WO2003088862A1

WO2003088862A1 - Dental implant and method of implanting the same

Info

Publication number: WO2003088862A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Choong-Hyun Jung
Original assignee: Choong-Hyun Jung
Priority date: 2002-04-22
Filing date: 2003-04-22
Publication date: 2003-10-30
Also published as: AU2003222490A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental implant and a method of implanting the same, and more particularly to a dental implant that can be quickly implanted and firmly supported, to a dental implant for correcting an abutment outside a patient's oral cavity and for producing artificial teeth and to a method of implanting the dental implant. To this end, the present invention is characterized by comprising a fixture having a body on one side of the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed to be coupled to bony tissue, and a fixing portion formed on one side of lower portion of the body and fixed by the bonding material filling the space into which the dental implant is inserted. The present invention is also characterized by comprising a fixture on one side of which an open abutment coupling hole is formed and on the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed to be mechanically coupled to the bony tissue, and an abutment to be inserted into the abutment coupling hole and to be fixed by the bonding material to support an artificial tooth.

Description

DENTAL IMPLANT AND METHOD OF IMPLANTING THE SAME

Technical Field The present invention relates to a dental implant^' and a method of implanting the same, and more particularly to a dental implant that can be quickly implanted and firmly supported, to a dental implant that allows an abutment to be corrected outside a patient's oral cavity and then artificial teeth to be produced and to a method of implanting the same.

Background Art

A dental implant means a substitute of a natural tooth lost or an operation of attaching a metal to a jaw and then fixing an artificial tooth thereonto.

Conventionally, if one or more teeth are lost, neighboring teeth are generally cut off to make a fixed artificial tooth or to use a removable partially artificial tooth or a completely artificial tooth. However, the above prior art method has disadvantages that bones may be absorbed, good appearance cannot be achieved and artificial teeth may be separated in some cases.

Dental implants that overcome the aforementioned disadvantages are increasingly used. Conventional dental implants include a screw-type implant, a cylindrical implant, a blade-type implant, etc., and the screw-type implant is most widely used.

Fig.12 is a perspective view of a conventional dental implant.

As shown in Fig.12, the conventional dental implant consists of an artificial root of tooth 10 and a connecting post 20. The artificial root of tooth 10 is inserted into bony tissue to support the post and stabilization thereof in the bony tissue depends on the following elements.

First, the bony tissue connector is stabilized in the dental implant and bony tissue (encapsulation with connective tissue), and second, the bony tissue is directly anchored to the dental implant (direct bone anchorage). The direct anchorage of the bony tissue and the dental implant is referred to as osseointegration.

Since a tooth should sufficiently be supported against the pressure resulting from chewing food, one of the most important points in implanting a dental implant is firm osseointegration between the artificial root of tooth and bony tissue. Accordingly, in order to achieve firm osseointegration between the artificial root of tooth 10 and the bony tissue, the surface area of the artificial root of tooth 10 is made large.

Through the TPS (Titanium Plasma Spray) coating method and the SLA (Sandblasted Large grid Acid etched) surface-treatment method, the surface area of the artificial root of tooth 10 can be expanded as shown in Fig.7.

As described above, when using a conventional dental implant, the surface area of the artificial root of tooth 10 that meets bony tissue is widened or the artificial root of tooth 10 is made long and thick so that the artificial root of tooth 10 can be stably implanted in the bony tissue. Therefore, since the artificial root of tooth 10 used in conventional dental implanting is long and thick and must thus be inserted into bony tissue wide and deep, a lot of bony tissue is damaged.

There is also a limit in widening the contact area for improving the osseointegration. The part where the conventional dental implant is supported is cortical bones where bony tissue densely exists, but the conventional dental implant is inserted into the cortical bones and also into bone marrow where bony tissue sparsely exists. Therefore, the supporting capability is considerably reduced from the part below the cortical bones, resulting in the state that the supporting capability is concentrated only on the cortical bones.

Also, the artificial root of tooth 10 in the dental implant is formed to be the shape of ' — ', and a screw portion is formed on the outer surface of the artificial root of tooth 10, so that the artificial root of tooth 10 can be inserted and fixed into the bony tissue in a screwing manner. Therefore, when a lateral pressure, not a vertical pressure, is applied to the dental implant, the portion of osseointegration is damaged, resulting in the state that the dental implant loses the supporting capability. Therefore it is required to solve the problem. Also, when operating a patient, using the conventional dental implant, the operation requires long time.

Fig.13 shows the dental implant of Fig.12 in use.

As shown in Fig.13, the conventional dental implant is implanted through the following three steps. That is, the process of implanting the conventional dental implant comprises: step 1 of opening soft tissue, subsequently inserting the artificial root of tooth 10 into bony tissue and then covering the soft tissue; step 2 of opening the soft tissue again and then connecting the connecting post 20 to the artificial root of tooth 10; and step 3 of equipping an artificial tooth A onto the connecting post 20.

In step 1, however, approximately four months must elapse disadvantageous^ for a tooth in a lower jaw and approximately six months for a tooth in an upper jaw until the artificial root of tooth 10 can coalesce with bony tissue. Fig.14 is a front sectional view of the conventional dental implant.

As shown in Fig.14, the conventional dental implant comprises a fixture 100' and an abutment 160' screwed with and fixed into the fixture 100'.

Since the conventional dental implant has a structure that the fixture 100' and the abutment 160' are screwed, implanting the conventional dental implant follows the process described below.

In step 1 (si 00), the fixture 100' is mechanically coupled to and implanted into bony tissue.

