A cap for fastening a denture on an anchoring element has a projecting part pointing radially inwards which co-operates with a circumferential groove on the anchoring element, thus forming a retention element such that the cap can be releasably fastened on the anchoring element. The cap has a conical end portion located below the retention element, the end portion at least partially surrounding, in the fastened state, a corresponding outer surface of the anchoring element.

A lower region of a temporary abutment includes an anti-rotational feature for non-rotationally mating with a dental implant. An upper region of the temporary abutment includes a first anti-rotational structure and at least one retention groove. A top surface of the temporary abutment includes one or more informational markers that provide information concerning the dental implant. A temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled to the upper region of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has at least one projection configured to mate with the at least one retention groove of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap has a second anti-rotational structure that is configured to slidably engage the first anti-rotational structure of the temporary abutment. The temporary abutment cap is configured to be coupled with a temporary prosthesis such that the temporary prosthesis and the temporary abutment cap are removable from the temporary abutment.

The invention discloses a modular surgical bone screw assembly having a threaded base portion and a screw head adapted to attach a variety of structures to bone. The features of the screw include a modular design for the assembly that separates the function of anchorage to the recipient bone to one of the modules of the device (threaded portion) from the other function of attaching another element (such as bone block, membrane, orthodontic wires, elastics etc) to a second module (the screw head). The design also allows the head to be exchanged after the implant has been placed.

A method of smoothing teeth by, for instance, filling in cracks, chips and eroded areas by applying calcium and/or casein and/or phosphate and a source of OH.sup. ions thereto. The method optionally provides that very thin layer(s) of dental cement be interlaced with other applied materials, and that the results be maintained in contact with the teeth involved by application of a composition of matter that adheres to said teeth and holds the results in place, while allowing at least some permeation of saliva therethrough. The method can optionally involve application of a backing strip or tray or the like to secure the other materials in place, but this is not a requirement where the composition of matter is sufficiently securing.

A dental tools system with a plurality of guide tabs; a mold and a plurality of tissue punch heads. The mold has a plurality of mold holes, each mold hole having a top portion and a bottom portion. Each guide tab fits in the top portion of one of the mold holes and each tissue punch head fits in the top portion of one of the mold holes. A method of placing dental implants is also described.

A dental implant has a hollow shell with outer bio-compatible surface for engaging a soft tissue socket left in gingival tissue after a tooth has been extracted, to promote healing. The shell tapers outwardly from a first to a second perimeter, the second perimeter being asymmetrically scalloped with opposite distal and mesial peaks and opposite lingual and facial valleys between the peaks. A dental implant in the bone socket left after tooth extraction is rigidly connected to a temporary post, the temporary post extending in the shell. The shell engages against the soft tissue socket without gaps and without requiring alignment between the shell and implant axes.

An attachment member for mating with a dental implant includes a non-rotational structure and a body. The non-rotational structure is configured to mate with a corresponding non-rotational feature of the dental implant. The body extends from the non-rotational structure. The body has (i) an exterior side surface configured to at least partially engage gingival tissue adjacent to the dental implant, (ii) an exterior top surface that is exposed through the gingival tissue, (iii) a screw access bore for receiving a screw that attaches the attachment member to the dental implant in a removable fashion, and (iv) a set of radiopaque information markers that is located internal to the exterior side surface and the exterior top surface. The set of radiopaque information markers indicates information regarding the dental implant that is revealed in response to a scan from a computerized tomography (CT) scanner.

A dental implant cover, constituted of: an elongated member extending from a first end to a second end, the elongated member arranged and dimension such that when the elongated member is fitted over a dental implant which is implanted into a patient bone, the first end of the elongated member covers an end of the dental implant and the second end of the elongated member extends towards the patient bone; and filler material deposited between the elongated member and the dental implant.

A dental implant system for bone regeneration of a bone defect site of a jawbone includes an implant which is to be anchored in the jawbone, a film for covering the bone defect site and the implant, a spacer element which, in a fitted position of the dental implant system, is to be arranged between the implant and the film, and an abutment. In the fitted position of the dental implant system, the film is clamped between the spacer element and the abutment, and the spacer element and the abutment are connected by a form-locked connection.

A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.