DENTAL INSERT FOR CONNECTING A DENTAL IMPLANT TO A DENTAL ABUTMENT

Abstract

A dental insert for connecting a dental implant to a dental abutment includes a dental abutment having at least two interfaces. A first interface of the at least two interfaces is formed in interaction with the abutment for fixing the dental insert to the implant by a latching and/or clamping connection. A second interface of the at least two interfaces is formed for fixing the dental insert to the dental abutment.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A dental insert, for connecting a dental implant to a dental abutment, the dental insert comprising: a first interface, in interaction with the dental abutment, configured to fix the dental insert to the implant by a latching and/or clamping connection; and a second interface configured to fix the dental insert to the dental abutment, wherein the dental insert is an insertion cap with a cap opening, a cap base, and a cap lateral surface, wherein the cap base comprises, as the first interface, a receptacle with a receptacle space for introducing a projection of the implant.

19. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the receptacle has a receptacle wall delimiting the receptacle space, wherein a cap space extends adjacent to the receptacle wall into which the dental abutment can be inserted in sections.

20. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the insertion cap has a gap-shaped recess extending, at least in sections, over the cap base and at least in sections over the cap lateral surface.

21. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the second interface is a screw channel or a pin-like projection.

22. The dental insert of claim 19, wherein the receptacle wall has projections that project into the receptacle space.

23. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the dental insert comprises at least 45% by weight of a polyether ketone.

24. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the dental insert is exchangeable by releasing a positive connection with the abutment, fixable in the implant, and a material of the dental insert comprises at least one antibacterial, disinfectant, or anti-inflammatory active substance.

25. The dental insert of claim 18, wherein the dental insert comprises a swellable material or consists of such a material which, when absorbing a liquid exhibits an increase in volume of at least 2% by volume.

26. An arrangement comprising: a dental abutment; and a dental insert for connecting a dental implant to the dental abutment, the dental insert comprising a first interface, in interaction with the dental abutment, configured to fix the dental insert to the implant by a latching and/or clamping connection; and a second interface configured to fix the dental insert to the dental abutment, wherein the dental insert is an insertion cap with a cap opening, a cap base, and a cap lateral surface, wherein the cap base comprises, as the first interface, a receptacle with a receptacle space for introducing a projection of the implant, wherein the receptacle has a receptacle wall delimiting the receptacle space, wherein a cap space extends adjacent to the receptacle wall, wherein the dental abutment has an annular end section which is positionable in the cap space.

27. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein an entire volume of the cap space is filled by the abutment.

28. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein the annular end section of the abutment rests against the receptacle wall of the receptacle space.

29. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein the annular end section of the abutment at least partially engages around the receptacle in such a way as to prevent radial widening of an opening width of the receptacle.

30. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein the annular end section has at least one recess or one projection which, together with a corresponding projection or a corresponding recess of the dental insert, forms a positive connection to prevent rotation.

31. The arrangement of claim 26, wherein the annular end section has gaps extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the insert and subdividing the annular end section into annular segments.

32. A dental prosthesis, comprising a dental insert; a dental abutment; and a dental insert for connecting a dental implant to the dental abutment, the dental insert comprising a first interface, in interaction with the dental abutment, configured to fix the dental insert to the implant by a latching and/or clamping connection; and a second interface configured to fix the dental insert to the dental abutment, wherein the dental insert is an insertion cap with a cap opening, a cap base, and a cap lateral surface, wherein the cap base comprises, as the first interface, a receptacle with a receptacle space for introducing a projection of the implant, wherein the receptacle has a receptacle wall delimiting the receptacle space, wherein a cap space extends adjacent to the receptacle wall, wherein the dental abutment has an annular end section which is positionable in the cap space, wherein the dental insert has a longitudinal axis, wherein the implant is formed at least in regions as a shell with a shell space and has a projection on the longitudinal axis that extends into the shell space.

33. The dental prosthesis of claim 32, wherein the first and second interfaces are arranged within the shell space of the implant.

