Abstract: A submergible or non-submergible (“one stage”) screw-type implant for use in the immediate post-extraction site of a patient's tooth. In order to increase the ability of regenerated bone to anchor the implant, an upper portion of the implant has a preferably generally conical shape and has a plurality of spherical projections sintered to its outer surface to make it suitable for bone integration and retention. The lower portion of the implant has a cylindrical shape with threads extending over a portion thereof. A channel is located through the threads and is shaped so that one side forms a cutting edge that makes the lower portion of the implant self-tapping into the bone at the base of the tooth extension socket.

Abstract: A submergible or non-submergible (“one stage”) screw-type implant for use in the immediate post-extraction site of a patient's tooth. In order to increase the ability of regenerated bone to anchor the implant, an upper portion of the implant has a preferably generally conical shape and has a plurality of spherical projections sintered to its outer surface to make it suitable for bone integration and retention. The lower portion of the implant has a cylindrical shape with threads extending over a portion thereof. A channel is located through the threads and is shaped so that one side forms a cutting edge that makes the lower portion of the implant self-tapping into the bone at the base of the tooth extension socket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a sinus lift operation can be continued in the presence of a tear in the Schneiderian membrane covering the floor of the sinus cavity prior to installing a dental implant in an edentulous region. During such an operation, an incision is made through the tissue covering the dental ridge and an opening is created through the maxillary bone toward the sinus cavity for the purpose of inserting bone fragments under the Schneiderian membrane on the floor of the cavity. If the membrane is torn, a balloon is inserted into the opening through the maxillary bone and the membrane into the sinus cavity, such that the closed end of the balloon extends into the sinus cavity and its open end or lips are adjacent the opening at the surface of the dental ridge. The balloon lips are fastened to the dental ridge surrounding the opening, for example, by adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which a sinus lift operation can be continued even when there is a tear in the Schneiderian membrane covering the floor of the sinus cavity. A channel is created through the maxillary bone of a patient in an edentulous region where a dental implant is to be installed. A balloon is then inserted into the channel such that its closed end extends into the sinus cavity then its open end or lips are adjacent the open end of the channel at the surface of the dental crest. The lips are then fasten to the dental crest, for example, by adhesive. Bone chips and bone fragments are inserted into the balloon such that a lower portion of the sinus cavity is filled with the balloon portion that contains bone chips. Bone chips continue to be inserted into the balloon until the channel leading to the dental crest is completely filled with the bone chips. At this point, the crest is closed and time is allowed to pass so that the bone fragment can fuse with each other and with the surrounding bone.

Abstract: A dental implant system utilizes a threaded implant which is cylindrical in form and has a large number of longitudinal channels so it can be (i) screwed into place in a bore hole in the patient's bone, (ii) pushed into place or (iii) first pushed into place and then turned to anchor it in bone ridges formed when it is pushed into place. Also an implant is given a conical shape it can be used for supporting artificial teeth in a residual ridge crest of a patient by drilling a smaller than normal cylindrical hole in the crest and carefully inserting the conical implant so that the bone is spread and makes additional contact with the implant.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure has an implant portion adapted to be fitted in an opening in a bone in the vicinity of the occlusal plane of a patient in such a manner that at least a part of the connection part extends beyond a rim of the opening in the bone or can remain just below the bone while the base of the post rests on the bone. There is at least one post portion having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive at least a part of the artificial tooth structure. The second end is adapted for a direct connection to the connection part of the implant portion. The past may be connected to the implant portion by an arrangement in which the implant portion has an opening along the upper surface. Ridges are provided along the sides of the opening and a center projection extends up from the base of the opening. The post portion has complementary channels and openings for receiving the ridges and projection.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure has a generally triangularly shaped implant portion adapted to be fitted in an opening in a bone in the vicinity of the occlusal plane of a patient in such a manner that at least a part of the connection part extends beyond a rim of the opening in the bone or can remain just below the bone while the base of the post rests on the bone. There is at least one post portion having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive at least a part of the artificial tooth structure. The second end is adapted for a direct connection to the connection part of the implant portion. The implant portion has mesial and distal occlusional struts extending from the sides of the implant portion. The struts are directed toward a plane perpendicular to the apex of the triangle and end in the bucco-lingual cortice of bone.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure has an implant portion with a connection part in which a lateral dimension is as wide as the lateral dimension of the rest of the implant portion. The implant portion is adapted to be fitted in an opening in a bone in the vicinity of the occlusal plane of a patient in such a manner that at least a part of the connection part extends beyond a rim of the openings in the bone or can remain just below the bone while the base of the post rests on the bone. There is at least one post portion having first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive at least a part of the artificial tooth structure. The second end is adapted for a direct connection to the connection part of the implant portion. The post portion has lateral dimensions such that a part of the second end extends from sides of the connection part and defines shoulders for supporting the artificial tooth structure.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure has an implant portion adapted to be fitted in an opening in a bone of a patient in the vicinity of the occlusal plane. At least one post portion having first and second ends is provided for attachment to the implant portion. The first end of the post is adapted to receive at least a part of the artifical tooth structure. The second end is adapted for a direct connection to a connection part of the implant portion. The post portion has lateral dimensions which are at least substantially as wide as the upper surface of the implant portion.

Abstract: A process is provided for depositing hydroxylapatite on the surface of materials suitable for implantation into animals and humans. In this process, a coating of hydroxylapatite is applied to dental or surgical implants using a sputter technique that employs a high energy ion beam and a negative potential to coat the implant. The process is carried out in a vacuum into which a controlled amount of oxygen is introduced.

