WO2019162446A1

WO2019162446A1 - Position locator attachable to a dental component and dental assembly comprising the position locator

Info

Publication number: WO2019162446A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/054454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Calvin NG; Adrian HAUS; Eoin BRENNAN; Sunita Sanjay TAILOR
Original assignee: Nobel Biocare Services Ag
Priority date: 2018-02-22
Filing date: 2019-02-22
Publication date: 2019-08-29

Abstract

The invention relates to a position locator (1; 101; 201) attachable to a dental component (30), such as a dental implant. The position locator (1; 101; 201) comprises a main body (2). The main body (2) has a channel (4) for receiving a fixation element (6), such as a screw, for fixing the position locator (1; 101; 201) to the dental component (30). The channel (4) extends from an apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards a side wall (16) of the main body (2). The side wall (16) of the main body (2) is provided with an opening (20) for allowing access to the channel (4). The main body (2) comprises an attachment portion (22) for attaching the position locator (1; 101; 201) to the dental component (30). At least a part of the attachment portion (22) is elastically deformable at least in one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards a coronal end (18) of the main body (2). Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising such a position locator (1; 101; 201) and the dental component (30) and to a method of attaching such a position locator (1; 101; 201) to the dental component (30).

Description

Position Locator Attachable to a Dental Component and Dental Assembly Comprising the Position Locator

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a position locator

attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant. Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly

comprising such a position locator and the dental component and to a method of attaching such a position locator to the dental component.

Background Art

Dental prostheses, such as dental crowns or dental bridges, are widely used for the treatment of partly or fully

edentulous patients. These prostheses are commonly attached to dental implants placed in a patient's jaw bone with the use of an abutment arranged between implant and prosthesis.

In order to ensure a precise fit of such dental prostheses, the location and orientation of the implant or implants have to be determined with a high degree of accuracy. For this purpose, position locators, which are also referred to as scan bodies or scanning locators, are employed.

Specifically, a position locator is attached to a respective dental implant or a replica thereof and used to provide a scanning system with the arrangement details of the implant or its replica.

Commonly, a position locator is secured to an implant either by a snap retention feature or by a screw, depending on the design of the position locator. While each of these two conventional retention configurations has its own advantages, no known position locator offers the benefits of both

approaches. Snap retention allows for quick positioning of the position locator with tactile feedback to a user, while screw retention enables placement with higher accuracy. This higher accuracy is achieved through a flush contact between position locator and dental implant once the screw has been properly engaged.

In known position locators which rely on screw retention in a single piece configuration, the entire position locator is rotated in order to engage the screw threads in the dental implant. The need for this rotation removes the possibility of being able to lock the position locator at a specific desired angle. When producing single unit restorations, the end user will frequently require the position locator to provide orientation specific information about the implant or its replica. Therefore, screw retained single piece position locators are unable to offer both a high degree of accuracy and orientation specific information.

In known position locators which use screw retention and in which the screw is provided as a separate piece, the screw is driven into and out of a retention position by use of a screw driver. When this approach is employed in a patient's mouth, the screw driver, the screw, and the implant are arranged with their axes aligned. Since space is limited in the patient's mouth, particularly in the posterior, the combined height of the screw driver, the screw, and the implant will inhibit access of the screw driver to the screw, thus rendering placement of the position locator complicated and cumbersome.

In workflows where the position locator is used, the user will need to input the implant and/or seat type into a scanner software for the position locator scan to provide an accurate result. This process is performed manually and has a higher error probability as compared to an automated system. For this reason, position locators are known which offer computer readable identification, enabling the scanner to provide information to the software system as to which implant and/or seat type it is intended for. For known position locator configurations with a through hole for screw access, the through hole is arranged along the vertical direction and reaches through the coronal surface of the position locator. As a result of this arrangement, the coronal surface is not usable for placement of an identifier, such as a computer readable identifier. This presents a significant problem since the coronal surface is the most ideal location for such an identifier, in particular, a computer readable identifier. In

particular, the coronal surface of the position locator exhibits the lowest risk of being obstructed by neighbouring teeth, thus allowing for position detection with a high degree of accuracy.