34. The dental prosthesis of claim 32, wherein the implant and the dental abutment are spatially separated from each other by the dental insert such that there is no material contact between the implant and the dental abutment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0039] The invention is illustrated by the following figures. Individual features of the respective embodiment variants can also be implemented independently of concrete embodiment examples in other embodiment variants not shown.

[0040] The figures show as follows:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a first variant of a dental insert according to the invention for a dental implant;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of the insert of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of an at least three-part dental prosthesis according to the invention which comprises an implant, an insertion cap and a dental abutment;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a representation of the dental prosthesis of FIG. 3 with intersected implant;

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-section of a dental abutment with a mechanical connecting element;

[0046] FIG. 6a shows a schematically depicted cross-section of a first dental prosthesis according to the invention with the dental abutment of FIG. 5;

[0047] FIG. 6b shows a schematically represented cross-section of a second dental prosthesis according to the invention; and

[0048] FIG. 6c shows a schematically represented cross-section of a third prosthesis according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a three-part configuration of a dental prosthesis 1 according to the invention. This comprises an implant 2, an insertion cap 3 according to the invention, as well as an abutment 4.

[0050] The implant 2 itself can be shell-shaped, at least in some areas, with a shell opening 5 and a shell space 6 to accommodate the insertion cap 3 and the abutment 4.

[0051] Implant 2 can also have a threaded area for connecting implant 2 and the entire dental prosthesis 1 to a jawbone.

[0052] An insertion cap 3 is arranged in positive connection on implant 2. The abutment 4 is attached to the insertion cap.

[0053] The shell-shaped implant 2 has a bottom area 7, in particular a closed bottom area, on which a projection 8 is arranged, which projects into the shell space 6. The projection has a projection thickening 9, for example a terminal projection head, and a projection shaft 10. The insertion cap 3 is attached to the projection 8, which is shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0054] The insertion cap 3 has a cap space 24 with a cap opening 11, having an opening plane, which is essentially parallel to the opening plane of the shell opening 5. The insertion cap also has a longitudinal axis A.

[0055] The insertion cap 3 has a cap base 12 with a sleeve-shaped receptacle 13 in which the projection 8 of the shell-shaped implant 2 can be arranged.

[0056] The sleeve-shaped receptacle has 13 edge projections 15, which project into a receptacle space formed by a receptacle wall 27 of receptacle 13.

[0057] In the assembled condition of the insertion cap 3, the edge projections 15 are arranged between the projection thickener 9 and the cap base 12 and prevent the displaceability R of the insertion cap 1 along the longitudinal axis A with respect to the shell-shaped implant 2.

[0058] The insertion cap 3 can essentially be divided into the end cap base 12 and a cap lateral surface 14. The cap lateral surface 14 essentially has the shape of the inner contour of an implant wall of implant 2 that delimits the shell space 6.

[0059] The insertion cap 3 has at least one gap-shaped recess 16, which extends along the cap base and in some areas along the cap lateral surface 14.

[0060] The gap-shaped recess 16 is a kind of material weakening of the insertion cap 3 in the area of the cap base 12 and enables the opening width of the sleeve-shaped receptacle 13 to be changed, so that the insertion cap 3 can be attached to and detached from the projection 8 without force or by overcoming only slight restoring forces caused by material deformation.

[0061] The insertion cap 3 has an interface 17 above, i.e., directed towards the cap opening 11, for connection with the abutment 4, as can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 5. The receptacle 13 is only schematically indicated. Interface 17 can preferably be designed as part of a guide channel, in particular as a screw channel 18. This can extend centered along the longitudinal axis A of the insertion cap 3.

[0062] Abutment 4 can be designed as a so-called abutment, i.e., an intermediate element between the artificial tooth crown and implant 2, or it can itself be designed as a tooth crown.

