DENTAL IMPLANT AND DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEM

Abstract

A dental implant for implantation in the jawbone for the purpose of fastening a superstructure. The implant includes an implant body that extends between a coronal and an apical end and which defines an enossal outer surface. The implant body defines a cavity that is open coronally as well as at least one exit opening from an inside to the enossal outer surface. An outer thread is shaped on the implant body. A thermoplastic element is moreover present in the solid condition and is arranged in the cavity or introducible into the cavity, wherein the thermoplastic element can be brought into an at least partly flowable condition by way of applying a pressing force, which is directed apically into the cavity, and mechanical oscillations and can be pressed through the at least one exit opening into surrounding tissue on account of the pressing force.

Claims

1. A dental implant system with an implant for implantation in the jawbone, the implant system comprising: an implant body that extends between a coronal end and an apical end and defines an enossal outer surface, the implant body comprising coronally open cavity as well as at least one exit opening from the cavity to the enossal outer surface, a thermoplastic element in a solid state, said thermoplastic element being arranged in the cavity or being introducible into said cavity; wherein the thermoplastic element is capable of being brought into an at least partly flowable condition by way of applying a pressing force, which is directed apically into the cavity, and mechanical oscillations; and wherein in the flowable condition at least a share of the flowable material of the thermoplastic element can, when the implant body is arranged in an opening in the bone tissue and the enossal outer surface is in contact with bone tissue while the pressing force and the mechanical oscillations are applied, be pressed through the at least one exit opening into surrounding bone tissue on account of the pressing force; wherein the implant body comprises an outer thread as well as a fastening structure for fastening an abutment or a superstructure; and a guide sleeve, shaped to be introduced into the cavity or to be arranged in the cavity, wherein the guide sleeve, when introduced into the cavity, at least regionally surrounds the thermoplastic element when the thermoplastic element is arranged in the cavity or is introduced into the cavity.

2. The dental implant system according to claim 1, wherein the exit opening is arranged apically of at least a part of the outer thread.

3. The dental implant system according to claim 1, wherein the fastening structure is at least partly present in the cavity and/or is penetrated by the cavity.

4. A dental implant system with an implant for implantation in a jawbone, the implant system comprising: an implant body that extends between a coronal end and an apical end and defines an enossal outer surface, the implant body comprising a coronally open cavity as well as at least one exit opening from the cavity to the enossal outer surface; a thermoplastic element in a solid state, said element being arranged in the cavity or being introducible into said cavity; wherein the thermoplastic element is capable of being brought into an at least partially flowable condition by way of applying a pressing force, which is directed towards apically into the cavity, and mechanical oscillations; wherein in the flowable condition at least a share of the flowable material of the thermoplastic element can, when the implant body is arranged in an opening in the bone tissue and the enossal outer surface is in contact with bone tissue while the pressing force and the mechanical oscillations are applied, be pressed through the at least one exit opening into surrounding bone tissue on account of the pressing force; wherein the implant body comprises a fastening structure for fastening an abutment or a superstructure, said fastening structure being at least partly present in the cavity and/or being penetrated by the cavity; the implant system further comprising a guide sleeve, shaped to be introduced into the cavity or to be arranged in the cavity, wherein the guide sleeve, when introduced into the cavity, at least regionally surrounds the thermoplastic element when the thermoplastic element is arranged in the cavity or is introduced into the cavity.

5. The dental implant system according to claim 4, which is designed as part of a two-part implant system, wherein the fastening structure is designed for fastening an abutment and is formed at least partly in the cavity such that the fastening presupposes the engagement of a fastening post of the abutment into the cavity.

6. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the cavity comprises a structure that is undercut with respect to axial directions and which permits a securing of an abutment or superstructure relative to the implant body with regard to pull in axial directions.

7. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the cavity forms a support region, in which the cavity has a coronally enlarging cross section.

8. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the cavity forms a rotating-in geometry region and/or rotation-lock region, in which it is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to rotations about a cavity axis.

9. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the mentioned fastening structure is formed such that the abutment or the superstructure can be attached onto the dental implant by way of a movement in the axial direction.

10. The dental implant system according to claim 9, wherein the abutment or the superstructure can be attached in a plurality of possible orientations.

11. The dental implant system according to claim 10, wherein the fastening structure defines a finite number of possible orientations and a rotating-in geometry for a rotating-in tool.

12. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the cavity is delimited apically of the exit opening by an abutting portion.

13. The dental implant system according to claim 12, wherein the abutting portion forms an energy director.

14. The dental implant system according to claim 4, further comprising an abutment or superstructure with a fastening portion, which is adapted to the fastening structure.

15. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the guide sleeve forms a coronal widening by way of which it can be supported on the implant.

16. The dental implant system according to claim 4, wherein the guide sleeve comprises an undercut structure in order to engage into a corresponding undercut structure of the implant body.

17. The dental implant system according to claim 4, further comprising a rotating-in tool that is designed to engage into a non-rotationally-symmetrical region of the cavity in order to screw the implant body into the jawbone by way of a screwing movement.

18. The dental implant system according to claim 4, further comprising a sonotrode that is shaped to engage coronally into the cavity and to apply the mechanical oscillations as well as the pressing force.

19. The dental implant system according to claim 18, wherein the sonotrode comprises a distal region whose shape is matched to the guide sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Embodiment examples of the invention are hereinafter explained in more detail by way of figures. In the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or analogous elements. There are shown in:

[0053] FIG. 1a-1c are sectioned representations of an implant body during different stages during the implantation;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a matching abutment;

[0055] FIG. 3a-3c shows an alternative implant body as well as an alternative cross section in the region of the rotation lock;

[0056] FIG. 4 shows an abutment matching this;

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a further implant body, again drawn in the axial longitudinal section;

[0058] FIG. 6 shows an insert element for an implant body according to FIG. 5;

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an abutment with an abutment screw;

[0060] FIG. 8 shows an implant body with an inner thread;

[0061] FIG. 9 shows an implant body of an implant for a single part system;

[0062] FIG. 10 shows an implant body without an outer thread for a two-part system;

[0063] FIG. 11 shows an implant body with an inserted guide sleeve;

[0064] FIG. 12 shows a dental implant with a guide sleeve; and

[0065] FIG. 13-15 show alternative guide sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] FIG. 1a in the section along the implant axis 13 (corresponding to the thread axis) shows an implant body 1 of a dental implant, the implant here forming the anchoring part of a two-part dental implant system. The embodiment represented in FIG. 1a is a tissue level dental implant, which, on implantation, is introduced so far into the bone tissue that the coronal end (represented in FIG. 1a at the upper side) lies roughly at the height of the bone crest, which is why the lateral surface can be roughened and/or coated almost up to the coronal end, in order to promote an ingrowth into the bone. The implant body 1 includes an outer thread 11, which here extends practically over the complete length almost up to the coronal end. Optional, apical chip grooves 12 are moreover present at the outer side.

[0067] The implant body as a whole, with the exception of the thread recesses and the chip grooves, has an essentially cylindrical shape that merges apically into slightly tapering shape. The outer thread 11 has a non-constant thread depth and can be designed in a self-tapping manner.

[0068] The implant body 1 is manufactured for example of a zirconium oxide ceramic, in particular of an yttrium-stabilised ceramic based on zirconium oxide. Generally, the teaching, which is described here by way of embodiment examples, however also applies to implant bodies of another material, for example of another ceramic, in particular based on aluminium oxide, or of a metal, for example titanium or a titanium alloy.

[0069] A cavity 2, which is open to the coronal end, extends almost over the complete length of the implant and is delimited apically by an abutting portion 5 extends apically from the coronal end parallel to the axis 13. Two exit openings 4, which lie opposite one another, are formed radially outwards from the cavity 2 towards the outer surface (lateral surface). The abutting portion 5 is slighted pointed towards the middle, so that an energy director 7 whose function is yet explained hereinafter is formed.

[0070] Towards the coronal end, the cavity can include a widening 3, which in FIG. 1a is only represented in a dashed manner and which is not rotationally symmetrical about the axis 13, so that a matchingly designed rotating-in tool (insert/insertion tool) can engage into it, in order rotate the implant body into the bone tissue by way of the outer thread 11—preferably after carrying out a pre-drilling. With regard to its cross section, the cavity in the region of the widening 3 in particular can have an n-fold symmetry, for example 3-fold, 4-fold, 5-fold, 6-fold, 7-fold or 8-fold symmetry. In cross section it can have the shape for example of an n-fold polygon with rounded corners; and other cross-sectional shapes, for example a Torx-like shape are also possible. The cavity can be approximately cylindrical, i.e. run in a rotationally symmetrical manner along the axis, each in the region of the widening 3 as well as apically of this, wherein a slightly apically tapering shape is not ruled out and wherein, as is to be seen in the following examples, further, possibly also non-cylindrical portions can also be present.

[0071] FIG. 1b shows the implant body 1 screwed into bone tissue 10, together with the thermoplastic element 20, which can be introduced from coronally into the cavity 2. A sonotrode 22 with a cross section that is adapted to the cavity is also indicated. The cross section of the sonotrode 22 is such that this is insertable into the cavity 2 essentially without any force effort when this is free.

