Dental Implant Construction Patents (Class 433/201.1)
  • Patent number: 6428318
    Abstract: Dental implant and operative method of implantation, being of the type of implant comprising a body that is threaded into the jawbone via which the appropriate securing and fastening bodies for the dental prosthesis are located, the implant body (1) displaying an axial cavity (2) along its entire length, and whose internal base for implantation displays certain drilled holes and/or angular cuts (3) in its lateral surface that define end tabs, the implants being presented individually in their respective sterilized receptacles (5), being joined to the cap body (6) of the receptacle (5) via an intermediate body (7), the cap body (6) defining a cavity (11) with respect to its external base, in which is housed a body (12) made of rubber or similar material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Alberto Arruga Artal
  • Patent number: 6426149
    Abstract: A ceramic structure where a gold foil or a platinum foil having a high purity is enclosed between a first layer made of a ceramic material fused at a medium temperature or a glass material (glass substance) and a second layer made of a ceramic material fused at a low temperature and/or a glaze material, or made of a glaze material or fritting glass material. Since such a ceramic structure is light in weight and has excellent durability, the final product can be preferably applied to fashion accessories, ornaments on artificial teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Akitoshi Machida
  • Publication number: 20020095213
    Abstract: A prosthetic device formed from a polymer which, when contacted with a calcium salt, calcium is deposited on or in the polymer. The polymer includes a soft component and a hard component. The device has bone-bonding properties. The soft component provides for the deposition of calcium on or in the soft component and preferably is a polyalkylene glycol, and the hard component preferably is a polyester. A preferred material is a polyethylene glycol/polybutylene terephthalate copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: DIRKJAN BAKKER, JOHANNES J. GROTE, CLEMENS A. VAN BLITTERSWIJK
  • Patent number: 6409764
    Abstract: There are numerous medical situations involving deficiencies of living bone or periodontal tissue and where increase of living bone or periodontal tissue mass is desired. Methods are described wherein a configured, shell-like device that is capable of being penetrated by living cells and tissues, is implanted into the body of a mammal in such a way as to establish a space, the space being at least partly, bounded by the device. The configuration of the device is such that the configuration of the established space is essentially the same as the configuration of living bone or periodontal tissue that is desired for treatment of the tissue deficiency. At least one protein from the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Superfamily of proteins is placed within the established space for the purpose of stimulating the growth of living bone or periodontal tissue within the established space. A kit for the generation of living bone or periodontal tissue, comprised of the components mentioned above, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: Charles F. White, Charles Flynn, Alonzo D. Cook, William R. Hardwick, Ulf M. E. Wikesjo, Robert C. Thomson
  • Patent number: 6402517
    Abstract: The invention provides an artificial tooth root having acid resistance and anti-adherence of sordes and various germs, consisting of a substrate and a coating of calcium phosphate based ceramic having bioaffinity formed on the surface of this substrate, the substrate is composed of a polymer, ceramic, metal, or other material, the surface of the ceramic coating on the substrate surface is endowed with a protrusion-and-recession configuration, and is, chemically modified, and to a method for producing the artificial tooth root, by forming a coating of calcium phosphate based ceramic having bioaffinity over a substrate while imparting protrusions and recessions thereto, masking an area of the ceramic coating surface of which bioaffinity is required, and fixing a silane coupling agent exclusively over a predetermined area of the ceramic coating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Atsushi Hozumi, Masahiko Inagaki, Kaori Nishizawa, Fukue Nagata, Yoshiyuki Yokogawa, Tetsuya Kameyama
  • Patent number: 6376397
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. In this invention, a dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is then applied to the crucible in order to bring the glass-ceramic material to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible in which the glass-ceramic material is placed has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic materials being heated. The heat deformation properties of the crucible must be such that when the glass-ceramic material in the crucible is in the working range the crucible is heat-pressure deformable without rupturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Tec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Petticrew
