Dental implant having a socket body, and kit for said dental implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental implant (100, 100′, 500) and to a kit for said dental implant. In order to provide dental implants (100, 100′, 500) which meet the general requirements for a successful implantation and use and which can be easily adapted to bone variations and implant offerings, it is proposed according to the invention that the dental implant (100, 100′, 500) comprises a ceramic base body (130, 530), a ceramic abutment (120, 120′, 520), a ceramic tooth structure (110), and/or a connector (1, 1′, 1″, 5) for connecting of base body (130, 530), abutment (120, 120′, 520) and/or tooth structure (110) to each other, and a bushing body (6), which is at least in a final assembly state (E) of the dental implant (100, 100′, 500) received at least partly in the base body (130, 530), in the abutment (120, 120′, 520) and/or in the tooth structure (110) or surrounds the connector (1, 1′, 1″, 5) at least in sections.

Claims

1. A dental implant comprising: a ceramic abutment, a connector for connecting the abutment to a base body, and a bushing body, which in a final assembly state of the dental implant is received at least partly in the abutment, and which at least in sections surrounds the connector; wherein the bushing body is provided with at least one latching element, which is configured to engage with a counter latching element formed on the connector in order to at least temporarily captively connect the bushing body and the connector to each other; wherein the bushing body comprises at least one lug that protrudes from an edge of a shell section of the bushing body; and wherein the at least one latching element is formed at an end of the at least one lug pointing away from the shell section and points in a radial direction of the dental implant toward a center axis of the dental implant.

2. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bushing body and/or the connector are made at least in sections from at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, or a carbon fiber material.

3. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bushing body in the final assembly state engages at least partly in the base body and the abutment.

4. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bushing body in the final assembly state protrudes beyond a contact surface formed on the base body, which is configured to rest against a contact surface of the abutment in the final assembly state.

5. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the final assembly state the abutment rests against the bushing body.

6. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bushing body has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface.

7. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein one inner diameter of the bushing body corresponds to an outer diameter of at least one shaft segment of the connector.

8. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positive-fit element is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the bushing body.

9. The dental implant as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one positive-fit element comprises an inserting bevel facing in an inserting direction, in which the bushing body can be inserted into the abutment.

10. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positive element of the abutment is configured to interact in positive-fit with the bushing body.

11. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one negative element of the base body is configured to interact in positive-fit with the abutment and/or the bushing body.

12. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein a minimal inner width of a portion of the bushing body is smaller than an outer diameter of a portion of the connector for screwing the connector into the base body.

13. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is inserted in a through-hole of the abutment, and the at least one latching element of the bushing body is in engagement with the counter latching element of the connector.

14. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter latching element formed on the connector has a shape of an annular groove.

15. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base body is a ceramic base body.

16. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bushing body in the final assembly state is received at least partly in the base body.

17. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the final assembly state the abutment rests against the base body.

18. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positive-fit element is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the bushing body, and wherein the at least one positive-fit element comprises an inserting bevel facing in an inserting direction, in which the bushing body can be inserted into the base body.

19. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one positive element of the abutment is configured to interact in positive-fit with the base body.

20. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dental implant comprises a ceramic tooth structure.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention shall now be explained more closely with the aid of exemplary embodiments in connection with the figures and the accompanying description. They show:

(2) FIG. 1 a sectional illustration of a first embodiment of a unitary connector according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 a sectional illustration of a second embodiment of a unitary connector according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 a sectional illustration of a dental implant with a first embodiment of a unitary connection system according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 a sectional illustration of a dental implant with a second embodiment of a unitary connection system according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 a sectional illustration of the dental implant shown in FIG. 3 along the section line A-A indicated in FIG. 3;

(7) FIG. 6 a schematic exploded illustration of a further embodiment of a dental implant according to the invention;

(8) FIG. 7 a schematic perspective view of a bushing body according to the invention of the dental implant illustrated in FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 a schematic perspective view of the dental implant represented in FIG. 6 in a preassembly state, in which the bushing body is installed in a base body of the dental implant;

(10) FIG. 9 a schematic cross-sectional view of the dental implant represented in FIG. 8 in the preassembly state along the section line B-B indicated in FIG. 8;

(11) FIG. 10 a schematic cross-sectional view of the dental implant illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in a further preassembly state along a section line C-C indicated in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 a schematic perspective view of a bushing body and a connector of the dental implant illustrated in FIG. 6 in an additional preassembly state;