[0063] Abutment 4 is at least partially sleeve-shaped, wherein the guide channel extends as a screw channel 18 through the insertion cap and as a cylindrical cavity through the abutment 4 and runs along the longitudinal axis A. Within this guide channel, stop surfaces 25 are arranged for the stop of a screw head 20 of a mechanical connecting means 21, in particular a screw. The screw also has a thread 22, which engages in the screw channel 18 of interface 17.

[0064] Abutment 4 has a ring-shaped end area 26 made up of ring sections and interruptions which together define a ring.

[0065] The guide channel extends at its end over the outside of the sleeve-shaped receptacle 13 of the insertion cap 3 and rests against it in a force-locking manner. This results in a material reinforcement in the area of the receptacle 13 of the insertion cap 3 so that the opening width d can no longer be varied or can only be varied to a very limited extent.

[0066] Due to the interaction of the abutment 4 and the insertion cap 3, the insertion cap 3 is clamped or locked with the projection 8 of the implant. The abutment 4 serves as a latching element that achieves a fixation by positive locking between the insertion cap 3 and the implant. The abutment 4 in turn is connected to the insertion cap 3 by the mechanical connecting means. The abutment 4 can be detached from the insertion cap and the insertion cap 3 can be removed from the implant by loosening the connecting means.

[0067] Thus, the insertion cap can be exchanged. However, the mechanical connecting means only indirectly connects the abutment 4 to the implant 2 via the insertion cap.

[0068] The insertion cap thus serves as an exchangeable connection means between these two elements of the dental prosthesis and can be exchanged for hygienic reasons.

[0069] The insertion cap can be advantageously made of plastic and have an antimicrobial active substance, e.g., a silver compound.

[0070] The insertion cap also has an edge 23, which protrudes radially from the cap lateral surface and which delimits the cap opening. This edge 23 rests on the implant and at least partially covers an edge face of the implant.

[0071] At the end, the abutment 4 may also have one or more projections 19, recesses and/or depressions which, together with corresponding projections, depressions and/or recesses, e.g., the gap-shaped recess 16, form a positive connection in the insertion cap 3 to prevent the abutment 4 from twisting relative to the insertion cap 3.

[0072] The insertion cap 3 can preferably be made of a polyether ketone, in particular of a PEEK, PEKK and/or CF-PEEK.

[0073] Particularly preferably the insertion cap comprises an antibacterial and/or anti-inflammatory active ingredient.

[0074] The insertion cap 3 may also have a coupling point, e.g., a thread, for connecting to an insertion aid, through which the insertion sleeve can be inserted into the shell space 6 of implant 2 or removed from implant 2.

[0075] The mechanical fastening means for connecting the abutment 4 to the insertion cap 3 can be designed as a titanium or gold screw. Since the connection with implant 2 is made via the insertion cap 3, there is no risk of mechanical damage to the implant by the mechanical connecting means. As an alternative to a metallic screw, it is also possible to use a plastic screw made of CF-PEEK, for example. At the end, channel 18 can be closed by a plug which is not shown.

[0076] The implant 2 itself, but also the aforementioned mechanical connecting means, can also be made of zirconium, titanium and/or PEEK. It is also possible that both the implant 2 and/or the mechanical connecting means may be partially or completely made of a non-absorbable xerogenic or allogenic material, such as bovine bone.

[0077] Due to the special design of the multi-part dental prosthesis 1, there are no sharp edges that could generate tensions. The production of the respective individual elements can take place in industrially large numbers with comparatively high manufacturing tolerances. A special production of the insertion cap can be carried out by a so-called injection molding process.

[0078] Abutment 4 can be made of ceramic materials, zirconium oxide, glass material, metal-ceramic hydride materials, especially cermet materials and the like.

[0079] Alternatively, or additionally, the implant can also be made of a ceramic material.

[0080] FIGS. 6a-6c show dental prosthesis variants 1, 101 and 201, which exemplify different embodiment variants that can be produced within the scope of the present invention. The variant of FIG. 6a has already been described before.

