GB2578426A

GB2578426A - Dental surgery apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2578426A
Application number: GB1815876.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chynybekov Nazar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-28
Filing date: 2018-09-28
Publication date: 2020-05-13

Abstract

A dental surgery apparatus comprises a drill 101 and a plurality of attachable sleeves (201, 702, 802). The drill has a shaft 102 comprising a working portion 104 and a fitting portion 105 which engages with a dental handpiece 106 and being provided with a positioning collar 109. Each sleeve (201, Fig 2) has a body (202, Fig 2) defining a passageway therethrough allowing the sleeve and drill to be assembled such that the sleeve and drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation (302, Fig 3). The passageway of each sleeve is provided with an internal abutment flange which co-operates with the positioning collar to define a relative position of the sleeve along the drill. The body is also provided with a sleeve shoulder (205, Fig 2) between an insertion portion (206, Fig 2) and an extension portion (207, Fig 2). The insertion portion is dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture (601, Fig 6) of a dental implant surgical guide (602, Fig 6) and the shoulder is dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture. Different sleeves can be used in different phases of drilling a socket for a dental implant, to systematically increase the diameter/depth of the socket. The collar may be attached to a standard drill to allow the said plurality of sleeves to be attached thereto.

Description

DENTAL SURGERY APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dental surgery apparatus, in particular to dental surgery apparatus for use in dental implant surgery.

Background of the Invention

Dental implant surgery is a procedure for replacing a damaged or missing tooth with an artificial tooth. When compared to conventional bridges or dentures, dental implants are often favoured for more closely achieving the aesthetic and structural qualities of natural teeth.

A dental implant is a surgical component that is fitted into the jaw to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown or bridge. A dental implant has a lower part, known as a fixture or post, that is inserted into the bone, and an upper part, known as an abutment or post extension, to which a dental prosthesis can be secured. Typically, the fixture is screwed into place within the jaw bone and a dental prosthesis is later fixed to the abutment The biological process of osseointegration is utilised to form a secure, load-bearing bond between the fixture and the bone. The fixture and abutment parts of a dental implant may be made from the same or different materials.

The precise placement of the fixture of a dental implant in the jaw bone is important to achieve a properly aligned fitting of the dental prosthesis and to prevent the patient from experiencing avoidable discomfort.

Increasingly, software applications are used in conjunction with images of the oral cavity of the patient, such as X-ray or CT scan images, to determine a desired location and orientation for a dental implant Such a software application may also be utilised to design a surgical guide for use when drilling into the jaw to form the bony socket that the dental implant will be placed into.

A known type of surgical guide takes the form of a rigid body comprising a bridge portion disposed between a pair of mounting portions, the mounting portions removably mountable to teeth either side of the drill site and the bridge portion defining a guide aperture for guiding a drill to approach the drill site at a desired angle.

It is desirable to provide dental surgery apparatus that facilitates the expeditious and accurate positioning of the drilled hole into which a dental implant is to be sited and to facilitate correct installation of a dental prosthesis within the mouth of the patient

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided dental surgery apparatus for use with a dental handpiece and a dental implant surgical guide, comprising: a drill, and a plurality of sleeves; said drill and each of said plurality of sleeves having an axial direction, said drill having a shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar, and each of said plurality of sleeves having a body defining a passageway therethrough, extending in the axial direction, to allow the sleeve to be assembled with the drill into an assembly in which the drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, the passageway of each sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange co-operable with the positioning collar of the drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the drill in the axial direction when the sleeve is assembled with the drill, and the body of each sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide and the sleeve shoulder dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide.

The drill may be a standard drill to which the positioning collar is attached. Providing the working portion of a standard drill with the positioning collar advantageously avoids problems associated with increasing the drill length.

The dental surgery apparatus may be configured such that, when each of said plurality of sleeves is assembled with the drill, the sleeve is rotatable around the drill.