(13) FIG. 12 a schematic cross-sectional view along a center axis of an abutment and a base body of the dental implant shown in FIG. 6 in a further additional preassembly state;

(14) FIG. 13 a schematic cross-sectional view along a center axis of a connector, an abutment and a bushing body of the dental implant shown in FIG. 6 in a supplemental preassembly state; and

(15) FIG. 14 a schematic cross-sectional view along the center axis of the dental implant shown in FIG. 6 in a final assembly state.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

(16) In the following, the invention is described more precisely in an exemplary manner according to possible embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The combinations of features presented in these embodiments serve merely for purposes of illustration. Individual features may also be omitted, according to their above described advantages, when the advantage of the particular feature is not relevant in certain applications. For the sake of simplicity, the same features and elements in the description of the embodiments are given the same reference signs. In different embodiments, features and elements with the same or similar function may be provided with one or more apostrophes in order to assign them to one embodiment for purposes of illustration, though this assignment should not be construed as being limiting to the particular embodiment.

(17) FIG. 1 shows a sectional representation of a first embodiment of a unitary connector 1 according to the invention. The unitary connector 1 comprises a base section 11 with a first external thread 111 as well as an abutment holding portion 12 with a holding thread 121. Between the sections 11, 12, the unitary connector has a cylindrical shaft segment 13, so that the unitary connector 1 has the shape of a stud bolt with a center axis M.sub.1, along which the unitary connector 1 can be inserted or screwed in in an inserting direction I.

(18) The unitary connector 1 has a total length L.sub.1 measured in parallel to the inserting direction I. The base section 11 and the external thread 111 have a length L.sub.11 and L.sub.111, respectively, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which amount to 0.2 to 0.3, preferably 0.25, corresponding to one quarter, of the total length L.sub.1. The abutment holding portion 12 and the holding thread 121 have a length L.sub.12 and L.sub.112, respectively, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which amount to 0.3 to 0.6, preferably 0.4 to 0.5, most preferably 0.416, corresponding to five twelfths, of the total length L.sub.1. The shaft segment 13 has a length L.sub.13, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which amounts to 0.3 to 0.4, preferably 0.333, corresponding to one third, of the total length L.sub.1.

(19) The unitary connector 1 for example is made of stainless steel, titanium and/or ceramic.

(20) In certain embodiments it may be especially advantageous to make the unitary connector out of stainless steel and/or titanium, especially if it is received in isolation within an otherwise ceramic implant, hermetically closed off from jaw and gums, so that the issue of biocompatibility can be rather of secondary importance for the unitary connector 1 itself and can give way to an optimization of its mechanical properties.

(21) FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of a second embodiment of a unitary connector 1′ with a base section 11′ and a first external thread 111′ as well as an abutment holding portion 12′ and a holding thread 121′. Adjacent to the base section 11′ there is arranged a bolt extension 14′ in suitable manner. For example, the bolt extension 14′ may be connected to the base section 11′ by means of a screw connection in a recess at the center axis of the base section 11′ or by means of a glue connection at its end face. The bolt extension 14′ has an extension thread 141, which can be brought into engagement with an internal thread of a base body of a dental implant. By means of the bolt extension 14′, the unitary connector 1′ can be lengthened and therefore used for long dental implants. Alternatively, or additionally, the bolt extension 14′ can also be arranged in similar fashion on the abutment holding portion 12′ in order to lengthen it.

(22) The unitary connector 1′ similar to the unitary connector 1 has a total length L.sub.1′, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which can amount for example to a sum of the total length L.sub.1 of the unitary connector 1 plus a length L.sub.14′ of the bolt extension 14′, measured parallel to the inserting direction I. The base section 11′ and the external thread 111′ have a length L.sub.11′ and L.sub.111′, respectively, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which likewise amount to 0.2 to 0.3, preferably 0.25, corresponding to a quarter, of the total length L.sub.1. The abutment holding portion 12′ and the holding thread 121′ have a length L.sub.12′ and L.sub.112′, respectively, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which amount to 0.3 to 0.6, preferably 0.4 to 0.5, most preferably 0.416, corresponding to five twelfths, of the total length L.sub.1. The shaft segment 13′ has a length L.sub.13′, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, which amounts to 0.3 to 0.4, preferably 0.333, corresponding to one third, of the total length L.sub.1.

