DENTAL IMPLANT WITH IMPROVED PROSTHETIC INTERFACE

Abstract

Dental implants, dental abutments, and dental systems are disclosed. A dental implant can include an implant body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end. An internal bore can be provided within the implant body, and can have a coronal end, adjacent to the coronal end of the implant body, and an apical end. The internal bore can include a first internally facing surface, extending from the coronal end of the internal bore towards the apical end of the internal bore, at least a portion of which tapers inwardly towards the apical end of the internal bore. The internal bore can further include an internally threaded portion positioned between an apical end of the first internally facing surface and the apical end of the internal bore. A dental abutment can be configured to engage with the dental implant.

Claims

1. A dental implant, comprising: an implant body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end, the coronal end of the implant body including an externally facing surface oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis and structured to engage an external shoulder portion of an abutment to form a seal therebetween; and an internal bore, provided within the implant body, having a coronal end adjacent to the coronal end of the implant body and an apical end, the internal bore including a first internally facing surface, extending from the coronal end of the internal bore towards the apical end of the internal bore, the first internally facing surface continuously tapers inwardly from the coronal end towards the apical end of the internal bore, wherein the first internally facing surface is configured to form an interference fit with an abutment, the internal bore further including an internally threaded portion positioned apical of an apical end of the first internally facing surface, and the implant internal bore forms a transition zone having a gradual change in geometry from the first internally facing surface to the internally threaded portion.

2. (canceled)

3. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the internal bore includes an anti-rotation feature between the first internally facing surface and the internally threaded portion.

4. The dental implant of claim 3, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped internal perimeter.

5. The dental implant of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation feature disposed within the internal bore, between the apical end of the first internally facing surface and a coronal end of the internally threaded portion.

6. The dental implant of claim 5, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped internal perimeter.

7. The dental implant of claim 6, wherein the anti-rotation feature defines a second internally facing surface of the internal bore, at least a portion of the second internally facing surface being tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the internal bore, wherein the anti-rotation feature is configured to form a second interference fit with the abutment.

8. A dental abutment, comprising: an abutment body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end, wherein the abutment body includes a first externally facing surface, extending from a location between the coronal end and the apical end and towards the apical end, at least a portion of which tapers inwardly towards the apical end, wherein the first externally facing surface is configured to form an interference fit with a dental implant; an internal bore provided within the abutment body, at least a portion of the internal bore having internal threads; and an external shoulder positioned coronal of the first externally facing surface, the external shoulder configured to engage a coronal end of an implant body having an externally facing surface oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis to form a seal therebetween.

9. (canceled)

10. The dental abutment of claim 8, wherein the first externally facing surface includes an anti-rotation feature.

11. The dental abutment of claim 10, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped external perimeter.

12. The dental abutment of claim 8, further comprising an anti-rotation feature positioned between an apical end of the first externally facing surface and the apical end of the abutment body.

13. The dental abutment of claim 12, wherein the anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped external perimeter.

14. The dental abutment of claim 12, wherein the anti-rotation feature defines a second externally facing surface of the abutment body, at least a portion of the second externally facing surface tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the abutment body, wherein the anti-rotation feature is configured to form a second interference fit with the implant body.

15. A dental implant system comprising: an implant comprising: an implant body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end, and an apical end, wherein the coronal end includes an externally facing surface oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis; an implant internal bore, provided within the implant body, having a coronal end communicating with the coronal end of the implant body and an apical end; a first internally facing surface extending from the coronal end of the implant internal bore towards the apical end of the implant internal bore, at least a portion of the first internally facing surface being tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the implant internal bore; an internally threaded portion positioned within the implant internal bore between an apical end of the first internally facing surface and the apical end of the implant internal bore; and a transition zone having a gradual change in geometry from the first internally facing surface to the internally threaded portion; and an abutment comprising: an abutment body having a longitudinal axis, a coronal end and an apical end; an abutment internal bore provided within the abutment body and including an internally threaded portion; a first externally facing surface extending from a location between the coronal end and the apical end of the abutment body and towards the apical end, at least a portion of the first externally facing surface being tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the abutment body; and an external shoulder positioned coronal of the first externally facing surface; wherein a portion of the abutment is configured to be received within the implant internal bore such that the first externally facing surface of the abutment forms and interference fit with the first internally facing surface of the implant internal bore and the external shoulder of the abutment forms a seal with the coronal end surface of the implant body; and a fastener insertable within the internal bore of the abutment and configured to engage the internally threaded portion of the abutment and the internally threaded portion of the implant.