In step 2 (s200), the female screw 130' formed on the inner surface of the fixture 100' is screwed with the male screw 170' formed on the outer surface of the abutment 160'. In step 3 (s300), the abutment 160' is complementarily cut and corrected to conform to the structure of the patient's oral cavity and an insertion angle.

In step 4 (s400), an impression is taken while the abutment 160' is equipped.

In step 5 (s500), an artificial tooth is produced on the basis of the taken impression in a dental laboratory. In step 6 (s600), the artificial tooth produced in the dental laboratory is equipped onto the abutment 160' inserted into the fixture 100'.

As described above, when the artificial tooth is equipped by implanting a conventional dental implant, the abutment 160' must be complementarily cut in the patient's oral cavity, so that the patient feels very uncomfortable, uneasy and even scared.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention, devised to solve the aforementioned problems, to provide a dental implant that can be quickly implanted.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dental implant that can be firmly supported against a lateral pressure as well as a vertical pressure.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dental implant which is in inverse triangle shape to allow forces to be dispersed and which can be very stably and firmly supported. It is still another object of the invention to provide a dental implant by which less bony tissue is damaged.

It is an object of the invention, devised to solve the aforementioned problems, to provide a dental implant for correcting an abutment outside a patient's oral cavity and then producing an artificial tooth, and to provide a method of implanting the same.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dental implant that can be correctly inserted into a predetermined location of a fixture implanted in a patient's oral cavity even though an abutment is corrected outside the patient's oral cavity and an artificial tooth is then produced. It is still another object of the invention to provide a dental implant for which the fixture and the abutment are strongly coupled and supported, and to provide a method of implanting the same.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, the dental implant according to the invention comprises: a body on one part of the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed and mechanically coupled to bony tissue; and a fixing portion which is formed on one lower side of the body and is fixed by a bonding material filling an insertion space into which the dental implant is inserted. On one side of the body, a stopper may be formed so that the fixture may not go down below the bony tissue.

The body comprises a bony tissue coupling portion that is coupled to the bony tissue by means of the first male screw formed on one side of the body; and a soft tissue coupling portion formed on top of the bony tissue coupling portion, and formed to be wide toward the top for close coupling to soft tissue, the body further comprising a dental corona connecting portion formed on top of the soft tissue coupling portion and exposed toward the outside for direct coupling to the dental corona. An abutment coupling hole, on the inner surface of which a first female screw is formed, is formed inside the body so that the abutment to be coupled to the dental corona can be coupled to the body.

The fixing portion comprises a coupling portion extended in a vertical direction to the space into which the dental implant is inserted, and an enhancing portion projecting on the lower portion of the coupling portion and for enhancing the coupling capability to the bonding material filling the insertion space. The coupling portion may be formed to be angular or formed with a screw on its outer surface in order to enhance coupling capability to the bonding material. On one side of the coupling portion, one or more through holes that penetrate the coupling portion may be formed in order to enhance the coupling capability to the bonding material.

The dental implant according to the invention may further comprise an auxiliary fixture that is inserted into one side of the space, is coupled to the bonding material filling the insertion space, disperses the vertical pressure concentrated on the fixture and improves the coupling capability.

The auxiliary fixture comprises a head to be located outside bony tissue, a trunk extended from the lower end of the head and formed with a second male screw on its outer surface so as to be easily inserted into the bony tissue, and a tail extended from the end of the trunk and cone-shaped so that its end may be pointed.

A part of the second male screw on the trunk may be removed and the number of the auxiliary fixtures may be two or more so that the auxiliary fixture may not be easily separated after the auxiliary fixture is fixedly inserted. The auxiliary fixture comprises a head located outside bony tissue, and a trunk extended from a lower portion of the head, formed in cylinder shape and to be inserted into an auxiliary fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape in operation.

On one side of the trunk, an adjusting portion may be formed so that the surplus amount of the bonding material may be discharged. The insertion space has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the implant starts to be inserted.

The dental implant according to the invention comprises a fixture on one part of the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed for mechanical coupling to bony tissue and having a through portion in which a female screw is formed so that an abutment to be coupled to a dental corona may be tightly coupled to the fixture. The fixture comprises a bony tissue coupling portion to be coupled to bony tissue by means of the first male screw, and a soft tissue coupling portion formed on top of the bony tissue coupling portion and formed to be wider toward the top for tight coupling to soft tissue.

On one side of the fixture, a stopper is formed so that the fixture can not go down below bony tissue.

The abutment comprises a dental corona coupling portion to project toward the top of the soft tissue and coupled to the dental corona, and a connective fixing portion on which a fourth male screw to be screwed with the female screw of the through portion is formed. The connective fixing portion is formed longer than the fixture so that the abutment may project below the fixture when coupled to the fixture. The dental implant further comprises an auxiliary fixture to be inserted into one side of the insertion space formed for insertion of the fixture, to be coupled to the material filling the insertion space, to disperse the vertical pressure concentrated onto the fixture and to improve the coupling capability.

The auxiliary fixture comprises a head to be located outside bony tissue, a trunk extended from the head and on the outer surface of which a second male screw is formed so that it may be easily inserted into the bony tissue, and a tail extended from the end of the trunk and cone-shaped for its end to be pointed. A part of the second male screw on the trunk may be removed and the number of the auxiliary fixtures may be two or more so that the auxiliary fixture may not be easily separated after the auxiliary fixture is fixedly inserted.