Abstract: A drill for forming a hole in material has a shank with at least a base surface positioned at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the shank and a side surface. A cutting element having first and second ends is eccentrically connected to the base surface in such a manner that a longitudinal axis of the cutting element is situated at a predetermined distance from a longitudinal axis of the shank. An outer surface of the body of the cutting element is defined by at least a front surface and a rear surface intersecting each other along at least a cutting edge. The rear surface is tapered toward the longitudinal axis of the shank so that only the cutting edge and the drill point engage the material and a substantial open area exists between the outer surface of the cutting element and the hole during the entire process of drilling.

Abstract: A submerigible screw-type implant includes a longitudinal channel which directs bone chips towards the base of a bore in the patient's bone in which the implant is installed. These bone chips promote autogenous rapid regrowth of new bone to securely anchor the implant in place. In order to be able to position the implant at the most advantageous angle at the edentulous sight, angled abutments for supporting an artificial tooth structure or angularly adjustable abutments are provided. The angularly adjustable abutments may be in the form of a ball and socket joint in which the socket includes an inner casing having a peripheral extension that acts to lock the joint at the desired angle. Also, the support for an artificial tooth may include a shock-absorbing cushion to prevent some of the forces of mastication from disturbing the implant.

Abstract: An implant portion of an oral implant arrangement for supporting an artificial tooth structure has an elongated body having a first and a second ends. The first end is adapted to receive at least a portion of the artificial tooth structure. The second end is adapted for insertion into a crypt in a bone located to support the artificial tooth in the vicinity of the occlusal plane of a patient. At least one longitudinal column projecting outwardly from the outside surface of the elongated body and extending at least part way toward the second end of the body is provided. A cutting arrangement is defined at the end of the longitudinal column toward the second end of the body. During insertion of said elongated body into the crypt in the bone the longitudinal column closely engages slots formed within the walls of the bone crypt by the cutting arrangement so as to create at least one antirotational pillar which resist accidental spinning of the implant portion in the crypt.

Abstract: A process is provided for depositing hydroxylapatite on the surface of materials suitable for implantations into animals and humans. In this process, a coating of hydroxylapatite is applied to dental or surgical implants using a sputter technique that employs a high energy Xenon ion beam. The process is carried out in a vacuum into which a controlled amount of hydroxide ions are introduced.

Abstract: A submergible screw-type implant includes a longitudinal channel which directs bone chips towards the base of a bore in the patient's bone in which the implant is installed. These bone chips promote autogenous rapid regrowth of new bone to securely anchor the implant in place. In order to be able to position the implant at the most advantageous angle at the edentulous sight, angled abutments for supporting an artificial tooth structure or angularly adjustable abutments are provided. The angularly adjustable abutments may be in the form of a ball and socket joint in which the socket includes an inner casing having a peripheral extension that acts to lock the joint at the desired angle. Also, the support for an artificial tooth may include a shock-absorbing cushion to prevent some of the forces of mastication from disturbing the implant.

Abstract: A submergible screw-type implant includes a longitudinal channel which directs bone chips towards the base of a bore in the patient's bone in which the implant is installed. These bone chips promote autogenous rapid regrowth of new bone to securely anchor the implant in place. In order to be able to position the implant at the most advantageous angle at the edentulous site, angled abutments for supporting an artificial tooth structure or angularly adjustable abutments are provided. A method of installing the angularly adjustable oral implant involves setting the abutment portion at the proper angle for alignment of the artificial tooth and subsequently locking it in that position.

Abstract: A subperiosteal implant has a prefabricated elongated plate of pliable, work-hardenable material. A short projection extends from one surface of the plate and defines an aperture which receives a post for supporting an artificial tooth structure. The prefabricated implant is inserted through a lateral incision in the gum tissue, and is then molded to the bone. Subsequently the incision is sutured and the post is installed on the support plate.

Abstract: An oral implant, and method of using it, allow for the permanent installation of an artificial tooth in an area of the maxilla adjacent a descendent portion of the maxillary sinus. An opening is made in the maxilla to the Schneiderian membrane at the floor of the sinus. The implant has a basket or cradle which is filled with bone chips and inserted into the opening. A base attached to the cradle by an adjusting shaft is positioned in the opening after the cradle, e.g., in grooves at anterior and posterior portions of the opening. The shaft is then used to set the spacing between the cradle and the base such that the Schneiderian membrane is lifted and the sinus is reduced. After a period of time, new bone grows into the groove and about the bone chips so as to fuse the implant in place and thicken the maxilla in that area. Then a post is fastened to the implant and is used to support an artificial tooth structure.

Abstract: An oral implant for supporting an artificial tooth structure includes an implant portion that has a transverse slit at an obtuse angle to the side wall such that two facing surfaces are created. By squeezing the surfaces toward each other, the surfaces make contact and slide along each other so as to laterally separate the two parts of the implant portion. This causes the implant portion to become tightly wedged in a groove in a patient's bone along the occlusal plane. Additionally, the implant includes a neck portion with a rotatable threaded collar that couples to threads on a cap to which the artificial tooth structure is secured. As a result, the tooth structure can be removed without damage to it or to the implant.

Abstract: A submerigible screw-type implant includes a longitudinal channel which directs bone chips towards the base of a bore in the patient's bone in which the implant is installed. These bone chips promote autogenous rapid regrowth of new bone to securely anchor the implant in place. In order to be able to position the implant at the most advantageous angle at the edentulous sight, angled abutments for supporting an artificial tooth structure or angularly adjustable abutments are provided. The angularly adjustable abutments may be in the form of a ball and socket joint in which the socket includes an inner casing having a peripheral extension that acts to lock the joint at the desired angle. Also, the support for an artificial tooth may include a shock-absorbing cushion to prevent some of the forces of mastication from disturbing the implant.