GB2103092A

GB2103092A - Dental prosthesis element

Info

Publication number: GB2103092A
Application number: GB08121284A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Raworth Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-07-10
Filing date: 1981-07-10
Publication date: 1983-02-16
Also published as: GB2103092B

Abstract

A dental implant comprises a first portion (5) adapted to be retained in a jaw of a patient, and a second portion (8) extending from the first portion (5) and aligned therewith. The second portion (8) is provided with a slit (10) which extends over substantially its whole length. In use, the first portion (5) is inserted in the gum of a patient and the second portion (8) is then bent with respect to the first portion (5) about an axis defined by the end (11) of the slit. A tooth can then be formed on the second portion (8). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dental prosthesis element This invention relates to a dental prosthesis element. In current dental practice one method of providing dental prosthesis involves the use of implants. For example, where a tooth has been extracted and it is desired to provide the patient with an artificial replacement, what may be done is to place a metal implant into the bone of the jaw in the area left by the extraction of the tooth, so as to leave a portion of the implant protruding on the upper surface of the gum. An artificial tooth is then secured to the protruding portion of the implant.

One problem with the use of implants arises from the fact that, in the case of natural teeth, the teeth do not extend along a line bisecting the angle between the front and back surfaces of the gum. This can be seen from the sketch which constitutes Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. That Figure shows a gum 1 and a tooth 2. The Figure also shows a line 3 approximately bisecting the front and back surfaces of the gum, and a line 4 which indicates the general direction along which the tooth 2 extends. It will be seen that there is an angle c4 between the lines 3 and 4.

The portion of the dental implant which is embedded in the gum and jaw must extend approximately along the line 3. The implant must normally be straight when it is inserted, since otherwise it cannot be tapped in, tapping being the normal method of placing the implant into the jaw. Accordingly, the part of the implant which protrudes from the gum extends along line 3 rather than along line 4. When the artificial tooth is mounted on that protruding portion the front surface of the protruding portion might well be proud of the front surface of the tooth. To prevent this, what is sometimes done is known implants, is to bevel the front surface of the protruding portion, after the implant has been inserted in the jaw. This is an inconvenient and generally undesirable operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a dental implant which comprises a first portion adapted to be retained in a jaw of a patient, and a second portion extending from the first portion and aligned therewith, the second portion being provided with a slit which extends over substantially the whole length of the second portion.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1, as mentioned above, is a diagrammatic view showing a tooth and a portion of the gum and jaw; Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of an implant according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but taken at 900 thereto; and Figure 4 shows various cross-sections through the implant of Figures 2 and 3.

The implant illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 is formed from a single piece of metal rod, for example a rod of substantially pure titanium. The device comprises a first portion 5 having a pointed tip 6 and recesses 7. The portion 5 is designed to enter the jaw of a patient and be retained therein, and may have a shape other than the one illustrated. The implant further comprises a second portion 8 which is generally frusto conical in shape with a flat taper 9 formed on one side thereof. A slit 10, which extends completely through the cross-section of the second portion, runs over substantially the whole length of the second portion.

In use, the implant is tapped into the jaw of a patient, with the flat taper 9 being directed towards the inside of the mouth. The second portion 8 is left protruding from the gum. The portion 8 is then bent inwardly so that, as a result, although the portion 5 continues to lie along the line 3 indicated in Figure 1 the portion 8 extends generally along the line 4. The angle through which the portion 8 is bent can vary from case to case. The presence of the slit 10 provides for easy bending of the portion 8 with respect to the portion 5, and ensures that the bending takes place in the correct piane and about the correct axis, that axis being defined by the end 11 of the slit.

Various modifications may be made to the implant described above. For example, instead of making it of a single piece of material, the first and second portions may be separate components which are screwed together. This is illustrated by the dashed lines which can be seen in Figure 1 in the region where the first and second portions join one another.

The implants of the present invention are particularly useful for work in the upper anterior region of the jaw, i.e. from the eye teeth forwards, though they can be used elsewhere. It should aiso be noted that instead of using a single implant to support a single tooth, a plurality of implants could be inserted and used to support a partial or complete denture.