The auxiliary fixture comprises a head located outside bony tissue, and a trunk extended from a lower portion of the head, formed in cylinder shape and to be inserted into an auxiliary fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape in operation, the number of the auxiliary fixtures being two or more.

On one side of the fixture, an adjusting portion may be formed in order to discharge a surplus amount of bonding material.

The insertion space into which the fixture is inserted has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the dental implant starts to be inserted.

In order to achieve the objects of the invention as described above, the dental implant comprises a fixture on one side of which abutment coupling hole is formed and on the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed to be mechanically coupled to bony tissue, and an abutment for supporting an artificial tooth to be inserted into the abutment coupling hole and fixed by means of a bonding material to support the artificial tooth.

The dental implant according to the invention comprises a cylinder-shaped fixture on one side of which an abutment coupling hole is formed, to be inserted into a fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape and to be coupled by means of a cured bonding material filling the insertion space; and an abutment to be inserted into the abutment coupling hole and to be fixed by means of the bonding material for supporting an artificial tooth.

The fixture is provided with a directional groove so that the abutment may be exactly inserted into a predetermined location of the fixture, and the abutment is provided with a directional projection corresponding to the directional groove.

In order to enhance the coupling retaining capability to the abutment of the fixture, the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole is shaped to be a polyprism. The abutment is formed in the shape corresponding to the polyprism. On the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole, a plurality of uneven portions are formed and the abutment is formed in a shape corresponding to the uneven portions.

An outlet is formed in order to discharge the surplus amount of the bonding material when the abutment is fixedly inserted into the abutment coupling hole.

The method of implanting the dental implant for correcting the abutment outside a patient's oral cavity and then producing an artificial tooth according to the invention comprises the steps of: step 1 of implanting the fixture into bony tissue; step 2 of inserting the abutment into the fixture so as for the directional projection to be coupled to the directional groove; step 3 of taking an impression of an oral cavity while the abutment is inserted, using an impression material; step 4 of coupling a second fixture identical to the fixture implanted into bony tissue in step 1 to the abutment obtained from the fixture together with the impression material in the impression taking step; step 5 of injecting gypsum into the impression material while the second fixture is coupled; step 6 of removing the impression material after the gypsum is cured and then reproducing a dental base identical to the oral cavity; step 7 of inserting the directional projection of the abutment fitly into a second directional groove formed on the second fixture; step 8 of correcting the abutment inserted in step 7 to fit the structure of the oral cavity; step 9 of producing an artificial tooth to fit the corrected abutment inserted into the dental base in step 8; step 10 of inserting and fixing the abutment by filling the fixture with the bonding material; and step 11 of installing the produced artificial tooth onto the abutment inserted and fixed into the fixture.

In step 10, the surplus amount of bonding material filling the fixture can be discharged through the outlet.

Brief Description of the Drawings These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following description of exemplary embodiments, illustrated in the appended drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front sectional view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front sectional view of a fixture of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front sectional view of a fixture of a dental implant according to still another embodiment of the invention;

Figs.4a to 4d are perspective views of the fixing portions of dental implants according to the embodiments of the invention;

Fig.5 a is an expanded view of an auxiliary fixture of the dental implant of Fig.1;

Fig.5b is an expanded view of an auxiliary fixture in another shape of the dental implant;

Fig.6 is a front sectional view of a dental implant according to still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig.7 is a front sectional view of the dental implant in the assembling process according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig.8 is a front sectional view of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig.9 is a front view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figs.10a to 10c show top views of fixtures according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig.11 is a flow chart for implanting a dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig.12 is a front view of a conventional dental implant;

Fig.13 is the dental implant of Fig.12 in use; and Fig.14 is a front sectional view of the conventional dental implant showing the assembling process.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In addition, the bonding material used in the invention may be bone cement or dental cement, etc. The bone cement without rejection against a human body is used as a material filling the portion to be coupled to bony tissue. It is desirable to use the dental cement with good coupling capability as a material to fill the portion for inter-device coupling, for example between a fixture and an abutment.

Fig.1 is a front sectional view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig.1, the dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a fixture 100 and an auxiliary fixture 200.

The fixture 100 to be coupled to bony tissue C corresponds to a root of tooth to support an artificial tooth, and comprises a body 110, a stopper 118 and a fixing portion 120.

The body comprises a bony tissue coupling portion 112, a soft tissue coupling portion 114 and a dental corona connecting portion 115.

The bony tissue coupling portion 112 to be coupled to the bony tissue C is formed with a first male screw 113 on its outer surface.

The soft tissue coupling portion 114 to be coupled to soft tissue D, that is the gums, is formed wider toward the top thereof for tight coupling to the soft tissue D. The dental corona connecting portion 115 to be coupled to the artificial tooth, that is a dental corona A, is integrated onto the top of the soft tissue coupling portion 114.

The stopper 118 is a portion to prevent the fixture 100 from going down below the bony tissue C, and is formed between the soft tissue coupling portion 114 and the bony tissue coupling portion 112. The fixture fixing portion 120 to be fixed by means of the bonding material B filling the insertion space E into which the dental implant is inserted comprises a coupling portion 122 and an enhancing portion 124.

The coupling portion 122 is fixed through the cured bonding material B and the enhancing portion 124 enhances the coupling capability of the coupling portion 122 to the cured bonding material B.

The coupling portion 122 is formed various in shape in order to enhance the coupling capability with the bonding material B.

