DENTAL BRIDGE SYSTEM

Abstract

Provided is a dental bridge system including a superstructure and a support bar. The superstructure includes a proximal face formed with at least one bar-receiving groove shaped so as to snugly receive therein at least a corresponding portion of the support bar. The removable superstructure further includes a crown portion defining teeth-like members and having a structurally functional distally projecting inner core, coated by a visible layer configured to impart aesthetic qualities to the crown portion.

Claims

1. A dental bridge system comprising at least one superstructure and a support bar, said superstructure being a monolithic element comprising: a proximal face formed with at least one bar-receiving groove shaped so as to snugly receive therein at least a corresponding portion of said support bar; and a crown portion defining teeth-like members and having a structurally functional distally projecting inner core, coated by a visible layer configured to impart aesthetic qualities to said crown portion.

2. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said aesthetic qualities comprise dental parameters of an individual.

3. The dental bridge system according to claim 2, wherein said dental parameters comprise at least one selected from the group including color and texture.

4.-5. (canceled)

6. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said inner core comprises individually projecting members.

7. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said visible layer is made of a material comprising one or more selected from the group including a polymeric material, acrylic, a composite material, and porcelain.

8. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said inner core defines spaced-apart teeth-like members.

9. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said inner core defines the shape of said teeth-like members.

10. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said superstructure comprises a plurality of distally-projecting crown supports and corresponding crowns, each comprising a portion of said inner core and being coated by a portion of said visible layer.

11. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said inner core is designed non-aesthetically.

12. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein the appearance of the inner core is visually distinct from said coating.

13. The dental bridge system according to claim 12, wherein the color of said inner core is different from that of said coating.

14. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said inner core is made from a material comprising one or more selected from the group including zirconium, zirconium alloys, zirconium compounds, silicon, ceramic, acrylics, and polymeric materials.

15. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, being designed to be fit to an individual such that when said support bar is fully received within the groove, said superstructure extends to the gum line of the individual.

16. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, being designed to be fit to an individual such that when said support bar is fully received within the groove, said superstructure extends past the gum line of the individual.

17. The dental bridge system according to claim 16, wherein said superstructure fully covers the gingival mucosa of the individual.

18. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, further comprising a locking arrangement for locking the superstructure to said support bar.

19. The dental bridge system according to claim 18, configured such that loads applied to said superstructure are fully borne by the support bar directly, without applying a load on said locking arrangement.

20. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said bar-receiving groove receive therein said corresponding portion of the support bar with a low tolerance.

21. The dental bridge system according to claim 1, wherein said superstructure further comprises a gum-mimicking portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0079] FIG. 1A is a proximal-labial perspective exploded view of a dental bridge system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0080] FIG. 1B is a rotated view of the dental bridge system illustrated in FIG. 1A;

[0081] FIG. 2A is an assembled view the dental bridge system illustrated in FIG. 1B;

[0082] FIG. 2B is a proximal view of the dental bridge system illustrated in FIG. 2A;

[0083] FIG. 3A is a distal-lingual perspective view of a removable superstructure according to an example the present disclosure;

[0084] FIG. 3B is a proximal view of the removable superstructure illustrated in FIG. 3A;

[0085] FIG. 4A is a distal-lingual perspective view of a support bar according to an example the present disclosure;

[0086] FIG. 4B is a proximal-labial view of the support bar illustrated in FIG. 4A;

[0087] FIG. 5A is a partially translucent lingual perspective view of the dental bridge system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0088] FIG. 5B is an exploded labial view of the dental bridge system illustrated in FIG. 5A;

[0089] FIG. 5C is a partially-sectioned side view of the dental bridge system illustrated in FIG. 5B;

[0090] FIG. 5D is an exploded perspective, partially sectioned view of a dental bridge system according to another example of the present disclosure;

[0091] FIG. 5E is a local section taken along line V-V in FIG. 5D

[0092] FIG. 6 is a vertical section along line VI-VI in FIG. 5A;

[0093] FIGS. 7A and 7B are local sectioned views through a locking mechanism, along line VII-VII in FIG. 5A, at an unlocked position and at a locked position, respectively;

[0094] FIG. 8A is a proximal-labial perspective view of an anatomic removable superstructure according to another example of the disclosure;

[0095] FIG. 8B is a distal-lingual perspective view of the anatomic removable superstructure of FIG. 8A;

[0096] FIG. 8C is a proximal view of the anatomic removable superstructure of FIG. 8A; and

[0097] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of an anatomic removable superstructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0098] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A through 4B illustrating a dental bridge system generally designated 10, in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter, comprising a support bar 20 receivable within a superstructure 40.