(23) With the aid of the bolt extension 14′ the aforementioned length relations derived from the unitary connector 1′ between the individual sections of the unitary connector 1′ with respect to its total length L.sub.1′ can be shifted or adapted to meet the particular requirements. The shifting or adapting of the length relations is obtained from the length L.sub.14′ of the bolt extension 14′, where the total length L.sub.1 of the unitary connector 1 represents a kind of base length, which can be varied with the aid of different types of bolt extension 14′.

(24) In the present exemplary embodiment of the unitary connector 1′ with bolt extension 14′, the length L.sub.14′ amounts to 0.3 to 0.4, preferably 0.333, corresponding to one third, of the total length L.sub.1. Thus, the length of the extension thread may in turn correspond to the length L.sub.111′ of the external thread. The unitary connector 1 or 1′ may thus be lengthened or optionally shortened by bolt extensions 14′ each time incrementally by 0.3 to 0.4, preferably 0.333, corresponding to a third, of the total length L.sub.1, if it is originally provided with at least one bolt extension 14′ and can be cut to length by removing the at least one bolt extension 14′.

(25) FIG. 3 shows a sectional illustration of a dental implant 100 with a first embodiment of a unitary connection system according to the invention. The dental implant 100 comprises a base body 130, an abutment 120 and a tooth structure 110. The inserting direction I of the dental implant 100 is indicated by an arrow. The base body 130 and the abutment 120 are preferably made from a ceramic material. The base body 130 has an external thread 133 in the form of a round thread. Further, the base body 130 has a borehole 131 in the form of a blind hole, while the borehole 131 has an internal thread 132 in the lower half of the base body 130 facing away from the abutment 120. In order to clarify the directions “up” and “down”, the coordinate system is shown in the figure. The internal thread 132 is brought into engagement with a first external thread 111″ in the base section 11″ of a unitary connector 1″, which is introduced into the borehole 131.

(26) The length L.sub.111 of the first external thread 111″ is slightly less than a length L.sub.132 of the internal thread 132 measured parallel to the inserting direction I. The internal thread 132 is formed as a round thread. The diameter of the borehole 131 corresponds to the diameter of the unitary connector 1″, so that the unitary connector 1″ is guided as it is inserted into the base body 130. The abutment 120 has a through-hole 1200 with upper region 1201 and lower region 1202, the diameter of the through-hole 1200 in the upper region 1201 being larger than the diameter of the through-hole 1200 in the lower region 1202. The upper region 1201 borders on the lower region 1202 across a shoulder 1203.

(27) The diameter of the through-hole 1200 in the lower region 1202 corresponds to the diameter of the cylindrical shaft segment of the unitary connector 1″, so that the abutment 120 is guided by the cylindrical shaft segment 13″ of the unitary connector 1″ as it is placed on the base body 130. The length L.sub.13 of the cylindrical shaft segment 13″ is advantageously dimensioned such that it laterally supports both the abutment 120 and the base body and absorbs or passes on any transverse and/or shear forces as far away as possible from the base section 11″ and the abutment holding portion 12″.

(28) A holding element 15 is inserted in the through-hole 1200 in the upper region 1201, being brought into engagement with the holding thread 121″ in the abutment holding portion 12″ of the unitary connector 1″, or it is screwed on via an internal thread 152 of the holding element 15. The abutment holding portion 12″ has a length L.sub.12. The holding element 15 is likewise made of stainless steel, titanium and/or ceramic. The outer diameter of the holding element 15 corresponds to the diameter of the upper region 1201 of the through-hole 1200 of the abutment 120, forming the sleeve mounting region, so that the abutment 120 can bear against the holding element 15 when transverse forces are acting, which improves the stability of the dental implant 100. A gap exists between the lateral outer surface of the holding element 15 and the lateral inner surface of the upper region 1201 of the through-hole 1200, ensuring a play. The holding element 15 has engaging means 151 in the form of notches, which can be brought into engagement with a suitable wrench (not shown).

(29) With the suitable tool or wrench, the holding element 15 can be screwed by the engaging means 151 onto the abutment holding portion 121″ of the unitary connector 1″. The holding element 15 has an internal thread 152, which is brought into engagement with the holding thread 121″ of the unitary connector 1″. By screwing on the holding element 15, an operative connection is created between the unitary connector 1″ and the abutment 120 such that the abutment 120 is pressed by the holding element 15 across the shoulder 1203 onto the base body 130 and thus a sealed positive-fitting connection is formed between the abutment 120 and the base body 130. When the holding element 15 is screwed on, the contact surface 125 of the abutment 120 rests in this case against the contact surface 134 of the base body 130.

