Abstract: An implant-supported denture placement and alignment system may include a denture apparatus. The denture apparatus may have a denture base and a denture base positioning system. The denture base may be connectable to implants. Moreover, the denture base positioning system may position the denture base in substantially the same position as a surgical guide used to place the implants. In this manner, the denture apparatus may be positioned so that it is mountable to the implants placed according to the surgical guide following their placement in a patient's mouth. In this manner, variations in the placement of the implants arising during the process of installing the implants may be compensated by transferring the actual implant positioning to the denture apparatus when it is positioned by the denture base positioning system.

Abstract: In some aspects, dental drill guides can include a body defining an outer surface and an interior hole for receiving and positioning a dental drill; a first end of the body defining a tapered lead-in portion of the outer surface; a second end of the body opposite the first end defining at least one lip feature configured to be gripped by a handling tool; an outer circumferentially formed recess around the outer surface; and a seating feature extending from the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least one bone anchor and a corresponding drilling template, wherein the bone anchor has an anchor plate which is to be fixed to the surface of a bone by means of one or several screws having a screw head. The anchor plate thus has a bone side which is to connect to the surface of the bone and a free side which is opposite to said bone side. Further, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing a drilling template making it possible to make bore holes in the bone at predetermined positions and to screw the bone anchor to said bone according to predetermined orientations.

Abstract: Palatal expander apparatuses for expanding a patient's palate (“palatal expanders”) and methods of using and making them. These palatal expanders may be configured to have a variable surface smoothness on one side (e.g., the lingual-facing surface) compared to the opposite side (e.g., the palatal-facing surface). These palatal expanders may be configured to have a varying thickness in the palatal region. These palatal expanders may be adapted for ease in removal by the patient or caregiver (e.g., including a hinged region and/or detachment region, and/or including a thinner buccal side then occlusal side, etc.).

Abstract: An oral appliance that includes tongue positioning structures which are useful in treating snoring, OSA and related disorders. The invention provides a passive tongue location device which includes cavities located on the internal surface adjacent the tongue, the cavities operatively providing a retentive effect on the tongue when it is in its relaxed state. Further, the present invention provides an oral device adapted to operatively enhance the operation of a sleeping user's airway, including a carrier adapted to be positioned over at least some of the lower teeth of the user and having an interior projection over at least part of the gums of a user, the projection defining a pair of opposed cavities, the cavities being shaped and operatively adapted so that the tongue of the sleeping user will passively engage the cavities.

Abstract: Provided is a denture fixing attachment including: a rod-shaped joint member, having an upper end for supporting a denture fixed thereto and a locking protruding portion protruding laterally from a lower portion of the joint member; and an abutment having a coupling portion formed in an outer surface of a lower portion thereof so as to be coupled to a fixture recess formed in the fixture, and a receiving portion formed in an upper portion thereof so as to receive the lower portion of the joint member therein, wherein the receiving portion of the abutment includes a receiving recess for receiving the lower portion of the joint member inserted thereinto, and a stop protruding portion provided in the receiving portion above the receiving recess and having a guide groove disposed adjacent to the stop protruding portion for guiding coupling movement of the locking protruding portion fitted thereinto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a denture, made of teeth, in particular prefabricated teeth, and of a denture base made of a gingival material, comprising cavities for teeth in which cavities for the teeth are mounted, in particular attached by bonding, characterized in that the denture base (12) is produced by a CAD/CAM process forming the cavities (20) for the teeth (14), and in that cervical areas (40a) of the teeth (14) extending through the basal surface (16, 18) of the denture base (12) are removed, in particular abraded or milled.

Abstract: Method for planning a process of cutting human or animal bone tissue. The method includes: obtaining initial data of an initial situation of the bone tissue; defining target data of a target situation of the bone tissue; and computing a cut geometry using the initial data and the target data for cutting the bone tissue apart. The cut geometry includes a structure such that the bone tissue is reassemblable at least in one degree of freedom in the target situation after being cut apart along the cut geometry. By shaping the structure of the cut geometry according to the target situation the planned cut can be provided with a particular function. Such a functional cut can geometrically define and restrict possible movements of cut apart bone portions. The functional cut can allow for comparably precisely repositioning the bone into the target position and any movement therefrom can be prevented.