Claims

1. A dental implant which comprises a first portion adapted to be retained in a jaw of a patient, and a second portion extending from the first portion and aligned therewith, the second portion being provided with a slit which extends over substantially the whole length of the second portion.

2. A dental implant according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are integral with one another.

3. A dental implant according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are detachably secured to one another.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dental prosthesis element This invention relates to a dental prosthesis element. In current dental practice one method of providing dental prosthesis involves the use of implants. For example, where a tooth has been extracted and it is desired to provide the patient with an artificial replacement, what may be done is to place a metal implant into the bone of the jaw in the area left by the extraction of the tooth, so as to leave a portion of the implant protruding on the upper surface of the gum. An artificial tooth is then secured to the protruding portion of the implant. One problem with the use of implants arises from the fact that, in the case of natural teeth, the teeth do not extend along a line bisecting the angle between the front and back surfaces of the gum. This can be seen from the sketch which constitutes Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. That Figure shows a gum 1 and a tooth 2. The Figure also shows a line 3 approximately bisecting the front and back surfaces of the gum, and a line 4 which indicates the general direction along which the tooth 2 extends. It will be seen that there is an angle c4 between the lines 3 and 4. The portion of the dental implant which is embedded in the gum and jaw must extend approximately along the line 3. The implant must normally be straight when it is inserted, since otherwise it cannot be tapped in, tapping being the normal method of placing the implant into the jaw. Accordingly, the part of the implant which protrudes from the gum extends along line 3 rather than along line 4. When the artificial tooth is mounted on that protruding portion the front surface of the protruding portion might well be proud of the front surface of the tooth. To prevent this, what is sometimes done is known implants, is to bevel the front surface of the protruding portion, after the implant has been inserted in the jaw. This is an inconvenient and generally undesirable operation. According to the present invention there is provided a dental implant which comprises a first portion adapted to be retained in a jaw of a patient, and a second portion extending from the first portion and aligned therewith, the second portion being provided with a slit which extends over substantially the whole length of the second portion. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1, as mentioned above, is a diagrammatic view showing a tooth and a portion of the gum and jaw; Figure 2 is a side view of an embodiment of an implant according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but taken at 900 thereto; and Figure 4 shows various cross-sections through the implant of Figures 2 and 3. The implant illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 is formed from a single piece of metal rod, for example a rod of substantially pure titanium. The device comprises a first portion 5 having a pointed tip 6 and recesses 7. The portion 5 is designed to enter the jaw of a patient and be retained therein, and may have a shape other than the one illustrated. The implant further comprises a second portion 8 which is generally frusto conical in shape with a flat taper 9 formed on one side thereof. A slit 10, which extends completely through the cross-section of the second portion, runs over substantially the whole length of the second portion. In use, the implant is tapped into the jaw of a patient, with the flat taper 9 being directed towards the inside of the mouth. The second portion 8 is left protruding from the gum. The portion 8 is then bent inwardly so that, as a result, although the portion 5 continues to lie along the line 3 indicated in Figure 1 the portion 8 extends generally along the line 4. The angle through which the portion 8 is bent can vary from case to case. The presence of the slit 10 provides for easy bending of the portion 8 with respect to the portion 5, and ensures that the bending takes place in the correct piane and about the correct axis, that axis being defined by the end 11 of the slit. Various modifications may be made to the implant described above. For example, instead of making it of a single piece of material, the first and second portions may be separate components which are screwed together. This is illustrated by the dashed lines which can be seen in Figure 1 in the region where the first and second portions join one another. The implants of the present invention are particularly useful for work in the upper anterior region of the jaw, i.e. from the eye teeth forwards, though they can be used elsewhere. It should aiso be noted that instead of using a single implant to support a single tooth, a plurality of implants could be inserted and used to support a partial or complete denture. Claims

4. A dental implant according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion is generally frusto-conical in shape with a flat taper formed on one side thereof.

5. A dental implant substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.