Abstract
A dental implant abutment comprising: a crown seating portion located toward a first end of the abutment; a fixture seating portion located toward a second end of the abutment; and a main body located between the crown seating portion and the fixture seating portion, the main body including an external indexing feature located along an outer perimeter of the main body at a transition between the main body and the crown seating portion, the external indexing feature comprising an elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body that mates with a visually identifiable elevational variance of a mating surface of a crown with which the dental implant abutment mates.
Claims
1. A dental implant abutment comprising: a crown seating portion located toward a first end of the abutment; a fixture seating portion located toward a second end of the abutment; and a main body located between the crown seating portion and the fixture seating portion, the main body including an external indexing feature located along an outer perimeter of the main body at a transition between the main body and the crown seating portion, the external indexing feature comprising an elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body that mates with a visually identifiable elevational variance of a mating surface of a crown with which the dental implant abutment mates.
2. The dental implant abutment of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body extends toward the crown seating portion.
3. The dental implant abutment of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body extends away from the crown seating portion.
4. The dental implant abutment of claim 1, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance comprises at least two visually identifiable elevational variances of the outer perimeter of the main body.
5. The dental implant abutment of claim 4, wherein the at least two visually identifiable elevational variances comprise at least one visually identifiable elevational variance that extends toward the crown seating portion and at least one visually identifiable elevational variance extends away from the crown seating portion.
6. The dental implant abutment of claim 5, wherein the at least two visually identifiable elevational variances extend toward the crown seating portion.
7. The dental implant abutment of claim 1 wherein, the crown seating portion further includes an internal alignment feature corresponding with an internal alignment surface of the crown with which the dental implant abutment mates such that, when the dental implant abutment alignment surface aligns with the internal alignment surface of the crown, the dental implant abutment indexing feature aligns with the visually identifiable elevational variance of the mating surface of the crown.
8. The dental implant abutment of claim 7, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body extends toward the crown seating portion.
9. The dental implant abutment of claim 7, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body extends away from the crown seating portion.
10. The dental implant abutment of claim 7, wherein the visually identifiable elevational variance comprises at least two visually identifiable elevational variances of the outer perimeter of the main body.
11. The dental implant abutment of claim 10, wherein the at least two visually identifiable elevational variances comprise at least one visually identifiable elevational variance that extends toward the crown seating portion and at least one visually identifiable elevational variance extends away from the crown seating portion.
12. The dental implant abutment of claim 10, wherein the at least two visually identifiable elevational variances extend toward the crown seating portion.
13. The dental implant abutment of claim 7, wherein the internal alignment surface of the crown is a flat surface.
14. The dental implant abutment of claim 7 wherein the internal alignment feature of the abutment is a flat surface.
15. A dental implant abutment comprising: a crown seating portion located toward a first end of the abutment, the crown seating portion comprising an internal alignment feature corresponding with an internal alignment surface of a crown with which the dental implant abutment mates such that, when the internal alignment feature of the abutment aligns with the internal alignment surface of the crown, a dental implant abutment indexing feature aligns with a visually identifiable elevational variance of the mating surface of the crown; a fixture seating portion located toward a second end of the abutment; and a main body located between the crown seating portion and the fixture seating portion, the main body including the external indexing feature located along an outer perimeter of the main body at a transition between the main body and the crown seating portion, the external indexing feature comprising an elevational variance of the outer perimeter of the main body that mates with a visually identifiable elevational variance of a mating surface of a crown with which the dental implant abutment mates.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a restored dental implant which utilizes a preformed abutment.
[0019] FIG. 2A is top plan of a preformed abutment.
[0020] FIG. 2B is a top plan of a preformed abutment featuring two external indexing features.
[0021] FIG. 2C is a top plan of a preformed abutment featuring three external indexing features.
[0022] FIG. 2D is a bottom plan of a preformed abutment.
[0023] FIG. 3A is perspective view of a preformed abutment.
[0024] FIG. 3B is perspective view of a preformed abutment with an alternative external indexing feature.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of how an indexed margin crown abutment may be used in the restoration of a dental implant.
[0026] FIG. 5A is a side elevation of a restored dental implant which utilizes a preformed abutment 21 with an external indexing feature and internal alignment feature.
[0027] FIG. 5B is top plan of a preformed abutment with an external indexing feature and alignment indexing feature.
[0028] FIG. 5C is a bottom plan of a preformed abutment.
[0029] FIG. 6A is a side elevation of a restored dental implant which utilizes a preformed abutment with two external indexing features 30 and internal alignment feature.
[0030] FIG. 6B is top plan of a preformed abutment with two external indexing features and internal alignment feature.
[0031] FIG. 6C is a bottom plan of a preformed abutment.
[0032] FIG. 7A is perspective view of a preformed abutment with an external indexing feature and internal alignment feature.