[0072] The thermoplastic element 20 is designed in an essentially pin-like manner, for example cylindrically, with a cross section that is matched to the cavity and in particular to its apical region. The thermoplastic element can be designed in particular in a circularly cylindrical manner.

[0073] As is shown in FIG. 1c, for the anchoring, which is additional to the anchoring by way of the screwing-in, the thermoplastic element 20 is pressed apically against the abutting portion 5 by way of the sonotrode 20 whilst the sonotrode is subjected to mechanical oscillations, by which means the thermoplastic material of the thermoplastic element 29 in contact with the abutting portion 5 is heated, until it becomes flowable and is displaced outwards through the exit openings 4 on account of the pressing pressure and is pressed into the structures of the bone tissue. Here, the effect of the energy director 7 can be such that the energy absorption initially primarily takes place in contact with this, by which means the thermoplastic material is firstly heated there most of all. Since the internal fiction of the thermoplastic material is much higher when this has a higher temperature (for example with an amorphous thermoplastic when it lies above the glass transition temperature), the main focus of the energy absorption also subsequently takes place at the apical end, by which means it is ensured that the liquefaction is in the region of the exit openings 4.

[0074] The interface between the sonotrode 22 and the thermoplastic 20 is continuously displaced apically during this process, by which means the coronal region of the cavity also remains essentially free of thermoplastic material and after the removal of the sonotrode can serve for the insertion of the fastening post of the abutment. Depending on the oscillation conditions and the length of the thermoplastic element 20, one can even envisage the coronal region of the cavity, for example in particular the region of the widening (and in the subsequent embodiments also in regions that serve for the anchoring apically of this) never coming into contact with the liquefied, thermoplastic material.

[0075] After a re-solidification subsequent to the energy input having been stopped, the liquefied shares 21 of the thermoplastic material, which are pressed into the bone, ensure an additional anchoring of the implant body 1 and thus of the complete implant in the bone tissue 10 and secure this in particular against being inadvertently screwed out or shaken out. This anchoring ensures an adequate primary stability during the healing-in phase.

[0076] According to a first possibility, the thermoplastic material of the thermoplastic element can be resorbable and thus be reabsorbed by the body after a few months when the implant is healed-in, whereupon the bone can grow through the exit openings 4 into the inside of the implant body 1 and therefore contribute further to the anchoring. Useable, resorbable polymers are, for example, polylactides, which are also commercially available for applications in surgery.

[0077] According to a second possibility, the thermoplastic element can be non-resorbable. The share of thermoplastic material with regard to the anchoring then remains the same. A useable, non-resorbable polymer is for example PMMA or a polyimide.

[0078] Apart from the fastening post 31, the abutment 30 represented in FIG. 2 includes a coronal post 34 for fastening a superstructure. A transgingival region 33, which is adapted, for example, to the expected course of the gingiva, is formed apically of this coronal post. The shapes of such a transgingival region 33 as well as of the post 34 including its angle to the fastening post 31 and consequently to the axis 13 are adapted to the specific requirements and depend on where the implant is or has been placed in the jaw. In particular, an implantation set with at least one implant can include several different abutments for different implantation situations.

[0079] A rotation-lock structure 32 can be formed on the fastening post 31. Such a rotation-lock structure 32 has an outer structure, which fits into the region of the implant which is not rotationally symmetrical, and fixes the rotation angle of the abutment relative to the jawbone. Very generally, the abutment in particular can be placed onto/attached to the implanted implant by way of a movement in the axial direction, without a substantial rotation.

[0080] In the example according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fastening of the abutment to the implant, in particular to the implant body is effected by cementing as is known per se. The applied cement can also be used to fill free regions of the cavity apically of the region, into which the fastening post 31 penetrates.

[0081] The embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b (in which figures the thermoplastic element of the implant is not represented) as well as of FIG. 4 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the implant of dental implant system, the implant system still being of two parts, is a designed transgingivally, i.e. is a tissue level implant.

[0082] For this purpose, coronally of the enossal region, which is provided with an outer thread 11 and under certain circumstances is roughened and/or coated, it includes a transgingival region (line 19 shows the approximate level of the bone ridge), in which the implant projects slightly here. FIG. 3b, which very schematically shows a representation of the implant sectioned along the plane B-B in FIG. 3a, shows the widening 3 as a being hexagonal in cross section, by which means the abutment with the corresponding hexagonal rotation-lock structure 32 can be inserted in six different relative orientations.

