Abstract: The present invention relates generally to surgical implants intended for the augmentation, repair, and restoration of soft tissue (e.g. gingiva or cartilage), hard tissue (e.g. bone), and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to the in vivo anchoring of cast implants by stent-like anchors made of a shape memory alloy and/or polymers which are desirably covered with a textile sleeve of a specific porosity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental implant with a shaped, bone contact section for insertion into the tooth socket of a jaw and a built up section used for fastening a crown or similar material, where the bone contact section has an apical extension section which is made for the insertion into an artificially produced recess in the jaw which deepens the base of the tooth socket.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a tooth implant which is obtained from a donor's jawbone. The tooth implant includes the root of the donor's tooth with the crown detached therefrom and a portion of the donor's jawbone which surrounds the root and is attached thereto. The implant is obtained by carefully harvesting the root with the attached portion of jawbone surrounding the root as a single unit from a donor individual. The tooth implant is implanted into an opening in a recipient's jawbone. Upon healing, the implant is firmly and permanently attached to the bone tissue of the recipient. The root of the implant may then be used to affix a prosthetic crown within the jawbone of the recipient.

Abstract: An expandable dental implant which is less traumatically inserted and can immediately receive functional loading to support a dental prosthesis upon insertion into the patient's mouth. The expandable implant is constructed as an inflatable balloon, which has a first, relatively smaller diameter prior to insertion into the patient's mouth. The implant is provided with an insertion end, for insertion into a formed bore in the patient's jaw bone. Upon insertion into the bone, the balloon can be inflated into a second, larger diameter profile by filling the hollow interior of the balloon using an appropriate hardening material, which applies pressure against the interior walls of the implant, allowing the implant to inflate within the bone and to fixate. Upon inflation of the implant, a dental crown can immediately be added to the implant's attachment end.

Abstract: A complete truly anatomical dental implant system to replace missing teeth in both the maxillary and mandibular arch. The primary uniqueness of the present invention is in the creation of a unique tooth shaped dental implant that is placed into the jawbone. In addition, the present invention involves and exposes a new procedure, method and apparatus for creating a truly tooth shape cavity into the jawbone which matches the unique tooth shaped implant, thereby providing stability of the implant at placement. Thirdly, the present invention exposes a special cutting tool bit tip that is used in a vibrating and/or oscillating action to produce a hole in the bone that matches the chosen tooth shaped implant. The tooth shaped implant is essentially tapered and triangularly shaped for anterior teeth and some cuspid teeth. The tooth shaped implant is essentially tapered oval-shaped for bicuspid teeth, cuspid teeth and molar teeth.

Abstract: The present invention is a dental implant inserted into the jaw bone for anchoring an artificial tooth in the bone. It has been designed to overcome the difficulties and complexities of prior art implants. The inventive implant consists of three simple components: An elongate body which has an neck portion and a root portion; an abutment which is mounted to the neck portion of the body and which receives the temporary or permanent replacement tooth; and a screw which secures the abutment to the body. The root portion of the body consists of multiple legs and is formed from a shape memory alloy. Use of shape memory alloy allows the root portion to assume a closed, elongate shape at cool temperatures and to assume an open, fanned shape at temperatures typical of the human body. The inventive implant is maintained at cool temperatures until and during insertion into the body allowing an easy and non-traumatic placement of the implant.

Abstract: A ZrO.sub.2 -containing glass ceramic is described, the main crystalline phase of which is formed by ZrO.sub.2 and which has at least one further crystalline phase, and which can be used in particular in dentistry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extraction and re-implantation of a natural tooth, such tooth being cleaned and repaired while extracted. The crown of the repaired tooth is mechanically masked and the tooth is then mounted in a partitioned vacuum cavity wherein gradual application of vacuum is used to degas and dehydrate the tooth root. Following degassing and dehydration of the tooth root a mass of titanium is heated in the cavity partition, by way of an electron beam source, the energy output of the beam source being thereafter ramped up to vaporize the mass. The partition in the cavity is then opened to expose the root to the titanium vapor after which the tooth may be reinserted into the original void.