The dental surgery apparatus may be configured such that, when each of the sleeves is assembled with the drill and the drill is engaged with a dental handpiece, the extension portion of the sleeve borders the dental handpiece.

In an example, the plurality of sleeves comprises: a first sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a first length and an extension portion comprising a second length; and a second sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a third length and an extension portion having a fourth length, the third length the same as said first length and the fourth length different from said second length.

In another example, the plurality of sleeves comprises: a first sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a first length and an extension portion comprising a second length; and a second sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a third length and an extension portion having a fourth length, the third length the same as said first length and the fourth length different from said second length, and a third sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a fifth length and an extension portion having a sixth length, the fifth length the same as said first length and the sixth length different from said second length and from said fourth length.

The positioning collar may be fabricated from a metal material or from a plastics material.

The positioning collar may be attached to the drill by one of: a welding process, adhesive, a mechanical fixing.

The plurality of sleeves may comprise at least one sleeve that is fabricated from a metal material and/or fabricated from a plastics material.

The plurality of sleeves may comprise at least one sleeve that is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

In an example, the dental surgery apparatus comprises a second drill having an axial direction and having a shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar; and each of said plurality of sleeves is assemblable with the second drill into an assembly in which the second drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the second drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and the internal abutment flange co-operates with the positioning collar of the second drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the second drill in the axial direction.

According to a second aspect there is provided a drill for use in the dental surgery apparatus of the first aspect, the drill having a shaft extending in an axial direction of the drill, the shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar.

According to a third aspect there is provided a drill for use in the dental surgery apparatus of the first aspect, the sleeve defining a passageway therethrough extending in an axial direction of the sleeve, the passageway of the sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange and the sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide.

According to a third aspect there is provided a method of producing the drill of the second aspect, comprising the steps of: receiving a standard drill having a fitting portion and a working portion; receiving a collar attachable to the standard drill; and attaching the collar to the standard drill at a position within the fitting portion of the standard drill.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided apparatus for use in producing the dental surgery apparatus of the first aspect, comprising: at least one collar attachable to a standard drill having a fitting portion and a working portion; and a plurality of sleeves; each sleeve having a body defining a passageway therethrough, extending in an axial direction, to allow the sleeve to be assembled with a standard drill to which a said collar has been attached into an assembly in which the standard drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the standard drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, the passageway of each sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange co-operable with a said collar when attached to a standard drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the standard drill in the axial direction when the sleeve is assembled therewith, and the body of each sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide and the sleeve shoulder dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide.

The invention can beneficially be used with a drill provided with a standard drilling kit The invention enables a stepped drilling approach, where required depth is achieved by staged drilling and levelling.

The invention provides a sleeve for a drill that can rotate together with the drill when drilling is being performed at a planned angle and that can cease rotation if drilling is being performed with an angular deviation from the planned angle. In this way, the sleeve can provide feedback as to whether the drill is being held at a desired orientation. This feature also therefore serves to ensure conformity of the actual surgery with the planned surgery.

The sleeves can be made from any suitable materials including materials from which the sleeve can be made using an additive manufacturing process.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a drill removably engaged with a dental handpiece; Figure 2 shows a sleeve; Figure 3 shows the sleeve of Figure 2 assembled with the drill of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows another view of the assembly of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows the assembly of Figure 3, with the drill engaged with a dental handpiece; Figure 6 shows the assembly and dental handpiece of Figure 5, with a view of a surgical guide arranged within the mouth of a patient; Figure 7 shows a first assembly comprising the drill of Figure 1 and a first sleeve; Figure 8 shows a second assembly comprising the drill of Figure 1 and a second sleeve; Figure 9 shows a third assembly comprising the drill of Figure 1 and a third sleeve; Figure 10 shows steps in an example method in which an assembly of a drill and sleeve of dental surgery apparatus is usable.

Description

Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus, systems and/or processes described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims.