Figs.4a to 4d are perspective views of fixing portions according to the embodiments for the dental implant of the invention. As shown in Fig.4a, on one side of the coupling portion 122, one or more through holes 123 are formed which penetrate the coupling portion 122.

As shown in Figs.4b and 4c, the coupling portion 122 is formed to be angular, for example, a triangular prism or hexagonal prism. As shown in Fig.4d, a screw portion may be formed on the coupling portion 122.

The enhancing portion 124 projects from the lower portion of the coupling portion 122 in order to enhance the coupling capability to the bonding material B filling the insertion space E. The enhancing portion 124 may be formed various in shape, for example, a circular prism, an oval prism, or a triangular or hexagonal prism.

The auxiliary fixture 200 to be inserted into one side of the insertion space E and coupled to the bonding material B disperses the vertical pressure concentrated onto the fixture 100 and improves the coupling capability. The auxiliary fixture 200 comprises a head 220, a trunk 240 and a tail 260.

The head 220 to be located outside the bony tissue C supports the auxiliary fixture 200 in the bony tissue.

The trunk 240 to penetrate the bony tissue C and to be inserted into the insertion space E has a second male screw 250 formed on the outer surface thereof for easy insertion. Fig.5a is an expanded view of the auxiliary fixture 200 of the dental implant of

Fig.l.

As shown in Fig.5a, a part of the second male screw 250 is removed in order to prevent the auxiliary fixture 200 from being easily separated after fixedly inserted.

The tail 260 to be inserted into the insertion space E is cone-shaped so that its end may be pointed for easy insertion.

More than one auxiliary fixture 200 may be used.

Fig.5b is an expanded view of another auxiliary fixture of the dental implant.

As shown in Fig.5b, the auxiliary 200 comprises a head 220 and a trunk 240.

The trunk 240 is inserted into the insertion space E through an auxiliary fixture insertion opening 270 formed in the bony tissue C.

The insertion space E has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the dental implant starts to be inserted.

Fig.2 is a front sectional view of the fixture of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig.2, the fixture of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention comprises a body 110, a stopper 118 and a fixing portion 120.

The stopper 118 and the fixing portion 120 are formed in the same configuration as the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1. The body 110 comprises a bony tissue coupling portion 112 and a soft tissue coupling portion 114 whose configurations are the same as those of the bony tissue coupling portion 112 and the soft tissue coupling portion 114 illustrated in Fig.1.

An abutment coupling hole 116 is formed in the body 110. A first female screw 117 corresponding to the third male screw 310 is formed on the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole 116 to be coupled to the abutment 300 which is coupled to the dental corona A.

On one side of the body 110, an adjusting portion 119 is formed so that the surplus amount of the bonding material B may be discharged. Fig.3 is a front sectional view of the fixture of the dental implant according to still another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig.3, the fixture of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention comprises a body 110, a stopper 118 and a fixing portion 120.

The body 110 and the stopper 118 are in the same configurations as the embodiment illustrated in Fig.2, and may be in the same configurations as the embodiment illustrated in Fig.l.

The fixing portion 120 comprises a coupling portion 122 and an enhancing portion 124. The coupling portion 122 may be formed short, or the fixing portion 120 may be formed by comprising only the enhancing portion 124 as shown in Fig.3 if required. On one side of the fixture 100, an adjusting portion 119 is formed in order to discharge the surplus amount of the bonding material B.

Fig.6 is a front sectional view of the dental implant according to still another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig.6, the dental implant according to still another embodiment of the invention comprises a fixture 100 and an auxiliary fixture 200.

A stopper 118 is formed on the fixture 100, and a through portion 130 is also formed into which the abutment 300 is inserted.

The fixture 100 comprises a bony tissue coupling portion 112 and a soft tissue coupling portion 114 formed in the same configurations as the embodiment illustrated in Fig.l.

A through portion 130 on the inner surface of which a female screw 132 is formed is formed inside the fixture 100 so that the abutment 300 to be coupled to the dental corona A may be tightly inserted. The abutment 300 to be provided with a dental corona A comprises a dental corona connecting portion 115 and a connective fixing portion 120.

The dental corona connecting portion 115 to be connected to the dental corona A projects through the top of the soft tissue D. The connective fixing portion 120 to penetrate the through portion 130 of the body

110 comprises a fourth male screw 332 to be screwed with the female screw 132.

The connective fixing portion 120 is formed longer than the fixture 100.

On one side of the fixture 100, an adjusting portion 119 is formed so that the surplus amount of the bonding material B may be discharged. The auxiliary fixture 200 is formed in the same configuration as those illustrated in

Fig.1 and Fig.5, and more than one auxiliary fixture can be used.

The insertion space E has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the implant starts to be inserted.

Hereinafter, the dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention will be described according to the process and the application principle of implanting the dental implant with reference to Fig.1.

In step 1, the insertion space E is formed so that the dental implant may be inserted into the bony tissue C.

In step 2, the auxiliary fixture 200 is inserted into the insertion space E through the bony tissue C.

In step 3, an outlet F is formed from the insertion space E to the part where the bony tissue C ends.

In step 4, the insertion space E is filled with the bonding material B.

In step 5, the fixture 100 is inserted into the insertion space E. In step 6, after the bonding material B is cured, the dental corona A is connected to the dental corona connecting portion 115 of the fixture 100.

In step 1, the insertion space E may be formed shallower than the space formed in order to insert the conventional dental implant.

That is, the insertion space E for implanting the conventional dental implant may be formed to be of the order of 10mm to 14mm in depth, but the insertion space E for implanting the dental implant according to the invention is formed to be of the order of 6mm to 7mm in depth.

