TWO-PART MODELLING AID

Abstract

A two part modelling aid (1, 100) for connection to a dental implant component (200), the modelling aid comprising a hollow base part (10, 110) comprising an open apical end (14, 114), an open coronal end (16, 116) and a tubular side wall (12, 112) extending from the apical to coronal end along a linear longitudinal axis (L.sub.B), the side wall having an interior and an exterior surface, one of said surfaces comprising an anti-rotation section (18, 118) having a non-circular symmetric cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a hollow angled part (30, 30) comprising an open apical end (34, 134), an open coronal end (36, 136) and a tubular side wall (32, 132) extending between the apical end and coronal end and having an interior and exterior surface, the tubular side wall forming an apical portion (35, 135) of the angled part extending along a first linear axis (L.sub.1), and a coronal portion (37, 137) of the angled part extending along a second axis, the second axis being non-coaxial to the first axis such that the tubular sidewall creates a non-linear channel (38, 138), the apical portion being sized and shaped to form a friction fit with the base part, wherein, when the base part is connected to the angled part, a closed channel (60, 160) is formed extending from the apical end of the base part to the coronal end of the angled part, the first axis of the apical portion of the angled part being coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the base part and the anti-rotation section of the base part being exposed on a surface of the base part.

Claims

1. A two part modelling aid for connection to a dental implant component, the modelling aid comprising a hollow base part comprising an open apical end, an open coronal end and a tubular side wall extending from the apical to coronal end along a linear longitudinal axis, the side wall having an interior and an exterior surface, one of said surfaces comprising an anti-rotation section having a non-circular symmetric cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a hollow angled part comprising an open apical end, an open coronal end and a tubular side wall extending between the apical end and coronal end and having an interior and exterior surface, the tubular side wall forming an apical portion of the angled part extending along a first linear axis, and a coronal portion of the angled part extending along a second axis, the second axis being non-coaxial to the first axis such that the tubular sidewall creates a non-linear channel, the apical portion being sized and shaped to form a friction fit with the base part, wherein, when the base part is connected to the angled part, a closed channel is formed extending from the apical end of the base part to the coronal end of the angled part, the first axis of the apical portion of the angled part being coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the base part and the anti-rotation section of the base part being exposed on a surface of the base part.

2. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base part and apical portion of the angled part each comprise at least two circumferentially spaced rotational stops, each stop being formed by a radially and axially extending surface, the rotational stops being arranged such that, when the base part is connected to the angled part, relative rotation in either direction is limited by the abutment of a rotational stop of the base part against a rotational stop of the angled part.

3. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base part and the apical portion of the angled part each comprise a single protrusion, wherein the opposing sides of the protrusion form the rotational stops of each part.

4. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein one of the base part and the apical portion of the angled part comprises a single protrusion, wherein the opposing sides of the protrusion form the rotational stops of the part and the other of the base part and the apical portion of the angled part comprises at least two protrusions, wherein mutually facing sides of the protrusions form the rotational stops of the part.

5. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two rotational stops of one of the base part and apical portion of the angled part are formed by one or more protrusion extending radially from the tubular side wall of the part and the at least two rotational stops of the other of the base part and apical portion of the angled part are formed by one or more protrusion extending axially from the proximal end of the part.

6. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more radially extending protrusion further comprises a planar proximally facing abutment surface, arranged such that, when the base part is connected to the angled part, the proximal end of the other part rests upon this.

7. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotational stops of the base part and apical portion of the angled part are arranged such that the degree of relative rotational freedom between the base and angled parts is equal to the angle of rotational symmetry of the anti-rotation section.

8. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apical portion is sized and shaped to form a friction fit with the exterior surface of the base part.

9. A two part modelling aid wherein the apical portion is sized and shaped to form a friction fit with the exterior surface of the base part as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two rotational stops of the apical portion of the angled part are formed by one or more protrusion extending axially from the apical end of the angled part and the at least two rotational stops of the base part are formed by one or more protrusion extending radially from the exterior surface of the side wall.

10. A two part modelling aid as claimed in 9, wherein the base part and the apical portion of the angled part each comprise a single protrusion, wherein the opposing sides of the protrusion form the rotational stops of each part, wherein the base part comprises a single radially extending protrusion on its exterior surface and the apical portion of the angled part comprises a single protrusion extending axially from the apical of the angled part, wherein, when the apical portion of the angled part is connected to the base part, the radial protrusion of the base part is positioned between the opposing faces of the axially extending protrusion.

11. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the base part and the apical portion of the angled part comprises a single protrusion, wherein the opposing sides of the protrusion form the rotational stops of the part and the other of the base part and the apical portion of the angled part comprises at least two protrusions, wherein mutually facing sides of the protrusions form the rotational stops of the part, wherein the base part comprises at least two radially extending protrusions on its exterior surface and the apical portion of the angled part comprises a single protrusion extending axially from the apical end of the angled part, wherein, when the apical portion of the angled part is connected to the base part, the axial protrusion of the angled part is positioned between the mutually facing ends of two radially extending protrusions of the base part.

12. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coronal portion of the angled part extends along a second linear axis having an angle to the first axis.

13. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 12, wherein the central axis of the non-linear channel is formed solely by the first axis and the second axis, which are both linear but non-coaxial.

14. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coronal portion of the tubular side wall of the angled part comprises a conical section adjacent to the apical portion, the diameter of the conical section increasing from its coronal to apical end.

15. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation section is located on the interior surface of the base part.

16. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base part comprises one or more protrusion extending radially from the surface of the base part on which the anti-rotation section is located, said one or more protrusion being arranged for gripping the dental implant component.

17. A two part modelling aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the base part and angled part comprises a cut out at its proximal end wherein, when the base part is connected to the angled part, the cut out is located on the interior of the closed channel formed by the components.

18. A two part modelling aid wherein one of the base part and angled part comprises a cut out at its proximal end wherein, when the base part is connected to the angled part, the cut out is located on the interior of the closed channel formed by the components as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base part comprises a cut out at its coronal end.

19. A two part modelling aid wherein the base part comprises a cut out at its coronal end as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotational stops are sized and located such that the non-linear channel cannot be rotated out of alignment with the cut out.

20. A combination of a modelling aid as claimed in claim 1 and a dental implant component, the component comprising a screw bore which, when the modelling aid is connected to the dental implant component, is in communication with the closed channel of the modelling aid.

21. A combination as claimed in claim 20, wherein the dental implant component further comprises an anti-rotation section which is complementary to the anti-rotation section of the base part.

22. A combination as claimed in claim 20, wherein the dental implant component is an abutment comprising a coronal end, an apical end and a through bore extending from the apical to coronal end, the abutment comprising, at its apical end, a first anti-rotation means for cooperation with a dental implant and, at its coronal end, a second anti-rotation means for cooperation with the anti-rotation section of the base part.

Description

[0061] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a base part according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a top and bottom view respectively of the base part of FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section along line B-B of FIG. 2A;

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an angled part according to the first embodiment of the present invention, for use with the base part of FIGS. 1-3;

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the angled part of FIG. 4;

[0067] FIG. 6 shows the base and angled parts of the first embodiment in combination;

[0068] FIG. 7 shows the a longitudinal cross-section through the combination of FIG. 6;

[0069] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a base part according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] FIGS. 9A and 9B show a top and bottom view respectively of the base part of FIG. 8;

[0071] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section along line B-B of FIG. 9A;

[0072] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an angled part according to the second embodiment of the present invention, for use with the base part of FIGS. 8-10;

[0073] FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the angled part of FIG. 11;

[0074] FIG. 13 shows the base and angled parts of the second embodiment in combination;

[0075] FIG. 14 shows the a longitudinal cross-section through the combination of FIG. 13;

[0076] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a perspective and cross-section view respectively of a dental abutment that can be used with the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 16 A shows a combination of the abutment of FIG. 15 with the base and angled parts of FIGS. 8 to 14;

[0078] FIG. 16B shows a longitudinal cross-section through the combination of FIG. 16A;

[0079] FIG. 17A shows a perspective view of a second dental abutment that can be used with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] FIG. 17B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the dental abutment of FIG. 17A;

[0081] FIG. 17C shows a cross-section of the dental abutment of FIG. 17A through Line A-A of FIG. 17B; and

[0082] FIGS. 18A-C show a perspective, apical and coronal views of a base part in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] FIGS. 1-3 show a base part 10 of a modelling aid 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Base part 10 comprises a tubular side wall 12 extending from an open apical end 14 to an open coronal end 16 along a linear longitudinal axis L.sub.B.