A drill 101 is shown in Figure I. Drill 101 has an axial direction A, and a radial direction R. The drill has a shaft 102, which has a length 103 in the axial direction A. The shaft 102 of the drill 101 comprises a working portion 104 and a fitting portion 105. The fitting portion 105 of the shaft 102 is dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece. The working portion 104 may be configured to perform any suitable function, for example, bone removal, shaping or finishing, or implant driving.

In this Figure, the drill 101 is shown removably engaged with a dental handpiece 106. It can be seen that a fitting end 107 of the fitting portion 105 is disengagedly held within the dental handpiece 102. The working portion 104 provides a leading end 108 of the drill 101. The fitting end 107 may be any suitable type of end, for example a latch-grip end or a friction-fit end, for use with any suitable type of handpiece.

Advantageously, the fitting portion 105 of the drill 101 is provided with a positioning collar 109. The purpose of this feature will be described in detail below.

The positioning collar 109 may have any suitable shape. According to the illustrated example, the positioning collar 109 extends entirely around the shank 102 of the drill 101.

In this embodiment, the position of the positioning collar 109 along the drill, in the axial direction A, is fixed.

In this embodiment, the positioning collar 109 is provided as a retrofittable component, which is fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials and is secured to the fitting portion 105 of the shank 102 of the drill 101 in any suitable way.

Advantageously, the drill 101 may consist of a standard drill to which a positioning collar 109 is attached. The drill may be made from any suitable material or combination of materials.

It is to be appreciated that using a standard drill with a positioning collar within the fitting portion of the standard drill beneficially avoids increasing the length of the drill, which therefore overcomes the problem of adding extra length to the drill that can impede use of the drill within the mouth of a patient With this approach, the dental professional can continue using drills that they are familiar with. The requirement for special drills is thus obviated.

In an example, the positioning collar108 is fabricated from a metal material. In an example, the positioning collar108 secured to the drill 101 by a welding process, for example a laser welding process. In an example, the positioning collar108 secured to the drill 101 by adhesive. In an example, the positioning collar108 secured to the drill 101 by a mechanical fixing, for example a screw.

A sleeve 201 is shown in Figure 2. Sleeve 201 has an axial direction A, and a radial direction R. The sleeve 201 has a body 202 which has a length 203 in the axial direction A. The body 202 of the sleeve 201 defines a passageway therethrough, indicated generally at 204, extending in the axial direction A. Referring now also to Figures 3 & 4, and as will be described in further detail below, the passageway 204 allows the sleeve 201 of Figure 2 to be assembled with the drill 101 of Figure I into an assembly 301, shown in Figure 3, in which the drill 101 extends through the passageway 204 of the sleeve 201 and the sleeve 201 and the drill 101 are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, indicated at 302.

As illustrated, the passageway 204 of the sleeve 201 is provided with an internal abutment flange 303 co-operable with the positioning collar 109 of the drill 101 to define a relative position of the sleeve 201 along the drill 101 in the axial direction A when the sleeve 201 is assembled with the drill 101.

In an embodiment, the sleeve 201 and drill 101 can be assembled by sliding the sleeve 201 over the drill 101 or conversely by sliding the drill 101 through the sleeve 201.

In this embodiment, in the assembly 301, the internal abutment flange 303 of the sleeve 201 rests upon positioning collar 109 of the drill 101. In other words, when the assembly 301 is held in an orientation in which the fitting end 108 is vertically above the leading end 107, the internal abutment flange 303 of the sleeve 201 is seated upon the positioning collar 109 of the drill 101.

In this embodiment, when the sleeve 201 is assembled with the drill 101, the sleeve 201 is rotatable around the drill 101. In an example, the sleeve 201 is freely rotatable around the drill 101.

Referring again to Figure 2, and as will be described in further detail below, the body 202 of the sleeve 201 is provided with a sleeve shoulder 205 between an insertion portion 206 and an extension portion 207. The insertion portion 206 is dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide (not shown in this Figure) and the sleeve shoulder 205 is dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide. Conventionally, the internal profile of an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide (not shown in this Figure) is that of the interior of a hollow circular cylinder.

