Dental Replacement Having A Connecting Sleeve

Abstract

A dental prosthesis (100) for anchoring in the jawbone (1), comprising a dental implant (110) with an implant body (111) and an abutment (112), a tooth part (120) with an internal guide (122) in the tooth part (120), in particular penetrating the tooth part (120), and a closure body (130) for sealing the dental prosthesis (100) within the internal guide (122) in the tooth part (120), in particular penetrating the tooth part (120). A connecting sleeve (140) is arranged between the closure body (130) and the internal guide (122) of the tooth part (120), by means of which connecting sleeve the tooth part (120) and the dental implant (110) can be connected to one another indirectly, detachably and/or by means of which connecting sleeve the closure body (130) can be releasably locked within the internal guide (122) in the tooth part (120), in particular penetrating the tooth part (120).

Claims

1. A dental prosthesis (100) for anchoring in the jawbone (1), comprising a dental implant (110) with an implant body (111) and an abutment (112), wherein the dental implant (110) is designed in two parts and has a connecting section (113) penetrating the implant body (111) and the abutment (112), as well as a connecting element (115) which can be arranged within the connecting section (113), wherein the closure body (130) can be arranged within the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), and opening into the connecting section (113) penetrating the abutment (112), a tooth part (120) with an internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), in and a closure body (130), which can be arranged within the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), for sealing the dental prosthesis (100), characterized in that a connecting sleeve (140) is arranged between the closure body (130) and the internal guide (122) of the tooth part (120), by means of which connecting sleeve (140) the closure body (130) can be releasably locked within the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), for sealing the dental prosthesis (100).

2. (canceled)

3. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (140) is designed as a rotationally symmetrical, hollow cylinder with an outer jacket surface (145) and an inner jacket surface (144) as well as an upper annular surface (146), which is assigned to a chewing surface (121) of the tooth part (120), and a lower annular surface (147), which is assigned to the abutment (112) or to the dental implant (110).

4. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (140) can be aligned coaxially with the abutment (112) in the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), wherein either the lower annular surface (147) of the connecting sleeve (140) terminates axially at or above an upper end (112a) of the abutment (112), or the connecting sleeve (140) is surrounded by the abutment (112), and in particular the upper annular surface (146) of the connecting sleeve (140) terminates at or below the upper end (112a) of the abutment (112).

5. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure body (130) has an external thread (131) and the connecting sleeve (140) has at least one internal thread (141, 142) in order to releasably lock the closure body (130) within the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120).

6. (canceled)

7. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the abutment (112) has an external thread (119) for engagement in at least one internal thread (141, 142) of the connecting sleeve (140) in order to releasably connect the dental implant (110) to the connecting sleeve (140).

8. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that a collar section (123) of the tooth part (120) is arranged between the connecting sleeve (140) and the abutment (112) of the tooth implant (110) in order to releasably connect the tooth part (120) and the dental implant (110) to one another by means of the connecting sleeve (140).

9. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one seal is arranged between the closure body (130) and the connecting sleeve (140).

10. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closure body (130) has an inner recess (136), for receiving a core element (137, 138).

11. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (140) has a flat, smooth, outer surface or outer jacket surface (145), and the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120) has a flat, smooth, surface.

12. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (140) comprises a material which has a lower hardness than the hardness of the material of the tooth part (120).

13. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the tooth part (120), the connecting sleeve (140), or the closure body (130) are designed with a respective, coloring material component corresponding to a natural tooth color.

14. A dental prosthesis (100) for anchoring in the jawbone (1), comprising a kit for sealing the dental prosthesis (100) with a closure body (130), a connecting sleeve (140) and a tooth part (120), wherein the connecting sleeve (140) can be releasably arranged within an internal guide (122) arranged in the dental prosthesis (100) and the closure body (130) can be releasably locked within the connecting sleeve (140), the tooth part (120) having the internal guide (122) or being penetrated by the internal guide (122).

15. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that an outer surface (145) of the connecting sleeve (140) is at least partially bonded to the surface of the internal guide (122).

16. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that a abutment (122) is additionally contained, which abutment (112) can be connected to an implant body (111) via a connecting element (115), and the connecting sleeve (140) can be aligned coaxially with the abutment (112) in the internal guide (122) arranged in the tooth part (120), wherein either the lower annular surface (147) of the connecting sleeve (140) terminates axially at or above an upper end (112a) of the abutment (112), or the connecting sleeve (140) is surrounded by the abutment (112) and the upper annular surface (146) of the connecting sleeve (140) terminates at or below the upper end (112a) of the abutment (112).

17. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 16, characterized in that the connecting sleeve (140) and/or the closure body (130) can be released from the internal guide (122) arranged in the dental prosthesis (100), in particular penetrating the dental prosthesis (100), by means of the connecting element (115).

18. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal guide (122) is penetrating the tooth part (120).

19. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 18, characterized in that the seal is formed by a conical sealing surface, between the closure body (130) itself and the connecting sleeve (140).

20. The dental prosthesis (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that a tooth part (120) is additionally contained, which tooth part (120) has an internal guide (122) or is penetrated by an internal guide (122), wherein an outer surface (145) of the connecting sleeve (140) is at least partially bonded to the surface of the internal guide (122) and/or is pressed into the internal guide (122).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further details, features, feature (sub)combinations, advantages, and effects based on the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and the drawings. The following is shown

[0049] FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with a threaded connection;

[0050] FIG. 2 a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with a snap connection;

[0051] FIG. 3 a schematic sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with a double threaded connection;

[0052] FIG. 4 a schematic sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention, wherein the connecting sleeve and the structural element are formed as one piece;

[0053] FIG. 5 a schematic sectional view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with an inner recess of the closure body and a grub screw;

[0054] FIG. 6 a schematic sectional view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with an inner recess of the closure body and a silicone core;

[0055] FIG. 7 a schematic sectional view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with a one-piece dental implant;

[0056] FIG. 8 a schematic sectional view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention with an inner recess of the closure body and a grub screw, as well as a one-piece tooth implant;

[0057] FIG. 9 a schematic sectional view of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis according to the invention, wherein the dental prosthesis is firmly connected, particularly bonded, to the structural element.

[0058] The figures are merely exemplary in nature and are only used for understanding the invention. The same elements are usually provided with the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention on the basis of a schematic sectional illustration. The dental prosthesis 100 comprises a dental implant 110 and a tooth part 120. The tooth implant 110 in turn has an implant body 111 and a structural element 112, which are shown here in two parts. Both the structural element 112 and the implant body 111 each comprise a connecting section 113, the connecting section 113 of the implant body 111 being provided with an internal thread 114. A connecting element 115, in particular a connecting screw or implant screw, with a corresponding external thread 116 engages in the internal thread 114 of the dental implant 110. The implant body 111 also comprises an external thread 117 which is screwed into the jawbone 1 of a patient and firmly connected thereto. The dental implant 110 is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular containing a titanium compound, and/or is made of zirconium oxide.

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, the structural element 112 has a flange section 118 on which the tooth part 120, here a crown as an example, rests with a lower end assigned to the tooth implant 110 for transferring the forces and torques that occur during chewing and/or biting. The upper end of the tooth part 120 is designed as a chewing surface 121. A substantially cylindrical internal guide 122 penetrates the tooth part 120 in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis thereof and has a radially inwardly facing collar section 123 in the area of the lower end of the tooth part 120, which collar section also terminates flush with the structural element 112 or positively adjoins it in the radial direction for the transmission of the forces and torques that occur during chewing and/or biting. Preferably, the fit of the tooth part 120 on the structural element 112 is conical. A connecting sleeve 140 is arranged inside the internal guide 122 and optionally firmly bonded to the surface of the internal guide 122. The radially external outer surface of the connecting sleeve 140, like the inwardly facing surface of the internal guide 122, is flat, in particular smooth, with a very low surface roughness. The connecting sleeve 140 has a first internal thread 141 on the inside. The connecting sleeve 140 is preferably formed from a plastic material which has a lower hardness than the material of the tooth part 120. In another variant, for example in the event that the tooth part 120 consists of a glass ceramic (e.g. a lithium disilicate glass ceramic), the connecting sleeve 140 can have a greater hardness and/or strength than the material of the tooth part 120, e.g. stabilized zirconium oxide, in order to stabilize the tooth part 120. In this variant, it is conceivable to press the tooth part 120 onto the connecting sleeve 140.