This is because it is considered that the conventional dental implant is stably implanted when the dental implant is formed to be thick and long so as to be inserted into the bony tissue C as wide and deep as possible.

As described above, however, the force by which the dental implant is supported is considerably reduced in the area below the cortical bone, so that the dental implant is supported mostly by the area of the cortical bone.

Accordingly, the dental implant according to the invention is formed so that the body 110 of the fixture 100 may be supported only by the area of the cortical bone, considering such features of the bony tissue C.

That is, after the auxiliary fixture 200 is inserted into the insertion space E in step 2 and the insertion space E is filled with the bonding material B in step 4, the body 110 of the fixture 100 is mechanically coupled only to the cortical bone in the bony tissue C when the fixture 100 is inserted into the insertion space E in step 5.

In addition, the fixing portion 120 of the fixture 100 and the auxiliary fixture 200 are firmly secured by means of the bonding material B filling the insertion space E. The bonding material B may be a biocompatible bond curing agent such as bone cement.

Since the bone cement is very strong when cured, considerable supporting capability of the fixing portion 120 and the auxiliary fixture 200 is obtained when they are supported by the bone cement. That is, since only the artificial root of tooth 10 in ' — ' shape is fixedly inserted into the bony tissue C in the conventional dental implant, the supporting capability has been limited.

However, the fixing portion 120 and the auxiliary fixture 200 of the dental implant according to the invention are fixedly coupled to a very hard material such as bone cement, so that the dental implant can be supported by the fixing portion 120 and the auxiliary fixture 200 as well as the body 110 of the fixture 100.

That is, since the auxiliary fixture 200 penetrates the bony tissue C in a lateral direction, and then fixedly inserted into the insertion space E, the force concentrated only on top of the fixture 100 is dispersed in an inverse triangular direction, resulting in significantly improved supporting and retaining capabilities.

Also, since the insertion space E is formed wider toward the bottom, the supporting capability is even more enhanced through the bonding material B to be cured.

In step 2, a second male screw 250 is formed on a trunk 240 of the auxiliary fixture 200 so that the auxiliary fixture 200 may penetrate the bony tissue C and then be easily inserted into the insertion space E. As shown in Fig.5, however, in order to prevent the auxiliary fixture 200 from being easily separated after being fixedly inserted, a part of the second male screw 250 is removed from the trunk 240, so that the auxiliary fixture 200 can not be rotated or move toward the lower area when the bonding material B is cured.

In step 3, an outlet F is formed from the insertion space E to the portion where the bony tissue ends. The outlet F is formed to discharge the surplus amount of the bonding material B when more bonding material B than required is applied to the insertion space E.

In step 5, the fixture 100 is inserted into the insertion space E. The bony tissue coupling portion 112 of the body 110 of the fixture 100 is coupled to the insertion space E while forming a screwed portion.

On one side of the body 110, a stopper 118 is formed so that the fixture 100 may not go down below the bony tissue C.

When implanting the conventional dental implant, the insertion space E is formed exactly to fit the size of the artificial root of tooth 10 to be inserted.

When implanting the dental implant according to the invention, however, it is not required to form the insertion space E exactly to fit the size of the fixture 100, and thus the stopper 118 is formed on one side of the body 110 so that the fixture 100 may be implanted up to a predetermined depth. As shown in Figs. 4b to 4d, the coupling portion 122 of the fixing portion 120 of the fixture 100 is formed to be angular such as a triangular or hexagonal prism, etc., or a screw is formed so that it may not move after the bonding material B is cured. The enhancing portion 124 is also formed to be angular such as an oval prism, a triangular or hexagonal prism, etc. As shown in Fig.4a, on one side of the coupling portion 122, at least one through hole 123 is formed which penetrates the coupling portion 122. Accordingly, the bonding material B is inserted and then cured through the through hole 123, so that the fixing portion 120 cannot be unintentionally separated.

As shown in Fig.2, when the abutment coupling hole 116 is formed on the body 110 and the fixture 100 is inserted into the insertion space E in step 5, and then after the bonding material B is cured, the abutment 300 is coupled to the abutment coupling hole 116.

On one side of the body 110, the adjusting portion 119 is formed so that the surplus amount of the bonding material B may be discharged when more bonding material B than required is applied to the insertion space E.

The dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention shown in Fig.6 is different from the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1 in the following respect.

The steps 1 to 5 illustrated in Fig.6 are identical to those according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig.6, however, since the abutment 300 must be inserted into the fixture 100, the abutment 300 is screwed with the through portion 130 of the fixture 100 after step 5.

The connective fixing portion 120 of the abutment 300 penetrates the fixture 100 and is subsequently inserted into the insertion space E filled with the bonding material B.

Therefore, the connective fixing portion 120 is fixed by the cured bonding material B together with the auxiliary fixture 200 at the same time

Curing of the bonding material B requires approximately 8 to 9 minutes.

Fig.7 is a front sectional view of the dental implant in the assembling process according to one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig.7, the dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a fixture 100 and an abutment 300.

The fixture 100 is mechanically coupled to bony tissue by means of the first male screw 113 formed on the outer surface thereof, and comprises an abutment coupling hole 116, a directional groove 140 and a stopper 118.

The abutment 300 is inserted into the abutment coupling hole 116 the inner surface of which may be of a polygonal prism or on the inner surface of which a plurality of uneven portions may be formed.