It can be seen from Figures 3 & 4 that when the sleeve 201 and the drill 101 are assembled, both the fitting end 107 of the fitting portion 105 and the leading end 108 of the working portion104 are uncovered by the sleeve 201. However, a length 304 of the working portion 104 is covered by the sleeve 201.

The insertion portion 206 and extension portion 207 of the sleeve 201 may each have any suitable external profile and any suitable internal profile.

Referring now to Figure 4, according to this illustrated embodiment, the insertion portion 206 of sleeve 201 is formed as a hollow circular cylinder. Therefore, taking a cross-section in the direction indicated B-B through the insertion portion 206, both the external profile, and also the internal profile, thereof has a circular shape. However, taking a cross-section in the direction indicated B-B through the extension portion 207, the external profile thereof has a rounded-end rectangular shape.

According to this present embodiment, and as shown in Figure 5 & 6, when the sleeve 201 and the drill 101 are assembled into the assembly 301, and the drill 101 is engaged with a dental handpiece 201, the extension portion 207 of the sleeve 201 borders the dental handpiece 106.

As mentioned previously, the drill 101 has a working portion104, which terminates with leading end 107. The maximum cutting depth associated with using sleeve 201 on drill 101 is indicated at 501. This maximum cutting depth 501 represents the distance between the leading end 107 of the working portion104 and the sleeve shoulder 205 of the sleeve 201. The maximum cutting depth 501 therefore includes the depth of the insertion portion 206; in use, the insertion portion 206 can be inserted into an aperture 601 of a dental implant surgical guide 602 until the sleeve shoulder 205 contacts the top of the dental implant surgical guide 602 and stops further travel of the drill 101 through the dental implant surgical guide 602 in a forward direction, indicated by arrow 603.

As also mentioned previously, when the sleeve 201 and the drill 101 are assembled, a length 304 of the working portion 104 is covered by the sleeve 201. This length 304 also includes the depth of the insertion portion 206. The remainder 502 of the length 304 of the working portion 104 that is covered by the sleeve 201 is covered by the extension portion 207.

Referring specifically now to Figure 6, the cortical bone of a patient is indicated at 604, the implant neck is indicated at 605, the implant height is indicated at 606, the height from the implant neck to the top of the surgical guide is indicated at 607, and the height from the bottom of the implant socket to the top of the surgical guide is indicated at 608.

When the sleeve 201 and the drill 101 are assembled, the assembly 301 is releasably engageable with a handpiece. In use, the leading end 108 is inserted into the aperture 601 of the surgical guide 602 and moved in the forward direction 603. Insertion of the drill 101 into the surgical guide 602 continues until a point is reached at which the sleeve 201 also enters the aperture 601 of the surgical guide 602. As mentioned previously, the sleeve 201 is rotatable around the drill 101. When the drill 101 is rotating, the sleeve 201 also rotates. Beneficially, the sleeve 201 rotating when inserted at least partially within the aperture 601 of the surgical guide 602 indicates to the operator of the handpiece that the drill 101 is being held at a desired orientation. It is to be understood that the aperture 601 of the surgical guide 602 extends at a predetermined angle for guiding the drill 101 at a pre-planned angle towards the jaw bone of the patient Thus, when the assembly 301 is being advanced through the surgical guide 602 in the forward direction 603, non-rotation of the sleeve 201 within the aperture 601 indicates a deviation of the angle of the drill 601 from the desired angle and that an adjustment by the operator is therefore required to be made.

According to an aspect, there is provided dental surgery apparatus comprising a drill as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 and a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve as described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The plurality of sleeves may comprise two of more sleeves.

Figure 7 shows an assembly 701 comprising drill 101 and a sleeve 702, which is similar to sleeve 201 and has an insertion portion 703 having a length 704 and an extension portion 705 having a length 706. The assembly 701 has an associated maximum cutting depth indicated at 707.