(30) The abutment 120 further has an extension 124a,b, which is received in a positive-fitting receptacle 135 in the form of a depression of the base body 130. The extension 124a,b is asymmetrically configured in the radial direction, so that a torque-proof positive-fit is assured. In cross section (in the y-direction), the extension 124a,b has protrusions, which are shown in the cross section in FIG. 5. In FIG. 3 or 4 it can be seen that the abutment holding portion 12″ of the unitary connector 1″ extends beyond the abutment 120. Before the tooth structure 110 is set in place, the unitary connector 1″ can be cut to length as needed in the abutment holding portion 12″, if the extending portion should prove to be too large. Alternatively, or in addition, a recess 1101 in the tooth structure 110 can be used, as shown in the figure, which receives the extending portion of the abutment holding portion 12″.

(31) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a dental implant 100′ according to the invention. Unlike the dental implant 100 shown in FIG. 3, the dental implant 100′ has an abutment 120′ whose length, measured parallel to the inserting direction I, is larger than the length of the abutment 120 measured parallel to the inserting direction I. Accordingly, an upper end of a unitary connector 1″ of the dental implant 100′ protrudes less from the through-hole 1200′ beyond the upper edge of the abutment 120′ than is the case with the dental implant 100.

(32) The dental implant 100′ is provided with an auxiliary holding element 16. The auxiliary holding element 16 is screwed onto the holding thread 121″ of the unitary connector 1″, resting against the holding element 15′. The auxiliary holding element 16 has an internal thread, which is brought into engagement with the holding thread 121″ of the unitary connector 1″. The auxiliary holding element 16 has engaging means 161, by which the auxiliary holding element 16 can be screwed onto the holding thread 121″.

(33) The auxiliary holding element 16 enhances the stability of the dental implant 100′, since the surface by which the abutment 120′ can be supported is increased. The length of the holding element 15′ and the length of the auxiliary holding element 16 nearly corresponds to the length of the upper region 1201′ of the through-hole 1200′. Thus, the abutment 120′ when transverse forces are acting on the dental implant 100′ can rest laterally against both the preferably sleeve-shaped holding element 15′ and the likewise preferably sleeve-shaped auxiliary holding element 16.

(34) For illustrative purposes, FIG. 4 shows the double arrow F, which is supposed to represent transverse forces occurring. The forces F may result in torques, which without holding elements or with short holding elements would be concentrated substantially at the lower region of the through borehole 1200′ of the abutment 120′. Long holding elements 15′ or auxiliary holding elements 16 enable a lateral bracing of the abutment 120′ under transverse forces F, so that the torques which occur can be distributed substantially along the entire length of the through-hole 1200′ and absorbed.

(35) FIG. 5 shows the dental implant 100 shown in FIG. 3 in a schematic cross section view along the sectioning line A-A drawn in FIG. 3 in a region where the extension 124a, b engages with the receptacle 135. On the outside of the extension 124a, b there are formed protrusion-like positive elements 126, extending radially away from the extension 124a, b, running parallel to the inserting direction I. The receptacle 135 is provided with negative elements 136 likewise running parallel to the inserting direction I, being configured complementary to the positive elements 126.

(36) The positive elements 126 interact by positive-fit with the negative elements 136 such that in the assembled state relative movements, especially rotary movements, of the abutment 120 with respect to the base body 130 are prevented. At the same time, the positive elements 126 and negative elements 136 together define a circular grid of rotary positions along which a rotational orientation of abutment 120 and base body 130 can be chosen freely in incremental steps relative to each other prior to the assembly process.

(37) According to the nature of the holding thread 121, 121′ as such and due to its variable position ability along the inserting direction I due to the described lengthening and/or shortening option, the unitary connectors 1, 1′ according to the invention provide a variety of holding positions for the abutment 120, 120′ spaced apart from each other along the inserting direction I.

(38) FIG. 6 shows a schematic exploded illustration of a further embodiment of a dental implant 500 according to the invention. The dental implant 500 comprises an abutment 520, a base body 530, a connector 5 and a bushing body 6. The abutment 520 and the base body 530 are preferably made of ceramic material. The connector 5 and the bushing body 6 are preferably made of a non-ceramic material, such as a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic and/or carbon fibers. The dental implant 500 has a center axis M. The abutment 520, the base body 530, the connector 5 and the bushing body 6 may be configured substantially rotationally symmetrically to the center axis M. A radial direction R extends radially away from the center axis M. As in the case of the above described embodiments of the dental implant 100, 100′, the connector 5 and here additionally the bushing body 6 is configured to be insertable in the inserting direction I into the base body 530.