[0099] The support bar 20 is configured for fixedly securing to a jaw bone 24 (mandibular or maxillar) of an individual, i.e., to the individual's alveolar ridge above the gingival mucosa, for example as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The support bar 20 is secured by a plurality of dental implants 26 (for example as illustrated in FIG. 5C) received within bores 25 and secured to the jaw bone 24. Suitable screws 28 may be provided to facilitate securing the support bar 20 to the dental implants 26.

[0100] The support bar 20 follows the general arched shape of the jaw 24, and is configured with a lingual (inside) face 30, a labial (external) face 32, a distal surface 36 and a proximal face 39. The support bar 20 may be made of any rigid, metallic or non-metallic material (including, but not limited to, gold, titanium, chrome-cobalt, different forms of zirconium, porcelain, plastic, acrylic, or polymeric materials, composite materials, and combinations thereof, glass, carbon, materials reinforced with glass and/or carbon fibers, natural stone, silicates, silicon, etc.).

[0101] The distal surface 36 of the support bar 20 may be substantially flat and smooth over its entire length, as shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the distal surface 36′ can be at least partially rough and have small projections and/or recesses therealong, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5B, formed with one or more depressed portions 37 disposed more proximally than the rest of the distal surface, with steps between the depressed portions 37 and adjacent areas of the distal surface 36′. In addition, back portions 35 (i.e., those configured to lie over posterior portions of the jaw 24) may be humped, i.e., extending more distally that the rest of the distal surface 36′. A bar-receiving groove 48 (described below) of the removable superstructure 40 is correspondingly formed to receive the support bar 20 therewithin.

[0102] The support bar 20 may be configured to be fixedly secured to the individual's jaw bone 24 through an array of dental implants 26 fixedly secured within the respective jaw bone. A head portion of each dental implant 26 projects through the gum, constituting an abutment bearing the support bar, either directly (e.g., using a one-piece implant, wherein the fixture is integrated with an abutment portion projecting above the gum) or indirectly (e.g., wherein the head portion is an abutment secured over a head of the fixture).

[0103] As can further be seen, the support bar 20 may be further provided at its proximal face 39 with a plurality of proximally projecting positioning caps 27 (e.g., four, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings), corresponding with the bores 25 and configured for true-position mounting over the abutments.

[0104] The dental bridge system 10 further comprises a removable superstructure generally designated 40 (seen separately in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The removable superstructure 40 comprises a crown portion 44, for example supported on a gum-mimicking portion 46 (indicated in FIGS. 5A through 5C), constituting an artificial teeth portion and mimicking in shape and size the dental parameters of the individual. The removable superstructure 40 has a labial face 41, a lingual face 43 and a proximal face 45. The proximal face 45 is formed with a proximally-facing bar-receiving groove 48 being generally arced and designed (e.g., having a shape and size) so as to snugly fit, at high precision, over at least a portion of the corresponding support bar 20. At the assembled position (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B) it appears as if the support bar 20 is carved out of the proximal face of the removable superstructure 40, with substantially zero tolerance, thereby eliminating any motion therebetween, except along a path of insertion (POI) as indicated in FIGS. 5B and 5C.

[0105] The bar-receiving groove 48 comprises with a proximally-facing distal wall 52, and a lingual surface 56 and labial surface 58 constituting sidewalls thereof, configured for substantially flush positioning over at least portions of, respectively, the distal surface 36, lingual face 30 and a labial face 32 of the support bar 20. At least the respective wall portions configured for mutual engagement at the mounted position are for smooth, and provide zero tolerance therebetween, however facilitate easy mounting and detaching of the removable superstructure 40 from the support bar 20.

[0106] It is appreciated that the removable superstructure 40 may be configured for applying and removal from the support bar 20 along a path of insertion (POI), i.e., the axis along which the removable superstructure 40 is placed onto, or removed from, the support bar 20, intersecting the occlusal plane of the individual's mouth.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 5C, the bar-receiving groove 48 of the removable superstructure 40 and the support bar 20 may be configured such that their respective side walls are either parallel to a path of insertion (POI) or constitute an angle therewith (a “retraction angle”), for example extending between about 0° and about 30°.

[0108] According to another example, illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 5E, a dental bridge system 10A, similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5C, comprises a support bar 20A and a removable superstructure 40A, wherein the support bar 20A is formed with a T-shaped cross section (best seen in FIG. 5E), i.e., having a wide, proximally-disposed base portion 29 and a narrow ridge portion 31 projecting distally therefrom, the ridge portion 31 extending along substantially the entire length of the support bar.