Figure 8 shows a second assembly 801 comprising drill 101 and a sleeve 802, which is similar to sleeve 201 and has an insertion portion 803 having a length 804 and an extension portion 805 having a length 806. The assembly 801 has an associated maximum cutting depth indicated at 807.

Figure 9 shows a third assembly 901 comprising drill 101 and a sleeve 902, which is similar to sleeve 201 and has an insertion portion 903 having a length 904 and an extension portion 905 having a length 906. The assembly 901 has an associated maximum cutting depth indicated at 907.

In the first second and third assemblies 701, 801, 901 of Figures 7, 8 & 9 respectively: - The length 704 of the insertion portion 703 of sleeve 702 is the same as the length 804 of the insertion portion 803 of sleeve 802, and the length 804 of the insertion portion 803 of sleeve 802 is the same as the length 904 of the insertion portion 903 of sleeve 902.

- The length 706 of the extension portion 705 of sleeve 702 is greater than the length 806 of the extension portion 805 of sleeve 802, and the length 806 of the extension portion 805 of sleeve 802 is greater than the length 906 of the extension portion 905 of sleeve 902.

- The associated maximum cutting depth 707 of the sleeve 702 is less than the associated maximum cutting depth 807 of sleeve 802, and the associated maximum cutting depth 807 of sleeve 802 is less than the associated maximum cutting depth 907 of the sleeve 902.

Therefore, when the sleeves 702, 802, 904 are individually assembled with the same drill 101, with the length 704, 804, 904 of the insertion portions 703, 803, 903 being the same, the longer the extension portion 705, 805, 905, the shorter the associated maximum cutting depth 707, 807, 907.

The apparatus of the present invention enables a maximum cutting depth to be quickly and simply adjusted by exchanging the sleeve used on the drill.

It is to be appreciated that not only may different sleeves be usable on a particular drill, which will have a working portion having a specific length and diameter, but that a particular sleeve may be usable on different drills, which may have cutting portions having different specific lengths and/or diameters.

Use of dental surgical apparatus as disclosed herein will now be described with reference to Figure 10, which illustrates steps in an example method 1001.

Method 1001 comprises steps in a method of dental implant surgery.

In preparation for performing surgery on the mouth of a patient, a dental implant surgical guide is designed and produced. The dental implant surgical guide defines an aperture therethrough, which is oriented at a desired angle of approach for a dental drill being advanced towards the jaw bone of the patient.

Appropriate equipment, including a plurality of drills, each drill as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve as described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, and a suitable handpiece, is also made available for use by the dental professional. The plurality of drills includes a bone leveller, which is used to level crestal bone, and an implant driver, which is used to place a dental implant into a pre-drilled hole.

At step 1002, a qualified user positions the dental implant surgical guide at the intended position within the mouth of the patient and then levels the surface of the cortical bone using a first assembly 1003 comprising a first sleeve 1004 assembled with a bone leveller 1005. The maximum drilling depth associated with the first assembly 1003 is indicated at 1006. This represents the height from the implant neck to the top of the surgical guide.

The operator can then perform a drilling stage to produce the implant socket At step 1003, an initial drilling phase is performed using a second assembly 1008 comprising a second sleeve 1009 assembled with a drill 1010. The maximum drilling depth associated with the second assembly 1008 is indicated at 1011.

At step 1012, a subsequent drilling phase is performed using a third assembly 1013 comprising a third sleeve 1014 assembled with drill 1010. The maximum drilling depth associated with the third assembly 1013 is indicated at 1014. From comparison of the third assembly 1013 with the second assembly 1008, it can be seen that exchanging the second sleeve 1009 with the third sleeve 1014 increases the maximum depth that the drill 1010 can be advanced to through the surgical guide.