The directional groove 140 is formed so that the abutment 300 may be inserted exactly into a predetermined location of the fixture 100.

The stopper 118 is a projection formed on the outer surface of the fixture 100 so that the fixture 100 may not go down below the bony tissue.

The abutment 300 is inserted into the abutment coupling hole 116 and fixed by means of the bonding material B to support an artificial tooth, and comprises a directional projection 340 and an outlet 350.

The directional projection 340 is formed corresponding to the directional groove 140 so that the abutment 300 may be exactly inserted into a predetermined location of the fixture 100. The outlet 350 is a hole formed in order to discharge the surplus amount of the bonding material B when the abutment 300 is fixedly inserted into the abutment coupling hole 116.

Fig.8 is a front sectional view of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig.8, the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention may be used as a dental implant in which the fixture 100 is mechanically coupled to the bony tissue and fixed by means of bone cement filling the space where the fixture 100 is inserted. Fig.9 is a front sectional view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Fig.9, the dental implant according to another embodiment of the invention comprises a fixture 100, an abutment 300 and an auxiliary fixture 200.

The fixture 100 is cylinder-shaped and inserted into a fixture insertion opening 180 formed in the bony tissue.

The trunk 240 of the auxiliary fixture 200 is also cylinder-shaped and inserted into an auxiliary insertion opening 270.

Configurations of the abutment 300, an outlet 350 and the like are identical to those illustrated in Fig.7. Hereinafter, the dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Fig.10 and according to the implanting process and applied principles.

Fig.11 is a flow chart for implanting a dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention. In step 1 (S10), the fixture 100 is implanted into bony tissue.

In step 2 (S20), the abutment 300 is inserted into the fixture 100 so that the directional groove 140 may be coupled to the directional projection 340.

In step 3 (S30), the impression of a patient's oral cavity is taken while the abutment 300 is inserted, using an impression material. In step 4 (S40), the abutment 300 taken out of the fixture 100 together with the impression material in the impression taking step is coupled to a second fixture identical to the fixture 100 implanted into the bony tissue in step 1 (S10).

In step 5 (S50), gypsum is injected into the impression material while the second fixture is coupled.

In step 6 (S60), the impression material is removed after the gypsum is cured to reproduce a dental base identical to the oral cavity.

In step 7 (S70), the directional projection 340 of the abutment 300 is inserted fitly into the second directional groove formed in the second fixture.

In step 8 (S80), the abutment 300 inserted in step 7 (S70) is corrected to conform to the structure of the oral cavity.

In step 9 (S90), an artificial tooth is produced which conforms to the corrected abutment 300 inserted into the dental base in step 8 (S80). In step 10 (SI 00), the fixture 100 is filled with a bonding material B and then the abutment 300 is fixedly inserted.

In step 11 (SI 10), the produced artificial tooth is installed on the abutment fixedly inserted into the fixture 100.

In step 1 (S10), while the first male screw 113 formed on the outer surface of the fixture 100 is coupled to the bone tissue, the fixture 100 is implanted. This is the same process as the conventional fixture 100.

In step 2 (S20), the abutment 300 is inserted into the fixture 100 so that the directional projection 340 may be coupled to the directional groove 140. In this case, since the abutment coupling hole 116 of the fixture 100 is not filled with the bonding material B yet, the abutment 300 is not coupled to the fixture 100 yet.

In step 3 (S30), the impression of the oral cavity is taken while the abutment 300 is inserted in the fixture 100, using the impression material. In this case, since the abutment 300 is not coupled to the fixture 100 yet, the abutment 300 is taken out of the oral cavity, following the impression material while being attached to the impression material. In step 4 (S40), step 5 (S50) and step 6 (S60), after the abutment 300 is inserted into the second fixture identical to the fixture 100 implanted into bony tissue in step 1 (S10); gypsum is injected into the impression material and then cured; and when the impression material is removed after the gypsum is cured, a dental base identical to the patient's oral cavity is produced. In step 7 (S70), the abutment 300 is inserted into the second fixture. In this case, since the directional projection 340 formed on the abutment 300 is fitted with a second directional groove formed on the second fixture, it is possible to insert the abutment 300 exactly into a predetermined location of the second fixture. In step 7 (S70), the process is equal to the step 2 (s200) of implanting a prior art dental implant. Therefore, in step 8 (S80), it is possible to correct the abutment 300 in conformity to the structure of the oral cavity outside the oral cavity, for example, in a dental laboratory. In step (S90) and step 10 (SI 00), an artificial tooth fitted to the corrected abutment

300 is produced, and subsequently the fixture 100 is filled with the bonding material B. The abutment 300 is then inserted into the fixture 100 and fixed.

When too much bonding material B filling the fixture 100 is applied in step 10 (SI 00), the surplus amount of the bonding material B is discharged through the outlet 350 formed in the abutment 300.

The bonding material B may be dental cement.

Since the directional groove 140 and the directional projection 340 are formed on the fixture 100 and the abutment 300, respectively, it is possible to insert the abutment 300 corrected outside the oral cavity exactly into a predetermined location. In addition, since the fixture 100 is coupled by means of the bonding material B in the dental implant according to one embodiment of the invention, without being screwed as in the conventional dental implant, it is desirable to widen the surface area that comes in contact with the bonding material B in order to improve the coupling retaining capability.

Figs.10a to 10c are top views of fixtures according to one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figs.10a to 10c, in order to widen the surface area where the abutment

300 is in contact with the bonding material B, a plurality of uneven portions are formed on the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole 116, or the hole 116 may be of a polygonal prism. The abutment 300 is formed corresponding to the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole 116.