Abstract: An artificial tooth root comprises a substantially cylindrical root part to be imbedded in a jaw bone, and a substantially cylindrical crown part to be projected out of a jaw bone and to be provided with a dental prosthesis. The root part is constituted by a base member provided with a multiplicity of convexities or concavities having a substantially identical configuration and being arranged with even intervals on the same axes apart from the central axis of the root part and with even intervals on the same circumferences. The convexities or concavities on a circumference and the ones on the neighboring circumference are alternately arranged, and the boundaries between the convexities or concavities and the base member are formed by smoothly curved surfaces.

Abstract: An expansion device for oral reconstruction formed by a closed pouch made of a film provided at one point with an additional thickness and a protective feature against being perforated right through, characterized in that the protective feature is a concave cover portion within the pouch and is positioned so as to be facing the additional thickness, bonded directly to each side of the additional thickness but not on its entire periphery.

Abstract: An element designed to achieve tissue regeneration in periodontal dental therapy, comprising a membrane insertable under the gingiva and made from a non-resorbable, biologically acceptable, non-porous elastomer material having a thickness in the range of approximately 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, the membrane being preformed according to pre-established shapes which depend on tooth size and shape, the membrane having at least one hole, each hole having a diameter smaller than that of a tooth to be treated.

Abstract: A dental implant that is either pre-formed having a general conical taper to reflect the average taper of a single rooted tooth, or custom manufactured to reflect a major portion of the root structure of a tooth that has been extracted. A plurality of retention elements are arranged on the distal half of the implant to provide immediate macro retention of the implant in the alveolar bone. The retention elements are tapered both longitudinally and circumferentially and can be biased relative to the longitudinal axis of the implant to provide a screw like mechanism when the implant is rotated in the alveolar bone. The retention elements are spaced about the implant surface to maximize stagger. This reduces the sheer forces generated on the alveolar bone during function and ensures that the implant remains tightly seated for an extended period of time.

Abstract: An anchor for a dental implant, having a compact cavity for receiving the post of a post and core, and a tapered threaded end having tapered, self-tapping threads. The cavity is configured to have flat walls forming a hexagonal or other polygonal interior surface. This interior surface also has screw threads superimposed on the polygonal surface. The anchor is thus of reduced axial length than prior art anchors having threads and polygonal surfaces not superimposed. The tapered threads formed on the tapered threaded end engage different areas of bone tissue. Since bone tissue may not be homogeneously strong and resilient, this arrangement helps assure that some threads will engage strong, resilient bone tissue. This threading preferably comprises buttress type threads. A pitched relief groove extends across all convolutions of the external, self-tapping threads formed on the tapered end. These self-tapping threads are buttress threads.

Abstract: A medicine injection device capable of continuously administrating a medicine to the body of a patient over a long period of time while keeping the patient from being restrained during administration. The medicine injection device includes a medicine container and at least one medicine passage each arranged in at least one of a root and a crown, so that a medicine stored in the medicine container is administrated through the medicine passage to the body of a patient.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly containing an integrally-formed abutment which has a top section, a bottom section integrally joined to the top section, and a passageway extending through these sections. The passageway is formed by a series of sixed stepped bores which initially decrease in size and then increase in size. The top section of the abutment has a cross-sectional shape substantially like a polygon; the shape is formed by alternating linear and arcuate walls.

Abstract: A dental implant that is either pre-formed having a general conical taper to reflect the average taper of a single rooted tooth, or custom manufactured to reflect a major portion of the root structure of a tooth that has been extracted. A plurality of retention elements are arranged on the distal half of the implant to provide immediate macro retention of the implant in the alveolar bone. The retention elements are tapered both longitudinally and circumferentially and can be biased relative to the longitudinal axis of the implant to provide a screw like mechanism when the implant is rotated in the alveolar bone. The retention elements are spaced about the implant surface to maximize stagger. This reduces the sheer forces generated on the alveolar bone during function and ensures that the implant remains tightly seated for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A dental implant shaped like a bottle includes an involute which extends inwardly from the bottom of the implant. The smooth arcuate outer surface of the implant minimizes the likelihood the implant becoming infected after the implant is installed in alveolar bone.