At step 1016, a further subsequent drilling phase is performed using a fourth assembly 1017 comprising a fourth sleeve 1018 assembled with drill 1010. The maximum drilling depth associated with the fourth assembly 1017 is indicated at 1019. From comparison of the fourth assembly 1017 with the third assembly 1013, it can be seen that exchanging the third sleeve 1014 for the fourth sleeve 1018 again increases the maximum depth that the drill 1010 can be advanced to through the surgical guide.

Thus, using the second, third and fourth sleeves 1009, 1014, 1018 sequentially with drill 1010 provides for a stepped progression of the drilling of the implant socket During each of the drilling phases, if the sleeve stops rotating within the aperture of the surgical guide, this provides feedback to the operator that the drill is not oriented at the planned angle and that an angular adjustment should be made to ensure that the socket is being drilled at the planned position. These features of the dental surgery apparatus disclosed herein serve to improve the accuracy and safety of the surgery.

Referring now to Figure 6 also, at the close of a drilling phase, before withdrawing the sleeve 201 from the aperture 602 of the dental implant surgical guide 601, the user can rest the sleeve shoulder 205 on the top surface 609 of the dental implant surgical guide 601 so that the drill 101 can self-level by adjusting to the intended drilling direction, indicated by arrow 610. Importantly, this action serves to ensure the that drilling is progressing along the planned drilling path. Therefore, the sleeve can be used at distinct points during the procedure to ensure compliance with the planned surgery.

It is to be appreciated that following completion of steps 1007 to 1009, the dental professional may change drill 1010 to another drill having a working portion with a greater diameter and then may use one or more of the plurality of sleeves in further drilling to increase the diameter of the socket A sleeve used in any of steps 1007 to 1009, for example sleeve 1018, may be used in the further drilling. Alternatively, a different sleeve may be used, for example to also allow the depth of the socket to be increased.

It is to be understood that a drilling stage, during which a particular drill is used, may comprise one or more drilling phases, with a different sleeve being used with the drill in each phase of a plurality of drilling phases of the drilling stage.

It is further to be understood that any suitable number of drilling stages, with a particular drill being used in each drilling stage, each drilling stage comprising any suitable number of drilling phases, with, when the drilling stage comprises more than one drilling phase, a different sleeve being used with the drill in each of the plurality of drilling phases, may be performed to drill a socket having a particular diameter and a particular depth.

When the socket has been drilled, the dental implant may be fitted into it.

At step 1020, an implant fitting stage is performed using a fifth assembly 1021 comprising a fifth sleeve 1022 assembled with an implant driver 1023. The dental implant 1024 is also shown. The maximum fitting depth associated with the fifth assembly 1021 is indicated at 1025.

In an example, at step 1020, the fourth sleeve 1018 of the fourth assembly 1017 is used as the fifth sleeve 1022 of the fifth assembly 1021.

Thus, the sleeves of the dental surgery apparatus disclosed herein can be used with drills that have different functions.

It is to be appreciated that the dental surgical apparatus disclosed herein may be used with any suitable type of handpiece and any suitable type of surgical guide.

According to an aspect, there is provided dental surgery apparatus comprising at least one drill as described with reference to Figures I to 6 and a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve as described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, and a surgical guide defining an aperture therethrough within which the insertion portion of each of the plurality of sleeves is receivable.

According to another aspect, there is provided apparatus for use in producing the dental surgery apparatus comprising: at least one collar attachable to a standard drill having a fitting portion and a working portion; and a plurality of sleeves; each sleeve having a body defining a passageway therethrough, extending in an axial direction, to allow the sleeve to be assembled with a standard drill to which a said collar has been attached into an assembly in which the standard drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the standard drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, the passageway of each sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange co-operable with a said collar when attached to a standard drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the standard drill in the axial direction when the sleeve is assembled therewith, and the body of each sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide and the sleeve shoulder dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide.

According to a further aspect, there is provided dental surgery apparatus comprising at least one drill as described with reference to Figures I to 6 and a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve as described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, a surgical guide defining an aperture therethrough within which the insertion portion of each of the plurality of sleeves is receivable, and a handpiece with which the drill is removably engageable.