In step 11 (SI 10), when the artificial tooth produced in step 9 (S90) is installed on the abutment 300 fixed into the fixture 100, the operation using the dental implant according to the invention is completed.

As described above, the dental implant according to the invention requires approximately 8 to 9 minutes to cure the bonding material B as compared with the conventional osseointegration that requires 6 months in order to fix the dental implant to bones, so that it is possible to provide dental implants whose operation is completed within a short time. With the dental implant according to the invention using the auxiliary fixture, it is possible to provide a dental implant supported very stably and firmly since it is possible to achieve strong supporting capability against a lateral pressure as well as a vertical pressure, and the pressure is dispersed in an inverted triangle type. The fixture is mechanically coupled only to the cortical bone and the coupling strength at the location to which the fixture is coupled is equal to that of the conventional artificial root of tooth, but the insertion space is formed shallower than the conventional space, resulting in less damage of the bony tissue.

In order to implant the conventional dental implant, the insertion space is formed to fit to the size and the shape of the dental implant, but the dental implant according to the invention does not require an exact space depth where the fixing potion of the fixture is inserted.

In the dental implant according to the invention, a stopper is also formed on one side of the fixture so that the fixture can be inserted exactly into a predetermined location. Since the fixing portion is firmly supported by the cured bonding material, the supporting capability of the implant is also further enhanced.

Since the fixing potion is various in shape, the fixing portion and the bonding material are also not easily separated after coupled.

A screw portion is formed on the auxiliary fixture for easy insertion, but the auxiliary fixture is also not separated after the bonding material is cured by removing the screw portion on one side of the auxiliary fixture.

Since a through portion is formed on the fixture and the abutment longer than the fixture is coupled to the through portion, the dental implant according to the invention can also be more firmly fixed by means of the bonding material. As described above, since the abutment and the fixture are coupled by means of the bonding material according to the dental implant and the method of implanting the same of the invention, the abutment can be corrected outside a patient's oral cavity and then an artificial tooth can be produced.

That is, since the abutment is not complementarily cut in the patient's oral cavity but can be corrected outside the patient's oral cavity, for example, in a dental laboratory, patient's discomfort, uneasiness and even scares by the conventional dental implant and the method of implanting the same can be avoided.

The patient also visits a dental clinic to consult a dentist less frequently than by the conventional dental implant, and is thus benefited in time.

The fixture and the abutment are screwed in the conventional dental implant, but the fixture and the abutment in the dental implant according to the invention are coupled by means of the bonding material such as dental bone cement, resulting in easy and simplified dental operation,

With the dental implant and the method of implanting the same according to the invention, a directional groove and a directional projection are formed on the fixture and the abutment, respectively, and it is thus possible to correct the abutment outside the patient's oral cavity and subsequently to insert the abutment exactly into a predetermined location of the fixture.

With the dental implant and the method of implanting the same according to the invention, a plurality of uneven portions are formed on the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole of the fixture or the hole may be of a polygonal prism, and the abutment is then formed corresponding to the shape. Therefore, the surface area where the abutment is in contact with the bonding material being widened to enhance the coupling and supporting capabilities between the abutment and the fixture.

The dental implant is also provided whose operation is finished at one time because the fixture is implanted; sutures used in suturing are removed; the abutment corrected outside the patient's oral cavity is fixed; and the prosthetic appliance is subsequently equipped.

The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

1. A dental implant, comprising a fixture having a body on one part of which outer surface a first male screw is formed and to be mechanically coupled to bony tissue; and a fixing portion formed on one lower side of the body and fixed by means of bonding material filling an insertion space where the dental implant is inserted.

2. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a stopper is formed on the outer surface of the body in order to prevent the fixture from going down below the bony tissue.

3. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the body comprises: a bony tissue coupling portion to be coupled to the bony tissue by means of the first male screw formed on one side of the body; and a soft tissue coupling portion formed on top of the bony tissue coupling portion and formed to be wider toward the top thereof for tight coupling to soft tissue.

4. The dental implant as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the body further comprises a dental corona connecting portion formed on top of the soft tissue coupling portion and exposed outside for direct coupling to a dental corona.

5. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an abutment coupling hole having a first female screw is formed inside the body in order to couple an abutment to be coupled to the dental corona to the body.

6. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fixing portion comprises: a coupling portion extended in a vertical direction to the insertion space into which the dental implant is inserted; and an enhancing portion formed to project on the lower portion of the coupling portion and for enhancing the coupling capability to the bonding material filling the insertion space.

7. The dental implant as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the coupling portion is formed to be angular in order to enhance the coupling capability to the bonding material.

8. The dental implant as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the coupling portion is formed with a screw on its outer surface in order to enhance coupling capability to the bonding material.

9. The dental implant as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, on one side of the coupling portion, one or more through holes penetrating the coupling portion are formed in order to enhance the coupling capability to the bonding material.

10. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary fixture to be inserted into one side of the insertion space, to be coupled to the bonding material filling the insertion space, to disperse the vertical pressure concentrated onto the fixture and to improve the coupling capability.

11. The dental implant as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the auxiliary fixture comprises: a head to be located outside the bony tissue; a trunk extended from the lower end of the head and formed with a second male screw on its outer surface for easy insertion into the bony tissue; and a tail extended from the end of the trunk and cone-shaped for its end to be pointed.

12. The dental implant as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that a part of the second male screw on the trunk is removed so that the auxiliary fixture is not easily separated after the auxiliary fixture is fixedly inserted.