  • Patent number: 6361318
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an elongate support element for a replacement structure in a human body part such as the jaw. The support element is applied to implants in the jaw with great accuracy of fit. Identification information and supplementary information is delivered to computer equipment. Using the information, the computer equipment extracts control data for milling equipment which mills out the support element from a blank. Using the milling information, the milling equipment forms the support element according to a shape determined in the computer equipment. In addition, the information comprises details on the configuration of seats for the implants, and the positioning of the seats in the support element material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare AB
    Inventors: Tomas Bäck, Lennart Carlsson, Anders Petersson
  • Publication number: 20020031747
    Abstract: A dental implant which contains a bi-cortical anchor apparatus for insertion into a jawbone, the anchor apparatus including a tool receptor for interacting with a tool which facilitates insertion of the apparatus. An implant member arranged for insertion into a jawbone, the member containing a cervix to secure a dental prosthesis and a through conduit to support an anchor apparatus. A complementary system including an implant member and a template, the latter meshing with and helping align the implant member. A method for inserting the implant member into a bore in the jawbone. The method includes drilling a channel in the jawbone through a drill-bit guide channel and inserting a bi-cortical anchor apparatus through the channel and through a conduit of an implant member, anchoring at least two portions of the anchor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Advanced Dental Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Laster, Simon Girshovich, Daniel Baruc
  • Publication number: 20020028424
    Abstract: Dental prosthetics, including implants, crowns and bridges, made from nanophase materials. The nanophase materials are generally manufactured by evaporating a metal or other solid substrate by heating it to a temperature at or above its boiling point in a vacuum to form a vapor. The vapor is then condensed back to a solid state through contact with a cold gas. In a first method, the nanophase material is heated until it is in a fluid state, then it is poured into a mold and cooled to form all or part of a dental prosthetic. In a second method, the nanophase material is placed into the mold in a powdered form, then heated so that the grains form a solid mass. Nanophase crowns and bridges should generally be formed in one piece, but the upper surface of a nanophase prosthetic will usually be covered with porcelain or another non-nanophase material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: David Michael Prestipino, Vincent Joseph Prestipino
  • Publication number: 20020025506
    Abstract: Shaping cap made of ceramic, metal or plastic material, which is suitable as a solid constituent of dental pin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Konrad Hagenbuch, Gerhard Zanghellini
  • Patent number: 6343931
    Abstract: Plugs for use in sinus lift and augmentation techniques have a mushroom-like shape and having of a substantially cone-shaped body with an integral head of enlarged diameter. The plugs are preferably formed of donor cadaver bone, osteosite or hatogens. The plugs, in one embodiment, are formed of universal sizes and are preferably “CAD CAM” cut, based on a scan of the orifice. The plugs have a fluted or corrugated-like periphery and are preferably swaged into a previously prepared cavity, the fluted configuration preventing rotation of the plug. An implant is then counter-sunk into the core plug. The core plugs, once in place, promote bone growth and integration as self to enhance and provide a bed of rich bone in compromised and deficient areas structurally and esthetically. A set of tapped drills range from 2.8 mm up to 7.5 mm in diameter and lengths of 8 mm-15 mm can be used and standard plugs can be used in place of CAD CAM (i.e., “custom”) cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald J. Regni, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6344276
    Abstract: A medical implant coated with an amorphous hydroxyapatite/titanium coating layer having both high coating-substrate bond strength and a low dissolution rate of the coating. The medical implant of the present invention includes a substrate and a surface coating deposited onto the substrate from a composite target comprising 10-75% by volume of titanium and 90-25% by volume of hydroxyapatite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jiin-Huey Chern Lin, Chien-Ping Ju, Shinn-Jyh Ding
  • Publication number: 20020009692