[0083] In the represented embodiment, the abutment is moreover drawn with an angled, coronal post 34, and the abutment can be designed in a manner adapted to the position on the jaw and to the desired tooth position, independently of the design of the implant as a subgingival or transgingival implant and independently of the type of fastening.

[0084] In all embodiments, supplementarily or alternatively to a non-rotationally-symmetrical region (rotating-in (insertion) geometry region and/or rotation-lock region), the cavity 2 in the coronal region can optionally also include a support region, which has a diameter which increases slightly in the coronal direction and by way of which forces can be transmitted in the axial direction from the superstructure, possibly via the abutment, into the actual implant. Such a support region can, for example, be designed conically and, for example, lie coronally of the insert geometry region. Possible embodiments of regions of a coronally open cavity in the implant and its manners of functioning in the context of an interaction with a rotating-in (insert/insertion) tool and of the fastening of the abutment are described, for example, in the Swiss patent application 01 786/15, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The procedure of the present invention renders it possible to combine the functions of the recess, which is described therein, and generally of recesses for fastening an abutment or superstructure, with the function of the cavity for receiving the thermoplastic element and for introducing the sonotrode for the purpose of subjection to mechanical energy.

[0085] FIG. 3c shows a cross section of the widening 3, which is an alternative to that of FIG. 3b, in the rotation-lock region, the widening in particular being able to be advantageous with implant bodies of ceramic material, since it renders possible an improved distribution of the forces that are exerted on rotating-in (insertion) by the rotating-in (insert/insertion) tool. The dotted contour in FIG. 3c illustrates the fact that a 2*-fold (or 3*n-fold etc.) structure of an abutment can interact in such an n-fold, here three-fold structure, in order to permit a greater number of relative orientations.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a further design of an implant body 1, as is useful in particular for ceramic implant bodies. In the coronal region, the cavity forms a widening 3 of the type mentioned above with a non-rotationally-symmetrical cross section. In contrast to the drawn embodiment, a support region of the mentioned type can additionally also be formed, for example coronally of the non-rotationally-symmetrical region, as described in the Swiss patent application 01 786/15. The recess moreover forms an undercut insert element region, which here widens slightly conically towards the apical side. This serves for the anchoring of the insert element, which is secured with respect to axial tension, as drawn for example in FIG. 6.

[0087] Such an insert element can be introduced with its apical end into the undercut insert element region by way of its apical end being able to be deformed on account of slots 44, which separate several segments 42 from one another. A through-opening 43 with an inner thread function, i.e. with an inner tread or at least with an inwardly projecting edge, which cooperates with an outer thread runs in the axial direction and extends centrally. A coronal head region 42 is not rotationally symmetrical but in its outer contour is adapted to the geometry of the non-rotationally-symmetrical region so that the insert element can be inserted in a manner secured against rotation. The segments can be fixed in the spread condition by way of screwing in an abutment screw (or also a corresponding screw of a rotating-in (insertion) tool), by which means the insert element and accordingly the screwed-in abutment screw or tool screw are secured against tension in the coronal direction on account of the undercut.

[0088] FIG. 7 schematically shows an abutment 30 with an abutment screw 50 with an abutment screw thread 52 and with a continuous opening for the abutment screw, wherein a head of the screw in the screwed-in condition of the abutment screw is pressed against a shoulder 38, which is formed in the continuous opening, and thus fixes the abutment with respect to the implant. Such a design serves, for example, for fastening the abutment, by way of the interaction of the abutment screw thread 52 with the through-opening 43 of the insert element 40. Alternatively, the abutment screw can also be fixedly screwed directly on the implant, which is known per se, particularly for metallic implants, but is also not ruled out for ceramic implants with a corresponding strength.

[0089] FIG. 8 schematically shows a corresponding implant of a two-part implant system (with the example of a sub-gingival implant). The cavity 2 includes a region with an inner thread 9, here between the widening 3 and the apical cylindrical region, which for example is also present in the other embodiments and drawn there and which runs out into the exit openings 4.

[0090] FIG. 9 shows an implant body 1 of a dental implant for a single-part dental implant system. The thermoplastic 20 is not drawn, but can be designed analogously to the thermoplastic elements for two-part systems. The dental implant, apart from the features described by way of the above embodiments, includes a coronal post 61 for fastening a superstructure as well as a projection 62 for supporting the superstructure and/or for the compression of the gums. The cavity 2 extends axially through the post 61.

[0091] With embodiments for single part dental implant systems with an angulated post, the cavity can also merely extend through a part of the post.

[0092] Optionally, in the case of a single part dental implant system, the implantologist or dentist can fill the cavity from the coronal side with a suitable filler, for example with a cement, after the additional anchoring by way of the thermoplastic material and before the fastening of the superstructure.