(39) The abutment 520 may be configured substantially like the above described embodiments of the abutment 120, 120′. Accordingly, the abutment 520 has a through-hole 5200. In the through-hole 5200 there are arranged positive elements 526, extending opposite the radial direction R away from an inner circumferential surface 5204 of the through-hole 5200 toward the center axis M. Around the through-hole 5200 there is formed a contact surface 525 on the abutment 520, pointing substantially in the direction of the center axis or the inserting direction I and thus in an axial direction of the dental implant 500. Furthermore, along an outer circumference 5205 of the abutment 520, a prosthesis thread 5206 as well as detent elements 5207 are formed on the abutment 520. The prosthesis thread 5206 serves for fastening a tooth structure, such as the above described tooth structure 110, on the abutment 520. The detent elements 5207 serve for locking the tooth structure on the abutment 520 in a desired rotary position about the center axis M.

(40) The base body 530 may be configured substantially like the above described base body 130 and for this purpose have an external thread 533 with which the base body 530 can be screwed into a jaw bone. Likewise, the base body 530 has a borehole 531, in which is arranged an internal thread 532 for screwing the connector 5 into the base body 530 (see FIGS. 8 to 10, 12 and 14). A contact surface 534 formed on the base body 530 points opposite the inserting direction I and is configured to lie terminating flush against the contact surface 525 of the abutment 520.

(41) The connector 5 may be configured substantially like an above described embodiment of the unitary connector 1, 1′, 1″. Thus, the connector 5 has a base section 51, on which a base thread 511 is formed as a lower external thread. Furthermore, the connector 5 has an abutment holding portion 52, on which a holding element 55 is formed, which can alternatively also be provided as a separate holding element 15, 15′, as in the case of the unitary connector 1, 1′, 1″, configured for mounting on a holding thread 121, 121′, 121″ formed on the connector 5 as an upper external thread. Like the holding element 15, 15′, the holding element 55 provides a holding surface 553 facing in the inserting direction I. Between the base section 51 and the abutment holding portion 52 there is arranged a shaft segment 53 of the connector 5, which is configured to be received in the bushing body 6 and which provides an outer circumferential surface 5301 for support in the radial direction R in the bushing body 6.

(42) The bushing body 6 is sleeve-shaped and has a substantially cylindrical shell section 61, providing a through opening 62 for the mounting of the connector 5. In the through opening 62 a substantially cylindrical inner circumferential surface 63 of the bushing body 6 is configured to enclose the connector 5, lying as far as possible with little play or no play against the outer circumferential surface 5301 of the connector 5. On the outside, the shell section 61 provides a substantially cylindrical outer circumferential surface 64. Positive-fit elements 65 of the bushing body 6 extend in the radial direction R away from the outer circumferential surface 64 and run from a lower edge 66 of the bushing body 6 pointing in the inserting direction I substantially to an upper edge 67 of the bushing body 6 pointing opposite the inserting direction I. In the direction of the lower edge 66, the positive-fit elements 65 are respectively provided with an inserting bevel 68, which helps introduce the bushing body 6 properly into the base body 530. At the upper edge 67 are formed lugs 69, extending away from the upper edge 67 opposite the inserting direction I.

(43) FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the bushing body 6. It becomes clear here that the positive-fit elements 65 have an outer section 6501 tapering slightly in the radial direction R in a projection along the inserting direction I and thus being configured substantially as a trapezoid in cross section and an inner section 6502 formed substantially as a circular segment in a projection along the inserting direction I. Due to the tapering of the outer section 6501, on the one hand a jamming of the bushing body 6 when the bushing body 6 is inserted into the base body 530 is prevented. On the other hand, the trapezoidal configuration helps prevent notch effects of the bushing body 6 in the base body 530.

(44) Furthermore, the inserting bevels 68 extend only along the outer section 6501 of the positive-fit elements 65, so that the inner section 6502 of the positive-fit elements forms part of the lower edge 66, which in turn helps receive the bushing body 6 with as little play as possible in a desired rotary position about the center axis M in the base body 530. Moreover, at a distal end of the lugs 69 there is formed respectively a latching element 6901, which protrudes from the lug 69 opposite the radial direction R in the direction of the center axis M and serves to latch the bushing body 6 to the connector 5, as shall be discussed further in detail below.