16. (canceled)

17. The dental implant system of claim 15, wherein the first internally facing surface of the implant includes an implant anti-rotation feature configured to mate with an abutment anti-rotation feature included in the first externally facing surface of the abutment, and wherein the implant anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped internal perimeter and the abutment anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped external perimeter.

18. The dental implant system of claim 15, further comprising: an implant anti-rotation feature disposed within the implant internal bore between the apical end of the first internally facing surface and a coronal end of the implant internally threaded portion; and an abutment anti-rotation feature disposed between an apical end of the first externally facing surface of the abutment body and the apical end of the abutment body, wherein the implant anti-rotation feature is configured to mate with the abutment anti-rotation feature to inhibit rotation of the implant relative to the abutment.

19. The dental implant system of claim 18, wherein the implant anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped internal perimeter and the abutment anti-rotation feature includes a polygon-shaped external perimeter.

20. The dental implant system of claim 18, wherein the implant anti-rotation feature defines a second internally facing surface of the implant internal bore, at least a portion of the second internally facing surface of the implant internal bore being tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the implant internal bore, and wherein the abutment anti-rotation feature defines a second externally facing surface of the abutment body, at least a portion of the second externally facing surface of the abutment body being tapered inwardly towards the apical end of the abutment body, wherein together the implant anti-rotation feature and the abutment anti-rotation feature form a second interference fit.

21. The dental abutment of claim 12, wherein the abutment includes a groove positioned longitudinally between the first externally facing surface and the anti-rotation geometry.

22. The dental implant system of claim 18, wherein the abutment includes the abutment includes a groove positioned longitudinally between the first externally facing surface and the anti-rotation geometry.

23. The dental implant system of claim 22, wherein the groove is located in a second transition zone that comprises a gradual change in geometry from the first internally facing surface to the implant anti-rotation geometry.

24. The dental implant system of claim 23, wherein the second transition zone defines a ledge, and the abutment is sized and shaped so that when the abutment is inserted into the implant internal bore, the apical end of the abutment body is spaced apart a distance coronally away from the ledge of the second transition zone and the groove is positioned in the transition zone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

[0048] FIG. 1 is an isometric exploded view of the dental implant system showing a fastener, an abutment and an implant.

[0049] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of an implant in accordance with the present patent document.

[0050] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of an implant in accordance with the present patent document.

[0051] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of an implant in accordance with the present patent document.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a coronal end view of the implant of FIG. 2A.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the implant of FIG. 2A showing an implant retaining means in accordance with the present patent document.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a side view of an abutment in accordance with the present patent document.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the abutment of FIG. 5.

[0056] FIG. 7 is an apical end view of the abutment of FIG. 5.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the assembled implant, abutment and fastener.

[0058] FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection between the abutment and implant.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a side view of an abutment in accordance with the present patent document.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a side view of an abutment in accordance with the present patent document.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a side view of an abutment in accordance with the present patent document.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] It can be desirable to offset a seal connection between a dental implant and a dental abutment inwardly and apically from the outer surfaces of an implant/abutment connection. A tapered connection between the implant and abutment can accomplish moving the sealing connection in this manner. Proper engineering of the length of the tapers and angle of the tapers can produce the tightest fit at a desired location in a tapered connection. The combination of a correctly placed shoulder connection and a tapered connection to an implant/abutment connection can provide stability and strength to the connection as well as an additional sealing surface. The shoulder connection can be accomplished by using an external shoulder on the abutment to engage a mating surface on the implant. The interaction between the implant and abutment tapers for the conical connection and the placement of the shoulder can be precise to provide the proper preload on both the conical connection seal and the shoulder seal. The shoulder provides an exact vertical limit to the apical movement of the abutment as it is tightened down into the implant by a connecting fastener. This limit provides two advantages: it prevents the abutment cone from over stressing the implant conical features and it provides a repeatable vertical placement of the abutment. An additional advantage is that a fastener can be torqued to the point of stretching the fastener. The vertical height of the abutment will remain fixed because of the shoulder limit and the stretched fastener will provide added stability to the connection. The shoulder connection can be used in conjunction with either a conical connection or an anti-rotational means connection or in conjunction with both connections together. Another example which can provide added stability is a connection having both an interference fit conical connection and an interference fit anti-rotational connection.