Abstract: There is disclosed an implant for anchoring in bone and/or fibrous connective tissue and to which a prosthesis such as a dental bridge may be connected through connecting components. The implant is of tapered design defining a wide top portion for connection to the connecting components and a tapered body comprising upper and lower regions. The lower bone-engaging region of the implant is provided with a porous surface into which bone may grow thereby anchoring the implant. The upper region of the implant has a surface suitable for bone attachment which is different from the surface of the lower region. In one embodiment, the upper portion has a larger taper angle than the rest of the implant for increased stability and stress transfer to the surrounding bone. In another embodiment, the surface of the upper region is coated with a bioreactive coating to allow direct bonding of bone and/or soft connective tissue (gingival tissue) thereby inhibiting epithelial migration apically.

Abstract: A method of attaching a dental implant includes the making of a dental implant having the general shape and size to fit a bone cavity for a removed tooth plus a cylindrical extension prong to fit a drilled bore in the bottom of the cavity formed by the removed tooth. The dental implant also has a non-circular shaped opening in the top thereof with a threaded bore in the bottom of the opening for attaching an insert thereto. The method includes extracting a patient's tooth, selecting a drill guide having the general shape of the bone cavity from the removed tooth and having a bore therethrough, then passing a drill bit through the drill guide bore and drilling a bore in a predetermined position in the bottom portion of the bone cavity. The dental implant is selected of a predetermined size and anchored in the bone cavity. A temporary generally flat head insert is attached to the implant and is later replaced with the tooth holding insert and an artificial tooth attached thereto.

Abstract: An artificial dental root having the function of a natural dental root is characterized in that the artificial dental root is made a shape-memorizing alloy capable of changing the apex morphology of the artificial dental root after implantation so as to stay in the jawbone. The artificial dental root is implanted in an alveolus and the apexes thereof then closely contact the inner surface of the alveolus owing to the shape-memorizing effect thereof to fix the dental root firmly in the alveolus.

Abstract: A dental post for securely retaining a dental restoration on a prepared tooth stub. The dental post is formed of an elongated cylindrical rod having intermittent thread segments which actively engage the death of the tooth stub and passive land portions in between the thread segments.

Abstract: A simplified operation for setting a dental implant into bone following tooth extraction uses the cavity left by the extraction rather than drilling. To hold the implant in the proper position in the tooth cavity, it is braced with resorbant material. The implant can be surrounded by resorbant material in various ways: it may be emplaced between two blocks of resorbant material, the blocks sewn together, and the combination inserted into the cavity; or resorbant material may be cut into a strip and the implant rolled up in the strip prior to insertion. Additional resorbant material can be inserted to adjust the position of the implant. With the implant properly aligned, the gums flaps are sutured over the resorbant material and implant. In time, bone will grow around the implant and firmly fix it into the bony structure. A dowel or abutment head may then be mounted to the implant for attaching a prosthetic tooth, bridge, or the like.

Abstract: An enossal or endosteal implant with a fastening head and fastening arrannt having a metal implant post screwable into a basic structure for snugly fitting a conditionally removable denture with a spacer element provided with a centering collar being inserted into the open end of the basic structure and engageable with a shoulder of an upper edge of the basic structure and an intermediate element having a portion made of an elastic material is characterized by the spacer element being made of metal and having a closed end remote from the fastening head for the denture and being threaded into the basic structure; the intermediate element is insertable in a socket formed by a counterbore at the open end of the spacer element and is provided with a ring shoulder for engaging an upper edge of the spacer element, and the intermediate element has an inner bore whose diameter, in an area facing the fastening head for the denture and remote from the spacer sleeve, is larger than the external diameter of the implant p

Abstract: A process for preparing and implanting endosteal implants, and the implant used for the process. A tooth is extracted leaving a socket wall behind, which remains suitably fresh for a sufficient period of time. Promptly after extraction, a model is made of at least the major portion of the tooth. A replica is made of titanium or of a material having the property of osseointegration. While the socket is still suitably fresh, the replica is inserted the socket in surface to surface contiguity with a substantial area of the socket wall so as to provide an osseointegrated implant.