[0109] According to some modifications, the ridge portion 31 may extend partially along the length of the support bar 20A, and/or may extend along several portions thereof (i.e., with gaps between adjacent portions).

[0110] A bar-receiving groove 48A of the removable superstructure 40A is formed with a base-receiving portion 49 and a ridge-receiving portion 51, corresponding with respective portions 29 and 31 of the support bar 20A, such that in the assembled position (not shown) of the dental bridge system 10A, the groove 48A of the removable superstructure 40A snugly fits over the support bar 20A.

[0111] According to other modifications, the support bar 20A may be formed with different cross sections, e.g., triangular, domed, etc., with the bar-receiving groove 48A being formed correspondingly. The above configuration may be facilitate, e.g., dental bridge systems according to the presently disclosed subject matter having a short section (e.g., suitable for fitting in individuals having small dental parameters).

[0112] The removable superstructure 40, and the crown portion 44 thereof, may be made of any suitable rigid metallic or non-metallic material (e.g., gold, titanium, chrome-cobalt, zirconium compound and/or alloys, porcelain, plastic, acrylic, polymeric materials, composite materials, glass and/or carbon, materials reinforced with glass and/or carbon fibers, natural stone, silicates, silicon, etc., and combinations thereof).

[0113] The crown portion 44 may be formed with a structurally functional (i.e., suited to bear loads typically borne by teeth; to perform the normal non-aesthetic functions of teeth, such as chewing, biting, etc.) inner core, coated by a visible layer 50 on its external faces (variously represented in cutaway views in FIGS. 1A through 3B, and in FIG. 6). The inner core is made of a suitable material to facilitate the structural function, including, but not limited to zirconium and or alloys/compounds thereof, silicon, ceramic, acrylics, a suitable polymeric materials, etc. Such material can be, for example, zirconium, silicon, ceramics, acrylics and any kind of polymeric materials Accordingly, the inner core, when the dental bridge system is assembled, projects distally. The inner core may be a monolithic element as illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3B, i.e., wherein the structurally functional portion is a single piece, or with individually projecting members. According to some examples, the inner core comprises two or more partially monolithic elements, i.e., it comprises several elements, at least some of which are coated with the visible layer 50 to each mimic more than one tooth.

[0114] The visible layer 50 is provided on outside facing surfaces (e.g., excluding a proximal surface thereof which contacts the gum-mimicking portion 46), and is designed to mimic natural parameters (e.g., color, texture, etc.) of the appearance of the individual's teeth. The removable dental bridge 40 may be integrally formed with the visible layer 50, or the visible layer 50 can be applied over the surfaces of the removable dental bridge 40. The visible layer 50 may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, a polymeric material, acrylic, a composite material, porcelain, or any other suitable material or a combination thereof.

[0115] The removable superstructure 40 is configured for detachably mounting over the support bar 20, as will be discussed hereinafter, and is personalized so as to conform with dental parameters of the individual. For example, the crown portion 44 thereof may be formed with a plurality of teeth resembling the shape, size, etc., of the natural teeth of the individual, and coated with visible layer 50 having a color, etc., resembling that of the natural teeth of the individual.

[0116] The superstructure 40, e.g., the gum-mimicking portion 46 thereof, may be configured to extend slightly below the support bar when mounted thereon, e.g., to cover at least a portion of the gingival mucosa (the natural gum portion of the individual), to fully cover the gingival mucosa, or to not cover it at all (i.e., to stop at the gum line).

[0117] It will be appreciated that while the dental bridge system 10 is described above with reference to the accompanying drawings as covering the entire length (i.e., arc) of the alveolar ridge, it may be provided such that the support bar 20 and/or superstructure 40 thereof only extends partway along the length (for example if some of the teeth of the individual remain), without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis. In addition, the support bar 20 and/or superstructure 40 may each comprise two or more pieces arranged along the length of the alveolar ridge, without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis.

[0118] The dental bridge system 10 may further comprise a locking arrangement, which is any suitable arrangement configured to releasably lock (i.e., selectively arrest) the superstructure 40 on the support bar 20 when received therein as described above. According to some modifications, the dental bridge system 10 is designed such that the locking arrangement is not subject to sheer forces while applying chewing forces on the dental bridge system.

[0119] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one example of such a locking arrangement, which is generally designated 70. The locking arrangement 70 illustrated therein is a pin-type locking arrangement, and is designed, in its locked position, to not bear any loads applied to the superstructure 40, for example owing to the bar-receiving groove 48 of the removable superstructure 40 bearing snugly over the support bar 20 with substantially zero tolerances therebetween.