[0063] In the following description FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3-9 describe examples containing all three of the components mentioned above, the shoulder connection, the conical connection elements and the anti-rotational means connection features. FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 10-12 describe examples containing only two of the three components and it should be understood that the more detailed description of the elements of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3-9 can also apply to the examples described in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 10-12.

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a dental prosthetic apparatus 1 including a dental implant 5, an abutment 3, and a connecting fastener 2. The dental prosthetic apparatus 1 can provide an anchor for a prosthetic tooth (e.g., a crown) in an oral site where teeth are damaged or missing. The abutment 3 can include a base 4 configured to mate with the dental implant 5. The base 4 can be compared to features at the apical end of the abutment 3 and can vary (see FIGS. 5, 10, 11, 12). The base 4 can be frictionally retained by a similarly-shaped recess 6 formed in the dental implant 5. In an example, the base 4 can have a polygonal exterior surface including a plurality of flat surfaces. The base 4 can be an anti-rotational component. The recess 6 in the dental implant 5 can include a polygonal shaped internal perimeter 7 (see FIG. 3) including a plurality of generally flat surfaces configured to mate with the base 4 of the abutment 3.

[0065] The fastener 2 can include a longitudinal axis 8 extending between a fastener coronal end 9 and a fastener apical end 10. The fastener can have fastener threads 11 extending towards the fastener apical end 10. The fastener can include a shank portion 12 that is unthreaded between a fastener head 13 and the fastener apical end 10. The fastener head 13 can have a drive means 14 which could include a slotted form, a hex form, a torx form, a Phillips head form or any other driving means form. On the apical end of the fastener head 13, the fastener 2 can include a fastener shoulder surface 15 which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 8 of the fastener 2. In another example the fastener shoulder surface 15 can be a beveled surface.

[0066] FIG. 2A illustrates a dental implant 5 in cross section. The dental implant 5 can be fitted into a dental cavity formed in a patient's dental bone. The dental implant 5 can include a collar portion 16. The collar portion 16 can be the portion of the dental implant 5 forming the recess 6 in which the base 4 (See FIG. 1) of the abutment is inserted. The exterior surface of the collar portion 16 can be threaded, partially threaded, ridged, non-threaded, or saw toothed, the latter of which is pictured in FIG. 2A. The collar portion 16 may not be present in all examples.

[0067] The dental implant 5 can include a longitudinally extending implant body 17, having a coronal end 18 and an apical end 19, adapted to be implanted into a dental cavity formed in the dental bone of a patient. The dental cavity can be formed according to known surgical techniques, for example, by a surgeon drilling into a patient's jaw bone at an edentulous site. The implant body 17 can include an externally facing surface 23 for interacting with bone tissue, thereby securing the dental implant 5 to the dental bone through osseointegration or other biological or mechanical interactions. The implant body 17 can be made of a biocompatible metal, for example, titanium or other biocompatible material such as polymer or ceramic.

[0068] The implant body 17 can be cylindrical, partially cylindrical, or tapered in shape. The implant body 17 can include an implant internal bore 20 extending from the coronal end 18 to an apical termination point 24, such as is illustrated in FIG. 2A. The implant internal bore 20 can include an implant internally threaded portion 22 configured to interact with the fastener threads 11 of the fastener 2 to secure the abutment 3 to the dental implant 5 (See FIG. 1). The implant body 17 may include the whole length of the implant 5 or a portion of it.