[0033] FIG. 7B is perspective view of a preformed abutment with two external indexing features and an internal alignment feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a restored dental implant 20 which utilizes a preformed abutment 21. As shown in FIG. 1, an appropriately sized abutment 21 will support and fit properly with a custom crown 22. Such a proper fit is ensured visually in this embodiment by the use of an external indexing feature 30 (in this case a tail bump) which enables a dental care provider to visually line up the crown 22 and abutment 21 within the mouth. The external indexing feature 30 is an elevational variance in the abutment margin 29 which mates with a complementary elevational variance on the crown margin 31. This alignment ensures a secure, flush, and proper fit between all components of the completed dental implant restoration 20.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the external indexing feature 30 extends from the top face of the abutment margin 29 towards a first end 27 and is accommodated by a correspondingly sized groove in the crown margin 31. The abutment margin 29 acts as a transition point between crown setting upper portion 24 of the abutment 21 and main body 25 of the abutment 21 and is the surface against which the crown margin 31 mates. The abutment margin 29 is located around the perimeter of the abutment 21. The abutment 21 also features a lower fixture setting portion 26 (located towards a second end 28) which enables the abutment 21, and crown 22, when attached, to be joined with a fixture (in this case a threaded portion 23).
[0036] The dental implant 20 is held within the jawbone of a patient via a threaded portion 23 which mates with the bottom of the abutment 21. It should be noted that the threaded portion 23 is the only portion of the complete dental implant 20 (comprised of the crown 22, abutment 21, and threaded portion 23) actually implanted within the jaw of a patient. The other portions sit upon this implanted threaded portion 23 when constructing the complete dental implant 20. The abutment 21, crown 22, and threaded portion 30 may be constructed of any materials appropriate for dental implantation including 3-D printed materials.
[0037] FIG. 2A is top plan view of a preformed abutment 21. As shown in FIG. 2A a preformed abutment 21 may have on the top face of the abutment margin 29 a number of external indexing features 30 (e.g., a single indicator 30 in FIG. 2A, two indicators 30 in FIG. 2B, and three indicators 30 in FIG. 2C). The abutment margin 29, in this example, is the area located at or near the furthest area from the center of the abutment 21 around the abutment's 21 midline perimeter.
[0038] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of a preformed abutment 21 featuring two external indexing features 30. As shown in FIG. 2B, the external indexing features 30 for this preformed abutment 21 are located parallel to one another in opposites locations around the abutment margin 29. The use of two external indexing features 30 may assist in ease of crown 22 fitting by both tactile response (e.g., more indicators to feel) and visual recognition (e.g., more indicators 30 to see).
[0039] FIG. 2C is a top plan view of a preformed abutment 21 featuring three external indexing features 30. As shown in FIG. 2B, the external indexing features 30 for this preformed abutment 21 are located equidistant to one another at locations around the abutment margin 29. The use of three external indexing features 30 may assist in ease of crown 22 fitting by both tactile response (e.g., more indicators to feel) and visual recognition (e.g., more indicators 30 to see).
[0040] FIG. 2D is a bottom plan view of a preformed abutment 21. As shown in FIG. 2D, the preformed abutment 21 is not limited to a particular platform and will be adapted to fit other existing dental implant platforms. The threaded portion 23 of the dental implant 20 shown in FIG. 1 is just one of many different platforms via which the abutment 21 (and crown 22) may be mounted within a patient's mouth.
[0041] It should be noted the external indexing features 30 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C are example embodiments of the external indexing features 30 possibly utilized by the present invention. The external indexing features 30 may be bumps extending from the top face of the abutment margin 29 as shown but can also be square or angular in shape or even grooves or divots in the top face of the abutment margin 29 (see FIG. 3B) or any other shape which enables easier alignment of crown 22 and abutment 21. It is contemplated that any visually identifiable topographical feature may be used for the external indexing features 30.
[0042] FIG. 3A is perspective view of a preformed abutment 21. As shown in FIG. 3A, the preformed abutment 21 may feature on its exterior one or more external indexing features 30 (in FIG. 3A a bump and FIG. 3B a divot or groove). The external indexing feature 30 in this example is a bump located on the abutment's 21 abutment margin 29. A crown 22 will fit over this abutment 21, with the external indexing feature 30 fitting into a correspondingly sized groove in the crown 22.