Abstract: A precision attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis to a retention bar having a round section and an off-centered support section, and a C-shaped retention clip which is incorporated into the dental prosthesis and encloses the round section. A spacer clip is adapted for both the retention clip and the retention bar. The contact of the dental prosthesis with the indirect retainer surface of the support section prevents the free-end saddles from lifting off the alveolar ridge. The resilience of the dental prosthesis in the direction of the atrophying alveolar ridge remains possible. The indirect retainer surface and the slotted flange of the housing guide the retention clip to the round section when assembled with the retention bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the attachment of dental prosthesis, consisting of a male component which can be anchored into a jaw and a removable attachable female component for receiving the artificial teeth. The device includes at least one spring element and at least one retention element. At least one spring element is a leaf spring element which is made of superelastic material and connected by one of its end to a removable female component or the installed male component of the dental prosthesis and has a convex part on its second end for tight friction contacting with the retention element of opposite component of the dental prosthesis.

Abstract: A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.

Abstract: A precision attachment system for mounting a dental prosthesis (1) to a retention bar (2) having a round section (2a) and an off-centred support section (2b), and a C-shaped retention clip (3) which is incorporated into the dental prosthesis (1) and encloses the round section (2a). A spacer clip (4) is adapted for both the retention clip (3) and the retention bar (2). The contact of the dental prosthesis (1) with the indirect retainer surface (8) of the support section (2b) prevents the free-end saddles from lifting off the alveolar ridge (10). The resilience of the dental prosthesis (1) in the direction of the atrophying alveolar ridge (10) remains possible. The indirect retainer surface (8) and the slotted flange (12) of the housing (11) guide the retention clip (3) to the round section (2a) when assembled with the retention bar (2).

Abstract: A connection device includes a holding shell and a retention insert. The retention insert has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped retention rim projecting therefrom. The holding shell has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped holding rim projecting therefrom. An outer surface of the retention rim is at least partly spaced from and adjacent to an inner surface of the holding rim when the retention insert is arranged in the holding shell and when essentially no radial forces are acting on the holding rim and on the retention rim. In that the outer surface of the retention rim and inner surface of the holding rim are at least partly not contacting each other when essentially no radial forces are acting, it can be achieved that the retention insert is connected relatively loosely with the holding shell when the connection device has not yet been placed on the implant structure.

Abstract: A denture retention system includes a denture, abutments and an implant connected to each abutment. The denture has an inner channel with a resilient liner and engaging caps in the inner channel that releasably retain the denture on the abutments. The engaging caps each have a cavity that receives the head of an abutment. The cavities are sized with longitudinal space for the heads of the abutments so that the denture rests on the gingival tissue while the abutments restricts movement of the denture away from the gingival tissue. The system can be used with large diameter or mini implants. The separate implant and abutment allow precise selection of the abutment height. The abutment has a spherical head with tool engageable flats for tightening the abutment onto the implant.

Abstract: A system for attaching a natural tooth to a dental implant. The system comprises a dental prosthesis and an elastomeric cushion. The dental prosthesis has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to a natural tooth and the second end is engaged with a dental implant. The elastomeric cushion is positioned in contact, either directly or indirectly, with at least a portion of the dental implant and at least a portion of the dental prosthesis such that the elastomeric cushion permits movement of the second end relative to the dental implant in response to movement of the natural tooth transferred through the dental prosthesis to the second end.

Abstract: A system for attaching a natural tooth to a dental implant. The system comprises a dental prosthesis and an elastomeric cushion. The dental prosthesis has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to a natural tooth and the second end is engaged with a dental implant. The elastomeric cushion is positioned in contact, either directly or indirectly, with at least a portion of the dental implant and at least a portion of the dental prosthesis such that the elastomeric cushion permits movement of the second end relative to the dental implant in response to movement of the natural tooth transferred through the dental prosthesis to the second end.

Abstract: A dental CAD/CAM system performs structural analysis of a candidate prosthetic dental item that is to be created using design data representing the prosthetic dental item. The dental CAD/CAM system can recommend positioning of a surface of the prosthetic dental item within a volume of a milling block based on the design data and data representing desired aesthetic properties of the prosthetic dental item. The dental CAD/CAM system can generate and display simulated images of the aesthetic properties of the prosthetic dental item using the design data, data representing the surface of the prosthetic dental item, data representing the volume of the milling block, and data representing aesthetic properties of the milling block. The dental CAD/CAM system can be used to form prosthetic dental items having complex aesthetic properties, such as translucent regions and shades of colors that vary spatially.