[0069] The dental implant 5 can include continuous or discrete external threads 25 along a portion or whole of the implant externally facing surface 23. The external threads 25 can be in the form of single, double or multiple helical threads. To facilitate osseointegration, portions of the implant externally facing surface 23 can include a porous biomaterial useful as a bone substitute or cell and tissue receptive material. Additionally, portions of the externally facing surface 23 can be provided with a porous and osteo-inductive coating, such as hydroxylapatite.

[0070] Highly porous biomaterials can be called highly biocompatible materials. Highly biocompatible materials can include porous metallic structures such as porous tantalum, porous titanium, porous cobalt chrome, or porous zirconia dioxide, as well as polymeric scaffolds, or porous sections of the aforementioned materials incorporating bone morphogenic proteins, platelet rich plasma, allografts, xenografts, autografts, or probiotic bacteria.

[0071] At the coronal end of the implant, the recess 6 can be continuous with the implant internal bore 20. The coronal end 18 can include a coronal sealing surface 30 which can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 32 of the implant 5. The recess 6 can have a first internally facing surface 21 and optionally a second internally facing surface 40. The first internally facing surface 21 can be tapered inwardly towards the implant apical end 19. The taper can optionally range from 1-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-15 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-12 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-9 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-6 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-3 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 3-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 6-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 9-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 12-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 15-18 degrees.

[0072] At the apical end of the first internally facing surface 21 there can be a first transition zone 28 which can form a gradual change in morphology between the apical end of the first internally facing surface 21 and the coronal end of the second internally facing surface 40. The second internally facing surface 40 can include an implant anti-rotational means 38 which can be designed to engage with an abutment anti-rotational means 57 (See FIG. 5). The anti-rotational means could comprise mating polygonal shapes, mating slotted structures having one or more keyways, mating lobed structures, or any other type of mating structures which resist rotational movement when the mating structures of the abutment and implant are combined. The second internally facing surface 40 can be tapered inwardly towards the implant apical end 19. The taper can optionally range from 0.2-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-15 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-12 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-9 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-6 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-3 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 3-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 6-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 9-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 12-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 15-18 degrees. The first internally facing surface 21 can be configured to include anti-rotational means and if so a second internally facing surface 40 may not be present as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0073] At the apical end of the second internally facing surface 40 there can be a second transition zone 29 which can form a gradual change in morphology between the apical end of the second internally facing surface 40 and the coronal end of the implant internally threaded portion 22. In an area of the externally facing surface 23 towards the implant apical end 19 the implant 5 can include a thread cutting portion 26 that has no external threads 25 that can aid the implant 5 in producing threads in a bony structure of a patient during installation of the implant 5. Other thread cutting means, such as self tapping threads can also be used.

[0074] FIG. 2B illustrates an implant with a cone 105. Note how the first internally facing surface 21 can be present and the anti-rotational means 38 (see FIG. 2A) is not present.

[0075] FIG. 2C illustrates an implant without a cone 106. Note that anti-rotational means 38 is present and there is no second internally facing feature 40 (see FIG. 2A).

[0076] FIG. 3 illustrates a top end view of an implant 5. The implant internal bore 20 is continuous with the recess 6 (see FIG. 2A) which can include an implant first internally facing surface 21 and optionally a second internally facing surface 40. The second internally facing surface 40 can include an anti-rotational means 38. The implant anti-rotational means 38 can be configured to form a locking connection with an abutment 3 (see FIG. 1). The internal perimeter 7 of the implant anti-rotational means 38 can take the form of a polygon, such as a hex, a square or other polygonal shape. In an example, the internal perimeter 7 could also take an irregular shape. The implant anti-rotational means 38 can also serve a dual purpose as a driving means for installing the implant 5 into a bony structure. A second transition zone 29 can be disposed between the apical end of the second internally facing surface 40 and the coronal end of the implant internally threaded portion 22. The second transition zone 29 can help guide the apical end of a fastener 2 (see FIG. 1) into the internal threads 22 and can be a beveled surface. The implant coronal end 18 can include a coronal sealing surface 30 which can be substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 32 (See FIG. 2A) of the implant 5. The first internally facing surface 21 can be configured to include anti-rotational means and if so, a second internally facing surface 40 may not be present as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0077] FIG. 4 is an example of a thread cutting portion 26 on the implant apical end 19. The thread cutting portion 26 can be in single, double or multiple configurations disposed around the implant externally facing surface 23.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an abutment 3 which can include an abutment longitudinal axis 48 and an abutment body 54 extending from the abutment coronal end 49 to the abutment apical end 50. The abutment 3 can include a transgingival portion 66 configured to extend through soft gingival tissue, and a supragingival portion 67 configured to extend in the coronal direction beyond the transgingival portion 66 and attach to a prosthetic tooth (not pictured; e.g., a crown). The dimensions and shapes of the transgingival portion 66 and the supragingival portion 67 of the abutment 3 can be varied to match the needs of each individual patient. Factors such as the amount of space available and the orientation of the implant can influence the surgeon's decision on the abutment to select when performing a tooth restoration on a patient.