[0061] A closure body 130 arranged inside the connecting sleeve 140 has a complementary external thread 131 which engages in the first internal thread 141 of the connecting sleeve 140. The upper section 133 of the closure body 130 is designed as an occlusal or chewing surface which is flush with the upper end of the tooth part 120. The lower section 132 of the closure body 130 opens into the connecting section 113 of the dental implant 110 and in particular terminates flush with the connecting element 115. If the connecting element 115 is designed as a connecting screw, it is conceivable for the lower section 132 of the closure body 130 to be designed with a spring element or a projection which positively engages the helical groove, whereby the closure body 130 simultaneously acts as an anti-twist device for the connecting element 115. The upper section 133 of the closure body 130 protrudes from the connecting sleeve 140 and can, for example, be filed off in the patient's mouth and brought to a level with the chewing surface 121 of the tooth part 120. As the closure body 130 is screwed into the connecting sleeve 140 by means of the threaded connection 131, 141, an axial pressing force F.sub.a is exerted downwards, in the direction of the tooth implant 110, on the one hand, which holds the tooth part 120, more precisely its collar section 123, between the connecting sleeve 140 and the structural element 112, more precisely the flange section 118. On the other hand, a radial pressing force F.sub.r is exerted outwards, in the direction of the tooth part 120, whereby the connecting sleeve 140 is releasably connected to the tooth part 120 in a non-positive and/or frictional manner. In this manner, any adhesive connections can preferably be dispensed with.

[0062] In this embodiment, the connecting sleeve 140 can be aligned coaxially with structural element 112 in the internal guide 122 penetrating the tooth part 120. With regard to the chewing surface 121 (top), the connecting sleeve 140 is arranged axially above the structural element 112, wherein the lower annular surface 147 of the connecting sleeve 140 axially adjoins the upper end 112a of the structural element 112.

[0063] A force and/or torque transmission takes place exclusively in the lower collar section 123 of the tooth part 120, via the inner surface 124 and bottom surface 125 thereof, on the positively adjoining outer support surfaces 112c of the structural element 112 designed as a load-bearing component.

[0064] It is particularly advantageous if the closure body 130 and the tooth part 120 consist of the same ceramic material and/or are milled from a common ceramic block.

[0065] A second exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2 as a schematic sectional illustration. The dental prosthesis 100 shown here is basically the same as the first exemplary embodiment described above, which is why only the differences are explained in more detail below. The second exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention differs from the first exemplary embodiment described above essentially in the design of the releasable connection between the closure body 130 and the connecting sleeve 140, which is implemented here as a snap connection. The connecting sleeve 140 is provided with a circumferential groove 143 on the inside, which is designed to engage with complementarily arranged spring elements 134 of the closure body 130. If the closure body 130 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 140 arranged within the internal guide 122 of the tooth part 120, the spring elements 134 spring radially inward and, upon reaching the groove 143, snap into it. Due to the snap connection, on the one hand, a radial pressing force F.sub.r is exerted outwards, in the direction of the tooth part 120. Due to the radial pressing force F.sub.r, a non-positive and/or frictional engagement is achieved between the connecting sleeve 140 and the tooth part 120. On the other hand, an axial pressing force F.sub.a is exerted downwards, in the direction of the tooth implant 110. Sealing slots 135 are respectively formed between the closure body 130 and the connecting sleeve 140, in the area of the lower section 132 and/or of the upper section 133 of the closure body 130. Seals (not shown here), e.g. in the form of a sealing washer, a sealing cone, an O-ring, or some other suitable seal design, can be arranged within the sealing slots 135, in particular within the groove 143 of the connecting sleeve, to increase the tightness between the closure body 130 and the connecting sleeve 140. The seals are held within the respective sealing slots 135 due to the radial pressing force F.sub.a, among other things.