Abstract: A metal/plastic housing useable for releasable denture attachment to an o-ring abutment of a dental implant, within which an elastomeric o-ring is seatable, wherein the elastomeric o-ring is an elastomeric orthodontic o-ring.

Abstract: For a resilient mounting of a spider die onto a dental prosthetic suprastructure on a male spider mold, at least one retention element is molded onto a sleeve, and the retention element has a substantially occlusal alignment. The at least one retention element extends across the entire length of the sleeve and has a head having a connecting neck in its cross-section. In this manner, retention undercuts are formed on both sides of the connecting neck. The connecting neck of the at least one retention element is molded at an offset as opposed to the crown line of the sleeve. A spider die is thus created, which has an improved retention with an increased retention force at a smaller installation height.

Abstract: An implant system comprising a dental implant, a holding element is provided with non-rotational joint means adapted to avoid relative rotation of the holding element with respect to the implant, and a clamping element adapted to steady retain the holding element close to said implant. The system further comprises release means provided on the clamping element and suitable to interact with release means provided on a separating tool, so that acting on the separating tool the implant can be released from the holding element without transferring damaging forces such as torsional, tensile or compressive forces, to the implant.

Abstract: The invention relates to dental prostheses which have at least one metal-free anchoring element made of plastic material with a bending modulus of elasticity of at least 10 GPa and a maximum elongation of at least 0.8%.

Abstract: A dental retaining screw used to secure dental components, such as abutments, copings, and prosthesis to dental implants. The screw has a body formed from titanium and a spring-washer formed from gold. The spring-washer is adapted to prevent the screw from loosening or losing preload once tightened to the implant. The spring-washer includes an annular body with a plurality of flexible legs extending from the annular body; the legs prevent the screw from coming loose during shipping or while attached to an abutment.

Abstract: A connection element for attachment of the movable dentures at tooth crowns or at tooth implants with a locking bolt (R) shiftable supported perpendicular to the pullout direction of the denture, wherein the locking bar (R) with its parts effective for the locking is guidable by the force of one or several springs (F) as seen from the pullout section of the denture under regions of one fixedly seated element (S) formed at one or several tooth crowns or, respectively, one or several tooth implants and wherein the locking element is again removable out of these regions by actuation of a pushbutton (D) acting onto the locking bar (R) with the parts of the locking bar effective for the locking and against this spring force, wherein a locking device (A) is furnished for the locking bar.

Abstract: A dental magnetic attachment having good cushioning properties against a compressing pressure which makes a denture sink appropriately on biting. The dental magnetic attachment embedded in the denture base for holding the denture in the oral cavity by a magnetic attractive force working with the magnetic assembly and a soft magnetic keeper embedded in the top of the root surface includes a magnetic assembly and a cap covering the top of the magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly has a hollow in the center of its top. The cap with a button is placed on the magnetic assembly, inserting the button into the hollow to contact to its bottom. On biting, the button is compressed, to be deformed with a shorter thickness and at this time a sleeve formed as a body around the core slides down along the side of the magnetic assembly to reduce the thickness of the dental magnetic attachment. This sliding makes the denture sink uniformly and appropriately.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a method and apparatus for replicating the force absorption capabilities of natural teeth 28. Provided therein is a periodontal implant 10 which functions as a cup-like housing 10 for receiving an additional implant 32 or avulsed teeth. The implant 10 is externally threaded 12 for connection to the jaw bone 24 and internally threaded 14 for receiving the additional implant 32. The periodontal ligament 10 is fabricated from materials having a low modulus of elasticity, without causing deformation of the periodontal ligament implant. Materials of construction may include natural, synthetic, biological or genetically engineered materials.