(45) FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the represented dental implant 500 in a preassembly state V.sub.1 in which the bushing body 6 has been inserted into the base body 530 of the dental implant 500. In the preassembly state V.sub.1 the bushing body 6 is received in a borehole 531 of the base body 530 such that the bushing body 6 protrudes from the base body 530 opposite the inserting direction I beyond the contact surface 534 of the base body 530. Hence, the base body 530 and the bushing body 6 in the preassembly state V.sub.1 are ready to receive the abutment 520 and the connector 5.

(46) FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross section view of the dental implant 500 shown in FIG. 8 in the preassembly state V.sub.1 along the section line B-B depicted in FIG. 8. It becomes clear here that the bushing body 6 is received by its outer circumferential surface 64 substantially flush against an inner circumference of a mount 535 provided in the borehole 531 in the base body 6. The positive-fit elements 65 formed on the bushing body 6 engage by positive fit with negative elements 536 extending along the mount 535 and fashioned complementary to the positive-fit elements 65.

(47) FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross section view of the dental implant 500 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in a further preassembly state V.sub.2 along a sectioning line C-C drawn in FIG. 9. In order to transfer the dental implant 500 from the preassembly state V.sub.1 to the further preassembly state V.sub.2, the abutment 520 is placed in the inserting direction I on the base body 530, so that the contact surface 525 of the abutment 520 rests on the contact surface 534 of the base body 530. According to the view shown in FIG. 10, sections of the outer circumferential surface 64 formed by the positive-fit elements 65 of the bushing body 6 lie beneath the contact surfaces 525, 534 flush against the inner circumference of the borehole 531 of the base body 530. The lower edge 66 of the bushing body 6 is situated above an internal thread 532, spaced apart from the latter in the inserting direction I.

(48) The part of the bushing body 6 protruding opposite the inserting direction I beyond the contact surfaces 525, 534 is received in the through-hole 5200 formed in the abutment 520. The positive-fit elements 65 of the bushing body 6 interact in positive-fit with the positive elements 526 formed on the abutment 520. The positive-fit elements 65 of the bushing body 6 are formed both complementary to the positive elements 526 of the bushing body 6 and complementary to the negative elements 536 of the base body 530. Hence, the base body 6 ensures a relative rotary position of the abutment 520 with respect to the base body 530 about the center axis M.

(49) Furthermore, similar to the above described abutment 120, 120′, a shoulder 5203 pointing opposite the inserting direction I is arranged in the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520. The shoulder 5203 protrudes against the radial direction R from the inner circumferential surface 5204 of the abutment 520. The shoulder 5203 is formed in a protrusion 5208 which extends opposite the radial direction R from the inner circumferential surface 5204. One side of the protrusion 5208 facing in the direction of the inserting direction I forms a limit stop 5209, against which the lugs 69 of the bushing body 6 can come to rest opposite the inserting direction I. Between the lugs 69 and the inner circumferential surface 5204, in the radial direction R and above the positive-fit elements 65, a free space 5210 is situated opposite the inserting direction I as far as the limit stop 5209, preventing the exerting of a notch effect on the abutment 520 by the bushing body 6, especially its positive-fit elements 65, or the outer circumferential surface 64.

(50) FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the bushing body 6 and the connector 5 in an additional preassembly state V.sub.3. In the additional preassembly state V.sub.3 the bushing body 6 is held on the connector 5. The bushing body 6 surrounds the shaft segment 53 with its inner circumferential surface 63 or lies by its inner circumferential surface 63 against the outer circumferential surface 5301 of the shaft segment 53 or is spaced apart from it with slight play, so that the connector 5 can be rotated about the center axis M with respect to the bushing body 6, thus providing a kind of plain bearing for the connector 5.

(51) The latching elements 6901 of the bushing body 6 engage, opposite the radial direction R, with a counter latching element 54 formed on the connector 5 in the shape of an annular groove, so that the latching elements 6901 overlap in a projection along the inserting direction with an annular flange 5401 formed by a side wall of the annular groove 54 in its transition region to the shaft segment 53 or with the shaft segment 53. For the latching elements 6901 resting against the annular flange 5401 in the inserting direction I, the upper edge 67 is situated beneath the annular flange 5401 in the inserting direction I.

(52) Furthermore, a diameter of the shaft segment 53 measured in the radial direction R can be greater than a diameter of the base thread 511 likewise measured in the radial direction R. Hence, a further annular flange 5402 is formed between the shaft segment and the base thread 511, pointing substantially in the inserting direction I. Alternatively, the diameter of the base thread 511 may exceed the diameter of the shaft segment 53 as well as the inner diameter of the through opening 62 of the bushing body, likewise measured parallel to the radial direction R, for example in that the base thread 511 is formed after shoving the bushing body 6 onto the shaft segment 53. In this way, the bushing body 6 can likewise be held captively on the connector 5, at least temporarily.