    Abstract: A method for preserving the alveolar ridge surrounding a presently extracted root socket by backfilling the socket with bone graft material and installing an implant in the root socket area either immediately before backfilling or after backfilling and a delay in which new bone is allowed to grow into the bone graft material. In one embodiment, the dental implant is installed apically into the root socket immediately following root extraction. The open area of the root socket surrounding the implant is then backfilled with bone graft material immediately after implant placement. The implant is preferably a threaded implant (but it can be a cylinder-type) which is placed approximately three to six millimeters apically to said root socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Arthur Ashman
  • Publication number: 20010055745
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a dental implant comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Philippe Gault
  • Publication number: 20010051832
    Abstract: A prosthetic device formed from a polymer which, when contacted with a calcium salt, calcium is deposited on or in the polymer. The polymer includes a soft component and a hard component. The device has bone-bonding properties. The soft component provides for the deposition of calcium on or in the soft component and preferably is a polyalkylene glycol, and the hard component preferably is a polyester. A preferred material is a polyethylene glycol/polybutylene terephthalate copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: DIRKJAN BAKKER, JOHANNES J. GROTE, CLEMENS A. VAN BLITTERSWIJK
  • Publication number: 20010041325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a porous textile product made from bioactive glass fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Heimo Ylanen, Hannu Aro, Kaj Karlsson, Antti Yli-Urpo, Mikko Hupa, Egon Nordstrom
  • Publication number: 20010041942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a porous composite which comprises particles made from a bioactive material, the particles being sintered together to form a porous composite. It is characteristic that the particles have one or more recesses or throughgoing holes, or that the particles provided with an unbroken surface layer are hollow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Heimo Ylanen, Hannu Aro, Kaj Karlsson, Antti Yli-Urpo, Mikko Hupa, Egon Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 6306785
    Abstract: A living tissue replacement of crystallized glass having bioaffinity and mechanical strength is briefly obtained simply by pressure molding or machining without using a special equipment. A glass material having a softening point below its crystallization temperature and exhibiting viscous flow at temperatures below its melting point is heated at a temperature above its Tg and pressed at the temperature to mold to a desired shape, thereby manufacturing a living tissue replacement such as a dental crown. Molding can be done under a pressure of up to 20 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nonami, Tatsuji Sano, Sadami Tsutsumi, Tetsuo Urabe, Masahiro Fukuma
  • Publication number: 20010031446
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a process for the formation of dental restorations from glass-ceramic materials and the resulting dental restorations. A dental restoration is prepared by placing a glass-ceramic material in a heat-pressure deformable crucible. Heat is applied to the crucible to bring the glass-ceramic to a working range at temperatures above its liquidus temperature. The crucible has heat-pressure deformation properties which are matched to the working temperature of the glass-ceramic. Once the glass-ceramic is heated to its working temperature, the crucible is brought into contract with a mold having a cavity therein. As the distance between the heated crucible and the mold is decreased, the crucible is deformed to form a seal with the mold facilitating the injection of the molten glass-ceramic into the cavity. The resulting dental restoration has superior optical, esthetic and strength properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: TEC VENTURES, INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. Petticrew
  • Patent number: 6287116
    Abstract: Improved tensioning or preloading of screws used to assemble dental implants is made possible by using screws which have a coating of gold, particularly screws made of palladium alloy or of titanium or a titanium alloy which has been plated with a different biocompatible metal, such as platinum, nickel or copper. The increased preload improves the stability of the dental implant assembly because greater mastication forces are then required to pry apart contiguous components of the implant assembly and bend the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Implant Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Lazzara
  • Patent number: 6283755