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 fixing device for a removable denture mounted on the gingivals of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a mouth. A stake is anchored in the base or root of the tooth, and a covering cup is mounted on the denture. An engaging member is placed in the cup chamber, the engaging member being a soft plastic annular member. When a ball head on the stake is engaged therein, the denture is fixed in place, the denture can also be drawn out for removal, so that mounting and removal of the denture at the area missing teeth is convenient.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment consists primarily of an anchor for implantation into the patient's crestal bone or other suitable bony structure, an insert which is flexibly received within the anchor and would be mounted so as to allow modulation of forces being transferred from the insert to the anchor. The insert would also act as a platform for mounting the prosthetic or artificial tooth. The prosthesis allows elastic movement of the artificial tooth along three orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A precision attachment for a partial denture is described comprising a male portion 1 mounted onto the partial denture with an end extending horseshoe shaped anchorage means 7 comprising a pair of jaws 7a, 7b and a female portion 2 fixedly mounted around a crown 13 surrounding at least one supporting tooth, wherein female portion 2 comprises a pair of parallel side walls 2a, 2b forming a receiving cavity for the anchorage means 7 of male portion 1. Parallel side walls 2a, 2b are interconnected by a spacer pin 5 which is tightly held by jaws 7a, 7b of anchorage means 7 during insertion in place of the partial denture. A partial denture of the invention is thus disclosed with unilateral anchorage, the sole supporting means being the proposed precision attachment, whereby the partial denture can move only in one direction exhibiting a vertical upward-downward movement of its free end during mastication and thereby relieving from stresses applied onto the supporting teeth.

Abstract: An implant bone locking mechanism and artificial periodontal ligament system having a hollow implant casing and a set of stabilizing locking pins that are initially retracted within the casing. A pin activator is moved axially through the hollow implant casing to cause the locking pins to move outwardly therefrom and bore into the patient's bone structure in which the implant casing is located to enable immediate bone implant and increase bone/implant stabilization. A locking basket has a pair of outstretched arms and a plurality of locking splines that are coupled to the pin activator and the implant casing to prevent a rotation of the pin activator and implant casing relative to the locking basket and each other. An irremovable crown is seated upon the locking basket and adapted for both lateral movement along the outstretched arms of the locking basket and up and down movement relative to the locking basket so as to function like a natural tooth and improve the quality of mastication.

Abstract: A fixing device for a removable denture mounted on the gingivals of an upper jaw or a lower jaw of a mouth. A stake is anchored in the base or root of the tooth, and a covering cup is mounted on the denture. An engaging member is placed in the cup chamber, the engaging member being a pair of magnetic members attracting each other because of their opposite magnetic polarities. The engaging member may also be a soft plastic annular member. When a ball head on the stake is engaged therein, the denture is fixed in place.

Abstract: A system for attaching a dental prosthesis to a dental implant has a first element which is fixedly connectable with the dental implant, a second element which is fixedly connectable with the dental prosthesis, at least one of the elements being provided with elastic means which elastically engage a part of the other of the elements so as to retain the elements together with one another and therefore to fix the dental prosthesis on the dental implant, and a releasing element extending outwardly of the dental prosthesis and actuatable by a user so as to displace the elastically engaging means and disengage the one element from the part of the other element so as to allow easy removal of the one element together with the prosthesis from the other element connected with the dental implant.

Abstract: A module useful for forming a foundation for a dental prosthesis, the module including at least one each of (a) a post and (b) an extension unit, the post having a threaded end adapted to anchor the post into rigid dental materials such as tooth stubs or bone matrix, and a second retaining end for engaging the extension unit. The extension unit comprises an engaging end to engage the retaining end of the post, and one or two leaves extending from the engaging end transversely from the post. The engaging end is so sized and shaped as to maintain a sloppy fit with the retaining end of the post. The sloppy fit permits a minor, constrained degree of rotation of the extension unit with respect to the post. At least two such modules can be used to form the foundation for a rigid prosthetic dental bridge; at least one of the extending leaves on each module is so formed as to be capable of coupling with one of the extending leaves on a second such module.

Abstract: A tissue-enhancing adjustable device having an abutment assembly and an coronally adjustable coping assembly adapted to fit virtually all dental implant devices. The coping assembly has a rotatable coping adjuster and a threaded section thereon extending from its bottom toward its top and being in mating cooperation with a threaded bore on the abutment assembly. A tension device on the coping adjuster is adapted to exert tension on the coping assembly in an coronal direction and away from the abutment assembly at all times, particular during the adjustment process. The outer surface of the coping assembly has an annular skirt adjacent to a lower section which is of a roughened texture up to a point above the annular skirt. This facilitates better tissue growth around a post-operative site and permits adherence of tissue to the coping assembly and further permits future coronal adjustments without disturbing the tissue.

Abstract: A procedure for facilitating osseous growth, particularly in dental surgery and in maxillofacial surgery, and device for implementing this procedure is disclosed. The device includes an elastic member which is interposed between bone surface and a membrane arranged beneath tissues overlying the bone surface. The elastic member is capable of lifting the membrane a slight distance with a controlled amount of pressure. In the procedure, the elastic member is held temporarily, until scarring has taken place, in a state in which the elastic device presents a minimum thickness between the osseous surface and the membrane and the elastic device does not exert any appreciable stress on the latter.