13. The dental implant as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the auxiliary fixture comprises a head to be located outside the bony tissue, and a trunk extended from a lower portion of the head, formed in cylinder shape and to be inserted into an auxiliary fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape in operation.

14. The dental implant as claimed in one of claim 10 or 13, characterized in that the number of the auxiliary fixtures is two or more.

15. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, on one side of the body, an adjusting portion is formed for discharging the surplus amount of the bonding material.

16. The dental implant as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the insertion space has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the dental implant starts to be inserted.

17. A dental implant comprising: a fixture on one part of the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed for mechanical coupling to bony tissue and having a through portion in which a female screw is formed in order for an abutment which is to be coupled to a dental corona to be tightly coupled to the fixture.

18. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the fixture comprises: a bony tissue coupling portion to be coupled to bony tissue by means of the first male screw; and a soft tissue coupling portion formed on top of a bony tissue coupling portion and formed to be wider toward the top thereof for tight coupling to soft tissue.

19. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that on one side of the fixture, a stopper is formed for the fixture not to go down below the bony tissue.

20. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the abutment comprises: a dental corona coupling portion to project toward the top of the soft tissue and to be coupled to the dental corona; and a connective fixing portion on which a fourth male screw to be screwed with the female screw of the through portion is formed.

21. The dental implant as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the connective fixing portion is formed longer than the fixture for the abutment to project below the fixture when the abutment is coupled to the fixture.

22. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized by further comprising an auxiliary fixture to be inserted into one side of an insertion space formed for insertion of the fixture, to be coupled to the bonding material filling the insertion space, to disperse a vertical pressure concentrated onto the fixture and to improve coupling capability.

23. The dental implant as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the auxiliary fixture comprises: a head to be located outside bony tissue; a trunk extended from the lower end of the head and on the outer surface of which a second male screw is formed for easy insertion into the bony tissue; and a tail extended from the end of the trunk and cone-shaped for its end to be pointed.

24. The dental implant as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that a part of the second male screw on the trunk is removed for preventing the auxiliary fixture from being easily separated after the auxiliary fixture is fixedly inserted.

25 The dental implant as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the auxiliary fixture comprises a head to be located outside bony tissue, and a trunk extended from a lower portion of the head, formed in cylinder shape and to be inserted into an auxiliary fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape in operation.

26. The dental implant as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the number of the auxiliary fixtures is two or more.

27. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that an adjusting portion is formed on one side of the fixture for discharging the surplus amount of the bonding material.

28. The dental implant as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the insertion space has a bottom whose diameter is bigger than the top diameter where the implant starts to be inserted.

29. A dental implant, comprising: a fixture on one side of which an open abutment coupling hole is formed and on the outer surface of which a first male screw is formed to be mechanically coupled to bony tissue; and an abutment for supporting an artificial tooth, to be inserted into the abutment coupling hole and fixed by means of a bonding material.

30. A dental implant, comprising: a cylinder-shaped fixture on one side of which an abutment coupling hole is formed, to be inserted into a fixture insertion opening formed corresponding to the cylinder shape and to be coupled by means of cured bonding material filling the insertion opening; and an abutment to be inserted into the abutment coupling hole and to be fixed by means of the bonding material for supporting an artificial tooth.

31. The dental implant as claimed in one of claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the fixture is formed with a directional groove in order for the abutment to be exactly inserted into a predetermined location of the fixture, and the abutment is formed with a directional projection corresponding to the directional groove.

32. The dental implant as claimed in one of claim 29 or 30, characterized in that in order to enhance the coupling retaining capability to the abutment of the fixture, the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole is shaped to be a polyprism and the abutment is formed in the shape corresponding to the polyprism.

33. The dental implant as claimed in one of claim 29 or 30, characterized in that on the inner surface of the abutment coupling hole, a plurality of uneven portions are formed and the abutment is formed in a shape corresponding to the uneven portions in order to enhance the coupling retaining capability of the abutment to the fixture.

34. The dental implant as claimed in one of claim 29 to 30, characterized in that an outlet is formed in order to discharge the surplus amount of the bonding material when the abutment is fixedly inserted into the abutment coupling hole.

35. A method of implanting the dental implant as claimed in one of claim 29 or 30, comprising the steps of:

step 1 of implanting the fixture into bony tissue;

step 2 of inserting the abutment into the fixture so as for the directional projection to be coupled to the directional groove;

step 3 of taking an impression of a patient's oral cavity while the abutment is inserted, using an impression material;

step 4 of coupling a second fixture identical to the fixture implanted into bony tissue in step 1 to the abutment obtained from the fixture together with the impression material in the impression taking step;

step 5 of injecting gypsum into the impression material while the second fixture is coupled;

step 6 of removing the impression material after the gypsum is cured and then reproducing a dental base identical to the oral cavity;

step 7 of fitly inserting the directional projection of the abutment into a second directional groove formed on the second fixture;

step 8 of correcting the abutment inserted in step 7 to fit the structure of the oral cavity; step 9 of producing an artificial tooth to fit the abutment inserted into the dental base and then corrected in step 8;

step 10 of filling the fixture with the bonding material, inserting and then fixing the abutment; and

step 11 of installing the produced artificial tooth onto the abutment fixedly inserted into the fixture.

36. The method of implanting as claimed in claim 35, characterized in that the suφlus amount of the bonding material filling the fixture in step 10 is discharged through the outlet to the outside of the fixture.