[0084] On its interior surface the side wall 12 comprises an anti-rotation section 18 having a non-circular-symmetric cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.sub.B of the base part 10. This anti-rotation section 18 is designed to cooperate with a complementary anti-rotation section on the underlying dental component of the system, e.g. an abutment or base coping. In the present embodiment the anti-rotation section 18 comprises four evenly circumferentially spaced grooves 20, as best seen in FIG. 2B. The interior surface of the base part 10 further comprises four inwardly extending protrusions 22, interposed between the grooves 20 of the anti-rotation section 18. These are provided in order to firmly grip the underlying dental implant component. In this embodiment therefore the base component 10 is intended to be placed over the underlying component.

[0085] FIGS. 4-5 show the angled part 30 which, together with base part 10, forms the modelling aid 1. Angled part 30 comprises a tubular side wall 32 extending from an apical end 34 to a coronal end 36. It comprises an apical portion 35, which extends along a first linear axis L.sub.1 and a coronal portion 37, which extends along a second linear axis L.sub.2, wherein the second linear axis L.sub.2 is angled with respect to the first linear axis L.sub.1. As a result, the tubular sidewall 32 forms a non-linear channel 38. In the present embodiment angle between the second axis L.sub.2 and the first axis L.sub.1 is 25.

[0086] Coronal portion 37 is formed of a conical section 31, which is adjacent to the apical portion 35, and a cylindrical section 33, which extends from the coronal end of the conical section 31 to the coronal end 36 of the angled part 30. The radius of the apical portion 35 is larger than that of cylindrical section 33, with the conical section 31 tapering outwardly in the apical direction from the radius of the cylindrical section 33 to the radius of the apical portion 35. This widening of the non-linear channel 38 assists in the passage of the screw through the final screw channel. An additional cylindrical section 39 extends from the apical portion 35 to the cylindrical section 33, to ease manufacturing.

[0087] As can best be seen from FIG. 5, in this embodiment the central axis of the non-linear channel 38 is formed solely of the first and second linear axes L.sub.1, L.sub.2. In other embodiments however at least a portion of the central axis of the coronal portion 37 may be curved or the coronal portion 37 may comprise adjacent sections extending along different central axes.

[0088] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the base part 10 and angled part 30 in combination. The apical portion 35 of the angled part 30 is sized and shaped to fit over the coronal end 16 of the base part 10 in order to form a friction fit with the exterior surface of the tubular side wall 12. When the two parts are connected together, a continuous closed channel 60 is formed extending from the apical end 14 of the base part 10 to the coronal end 36 of the angled part 30. The first axis L.sub.1 of the apical portion 35 is coaxial to the longitudinal axis L.sub.B of the base part 10. This enables the angled part 30 to be rotated about the longitudinal axis L.sub.B of the base part 10 in order to adjust the rotational orientation of the non-linear channel 38 relative to the base part 10.

[0089] In order to limit the relative rotation between the base part 10 and angled part 30 each part is provided with rotational stops. Base part 10 comprises a single, radially extending protrusion 40 on the exterior surface of the side wall 12. The two opposing radially and axially extending surfaces of this protrusion 40 each form a rotational stop 42.

[0090] Angled part 30 also comprises a single protrusion, this time an axially extending protrusion 50 at the apical end 34 of the component. Once again, the opposing radially and axially extending surfaces of this protrusion 50 form the rotational stops 52. The circumferential extent of protrusion 50 is larger than that of protrusion 40.

[0091] When angled part 30 is placed over base part 10, the radially extending protrusion 40 is located between the opposing rotational stops 52 formed by axially extending protrusion 50. Furthermore, apical end 34 of the angled part 30 rests on the coronally facing abutment surface 44 provided by the coronal end of protrusion 40. This helps to correctly position the angled part 30 on the base part 10 and prevent this from tilting during rotational adjustment of this part 30 about the longitudinal axis L.sub.B.

[0092] As can best be seen in FIG. 6, the angled part 30 can be rotated relative to the base part 10 until one of the rotational stops 52 of the angled part abuts against a rotational stop 42 of the base part 10. The modelling aid 1 therefore allows for controlled angular adjustment of the non-linear channel 38 relative to the base part 10 (and hence the underlying component).

[0093] Returning to FIGS. 1-3, base part 10 comprises a cut out 13 at its coronal end 16. This cut out has a circumferential extent of approximately 180. As can be seen from FIG. 7, this cut out 13 creates a thinner area of channel wall. The rotational stops 42, 52 are arranged such that the non-linear channel 38 cannot be rotated out of alignment with the cut out 13. This ensures that the resulting screw channel of a coping made using the modelling aid 1 of the present invention will be wider at the bend in the channel, which will assist the passage of the screw through this channel. The cut out 13 and resulting wider screw channel will also help the screwdriver to reach the screw once this is inserted into the passage.