Abstract: A method of pretreating aqueous chemical oxygen demand (COD) samples to remove the risk of potential chloride ion interference. The method comprises acidifying an aqueous COD test sample, and thereafter passing the acidified sample through a source of pentavalent bismuth (Bi.sup.5+) such as sodium bismuthate.

Abstract: A known elastomeric non-methyl methacrylate soft material has been used as a soft denture liner material. The material includes powder and liquid components which are mixed together and cured. The invention involves new uses of the material. Where the invention involves a lining over a void in an acrylic denture, the resultant mixture is applied over the underlying surface of the acrylic over the void to chemically and mechanically bond the mixture in a seamless bond to the underlying surface of acrylic. A liner is formed having the characteristics of being flexible, resilient, shape retentive, hydrophobic, soft, spongy and cushiony. A known sealer component is then applied over the liner to create a non-absorbent exterior surface seal and glaze. Where the method is used to apply a liner around an implant cylinder or an implant healing cap anchored into a jaw bone the resultant mixture is applied around the surface of the implant or healing cap for forming a liner or gasket.

Abstract: An attachment system for securing to a mounting bar a denture having a plastic base formed with a groove. The system has a generally C-section plastic rider engaged over the bar, having an outer surface with a predetermined outside cross-wise dimension, and engaged in the groove. An elastically deformable liner element of a material substantially harder than the plastic of the rider and of the base is imbedded in the base and forms an inner surface of the groove engaging the outer surface of the rider. The liner element defines a mouth opening having an inside width slightly Smaller than the outside cross-wise dimension of the rider so that the rider can only move into and out of the groove with deformation of the rider and/or of the liner element.

Abstract: The present invention is a precision attachment device for securing a removable dental prosthesis in the mouth, comprising a first section operatively arranged to be secured to a fixed tooth, a second section operatively arranged to be secured within the prosthesis, and also arranged to matingly engage the first section, the second section having a first mating member having a throughbore therein, and also having an elongated casing rotatably disposed within the throughbore of the first mating member; a spring loaded plunger member disposed within the casing and projecting therefrom, and, a retention member within the rotatable casing for limiting the extent of longitudinal travel of the plunger member.

Abstract: An artificial tooth root undergoing connective tissue fusion when implanted. The artificial tooth root is columnar-shaped and has a crown (5) at its one end and an apex (6) at its other end. The artificial tooth root has a dual structure consisting of an outer root (7) and an inner root (8). The outer root (7) and the inner rook (8) have axially extending protrusions 4,4' and recesses 3,3' on their lateral sides and are affixed to each other by a resin adhesive (9).

Abstract: A module useful for forming a foundation for a dental prosthesis, the module including at least one each of (a) a post and (b) an extension unit, the post having a threaded end adapted to anchor the post into rigid dental materials such as tooth stubs or bone matrix, and a second retaining end for engaging the extension unit. The extension unit comprises an engaging end to engage the retaining end of the post, and one or two leaves extending from the engaging end transversely from the post. The engaging end is so sized and shaped as to maintain a sloppy fit with the retaining end of the post. The sloppy fit permits a minor, constrained degree of rotation of the extension unit with respect to the post. At least two such modules can be used to form the foundation for a rigid prosthetic dental bridge; at least one of the extending leaves on each module is so formed as to be capable of coupling with one of the extending leaves on a second such module.

Abstract: Dental appliances, including dentures, which have flange extensions attached through elastically hinged sections provide added stability and security during mastication by redistributing forces to an increased surface area, and advantageously utilizing underlying intraoral bone ridges. The hinged sections allow these appliances to be installed and removed over these bone ridges. The hinged sections are biased so as to return to their original configuration once in place. Smooth conforming surfaces in contact with tissue these appliances to be comfortably used. Lower dentures in particular are advantageously equipped with extended flanges which are attached through hinges at the mylohyoid ridges and redistribute forces from frontal loads across the mylohyoid ridges to the submandibular fossae.