[0066] The third exemplary embodiment, which is shown schematically as a section in FIG. 3, is fundamentally similar to the first exemplary embodiment of the dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1. The connecting sleeve 140 comprises a first internal thread 141. As in the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the first internal thread 141 is provided for engagement with an external thread 131 of the closure body 130. In this embodiment, the closure body 130 has a cone-like shape or a truncated cone at its lower section 132. The connection to the tooth part 120, the internal guide 122 of which here has a steady course without the collar section 123 (see FIG. 1), is carried out, in turn, via the connecting sleeve 140. For this purpose, the outer surface of the connecting sleeve 140 can either be bonded to and/or pressed into the inner surface of the internal guide 122 of the tooth part 120; however, a non-positive and/or frictional connection is also possible due to the radial pressing force F.sub.r acting in the direction of the tooth part 120.

[0067] The fourth exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 4 essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In contrast to this, the outer jacket surface 145 of the connecting sleeve 140 and the outer jacket surface of the structural element 112 in this embodiment adjoin flush with one another. The connecting element 115, in particular an implant screw, thus connects the connecting sleeve 140 directly to the implant body 111. In this manner, the number of required individual components of the dental prosthesis 100 and the connections between the components can be reduced overall.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The closure body 130 shown here, however, additionally has an inner recess 136 in which a core element is arranged, which core element is a grub screw 137 in the specific exemplary embodiment. The core element or the grub screw 137 is screwed to the closure body 130 with an internal thread within the inner recess 136. The lower end of the core element or the grub screw 137 faces the direction of the connecting element 115 or the implant screw. If the core element or the grub screw 137 is screwed further into the closure body 130, i.e. in the direction of the dental implant 110, its lower end is supported on the connecting element 115 or the implant screw, causing the closure body 130 to be “screwed upwards,” out of the connecting sleeve 140. On its upper end, the core element or the grub screw 137 has a tool holder 139 in which a dentist could, for example, engage with an Allen key in order to remove the closure body 130 from the connecting sleeve 140 and thus gain access to the dental implant 110 underneath. Alternatively, and not shown here, the connecting sleeve 140 and the closure body 130 can each be conical in shape in order to produce a common sealing surface. The conical closure body 130 can then be unscrewed from the connecting sleeve 140 by means of the core element or the grub screw 137.

[0069] The sixth exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention shown in FIG. 6 differs from the third exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 also in that the closure body 130 has an inner recess 136, which is provided here for receiving a core element, in particular a silicone core 138. The closure body 130 is screwed into the connecting sleeve 140 and has a tool holder 139, indicated here by dashed lines, in its upper section 133 in order to unscrew the closure body 130 from the connecting sleeve 140 by engaging a corresponding tool, in particular an Allen key. The core element or the silicone core 138 is used for protection and/or for sealing the tool holder 139. In order to gain access to this, the core element or the silicone core 138 can be compressed and then springs back into its original position. Alternatively, the core element or the silicone core 138 can also be completely removed from the inner recess 136 with a suitable tool.

[0070] The seventh exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention as shown in FIG. 7 essentially corresponds to the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In contrast to this, the implant body 111 and the structural element 112 are designed as a one-part and/or one-piece dental implant 110. In addition, the connecting sleeve 140 has an inwardly directed collar section in its lower area pointing in the direction of the dental implant 110, so that the connecting sleeve 140 can be connected to the dental implant 110 via this collar section by means of the connecting element 115, in particular an implant screw. This embodiment enables a special treatment method in which, for example, initially a temporary, i.e. provisional, tooth part is connected to the dental implant 110 by means of the connecting element 115 and the connecting sleeve 140. After the final tooth part 120, for example a crown, has been completed, the temporary can be easily removed by means of the screw connection and replaced by the crown. The final tooth part 120 or the crown can optionally and/or if necessary also be screwed or cemented to the structural element 111.