[0079] The abutment 3 can include an external shoulder 53 disposed near the apical end of the transgingival portion 66. The apical surface of the external shoulder 53 can be substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis 48 of the abutment body 54. The shoulder 53 can be configured to engage a coronal sealing surface 30 of an implant 5 (see FIG. 2A). The abutment 3 can include a first externally facing surface 55 which can be positioned between the external shoulder 53 and the abutment apical end 50. The first externally facing surface 55 can taper inwardly towards the abutment apical end 50. The taper can optionally range from 1-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-15 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-12 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-9 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-6 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 1-3 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 3-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 6-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 9-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 12-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 15-18 degrees.

[0080] The abutment can include an abutment anti-rotational means 57 disposed between the apical end of the first externally facing surface 55 and the abutment apical end 50. The abutment anti-rotational means 57 can include a polygon 73 or various anti-rotational shapes noted above. The abutment anti-rotational means 57 can include a second externally facing surface 59. At least a portion of the second externally facing surface 59 can be configured to taper inwardly towards the abutment apical end 50. The taper can optionally range from 0.2-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-15 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-12 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-9 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-6 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 0.2-3 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 3-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 6-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 9-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 12-18 degrees. In an example, the taper can optionally range from 15-18 degrees. A groove 47 can be disposed between the first externally facing surface 55 and the second externally facing surface 59. The groove can aid in manufacturing and in locating the largest diameter of the second externally facing surface 59.

[0081] FIG. 10 illustrates an abutment 100 that includes a shoulder 53 and a cone 90. The cone can be comparable to the first externally facing surface 55 of FIG. 5.

[0082] FIG. 11 illustrates an abutment 101 that includes a shoulder 53 and an anti-rotational means 57.

[0083] FIG. 12 illustrates an abutment 102 that includes a cone 90 and an anti-rotational means 57. Note that this configuration does not include a shoulder 53 (see FIG. 5) and both the cone 90 and the anti-rotational means 57 can be configured to form an interference fit with mating features of an implant.

[0084] The abutments 3, 100, 101, and 102 from FIGS. 5, 10, 11, and 12 respectively can be manufactured from a variety of biocompatible materials, such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, commercially pure titanium, titanium alloy, ceramic, or gold. In addition, portions of the abutments 3, 100, 101, and 102 (e.g., the transgingival portion 66) can be anodized or coated with a nitride material, such as titanium nitride or another colorizing agent to provide a desired color or other surface property. Titanium nitride coating can create a golden, more aesthetically pleasing color on the surface of the abutment as compared with untreated titanium. Portions of the abutment 3, 100, 101, and 102 can also be treated, coated, or roughened to promote soft tissue adhesion or growth in the areas on or adjacent to the treated surfaces.