Further, in the clinical setting where the position locator is used, it will commonly have to be manually selected by an end user. Specifically, the user must choose, usually from a number of different position locators stored together, the correct type of position locator for a given implant

connection geometry. Thus, there is a need for efficient and reliable identification of specific position locators. Also for this purpose, the coronal surface of the position locator is the most ideal location for an identifier, in particular, an identifier readable by a human, since it is the locator surface which is the least likely to be

obstructed .

In view of the above, there remains a need for a position locator which is attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant, an abutment or a part of a multi-piece abutment, in a reliable and precise manner, allowing for position detection with a high degree of accuracy. Further, there remains a need for a dental assembly comprising such a position locator and for a method of attaching such a position locator to a dental component. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a position locator which is attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant, in a reliable and precise manner, allowing for position detection with a high degree of accuracy. Further, the invention aims to provide a dental assembly comprising such a position locator and a method of attaching such a position locator to the dental component .

These goals are achieved by a position locator with the technical features of claim 1, by a dental assembly with the technical features of claim 14 and by a method with the technical features of claim 15.

The invention provides a position locator attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant. The position locator comprises a main body, wherein the main body has a channel or cavity, for receiving a fixation element, such as a screw, for fixing the position locator to the dental component. The channel extends from an apical end of the main body towards a side wall, i.e., a lateral wall or transverse wall, of the main body. The side wall of the main body is provided with an opening for allowing access to the channel. The main body comprises an attachment portion for attaching the position locator to the dental component. At least a part of the attachment portion is elastically

deformable at least in one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards a coronal end of the main body.

The at least a part of the attachment portion is elastically deformable at least in one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the attachment portion towards the coronal end of the main body, allowing for the attachment portion to be attached to the dental component by snap fit and/or friction fit. Hence, the position locator can be attached to the dental component in a quick and efficient manner. Attaching the attachment portion to the dental component by snap fit further provides feedback, in

particular, tactile feedback, to a user.

In particular, when attaching the attachment portion of the main body to the dental component, the at least a part of the attachment portion can be elastically deformed, e.g., elastically compressed or elastically expanded, along the one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body, i.e., along one or more transverse directions or radial directions of the main body. The restoring force of the elastically deformable at least a part of the attachment portion holds the position locator in attachment to the dental component, in particular, by snap fit and/or friction fit .

Further, the main body of the position locator has the channel for receiving the fixation element, such as a screw, for fixing the position locator to the dental component.

Thus, the position locator can be fixed to the dental

component with a high degree of accuracy.

The channel extends from the apical end of the main body towards the side wall of the main body. The channel does not extend all the way to the coronal end of the main body. The side wall of the main body is provided with the opening for allowing access to the channel. Therefore, the fixation element can be received in the channel and be manipulated through the opening from the main body side wall. In this way, the process of fixing the position locator to the dental component can be significantly simplified, in particular, in view of the limited space in a patient's mouth. Also, the patient's comfort during the fixation process of the position locator can be considerably enhanced.

In particular, if the fixation element is a screw, it can be screwed into the dental component by introducing a suitable tool, such as a screw driver, through the opening. In this case, a threaded lower portion of the screw may be inserted into a threaded bore formed in the dental component, so that the position locator can be reliably fixed to the dental component by means of the screw.

Further, by arranging the channel so as to extend from the apical end of the main body towards the side wall of the main body and so as to be accessible through the opening in the side wall, a coronal end surface of the position locator can be efficiently used for identification purposes in both automated and manual identification processes. For example, an identifier, e.g., a scan identifier, such as a computer readable identifier or a human readable identifier, may be provided on the coronal end surface of the position locator. This surface of the position locator is the most efficient and reliable location for an identifier since it is the locator surface which is the least likely to be obstructed. Thus, the arrangement of the position locator, e.g., its location and orientation, can be identified with a high degree of precision, allowing for particularly accurate position detection of the dental component.

Therefore, the invention provides a position locator which is attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant, in a reliable and precise manner, allowing for position detection with a high degree of accuracy.

The dental component may be, for example, a dental implant or an implant analogue or replica, e.g., for use in a dental laboratory . The position locator, e.g., the main body of the position locator, and/or the fixation element, such as a screw, and/or the dental component may be made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel, a ceramic, a polymer or a composite material. In particular, the dental component may be a dental implant made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

The position locator, e.g., the main body of the position locator, may be manufactured, for example, by injection moulding, milling, such as CNC milling, etc.