[0120] The locking arrangement 70 comprises a housing 72 rigidly embedded within, or integrally formed with, the removable superstructure 40, wherein the housing 72 comprises a sleeve 74 made of or corresponding an elastomeric or ceramic material. The locking arrangement further comprises a locking pin 78 formed with an annular displacement limiting ring 82 configured for snapping arrestment by the sleeve 74. The pin 78 is displaceable between an unlocked position (FIG. 7A) and a locked position (FIG. 7B). The locking pin 78 is fitted with a substantially flat head portion 84 which at the locked position extends in close proximity with the lingual surface 43 of the removable superstructure 40, thus causing minimal irritation to the individual, however facilitating retraction thereof, e.g., by the individual's fingernail. For that purpose, a small interstice may be provided between the inner surface of the head 84 and the lingual surface 43. The locking pin 78 is fitted for snugly fitting within corresponding bore 88 configured in the respective support bar 20, however, in a fashion wherein substantially no load is borne by the pin while at the locked position.

[0121] The removable superstructure 40 may comprise a through-going bore 90 extending through a face opposite to that of the locking arrangement 70 (typically in the labial face, though not restricted thereto). The bore 90 is disposed in register with the locking bore formed in the support bar, wherein in case of difficulty in extracting of the locking pin 78 a pointed article may be inserted through the opening (e.g., a paper clip or the like) to facilitate pushing the locking pin 78 in the lingual direction into its extracted/open position (FIG. 7A). The through-going bore 90 on the labial surface of the personalized denture may be formed and/or sized such that it is not readily apparent to a casual viewer.

[0122] With reference now made to FIGS. 8A to 8C there is illustrated a modification of a removable superstructure generally designated 140 similar to that disclosed in connection with the previous drawings and wherein like elements are designated with like reference numbers, however shifted by 100.

[0123] The removable superstructure generally designated 140 differs from removable superstructure 40 in that the crown portion 144, being an artificial teeth portion and mimicking in shape and size the dental parameters of the individual is configured with spaced apart teeth-like members 149, i.e., with narrow gaps 151 extending therebetween. The removable superstructure 140 is further provided at the proximal face 145 with an integral bar-receiving groove 148, being generally arced and shaped and sized so as to snugly fit, at high precision, over at least a portion of the corresponding support bar 20, as discussed herein above. Similar to examples discussed above, the removable superstructure 140 is coated with, or has applied thereto at external faces thereof, a visible layer 150 mimicking the appearance of an individual's natural parameters as far as color, texture, etc. in the drawings only a portion of the visible layer 150 is applied. The visible layer may be provided as described above with reference to the visible layer 50 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3B and FIG. 6.

[0124] With reference to FIG. 9, there is provided an anatomic removable superstructure generally designated 200, comprising an anatomic crown portion generally designated 210 and configured at a proximal face 218 thereof with an integral bar-receiving groove 220, being generally arced and shaped and sized so as to snugly fit, at high precision, over at least a portion of the corresponding support bar 20 as discussed herein above in connection with the previous examples. However, the anatomic crown portion 210 comprises a plurality of distally-projecting crown supports 228 (stud like projections), configured for fitting thereon a visible layer in the form of individual crowns 230 and/or bridges 232. The crowns 230 and the bridge 232 mimic the actual appearance of the individuals' teeth as far as shape, size and color.

[0125] It is appreciated that the projections supports 228 can be configured in any shape and size, and suited for securing thereto the crowns and/or bridge, though as disclosed herein above, the visible layer can be also a combination of crowns and bridges as well as coatings applied over the projections supports 228, the coating mimicking the appearance of the individual's natural parameters as far as color, texture, etc.

[0126] It is appreciated that the removable superstructure can also be partially of the first configuration disclosed hereinabove (e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 3B) and partially configured as an anatomic removable superstructure (e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS. 8A through 9), or in combinations thereof, such that for example portions of the removable superstructure are anatomic and other portions are non-anatomic.

[0127] In the configuration relating to the anatomic removable superstructure, either the personalized configuration of FIG. 8 or the general configuration of FIG. 9, the visible layer, i.e., crowns and/or bridges can be applied directly over the crown portion, or over a structural layer facilitating a skeleton (222 in FIG. 9), made for example of metallic or non-metallic material (such as gold, titanium, chrome cobalt, zirconium, alumina oxide, etc.) and serving as a skeleton for the aesthetic crown or bridge, wherein the skeleton is then mounted over the crown portion (or projections) and fixed thereto, e.g., by bonding, fasteners, etc. The aesthetic crown or bridge can be made, for example, of acrylic materials, polymers and the like, ceramic materials, zirconium, etc, and it resembles the natural parameters of the individual.

[0128] Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.