[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates an abutment 3 in cross a sectional view taken from FIG. 5 along line 6-6 and shows the abutment body 54 disposed between the abutment coronal end 49 and the abutment apical end 50. An abutment internal bore 51 can extend from the abutment coronal end to the abutment apical end 50. The abutment internal bore 51 can include an abutment internally threaded portion 52. Between the abutment coronal end 49 and the abutment internally threaded portion 52, the abutment can include a step portion 43 which can be configured to prevent apical movement of the fastener shoulder surface 15 (see FIG. 1). The external shoulder 53 can be located at the coronal end of the first externally facing surface 55. The abutment anti-rotational means 57 can be located near the abutment apical end 50. The abutments 100, 101, and 102 of FIGS. 10-12 can have similar cross sections for the elements that are present in these configurations.

[0086] In FIG. 7 an apical view of the abutment 3 is shown. The transgingival portion 66 can be an area of greatest diameter of the abutment 3. The abutment internal bore 51, can pass through the center of the abutment 3. The abutment anti-rotational means 57 illustrated are in a hexagonal form, but can be contemplated in any regular or irregular polygonal shape. The abutment first externally facing surface 55 can provide a long sealing surface and include an interference fit with an implant.

[0087] FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled dental prosthetic apparatus 1. The abutment 3 can be mounted to the dental implant 5 by inserting the base 4 into the recess 6 and then inserting the fastener 2 into the coronal end of the abutment internal bore 51. The fastener 2 can be inserted through abutment internal bore 51, with the fastener threads 11 being threaded into an implant internally threaded portion 22 of an implant internal bore 20 of the dental implant 5. The fastener 2 can be threaded until the fastener shoulder surface 15 abuts the step 43 of the abutment internal bore 51. In another example the fastener 2 can have threads 11 such that the abutment internal threads 52 and implant internal threads 22 are both engaged when the fastener 2 is tightened.

[0088] FIG. 9 is an enlargement view taken from FIG. 8 at 9-9 and is a close up view of a shoulder connection between the implant 5 and the abutment 3. The abutment first externally facing surface 55 can be configured to form a first interference fit 34 with the implant first internally facing surface 21. This interference fit 34 can form a seal which can prevent a transfer of micro-particles from the internal portions of the dental prosthetic apparatus 1 to the living tissues surrounding it.

[0089] The first interference fit 34 can be configured to form a seal in the connection between the abutment first externally facing surface 55 and the implant first internally facing surface 21 substantially simultaneously as the abutment external shoulder 53 seats upon the coronal sealing surface 30 of the implant 5. The seating of the external shoulder 53 can prevent further apical movement of the abutment first externally facing surface 55 relative to the implant 5. The seating of the external shoulder 53 can provide a secondary sealing connection between the abutment 3 and the implant 5. The seating of the external shoulder 53 can also prevent cracking in the recess 6 (see FIG. 8) of the implant 5 should the tapered connection be over-tightened by the fastener 2 (see FIG. 8). Once the external shoulder 53 has seated on the coronal sealing surface 30, the fastener 2 can be tightened to the point of stretching. Because the external shoulder 53 limits apical movement of the abutment 3, a stretched fastener can provide additional holding force to prevent the abutment 3 from loosening over time.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 8, the abutment second externally facing surface 59 can engage the implant second internally facing surface 40. The engagement can include abutment anti-rotational means 57 and complementary implant anti-rotational means 38 that further limit movement of the abutment 3 relative to the implant 5 and also provide an indexing means for a surgeon performing a restoration. The anti-rotational means may take the form of a polygon, such as a hex shape. The engagement of the abutment second externally facing surface 59 and the implant second internally facing surface 40 may be a second interference fit such as at 46.

[0091] The above Detailed Description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the Detailed Description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the present dental implant can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as examples.

[0092] The above Detailed Description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more elements thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Also, various features or elements can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0093] In this document, the terms a or an are used to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of at least one or one or more. In this document, the term or is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that A or B includes A but not B, B but not A, and A and B, unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms about and approximately are used to refer to an amount that is nearly, almost, or in the vicinity of being equal to a stated amount. In this document, the term patient is intended to include mammals, such as for human documents or veterinary documents.

[0094] In the appended claims, the terms including and in which are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms comprising and wherein. Also, in the following claims, the terms including and comprising are open-ended, that is, an implant, assembly, kit, or method that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms first, second, and third, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0095] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.