Abstract: A synthetic tooth for replacing an actual tooth by inserting a flexible crowned member into the socket of the removed tooth. The synthetic tooth is conformed to the tooth socket and filled to replace the actual tooth therein.

Abstract: The oral implant is in the shape of a cylinder with a flat proximal end and a rounded distal end. Projecting members are formed on the cylindrical surface that taper from the proximal end of the cylindrical body toward the distal end thereof. The projecting members are radially spaced, and in one embodiment have flutes formed on the tapered surface. A lateral through-hole is provided at the distal end of the cylindrical body. The proximal end includes a hexagonal-shaped recess for reception of a twisting tool. After the twisting tool is removed the hexagonal recess receives a dental prosthesis. Another embodiment of the oral implant includes radially spaced ridges that are longitudinally aligned with projecting members on quadrants of the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: Means and method are provided for implanting an artificial tooth in the alveolus in the jaw bone which is left when the tooth is extracted. The method comprises wrapping a thin, sheet metal base with barbed projections around the depending root portion of an artificial tooth, and pressing the root portion with the sheet metal wrapped therearound down into the alveolus, to act as an interface between the alveolus and the material of the root of the artificial tooth to securely hold the artificial tooth into the alveolus while bone material grows up around the sheet metal base and the root portion of the artificial tooth.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enossal implant, which comprises a primary cylinder (10) with a central longitudenal bore (13) which can be introduced into the jawbone and is anchored therein in positive and/or non-positive manner, as well as a secondary cylinder (100) insertable into the primary cylinder (10) and which has an oscillating rod (211) inserted and held in the longitudenal bore (13) and guide tube (30) of primary cylinder (10), said rod carrying an upper modular tube (220) made from an elastic material arranged at a distance from guide tube (30), accompanied by the formation of an air gap (225) and which is constructed at its free upper end for the connection of the dental prosthesis, whereas its lower end is connected in fixed or detachable manner to the primary cylinder (10), so that an implant is obtained which not only leads to a positive and non-positive connection to the bone and a load-free stabilization of the primary cylinder (10), but whose oscillating rod (211) absorbs the horizontal, vert

Abstract: A physiological joint of dental material is provided around an implant for dental or nondental purposes as a fibro-inductor or osteoinductor promoting growth from surrounding tissue to bond the implant in the organism while preventing incursion of bacteria.

Abstract: An artificial tooth root is divided into a tooth root body and a root holder. The material for the artificial tooth root body is selected in consideration of its strength. The outer surface of the root holder that is in contact with the alveolar bone is formed of a biologically activated material for providing strong adhesion between the root holder and the alveolar bone. An impact reducing material is provided between the artificial tooth root body and the root holder to reduce the impact force placed on the tooth root body so that the force applied to the alveolar bone portion is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for saving an exarticulated tooth. The tooth is grasped by its crown, so as not to harm the periodontal membrane. The tooth is then placed in a net which is attached to a basket. The net and basket are immersed in a modified saline solution which preserves the cells of the periodontal membrane. The solution is held in a container which accommodates the net and basket. The lid of the container has a sponge attached to its interior surface. The container is closed, and the tooth and patient are taken to a dentist. The dentist removes the container lid, and lays the lid on a table or other surface, so that the sponge faces upward. The dentist then lifts the basket, with the tooth, out of the solution, and inverts the net so that the tooth falls out onto the sponge. The dentist grasps the tooth with a forceps and reimplants it in the patient's mouth.