[0094] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0095] In this second embodiment, base part 110, shown in FIGS. 8-10, is substantively identical to the base part 10 of the first embodiment. A tubular side wall 112 extends from an open apical end 114 to an open coronal end 116 along a linear longitudinal axis L.sub.B. On its interior surface the side wall 112 comprises an anti-rotation section 118 comprising four evenly circumferentially spaced grooves 120, as best seen in FIG. 9B. The interior surface of the base part 110 further comprises four inwardly extending protrusions 122, interposed between the grooves 120 of the anti-rotation section 118.

[0096] Base part 110 differs from the base part 10 of the first embodiment in that it comprises three circumferentially spaced, radially extending protrusions 140 on the exterior surface of the side wall 112.

[0097] Similarly, angled part 130 is substantively identical to angled part 30. Angled part 130 comprises a tubular side wall 132 extending from an apical end 134 to a coronal end 136. It comprises an apical portion 135, which extends along a first linear axis L.sub.1 and a coronal portion 137, which extends along a second linear axis L.sub.2, wherein the second linear axis L.sub.2 is angled with respect to the first linear axis L.sub.1. As a result, the tubular sidewall 132 forms a non-linear channel 138. The central axis of the non-linear channel 138 is formed solely of the first and second linear axes L.sub.1, L.sub.2. In the present embodiment angle between the second axis L.sub.2 and the first axis L.sub.1 is 25. Coronal portion 137 is formed of a conical section 131, which is adjacent to the apical portion 135, and a cylindrical section 133, which extends from the coronal end of the conical section 131 to the coronal end 136 of the angled part 130. The radius of the apical portion 135 is larger than that of cylindrical section 133, with the conical section 131 tapering outwardly in the apical direction from the radius of the cylindrical section 133 to the radius of the apical portion 135. An additional cylindrical section 139 extends from the apical portion 135 to the cylindrical section 133, to ease manufacturing.

[0098] Angled part 130 differs from the angled part 30 of the first embodiment only in that axially extending protrusion 150 has a narrower circumferential extent.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 13, when base part 110 and angled part 130 are connected together, protrusion 150 is located between two of the protrusions 140 of the base part 110. As in the previous embodiment, the coronal surfaces 144 of the radially extending protrusions 140, form an abutment surface for the apical end 134 of the angled part 130.

[0100] Relative rotation between the base part 110 and angled part 130 is limited by one of the opposing rotational stops 152 of the axially extending protrusion 150 contacting a rotational stop 142 of the base part 110.

[0101] Once again, in this embodiment the rotational stops 142, 152 are arranged to ensure that the non-linear channel 138 is maintained in rotational alignment with the cut out 113 of the base part 110. However, in this second embodiment it is further possible for the axially extending protrusion 150 to be positioned between different radially extending protrusions 140 on the base part 110. This embodiment therefore provides an example of how the rotational stops of the present invention could be used to provide alternative controlled relative positions of the base and angled parts.

[0102] The modelling aids 1, 100 of the present invention are intended for use with an underlying dental implant component. Such a component is shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B.

[0103] Abutment 200 is the separate abutment part of a two-part dental implant. It comprises an apical end 201 and a coronal end 202 with a through bore 203 extending therebetween. Through bore 203 comprises a screw seat 204. Abutment 200 therefore enables a screw to be seated within the component in order to fasten this to an implant.

[0104] On the exterior surface of the abutment 200 connection geometry 210 is provided which is complementary to the dental implant. This enables the abutment 200 to be inserted into a axially extending bore within the dental implant. The connection geometry 210 includes an anti-rotation means 212. A further anti-rotation means 214 is provided towards the coronal end 202 of the implant. This anti-rotation means 214 comprises four axially extending, evenly circumferentially spaced radial protrusions 215.

[0105] This anti-rotation means 214 is complementary to the anti-rotation section 118 of base part 110 of FIG. 8. The protrusions 215 are therefore sized to fit snugly within grooves 120. Furthermore, protrusions 122 on the interior surface of the side wall 112 grip the external surface of the abutment 200 in order to securely connect the base part 110 to the abutment 200.

[0106] Inbetween the anti-rotation means 212, 214 abutment 200 further comprises a radially outwardly extending, coronally facing shoulder 216.

[0107] The modelling aid 100 is shown in combination with the abutment 200 in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Here it can be seen that the coronal end 114 of the base part 110 rests on the shoulder 216 of the abutment 200 and the protrusions 215 of the anti-rotation means 214 are housed in the grooves 120 of the base part 110. Thus the base part 110 is connected to the abutment 200 in a rotationally and axially fixed manner.