It is to be noted that, at the time of the invention, ISO standard 1791-1 Dentistry -Shanks for rotary instruments provides a definition of a 'fitting length' or 'fitting portion' of the shank of a drill.

The dental surgery apparatus disclosed herein facilitates the expeditious and accurate positioning of the drilled hole into which a dental implant is to be sited and facilitates correct installation of a dental prosthesis within the mouth of the patient Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and/or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims I. Dental surgery apparatus for use with a dental handpiece and a dental implant surgical guide, comprising: a drill, and a plurality of sleeves; said drill and each of said plurality of sleeves having an axial direction, said drill having a shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar, and each of said plurality of sleeves having a body defining a passageway therethrough, extending in the axial direction, to allow the sleeve to be assembled with the drill into an assembly in which the drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, the passageway of each sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange co-operable with the positioning collar of the drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the drill in the axial direction when the sleeve is assembled with the drill, and the body of each sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide and the sleeve shoulder dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide.
2. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in claim 1, configured such that, when each of said plurality of sleeves is assembled with said drill, the sleeve is rotatable around the drill.
3. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in claim I or claim 2, configured such that, when each of said plurality of sleeves is assembled with said drill and said drill is engaged with a dental handpiece, the extension portion of the sleeve borders the dental handpiece.
4. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises: a first sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a first length and an extension portion comprising a second length; and a second sleeve comprising an insertion portion having a third length and an extension portion having a fourth length, the third length the same as said first length and the fourth length different from said second length.
5. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said positioning collar is fabricated from a metal material.
6. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said positioning collar is fabricated from a plastics material.
7. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said positioning collar is secured to said drill by one of: a welding process, adhesive, a mechanical fixing.
8. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises at least one sleeve that is fabricated from a metal material.
9. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises at least one sleeve that is fabricated from a plastics material.
10. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said plurality of sleeves comprising at least one sleeve that is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.I
I. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, comprising a second drill having an axial direction and having a shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar; and each of said plurality of sleeves is assemblable with the second drill into an assembly in which the second drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the second drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and the internal abutment flange co-operates with the positioning collar of the second drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the second drill in the axial direction.
12. A drill for use in the dental surgery apparatus of claim 1, the drill having a shaft extending in an axial direction of the drill, the shaft comprising a working portion and a fitting portion, the fitting portion dimensioned to be engaged with a dental handpiece, and the fitting portion provided with a positioning collar.
13. A sleeve for use in the dental surgery apparatus of claim 1, the sleeve defining a passageway therethrough extending in an axial direction of the sleeve, the passageway of the sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange and the sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide.
14. A method of producing the drill of claim 11, comprising the steps of: receiving a standard drill having a fitting portion and a working portion; receiving a collar attachable to the standard drill; and attaching the collar to the standard drill at a position within the fitting portion of the standard drill.
15. Apparatus for use in producing the dental surgery apparatus of claim 1, comprising: at least one collar attachable to a standard drill having a fitting portion and a working portion; and a plurality of sleeves; each sleeve having a body defining a passageway therethrough, extending in an axial direction, to allow the sleeve to be assembled with a standard drill to which a said collar has been secured into an assembly in which the standard drill extends through the passageway of the sleeve and the sleeve and the standard drill are rotatable about a common axis of rotation, the passageway of each sleeve provided with an internal abutment flange co-operable with a said collar when secured to a standard drill to define a relative position of the sleeve along the standard drill in the axial direction when the sleeve is assembled therewith, and the body of each sleeve provided with a sleeve shoulder between an insertion portion and an extension portion, the insertion portion dimensioned to be inserted into an aperture of a dental implant surgical guide and the sleeve shoulder dimensioned to limit the extent of insertion of the sleeve into the aperture of the dental implant surgical guide.