[0081] However, FIG. 6a shows that the screw channel 18 is arranged in a sleeve-shaped insertion element 29, which can be positively attached to the remaining insertion cap. In this embodiment variant, the insertion cap is therefore made in two parts. However, it is preferable if the insertion cap is designed in one piece in each embodiment variant, wherein instead of the insertion element, a projection with the corresponding screw channel 18 is monolithically formed with the remaining insertion cap.

[0082] The explanation of the design of the dental prosthesis variants of FIGS. 6b and 6c only discusses differences to the variant of FIG. 6a, which essentially consists of the different design of the second interface 17.

[0083] The dental prosthesis variant of FIG. 6b also features an implant 102, an insertion cap 103 as a dental insert according to the invention, and an abutment 104.

[0084] Instead of the screw connection, the insertion cap 103 has a pin-like projection 121 extending along the longitudinal axis A from the receptacle 113 into the cap space 124.

[0085] When the abutment 104 is inserted, the projection 121 extends into a guide channel 128 which, in this embodiment variant, is only formed in the abutment 104 and is limited at the edge by walls of the abutment 104.

[0086] The projection 121 may have terminal radial projections or recesses 122, for better anchoring of the projection 121 and thus also of the entire insertion cap 103 in a casting compound 123 introduced into the guide channel 128. The casting compound 123 may preferably be an adhesive or a curing compound, e.g., a cement or a curing polymer compound.

[0087] To replace the insertion cap 103, the guide channel 118 can be drilled out with a drilling instrument and then the abutment 104 and then also the insertion cap 103 can be removed.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment variant, the abutment consists at least in the area of the guide channel 118 of a harder material than the material of the insertion cap and the material of the hardened casting compound, so that drilling is carried out without damaging the material of the abutment and the reusability of the abutment 104 is made possible.

[0089] The dental prosthesis variant of FIG. 6c comprises an implant 202, an insertion cap 203 as a dental insert according to the invention, and an abutment 204.

[0090] The insertion cap 203 has a pin-like projection 221, which also projects along the longitudinal axis of the insertion cap starting from the receptacle 213 into the cap space 224 as shown in FIG. 6b. In comparison with FIG. 6b, the projection 221 of the insertion cap 204 has a latching element 222 at the end, which latches with a stop face 225 of a guide channel 228 of the abutment 204.

[0091] To replace the insertion cap 203, the guide channel 218 can be drilled out with a drilling instrument and then the abutment 204 and then also the insertion cap 203 can be removed.

[0092] Alternatively, the latching can also be released using a tool. For easier release of the latching, a predetermined breaking point can be provided in the area of the latching element.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment variant, the abutment consists of a harder material than the material of the insertion cap, at least in the area of the guide channel 218, in particular the material of the insertion cap in the area of the latching.

[0094] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] 1 Dental prosthesis [0096] 2 Implant [0097] 3 Insertion cap [0098] 4 Abutment [0099] 5 Shell opening [0100] 6 Shell space [0101] 7 Bottom area [0102] 8 Projection [0103] 9 Projection thickening [0104] 10 Projection shaft [0105] 11 Cap opening [0106] 12 Cap base [0107] 13 Receptacle [0108] 14 Cap lateral surface [0109] 15 Projections [0110] 16 Gap-shaped recess [0111] 17 Interface [0112] 18 Screw channel [0113] 19 Projection [0114] 20 Screw head [0115] 21 Mechanical connecting means [0116] 22 Thread [0117] 23 Edge [0118] 24 Cap space [0119] 25 Stop surface [0120] 26 End section [0121] 27 Receptacle wall [0122] 28 Guide channel [0123] 29 Insertion element [0124] 101 Dental prosthesis [0125] 102 Implant [0126] 103 Insertion cap [0127] 104 Abutment [0128] 121 Projection [0129] 122 Recesses [0130] 123 Casting compound [0131] 128 Guide channel [0132] 201 Dental prosthesis [0133] 202 Implant [0134] 203 Insertion cap [0135] 204 Abutment [0136] 222 Latching element [0137] 225 Stop surface [0138] 228 Guide channel