[0043] FIG. 3B is perspective view of a preformed abutment 21 with an alternative external indexing feature 30. As shown in FIG. 3B, the preformed abutment 21 may feature on its exterior one or more external indexing features 30. The external indexing feature 30 in this example is a divot or groove located on the abutment margin 29. A crown 22 will fit over this abutment 21, with the external indexing feature 30 being filled by a correspondingly sized bump along the crown margin 31.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of how an indexed margin crown abutment 21 may be used in the creation or restoration of a dental implant 20. As shown in FIG. 4, a system for matching a threaded portion 23 to an indexed margin stock abutment 21 and finally a custom crown 22 may feature a digital intraoral scanner which communicates with a computer. The digital scanner captures images information regarding a patient's teeth (step 41) via intraoral or physical impression scan. This information is then transmitted to the computer (which can be any sort of computing device including a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, server, etc.) and a virtual model is created. The virtual model can be used to determine which particular indexed margin crown abutment (e.g., abutment 21, etc.) to use for the patient's dental implant restoration 20 (step 42). Next, a custom-made crown 22 can be produced (step 43) via milling or 3-D printing; the crown 22 fitting the parameters of the abutment margin 29 and intraoral parameters captured by the system such as crown form occlusion and contacts. The custom-made crown 22 is then cemented into the patient's mouth (step 44). For traditional screw access hole crowns, cementation is done either extra-orally or intraorally with removal of the crown 22 required to inspect for excess oral cement. Alternatively, for non-screw hole crowns (e.g., those featuring index indicator(s) 30) crown cementation can be done intraorally, with the external indexing indicator(s) 30 ensuring a properly seated crown 22.
[0045] FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of a restored dental implant 20 which utilizes a preformed abutment 21 with an external indexing feature 30 and internal alignment feature 51. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the preformed abutment 21 features a wave-like shaped external indexing indicator 30. In this embodiment, proper seating of the crown portion 22 is also aided by an abutment alignment surface 51 (one example of an internal alignment feature 51). The abutment alignment surface 51 mates with a corresponding internal alignment surface 52 of the crown 22 to ensure proper fit of the crown 22 while also preventing rotation of crown 22 within the mouth of a patient. This dental implant 20 is affixed within such a patient's mouth via the threaded portion 23. Having both internal and external mating surfaces further promotes the proper alignment between the abutment 21 and the crown 22.
[0046] FIG. 5B is top plan view of a preformed abutment 21 with an external indexing feature 30 and internal alignment feature 51. As shown in FIG. 5B a preformed abutment 21 may have on the top face of the abutment margin 29 any number of external indexing features 30. The abutment margin 29, in this example, is the area located at or near the furthest area from the center of the abutment 21 around the abutment's 21 perimeter, which forms the ledge against the crown margin 31 fits.
[0047] FIG. 5C is a bottom plan view of a preformed abutment 21. The preformed abutment 21 is not limited to a particular platform and can be adapted to fit other existing dental implant platforms, fixtures, etc.
[0048] FIG. 6A is a side elevation view of a restored dental implant 20 which utilizes a preformed abutment 21 with two external indexing features 30 and internal alignment feature 51. As shown in FIG. 5A, the preformed abutment 21 may feature multiple external indexing indicators (in this case a bump and divot) which enables correct seating of the crown 22. In this embodiment, proper seating of the crown portion 22 is also aided by an abutment alignment surface 51. The abutment alignment surface 51 mates with a corresponding internal alignment surface 52 of the crown 22 to ensure proper fit of the crown while also preventing rotation of crown 22 within the mouth of a patient. This dental implant 20 is affixed to the fixture 23 within the patient's mouth.
[0049] FIG. 6B is top plan view of a preformed abutment 21 with two external indexing features 30 and internal alignment feature 51. As shown in FIG. 5B a preformed abutment 21 may have on the top face of the abutment margin 29 any number of external indexing features 30. In this example, the external indexing features 30 are located next to one another (a bump and divot).
[0050] FIG. 6C is a bottom plan view of a preformed abutment 21. The preformed abutment 21 is not limited to a particular platform and will be adapted to fit other existing dental implant platforms, fixtures, etc.
[0051] FIG. 7A is perspective view of a preformed abutment 21 with an external indexing feature 30 and internal alignment feature 51. As shown in FIG. 3A, the preformed abutment 21 may feature on its exterior one or more external indexing features 30. The external indexing feature 30 in this example is a marked change in elevation located on the abutment's 21 abutment margin 29. A crown 22 will fit over this abutment 21, with the external indexing feature 30 fitting into a correspondingly sized groove in the crown 22. The crown 22 will also feature a corresponding internal mating surface for the internal alignment feature 51 which further enables proper seating of the crown 22.
[0052] FIG. 7B is perspective view of a preformed abutment 21 with two external indexing features 30 and an internal alignment feature 51. As shown in FIG. 3B, the preformed abutment 21 may feature on its exterior one or more external indexing features 30. The external indexing feature 30 in this example is a divot and bump located next to one another on the abutment's 21 abutment margin 29. A crown 22 will fit over this abutment 21, with the external indexing features 30 matching up with complementary grooves, bumps, etc. on the crown 22. The crown 22 will also feature a corresponding internal mating surface for the internal alignment feature 51 which further enables proper seating of the crown 22.
[0053] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.
