Abstract: An infection-blocking dental implant in which a threaded portion which contacts bone is roughened except for up to three threads which may be exposed by bone recession after implantation, which have a smooth surface. Preferably, the implant is of titanium or titanium alloy and the threaded portion is roughened by a two-step acid treatment.

Abstract: The surface of a surgically-implantable prosthetic device is impacted with particles of the same material as the device to form the surface into a desired pattern of roughness.

Abstract: A self-tapping dental implant comprises a generally cylindrical body with a threaded outer surface for securing the implant to the wails of a preformed hole in a jaw bone. The cylindrical body has a plurality of longitudinal recesses formed in the threaded surface at one end and extends longitudinally through a plurality of turns of the thread to form a self-tapping cutting edge at each interruption of the thread by one of the recesses. Each thread segment extends between a pair of adjacent recesses and diminishes in radius between the leading and trailing ends of the thread segment.

Abstract: A dental implant intended for installation in maxillary and mandibular posterior regions where bone is cancellous internally and cortical externally characterized by labial and buccal cortical plates bounding a relatively large body of cancellous bone. The body of the implant fixture has a width dimension that is substantially the same as the distance between the labial and buccal cortical plates in the site of installation. When installed in that site the implant makes bone-to-implant contact with both of the plates simultaneously. The length of this implant fixture is limited so that when so installed it does not make contact with the mandibular canal or the sinus cavity.

Abstract: A dental implant fixture intended for installation in maxillary and mandibular posterior regions where bone is cancellous internally and cortical externally characterized by labial and lingual cortical plates bounding a relatively large body of cancellous bone. The body of the implant fixture has a width dimension that is substantially the same as the distance between the labial and lingual cortical plates in the site of installation and has a stop flange of substantially the same width at its gingival end. When the implant is installed in that site the stop flange makes bone-to-implant contact with the coronal bone which joins the plates. The length of this implant fixture is limited so that when so installed it does not make contact with the mandibular canal or the sinus cavity.

Abstract: A dental implant fixture intended for installation in maxillary and mandibular posterior regions where bone is cancellous internally and cortical externally characterized by buccal and lingual cortical plates bounding a relatively large body of cancellous bone. The body of the implant fixture has a width dimension that is substantially the same as the distance between the buccal and lingual cortical plates in the site of installation and has a stop flange of substantially the same width at its gingival end. When the implant is installed in that site the stop flange makes bone-to-implant contact with the coronal bone which joins the plates. The length of this implant fixture is limited so that when so installed it does not make contact with the mandibular canal or the sinus cavity.

Abstract: A tool for affixing a component to a dental implant fixture with a screw passing through the component and threaded into the implant fixture, in which the tool has two parts telescopically interfitting one within the other, the outer part being tubular for carrying the component at one end, and the inner part fitted at one end for carrying the screw positioned within the component, whereby the component and the screw within it can be carried together to the implant fixture where the outer part is used to hold the component in place while the inner part is used to drive the screw relative to the implant fixture.

Abstract: A support post for use with a dental implant for supporting a prosthesis thereon is disclosed. The support post includes an implant-contacting region and a supragingival core section which extends from the trans-tissue region for supporting a prosthesis. An interface member is secured to the post at the bottom of the implant-contacting region for abutment between the implant-contacting region and an implant to which the post is to be secured. The interface member has material properties different from those from which the post is made and compatible with those of the implant. Typically the support post is made of ceramic material while the insert is made of titanium having hardness properties no greater than that of the implant with which it is used.

Abstract: A dental transfer coping for taking a dental impression of a patient's case in which information about the rotational position of an installed implant around its axis is preserved has plural impression interlocking elements arrayed on its outer surface. These elements are rotationally indexed to the ant-rotation device of the implant, and are uniformly arrayed around the coping so that the coping can be removed from the impression and reinstalled in it in many rotational positions without losing the rotational information of the implant.

Abstract: A second stage healing abutment for forming and preserving in the mucosa above a dental implant a transmucosal opening large enough to receive an artificial tooth that faithfully replicates a natural tooth being restored, and a companion transfer coping having identical transmucosal portions for forming in a laboratory model a faithful replica of the transmucosal opening in which to fabricate the artificial tooth, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The surface of a surgically-implantable prosthetic device is impacted with particles of the same material as the device to form the surface into a desired pattern of roughness.

Abstract: The surface of a device that is surgically implantable in living bone is prepared. The device is made of titanium with a native oxide layer on the surface. The method of preparation comprises the steps of removing the native oxide layer from the surface of the device and performing further treatment of the surface substantially in the absence of unreacted oxygen.

Abstract: A dental implant packaging system for contamination-free packaging, storage, transport and delivery of dental implants and related components. Various embodiments of the system as applied to a dental implant and its cover screw are shown in which a dental implant is housed in a transparent tubular capsule that is lined with a titanium sleeve which covers the head and part of the body of the implant, leaving the tail end exposed to view. The head is restrained in the opening into the capsule and a cap which closes the capsule also serves to hold the head in place.

Abstract: A second stage healing abutment for forming and preserving in the mucosa above a dental implant a transmucosal opening large enough to receive an artificial tooth that faithfully replicates a natural tooth being restored, and a companion transfer coping having identical transmucosal portions for forming in a laboratory model a faithful replica of the transmucosal opening made of a resilient gingiva replicating material in which to fabricate the artificial tooth, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A tool for affixing a component to a dental implant fixture with a screw passing through the component and threaded into the implant fixture, in which the tool has two parts telescopically interfitting one within the other, the outer part being tubular for carrying the component at one end, and the inner part fitted at one end for carrying the screw positioned within the component, whereby the component and the screw within it can be carried together to the implant fixture where the outer part is used to hold the component in place while the inner part is used to drive the screw into the implant fixture.

Abstract: A tool for affixing a component to a dental implant fixture with a screw passing through the component and threaded into the implant fixture, in which the tool has two parts telescopically interfitting one within the other, the outer part being tubular for carrying the component at one end, and the inner part fitted at one end for carrying the screw positioned within the component, whereby the component and the screw within it can be carried together to the implant fixture where the outer part is used to hold the component in place while the inner part is used to drive the screw into the implant fixture.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch which transmits gradually increasing torque up to a prescribed limit at which limit the clutch disengages from its load. An embodiment designed for light service use in dentistry encloses all the working parts in a housing through which torque is applied to the load, and is autoclavable. This embodiment can be attached to known dental handpieces for assembling components of dental restorations with prescribed limited torque.

Abstract: A second stage healing abutment for forming and preserving in the mucosa above a dental implant a transmucosal opening large enough to receive an artificial tooth that faithfully replicates a natural tooth being restored, and a companion transfer coping having identical transmucosal portions for forming in a laboratory model a faithful replica of the transmucosal opening made of a resilient gingiva replicating material in which to fabricate the artificial tooth, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch which transmits gradually increasing torque up to a prescribed limit at which limit the clutch disengages from its load. An embodiment designed for light service use in dentistry encloses all the working parts in a housing through which torque is applied to the load, and is autoclavable, This embodiment can be attached to known dental handpieces for assembling components of dental restorations with prescribed limited torque.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch which transmits gradually increasing torque up to a prescribed limit at which limit the clutch disengages from its load. An embodiment designed for light service use in dentistry encloses all the working parts in a housing through which torque is applied to the load, and is autoclavable. This embodiment can be attached to known dental headpieces for assembling components of dental restorations with prescribed limited torque.