Abstract: The implant comprises a molding which consists of a metal having an open-cell structure permitting bone tissue to grow in with subsequent formation of bone in the cells and which is provided with an upper conical recess for insertion of an adhesion cone to be fixed in the recess by static friction. The cone is provided on one side with a flattening which comes into contact with a corresponding wall part of the recess in the implant, the cone being connected or connectable to the replacement tooth.

Abstract: A material and method are disclosed facilitating the forming of impressions of teeth and/or supporting structures, such as the alveolar ridge to be duplicated and restored. An elastomeric impression material, preferably subject to photochemical or chemical curing, is provided, such for example as formed from polyesters, polyethers, polysulfides, silicones, and ethylene imines, or derivatives thereof, containing a filler material, such as talc, calcium carbonate, colloidal silica, glass, quartz, acrylates, etc., and impregnated with a hemostatic agent such as a vasoconstrictor or astringent or the like with the impression material serving to maintain subgingival tissue in a retracted condition without bleeding, so as to permit an impression to be taken of a tooth surface area and volume extending below the gumline, without requiring use of gum retracting cords or bands.

Abstract: Nontoxic polymeric plastic medical implants for endosteal and periosteal applications such as filling bone defects, replacing entire bony parts, and tooth replacement either immediately after extraction or subsequent to healing, and a method of fabricating such implants to produce a porous surface having a predetermined pore size, pore depth, and degree of porosity. The method of fabrication of the porous portion of the implant involves adding sodium chloride crystals or other nontoxic leachable substance of controlled particle size corresponding to the desired pore size to a powdered polymer-liquid monomer mixture in relative amounts corresponding to the desired degree of porosity. After heat polymerization without an initiator, followed by abrasive removal of the resulting surface skin, the salt is leached from the plastic to provide said porosity.

Abstract: A long-term endoprosthesis in which a relatively large part of the surface, which in the implanted condition makes contact with the bone of the wearer of the implant, is provided with electrodes. These electrodes are connected with a source of a low frequency electrical voltage and are so arranged that they alternate with relatively short spacings in the contact zone. The electrode spacing preferably decreases in size in accordance with the size of the mechanical area loading on the corresponding part of the contact area, that is to say, the greater the loading, the smaller the spacing.

Abstract: A long-term endoprosthesis in which a relatively large part of the surface, which in the implanted condition makes contact with the bone of the wearer of the implant, is provided with electrodes. These electrodes are connected with a source of a low frequency electrical voltage and are so arranged that they alternate with relatively short spacings in the contact zone. The electrode spacing preferably decreases in size in accordance with the size of the mechanical area loading on the corresponding part of the contact area, that is to say, the greater the loading, the smaller the spacing.

Abstract: Nontoxic polymeric plastic medical implants for endosteal and periosteal applications such as filling bone defects, replacing entire bony parts, and tooth replacement either immediately after extraction or subsequent to healing, and a method of fabricating such implants to produce a porous surface having a predetermined pore size, pore depth, and degree of porosity. The method of fabrication of the porous portion of the implant involves adding sodium chloride crystals or other nontoxic leachable substance of controlled particle size corresponding to the desired pore size to a powdered polymer-liquid monomer mixture in relative amounts corresponding to the desired degree of porosity. After heat polymerization without an initiator, followed by abrasive removal of the resulting surface skin, the salt is leached from the plastic to provide said porosity.

Abstract: A tooth prosthesis located in a mandible tooth socket having a root supporting a crown. The root has a cone-shaped head located in a recess in the bottom of the crown and a stem extended into the socket. An elastic body of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer surrounds and is bonded to the stem. The outer surface of the elastic body is bonded to the inside surface of a porous fabric which permits bone ingrowth to anchor the prosthesis to the mandible. The fabric has a pyrolite carbon outer skin. The upper edge of the fabric is spaced from the crown and head whereby the elastic body allows limited movement of the crown relative to the fabric.