(53) FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross section view along the center axis M in a further additional preassembly state V.sub.4. In the further additional preassembly state V.sub.4 the abutment 520 has been placed on the base body 530, so that the contact surface 525 of the abutment 520 lies on the contact surface 534 of the base body 530 and the inner circumferential surface 5204 of the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 lies substantially flush with an inner circumferential surface 5310 of the borehole 531 in the inserting direction I. Thus, the dental implant 500 comprising the base body 530 and the abutment 520 in the further additional preassembly state V.sub.4 is ready to receive part of the dental implant 500 comprising the connector 5 and the bushing body 6 in the additional preassembly state V.sub.3 in order to secure the abutment 520 on the base body 530.

(54) FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross section view along the center axis M of the connector 5, the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6 of the dental implant 500 shown in FIG. 6 in a supplemental preassembly state V.sub.5. In the supplemental preassembly state V.sub.5 the connector 5 has been inserted in the inserting direction I into the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520, for example, until the holding surface 553 on the holding element 55 lies against the shoulder 5203 of the abutment. After this, the bushing body 6 is shoved contrary to the inserting direction I across the base section 51 of the connector 5 onto its shaft segment 53, for example until the latching elements 6901 of the bushing body 6 engage with the counter latching element 54 formed on the connector 5 and/or until the lugs 69 of the connector 5 rest against the end stop 5209 of the abutment 520. Alternatively, or additionally, a positive-fit and/or a glue connection between bushing body 6 and abutment 520 can serve for initially pre-mounting the bushing body 6 in the abutment 520. As a further alternative or additional possibility for a locking between the bushing body 6 and the connector 5, the bushing body 6 can be fastened to the connector 5 by force fitting, such as clamping, and/or by gluing.

(55) Consequently, the connector 5, the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6 in the supplemental preassembly state V.sub.5 form a kind of preassembled unit, which is ready to be installed in the inserting direction I into the base body 530. This may help to greatly simplify the handling of a dental implant 500 according to the invention, because with the connector 5, the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6 in the supplemental preassembly state V.sub.5 already three of the five components of the dental implant shown here, the other two components being the base body 330 and the tooth structure 110, can be more or less joined together in captive manner. An engaging means 551 for operating the connector 5 can be arranged accessibly through the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520. Advantageously, the connector 5 and/or the bushing body 6 are received in the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 able to rotate with respect to the abutment 520 about the center axis M, so that the base section 51 can be screwed by the base thread 511 of the connector 5 into the internal thread 532 of the base body 530 (see FIG. 12).

(56) FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross section view along the center axis M of the dental implant 500 in a final assembly state E. The dental implant 500 on the one hand can be converted to the final assembly state E by guiding the connector 5 from the further preassembly state V.sub.2 in the inserting direction I through the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 and then through the through opening 62 of the bushing body 6 into the borehole 531 of the base body 530, where the base thread 511 of the connector 5 is screwed into the internal thread 532 of the base body 530 until the holding surface 553 of the connector 5 lies against the shoulder 5203 of the abutment 520 and the contact surfaces 525, 534 of the abutment 520 and the base body 530 press against each other.

(57) On the other hand, the dental implant 500 may be converted to the final assembly state E by introducing the connector 5 and the bushing body 6, joined together from the additional preassembly state V.sub.3, into the dental implant 500 in the further additional preassembly state V.sub.4 until they are received in the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 and the borehole 531 of the base body 530 and the base thread 511 of the connector 5 engages with the internal thread 532 of the base body 530, so that then by further screwing in of the connector 5 the holding surface 553 of the connector 5 is brought to bear against the shoulder 5203 of the abutment 520 and finally the contact surfaces 525, 534 of the abutment 520 and the base body 530 can be pressed against each other.

(58) A further possibility of converting the dental implant 500 into the final assembly state E is to insert the connector 5, the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6 as a preassembled unit from the supplemental preassembly state V.sub.5 in the inserting direction I into the base body 530. For example, the connector 5 is held in the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 and in the through opening 62 of the bushing body 6, able to rotate relative to the bushing body 6 and the abutment 520 about the center axis M, and thus it can be screwed by its base thread 511 into the internal thread 532 of the base body 530 until the contact surfaces 525, 534 of the abutment 520 and the base body 530 come to lie as flush as possible against each other.