[0071] Finally, FIG. 8 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In turn, the closure body 130 shown here is provided with an inner recess 136 and a core element 137 arranged therein and designed as a grub screw. The lower end of the core element or the grub screw 137 facing the tooth implant 110 protrudes into the upper end of the connecting element 115, i.e. into the screw head of the implant screw, so as to prevent rotation, in particular in a positive-locking manner. In this embodiment, the dental implant 110 is in one piece and/or in one part or optionally in two pieces. The connecting sleeve 140 and the closure body 130 are screwed to one another, wherein an inner diameter of the closure body 130 rests on the screw head of the implant screw, i.e. the connecting element 115. In order to release the closure body 130 and/or the connecting sleeve 140 from the tooth part 120, the core element or the grub screw 137 can therefore first be removed. The connecting element 115 is then unscrewed from the dental implant 110 and pushes the closure body 130 with its upper end or the screw head, possibly together with the connecting sleeve 140, out of the interior of the tooth part 120. If the tooth part 120 is bonded to the connecting sleeve 140, it can be removed at the same time.

[0072] A ninth embodiment of a dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the tooth part 120 has an internal guide 122 arranged in its lower region assigned to the tooth implant 110. The internal guide 122 is designed here in the form of a recess which does not completely penetrate the tooth part 120. The structural element 112 is arranged within the internal guide 122. Since no completely penetrating internal guide 122 is provided in this embodiment, it is necessary to bond the tooth part 120 or the inner surface 124 of the internal guide 122 and its bottom surface 125 to the structural element 112 or to its support surfaces 112c. Subsequent access to the structural element 112 or the tooth implant 110 is not provided here. In order to avoid the problem described at the beginning of the connecting element 113, which is an implant screw here, becoming loose, the connecting sleeve 140 is arranged together with the closure body 130 within the structural element 112, even completely within in this representation, or completely surrounded by the structural element 112.

[0073] By means of this design, a force and/or torque transfer of forces occurring when chewing or biting takes place on or indirectly via the connecting sleeve 140.

[0074] The features described in the respective embodiments can be combined with one another as desired in a technically meaningful manner.

[0075] Overall, the dental prosthesis 100 according to the invention offers the particular advantage that any connections between the tooth implant 110, tooth part 120, and/or closure body 130 are executed indirectly or directly via the connecting sleeve 140, in particular releasably. The connections can be implemented as threaded connections 131, 141; 119, 142, a snap connection 134, 143, or by means of corresponding pressing forces F.sub.a, F.sub.r. Bonded connections are preferably completely dispensed with.

[0076] According to the invention, a kit is also provided for retrofitting which comprises at least the closure body 130 and the connecting sleeve 140, each according to one of the exemplary embodiments described. In addition, the tooth part 120 and/or the structural element 112 may be included in the kit, optionally with the connecting element 115.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] 1 Jawbone [0078] 100 Dental prosthesis [0079] 110 Dental implant [0080] 111 Implant body [0081] 112 Structural element (abutment) [0082] 112a Upper end of the structural element [0083] 112b Lower end of the structural element [0084] 112c Support surfaces of the structural element [0085] 113 Connecting section [0086] 114 Internal thread of the dental implant [0087] 115 Connecting element (implant screw) [0088] 116 External thread of the connecting element [0089] 117 External thread of the implant body [0090] 118 Flange section [0091] 119 External thread of the structural element [0092] 120 Tooth part [0093] 121 Chewing surface [0094] 122 Internal guide [0095] 123 Collar section [0096] 124 Top surface, inner surface of the internal guide [0097] 125 Bottom surface of the tooth part [0098] 130 Closure body [0099] 131 External thread of the closure body [0100] 132 Lower section of the closure body [0101] 133 Upper section of the closure body [0102] 134 Spring element [0103] 135 Sealing slot [0104] 136 Inner recess of the closure body [0105] 137 Core element (grub screw) [0106] 138 Core element (silicone core) [0107] 139 Tool holder [0108] 140 Connecting sleeve [0109] 141 First internal thread of the connecting sleeve [0110] 142 Second internal thread of the connecting sleeve [0111] 143 Groove [0112] 144 Inner jacket surface of the connecting sleeve [0113] 145 Outer surface, outer jacket surface of the connecting sleeve [0114] 146 Upper annular surface of the connecting sleeve [0115] 147 Lower annular surface of the connecting sleeve [0116] F.sub.a Axial pressing force [0117] F.sub.r Radial pressing force