    Abstract: Dental implant component (1; 1′) for a dental prosthesis or a core part of a dental prosthesis to be fabricated on comprising a base section (3; 3′) having a proximal end (2; 2′) for engagement with a support end of a support component and a distal end (7; 7′); and an elongate post section (5; 5′) which projects distally from the distal end of the base section and has a transverse dimension which is substantially less than the transverse dimension of the base section. In a first aspect of the invention the dental implant component is made at least in part from a material which is adapted to burn-out during lost-wax casting whereby a dental prosthesis or core part of a dental prosthesis fabricated on the dental implant component by lost wax casting includes at most only a part of the dental implant component. In a second aspect of the invention the elongate post section is positioned offset on the distal end of the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Astra Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Nils Gustaf Bergström, Leif Broberg, Hansruedi Carisch, Anders Holmén
  • Patent number: 6280193
    Abstract: The invention concerns dental implants, more particularly a dental implant (1) comprising an external thread (2) and an internal thread (6). Said dental implant (1) is made of zirconium oxide. The invention also concerns a method for moulding said dental implant using metal inserts (7, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Guy Peltier
  • Patent number: 6280195
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient having a toothless site (10) in a jaw comprising the steps of providing a fixture (1) for anchorage in the bone (5) of the jaw at the toothless site having a coronal end (9); anchoring the fixture in the bone such that the coronal end is submerged beneath the coronal margin (8) of the gingival layer (7) at the toothless site; providing an abutment (31a; 31b; 31c) which is securable in an operational position to the fixture through an opening (12) provided through the gingival layer to the fixture, the abutment having a transgingival structure (37) which comprises an apical section (41) which tapers outwardly from an apical end of the transgingival structure which in the operational position of the abutment is co-planar with the coronal end of the fixture to a position at which the transgingival structure has a maximum transverse dimension and a coronal section (43) contiguous with the apical section which tapers inwardly from the maximum transverse dimension to a coronal end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Astra Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Leif Broberg, Anders Holmén, Nils Gustaf Bergström
  • Patent number: 6276938
    Abstract: A distance member is designed so as to make possible a cemented superstructure in the jaw and can be fastened to the implant in the jaw by means of a screw member. The distance member has a prefabricated external shape which is individually adapted to the respective dental situation in question for the purpose of rendering unnecessary substantial shape modification work in connection with construction of the superstructure in the jaw. The prefabricated shape has a shelf-shaped projecting part located between the upper and lower parts of the distance member and the distance member is designed with an internal counterholder which prevents torque being transmitted from the tool to the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare AB
    Inventors: Lars Jörneus, Bjarne Kvarnström
  • Patent number: 6273720
    Abstract: A dental implant system including an implant having an incisal portion for insertion into a alveolar receptor site formed in the jawbone to receive the implant, a collar having a beveled shape extending superiorly from the incisal portion with a smooth polished surface, a threadless cavity extending from the occlusal end of the implant partially into said embedded incisal portion with the cavity having a recessed groove adjacent the proximal end of the incisal portion, a removable healing cap adapted to be placed into the threadless cavity of said implant with said healing cap having a resilient shoulder projecting therefrom to engage said groove for forming a sealed interlock during an extended healing period and a single post abutment member for insertion into the threadless cavity of the implant after removal of the healing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Spalten
  • Patent number: 6270562
    Abstract: A filler material comprising a fibrous material and one or more forms of surface-modifying particles for use in dental composites and dental restorations. The surface-modifying particles are bonded to the fibrous material to increase the surface area of the fibrous material and improve the bonding properties of the fibrous material to enable it to better bond to a resin matrix material in a dental composite. In accordance with the present invention, the fibrous material possesses a lower melting temperature than the surface-modifying particles. The surface-modifying particles and the fibrous material are heated to a temperature below the softening temperature of the fibrous material but at a temperature and time sufficient to soften the surface of the fibrous material in order to bond the surface-modifying particles thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Jeneric/Pentron, Inc.