(59) In order to facilitate a screwing of the connector 5 into the base body 530, the connector is provided at its upper end or in the region of the holding element 55 with the engaging means 551. The engaging means 551 can be designed for example as a hexagon socket or a hexalobular socket and is accessible through the through-hole 5200 of the abutment 520 in the inserting direction I. The holding surface 553 is formed on the holding element 55. Resting against the shoulder 5203, the holding element 55 transmits onto the abutment 520 holding forces which act in the inserting direction I and, starting from the base thread 511 of the connector 5 engaging with the internal thread 532 of the base body 530, run substantially in the axial direction, i.e., in parallel to the center axis M, while the bushing body 6, embedded in sandwich fashion between the abutment 520 and the base body 530 on the one hand and the connector 5 on the other hand in the dental implant 500, helps to absorb any transverse forces and shear stresses deviating from the axial direction and thus to protect the ceramic components of the dental implant, namely the abutment 520 and the base body 530, against improper load distribution and any damage.

(60) Furthermore, it is evident from FIG. 14 that the shoulder 5203 or at least one of a plurality of possible shoulders 5203 on which the holding surface 553 of the connector rests, can be configured alternatively or additionally on a further protrusion 5208a. The further protrusion 5208a is formed, preferably as a kind of counter positive-fit element complementary to the positive-fit elements 65 of the bushing body 6, at least in a projection along the inserting direction I, similar to that shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the further protrusion 5208a or a plurality of further protrusions 5208a arranged along the inner circumferential surface 5204 can each form a shoulder 5203 and be configured to create on the one hand a positive-fit between the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6, preventing relative movements between the abutment 520 and the bushing body 6 about the center axis M. On the other hand, an embodiment of the abutment 520 with further protrusions 5208a arranged virtually interrupted along the inner circumferential surface 5204 instead of one uninterrupted or continuous protrusion 5208 enables to introduce the connector 5 combined with the bushing body 6 in the preassembly state V.sub.3 in accordance with FIG. 11 together through the abutment 520 into the base body 530, the positive-fit elements 65 being led through between the protrusions 5208a.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(61) 1, 1′, 1″, 5 Unitary connector/connector 6 Bushing body 61 Shell section 62 Through opening 63 Inner circumferential surface 64 Outer circumferential surface 65 Positive-fit element 501 Outer section 6502 Inner section 66 Lower edge 67 Upper edge 68 Inserting bevel 69 Lug 6901 Latching element 11, 11′, 11″, 51 Base section 111, 111′, 111″, 511 Base thread/lower external thread 12, 12′, 12″, 52 Abutment holding portion 121, 121′, 121″ Holding thread/upper external thread 13, 13′, 13″, 53 Shaft segment 5301 Outer circumferential surface 54 Counter latching element/annular groove 5401 Annular flange 5402 Further annular flange 141 Bolt extension 14′ Extension thread 100, 100′ Dental implant 110 Tooth structure 1101 Recess 120, 120′, 520 Abutment/prosthesis 1200, 1200′, 5200 Through-hole 1201, 1201′ Upper region of through-hole 1202 Lower region of through-hole 1203, 5203 Shoulder 5204 Inner circumferential surface 5205 Outer circumference 5206 Prosthesis thread 5207 Detent element 5208, 5208a Protrusion 5209 Limit stop 5210 Free space 124a, b Extension 125, 525 Contact surface 126, 526 Positive element 130, 530 Base body 131, 531 Borehole 5310 Inner circumferential surface 132, 532 Internal thread 133, 533 External thread 134, 534 Contact surface 135, 535 Receptacle 136, 536 Negative element 15, 15′, 55 Holding element 151, 151′, 551 Engaging means 152, 152′ Internal thread 153, 553 Holding surface 16 Auxiliary holding element 161 Engaging means E Final assembly state I Inserting direction L.sub.11, L.sub.11′ Length of base section L.sub.12, L.sub.12′ Length of abutment holding portion L.sub.13, L.sub.13′ Length of shaft segment L.sub.14′ Length of bolt extension L.sub.111, L.sub.111′ Length of first external thread L.sub.112, L.sub.112′ Length of abutment holding portion L.sub.132 Length of internal thread L.sub.141 Length of extension thread M Center axis R Radial direction V.sub.1 Preassembly state V.sub.2 Further preassembly state V.sub.3 Additional preassembly state V.sub.4 Further additional preassembly state V.sub.5 Supplemental preassembly state