has an inner portion formed of an inner material and an outer portion formed of an outer material that covers at least a part of the inner portion. The inner material is substantially different from the color of natural teeth while the outer material is substantially the same color as natural teeth. Both the inner material and the outer material comprise a polymer.

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 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: 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: A two-piece dental abutment having a cuff portion that is removable from a upper portion. The upper portion engages and retains the cuff portion during abutment placement.

Abstract: A dental implant system that dramatically simplifies implantation of a dental implant at an implant site. The dental implant system includes a threaded dental implant having a mounting end with an internal, threaded, axial bore. A healing cap is threadably engaged with the internal, axial bore prior to implantation. The healing cap also includes engagement features, such as a plurality of indentations, that permit secure engagement of a dental driving tool with the healing cap. Thus, upon engagement with a dental driving tool, the dental implant system can be threaded into engagement with the alveolar bone at the implant site and covered by gingival tissue, without any additional components or process steps.

Abstract: A device for retaining and delivering dental implant components includes a retainer-delivery member which may be pivotally attached to a handle member and selectively detached therefrom. The retainer-delivery member has a plurality of multi-sized stepped down portions for hands-off insertion into, and frictional engagement with various dental implant components. The retainer-delivery member can retain one or more of the components for delivery to the implant site and can be manipulated for initial connection to the implant.

Abstract: A dental implant delivery system comprising a vial housing an implant and driver mount with a removable flange.

Abstract: A two-piece dental abutment having a cuff portion that is removable from a upper portion. The cuff is made from a material different than the upper portion.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant for implantation into bone. The implant includes multiple flutes disposed around the tapping end. Each flute has a helical configuration. During tapping, bone chips are directed upwardly and away from the tapping end.

Abstract: A self-tapping implant for implantation into bone. The implant includes multiple flutes disposed around its tapping end. Each flute includes three separate concave cavities working in conjunction to tap the bone. A first cavity provides a primary cutting edge; a second cavity provides a repository for bone chips; and a third cavity provides both cutting and storing of bone.