[0108] In this embodiment, abutment 200 comprises a cut out 213 at its coronal end 202 which is complementary to the cut out 113 of the base part 110. This additionally helps with the passage of the screw and screw driver.

[0109] In use the modelling aid 100 is positioned on the abutment 200 as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. The angled part 130 can be rotated relative to the base part 110 within the limits set by the rotational stops 142, 152 in order to best position the non-linear channel 138. A wax-up is then made of the desired coping, during which the tubular side walls 112, 132 are surrounded by wax. The wax-up, together with the modelling aid 100, can then be removed from the abutment and cast, to form a mould. During this process the modelling aid 100 is destroyed.

[0110] The mould is then used to form the coping using, e.g. gold. The final coping will contain a screw channel having the shape of the interior wall of the closed channel 160 of the modelling aid 100. This will include the anti-rotation section 118 and thus the final coping can be placed in non-rotational engagement with the abutment 200.

[0111] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0112] FIGS. 17A-C show abutment 200, which can be used with a modelling aid in accordance with the present invention, the base part 110 of which is shown in FIGS. 18A-C.

[0113] Abutment 200 is the separate abutment part of a two-part dental implant. It comprises an apical end 201 and a coronal end 202 with a through bore 203 extending therebetween. Through bore 203 comprises a screw seat 204. Abutment 200 therefore enables a screw to be seated within the component in order to fasten this to an implant.

[0114] On the exterior surface of the abutment 200 a connection geometry 210 is provided which is complementary to the dental implant. This enables the abutment 200 to be inserted into an axially extending bore within the dental implant. The connection geometry 210 includes an anti-rotation means 212. A further anti-rotation means 214 is provided towards the coronal end 202 of the abutment. This anti-rotation means 214 comprises three axially extending, evenly circumferentially spaced radial protrusions 215, as can best be seen in FIG. 17C.

[0115] In this third embodiment, base part 110, shown in FIGS. 18A-C, is substantively identical to the base part 110 of the second embodiment. A tubular side wall 112 extends from an open apical end 114 to an open coronal end 116 along a linear longitudinal axis L.sub.B. Base part 110 comprises three circumferentially spaced, radially extending protrusions 140 on the exterior surface of the side wall 112.

[0116] Base part 110 differs from the base part 110 of the second embodiment in that on its interior surface the side wall 112 comprises an anti-rotation section 118 comprising three evenly circumferentially spaced grooves 120, as best seen in FIG. 18B. The interior surface of the base part 110 further comprises three inwardly extending protrusions 122, interposed between the grooves 120 of the anti-rotation section 118.

[0117] The anti-rotation means 214 of abutment 200 is complementary to the anti-rotation section 118 of base part 110. The protrusions 215 are therefore sized to fit snugly within grooves 120. Furthermore, the protrusions 122 on the interior surface of the side wall 112 grip the external surface of the abutment 200 in order to securely connect the base part 110 to the abutment 200.

[0118] Base part 110 can be used in combination with the angled part 130 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in respect of the second embodiment. In an identical manner as described in relation to the second embodiment, when base part 110 and angled part 130 are connected together protrusion 150 is located between two of the protrusions 140 of the base part 110. The coronal surfaces 144 of the radially extending protrusions 140, form an abutment surface for the apical end 134 of the angled part 130.

[0119] Relative rotation between the base part 110 and angled part 130 is limited by one of the opposing rotational stops 152 of the axially extending protrusion 150 contacting a rotational stop 142 of the base part 110.

[0120] In further alternative embodiment, not shown, base part 10 could be adapted for connection to abutment 200 simply by altering the number and shape of grooves 20 and protrusions 22 in line with the grooves 120 and protrusions 122 of base part 110.

[0121] The above described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and the skilled person will realize that alternative arrangements are possible which fall within the scope of the claims. For example, in other embodiments the radially extending protrusions may be formed on the angled part and the axially extending protrusion on the base part. It is possible for either part to comprise additional radially or axially extending protrusions. Further, the angled part can form a friction fit with the interior surface of the base part and/or the anti-rotation section of the base part can be located on the exterior surface. The modelling aid of the present invention can be designed for use with a coping or abutment part of a one-piece implant. Furthermore the anti-rotation connection between the implant component, e.g. abutment, and base part can comprise 2-fold or 5-fold and higher rotational symmetry by altering the number of complementary grooves and protrusions.