    Inventor: Weitao Jia
  • Patent number: 6270347
    Abstract: Methods for enhancing osteoblast functions on a surface of an orthopaedic/dental implant and enhancing osseointegration of an orthopaedic/dental implant consist of providing an orthopaedic/dental implant comprising one or more nanostructured ceramic having a grain size of 1-100 nm or a composite of one or more adhesion-promoting polymers and one or more nanostructured ceramic having a grain size of 1-100 nm, and placing the implant in the body of an animal, where it may be exposed to osteoblast cells. Alumina, titania, or hydroxyapatite is preferred as the nanostructured ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Thomas J. Webster, Richard W. Siegel, Rena Bizios
  • Patent number: 6261097
    Abstract: The proposal is for a holding element (100) which can be screwed into the internally threaded bore (14) of the implant (1) even during production of the latter and can thus be used to grip or hold the implant for the following production phases. Furthermore, the holding element (100) serves to fix an implant (1), which is screwed thereto, inside an ampoule (200) and for the application of a screwing-in tool for implantation. The particular feature of the ampoule (200) lies in the fact that it has a large-area, lateral cutout (231) in the casing and also a fixing part (210) for accommodating the holding element (100) in a clamped manner. The implant (1) can thus be pulled laterally out of the ampoule (200). The devices facilitate handling of the implant (1) during production and insertion into the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Institut Straumann AG
    Inventors: Werner Schmutz, James Percival Simpson
  • Patent number: 6250923
    Abstract: A dental implant for anchoring in bone, wherein said bone comprises an outer cortical bone section and an inner cancellous bone section is made of a body of resorbable material such as coral, having a portion capable of being wedged into the cancellous bone. The body of coral has a generally cylindrical root portion, an emergent portion capable of being wedged into said outer cortical bone section, and a transgingival coronal portion being sized to extend beyond said emergent portion to end beyond a gingival layer, and an abutment portion and a head for retention of said prosthetic device at the other end, wherein said abutment portion meets said coronal portion at an interface beyond said gingival layer. The body of coral is substantially electroplated with a suitable plating material such as gold. At least some of the root portion is absent said plating material so as to allow the bone to enter the substantially plated body of coral to resorb and replace at least some of the coral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventors: David Gibbs, Neil Teitelbaum
  • Publication number: 20010004711
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: RICHARD J. LAZZARA, THOMAS S. HEYLMUN, KEITH D. BEATY
  • Publication number: 20010000486
    Abstract: A dental implant that reduces the potential for stress shielding. The dental implant utilizes an implant body that includes a metallic core and a shell disposed about the metallic core. The shell is made from a material that has a lower modulus of elasticity than the metallic core. The metallic core also is connected to a mounting end to which a prosthetic tooth may ultimately be attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventor: Brooks J. Story
  • Patent number: 6217333
    Abstract: A dental implant includes a generally longitudinal body having a first portion for receiving an artificial tooth and a second portion for engaging the hard tissue of a person receiving the implant, the second portion having coronal end adjacent the first portion, and a apical end, and a surface characterized by a texture compatible with osseointegration of hard tissue with the second portion, the second portion having a contour adjacent its coronal end having a generally saddle shaped configuration so that upon implantation, the surface of the second portion extends further from the apical end between adjacent teeth than it does in front or behind the artificial tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Carlo Ercoli
  • Patent number: 6193516
    Abstract: A dental implant that reduces the potential for stress shielding. The dental implant utilizes an implant body that includes a metallic core and a shell disposed about the metallic core. The shell is made from a material that has a lower modulus of elasticity than the metallic core. The metallic core also is connected to a mounting end to which a prosthetic tooth may ultimately be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Calcitek Inc.
    Inventor: Brooks J. Story
  • Patent number: 6193761
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis having porous textured surface regions and methods for making the same provide improved prostheses and prosthesis manufacturing methods. The implantable prostheses contain one more bead preforms that are secured to the metallic prosthesis components during the casting process to form porous textured surface regions in desired areas of the prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Debra J. Treacy
  • Patent number: 6183255
    Abstract: One of many universal requirements of dental or orthopedic implants, wherever they are used in the vital body, is that the implant system should be biologically functioning. To achieve the biological functionality, the implant should meet several requirements for compatibility. These include biological compatibility and mechanical compatibility. It has now been recognized that morphological compatibility and crystallographic compatibility should be added to these two compatibility requirements. Hence, the present invention provides a method of forming a certain type of crystalline structure of titanium oxide and controlled surface roughness to meet both morphological and crystallographic compatibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Yoshiki Oshida