[0093] A further feature of the implant according to FIG. 9 can also be realised in any other embodiment of the invention independently of whether the implant system is of one part or two parts: whereas the implant body of the previously discussed embodiments are all essentially cylindrical in the enossal region, this is not the case with FIG. 9. In contrast, the implant body is essentially conical with an apically tapering outer contour.

[0094] FIG. 10 shows an implant body, here for a two part implant system that has no outer thread. Instead of this, in the represented embodiment example the implant is slightly tapered apically (tip 17) and includes slightly projecting ribs 18, which run in the peripheral direction in the drawn embodiment example. Supplementarily or alternatively, axially running ribs are also considered and these can moreover project somewhat further than the ribs running in the peripheral direction.

[0095] A structure for fastening the abutment, the structure being formed in the cavity 2 is represented once again in the shown example. The widening 3 here forms three regions: a support region 3.1, a rotation-lock region 3.2 with a structure that is not rotationally symmetrical about the axis, and an undercut region 3.3, here for fastening an insert element of the type described above.

[0096] All three regions are optional. The rotation-lock region with regard to this implant does not serve for the engagement of a rotating-in (insertion) tool, since such is not necessary at all. A rotation-lock region can be useful despite this, particularly if the rotation-lock effect of the pressing in the support region 3.1, between the implant and the abutment (or superstructure), is not sufficient or such a support region is not present; this is analogously the case with bonded (cemented) systems if the rotation-lock effect of the bonding connection is not sufficient.

[0097] FIG. 11 shows an implant concerning which the cavity 2 is designed similarly as with the implant according to FIG. 10 with an inserted guide sleeve 70. Such a guide sleeve consists of a material or materials that is/are not liquefiable under the conditions prevailing during the implantation—for example of a metal or of a duroplastic plastic or of a plastic with a very high liquefaction temperature, for example PEEK. The thermoplastic element and the distal end of the sonotrode can be led in the inside of the guide sleeve 70. As is drawn, the guide sleeve can extend essentially over the complete axial length of the cavity, or for example can also only protect a coronal region of this cavity, for example the region of the widening 3, which is yet illustrated hereafter.

[0098] By way of another embodiment of an implant body, FIG. 12 illustrates that the guide sleeve can include a coronal widening, which here forms a shoulder 72, by way of which the guide sleeve can be supported on the implant body, by which means the axial definition is defined for the implantologist on insertion and the portion apically of the support is prevented from being able to cover the exit openings 4.

[0099] FIG. 13 shows a variant of the guide sleeve 70, which combines two optional features that are independent of one another: [0100] Firstly, the guide sleeve includes an outer thread 74 as an example of an undercut structure, the structure interacting with a corresponding structure (here: inner thread) of the implant body, in order to fix the guide sleeve relative to the implant body with respect to axial directions. [0101] Secondly, the axial extension of the guide sleeve is limited to the region of the widening of the cavity, thus in particular protects this widening at leads in the region of this. The thermoplastic element and/or the sonotrode can be led apically of the guide sleeve, directly through the cavity.

[0102] In the example of FIG. 13, the guide sleeve in particular matches an implant body of the type that is illustrated in FIG. 8 or also of the type illustrated in FIG. 5 (then with an insert element), which is why this body also forms a widening 73 coronally of the undercut structure (outer thread 74), by way of which widening it is additionally supported, wherein this winding limits the screw-in movement and thus protects the inner thread of the implant body on introducing the guide sleeve. The cross section of the widening 73 can be matched in a suitable manner to the cross section of the widening 3 of the cavity, wherein the rotation-lock structure would of course not be present in the case of a sleeve to be screwed in.

[0103] The variant of the guide sleeve 70 according to FIG. 14 is matched to an implant body of the type represented in FIG. 5 (without insert element) and includes an undercut structure 75 that can be clicked in, next to a widened region 76. This variant too—as with that one which is described above—differing from that which is drawn, can optionally be led further apically of the undercut structure and extend essentially over the complete region up to the exit openings.

[0104] This also applies to the variant according to FIG. 15, which otherwise matched to a cavity as drawn in FIG. 10 includes three regions, an undercut structure 75, a middle region 77 and a coronal support region 78.

[0105] With guide sleeves, which can be introduced into the cavity by way of a mere axial movement as is the case with the embodiments according to FIG. 14 and according to FIG. 15, optionally a respective region (for example the middle region 77 in FIG. 15) in its outer shape can be matched to a rotating-in (insert/insertion) geometry of the implant body and also be secured against rotation.