Abstract: A system of uniquely interchangeable dental implant insert elements which may be readily interchanged by screwing the removable elements into and out of a stationary osseointegrated dental implant housing. The removable insert elements may vary as to their rate and degree of elasticity. The abutment shaft upon which the dental prosthesis is affixed is of standard size throughout the system, and is splined in such a way that the splines can be engaged by a single insertion/removal instrument. The overall design is such that the proper degree of shaft deflection for each case can be readily and painlessly tried in until the desired result is obtained. The inserts are designed to be retrievable at any time allowing for removal and replacement of the existing prosthesis which is affixed to the insert. The insert elements can be continuously interchanged throughout the patient's lifetime to allow for changes in the patient's dental needs.

Abstract: A dental implant includes a healing collar that expands to a desired shape. The expandable healing collar has an orifice to permit a filler material to pass into an interior cavity between the healing collar and the base. A plurality of nested frustro-conical sections form the exterior of the healing collar which is urged upwardly by a spring and a screw. The coronal dental prosthesis that results from the expandable healing collar acts as a support for the replacement of a missing tooth so that a crown may be attached to the expanded coronal portion of the implant. This coronal extension may be angled due to its flexible telescoping mechanism and, thereafter, filled with a suitable material such as a thermoplastic resin, an epoxy-like substance or a self-gearing or light-gearing polymer. Additional apparatus and methods are described for anchoring the implant to the jawbone.

Abstract: A multiple part anchor assembly is designed for attaching a dental appliance to a non-vital tooth root or an implant, and has a female part for attachment to a tooth root or implant, a male part or stud having a first end for releasable snap engagement in a socket in the female part with some relative movement permitted between the parts, a cap for securing in a recess in a dental appliance having a second socket, and the male part having a swivel joint at its opposite end for engagement in the second socket to secure the root or implant to the appliance, the hinge joint allowing hinging of the stud relative to the cap.

Abstract: Suprastructure for a dental implant is provided with a false stump defining a prosthesis base plate, a shank for anchoring the false stump, with the shank including partially extending slots forming surface segments capable of radial expansion, a hollow core opening at a free end of the false stump and including a converging ramp at the free end, a series of balls positioned in the hollow core, with one of the balls abutting against the converging ramp so as to be retained thereby and to exert a spacing pressure onto the surface segments, and a screw abutting against a first ball of the series of balls to cause the balls to be moved against the converging ramp. The suprastructure can be used in combination with a tubular implantal stump adapted to be anchored in the osseous site and to accommodate the shank of the suprastructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a partial denture that includes a series of artificial teeth along with an opening formed on a ridge portion of the denture for allowing existing teeth to extend therethrough. In a preferred embodiment the partial denture is basically comprised of a relatively hard acrylic material. Around the opening formed in the ridge there is provided a relatively soft material and this includes an elastic strip that is formed in the partial denture adjacent the opening formed in the ridge for existing teeth. The elastic strip is molded adjacent the ridge opening and is particularly integrally molded with the relatively hard acrylic material that forms a substantial part of the partial denture. To assure a secure connection between the elastic retainer strip and the relatively hard acrylic material, there is provided a generally curved S-shaped molded joint between each end of the elastic retainer strip and the relatively hard acrylic material.

Abstract: Dental appliances, including dentures, which have flange extensions attached through elastically hinged sections provide added stability and security during mastication by redistributing forces to an increased surface area, and advantageously utilizing underlying intraoral bone ridges. The hinged sections allow these appliances to be installed and removed over these bone ridges. The hinged sections are biased so as to return to their original configuration once in place. Smooth conforming surfaces in contact with tissue allow these appliances to be comfortably used. Lower dentures in particular are advantageously equipped with extended flanges which are attached through hinges at the mylohyoid ridges and redistribute forces from frontal loads across the mylohyoid ridges to the submandibular fossae.

Abstract: An intramobile element for dental implants that includes an elastic, flat, circular washer having rounded edges, being 0.75 mm in height and designed to fit neatly on existing abutments and a prosthesis that comprises a gold member to which a porcelain cover is cast. The gold member has a cylindrical head with an internal cradle to precisely support a gold retaining screw with a rounded head and a screw channel spaced from the screw threads to allow for rotation of the prosthesis and making use of existing specific length abutments to control placement of the washer either supragingivally for hygienic reasons or supragingivally for esthetic reasons.

Abstract: Specially designed healing caps with varied bottom surfaces and different shaped channels and diverse shaped lockwashers for obviating loosening of the healing cap when screwed into an implant fixture. The healing cap has a retaining screw separate from the cap body and the combination of healing cap and lockwasher also prevents breakage of the cap body or fixture or both due to excessive torque and prevents gingiva from growing over the fixture at any point.