The main body of the position locator may have a continuous coronal end surface. Herein, the term "continuous coronal end surface" defines a coronal end surface without

interruptions, i.e., interruptions in the extension of the surface, such as openings or holes.

By providing a continuous coronal end surface of the main body, a particularly large surface area is available for position detection, e.g., in a scanning process. Thus, the coronal end surface of the position locator can be

particularly efficiently used for identification purposes in both automated and manual identification processes.

The coronal end surface of the main body may be provided with a scan identifier, such as a computer readable scan identifier and/or a human readable scan identifier. The scan identifier may provide information on the arrangement of the position locator, such as its location and

orientation, in particular, its rotational orientation.

Thus, the position of the dental component, in particular, the rotational orientation thereof, can be detected with a high degree of accuracy. For example, if the dental component, such as a dental implant, has a socket which is not rotationally symmetric, such as a polygonal, e.g., hexagonal, socket, the scan identifier may comprise or consist of a corresponding, not rotationally symmetric element, such as a polygonal, e.g., hexagonal, element. When attaching the position locator to the dental component by means of the attachment portion, position locator and dental component may be rotationally arranged relative to each other so that the orientation of the element of the scan identifier matches that of the socket of the dental component. In this case, the rotational orientation of the socket, and thus the rotational

orientation of the dental component, can be determined in a particularly simple and efficient manner by means of the scan identifier.

The position locator may comprise the fixation element, such as a screw.

The fixation element may be rotatable relative to the main body around an axis of the main body extending along the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body. This axis is the longitudinal axis of the main body.

In this case, the position locator can be fixed to the dental component by rotating the fixation element relative to the main body around the longitudinal axis of the main body. Thus, the position locator can be first attached to the dental component in a desired rotational position, i.e., a desired rotational position around the longitudinal axis of the main body, relative to the dental component by means of the attachment portion, e.g., by snap fit and/or friction fit. Subsequently, the main body can remain in the desired rotational position during the process of fixing the

position locator to the dental component by means of the fixation element since it is not necessary to rotate the entire position locator. Hence, the position locator can be suitably rotationally aligned with the dental component so as to allow for the rotational orientation of the dental component to be detected with a particularly high degree of accuracy, e.g., by using a scan identifier, such as that detailed above. Moreover, the position locator can be arranged in a rotational position which further facilitates the fixation process to the dental component, e.g., by rotating the position locator relative to the dental

component so that the opening in the side wall of the main body is particularly easily accessible to the user of the position locator.

For example, the fixation element may be a screw. In this case, the fixation element can be screwed into the dental component by rotating the fixation element relative to the main body around the longitudinal axis of the main body, while maintaining the main body in a stationary rotational position .

The fixation element may be movable relative to the main body along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

The fixation element may be irremovably or undetachably attached to the main body. The terms "irremovable" and

"undetachable" define that the fixation element cannot be removed or detached from the main body without destroying or damaging the fixation element and/or the main body. In other words, the main body can be designed in such a way that, in normal use, the fixation element stays connected to, attached to or at least partially enclosed or locked within the main body. In this way, it can be particularly reliably ensured that the fixation element is not unintentionally separated from the main body and, for example, subsequently lost. For instance, it can be prevented that the fixation element drops from the main body when fixing the position locator to a dental component, such as a dental implant, in a patient's mouth and is swallowed or inhaled by the patient. This configuration is particularly advantageous for dental components provided in the upper jaw of a patient since, in this case, the risk of the fixation element being

unintentionally removed from the main body is generally higher due to gravity.

Preferably, the fixation element is movably attached to the main body, in particular, so as to be rotatable relative to the main body around the longitudinal axis of the main body and/or so as to be movable relative to the main body along the longitudinal axis of the main body, but so as to be irremovable or undetachable from the main body.

The fixation element may be removable or detachable from the main body. The fixation element may be attached to the main body so that the fixation element is not removable or detachable from the main body during normal operation of the positon locator, in particular, during attachment and

fixation of the position locator to the dental component. In this case, the fixation element may be removable or

detachable from the main body by a removal or detachment process, e.g., by disassembling at least part of the fixation element and/or the main body.

The fixation element, such as a screw, may comprise a first fixation element portion and a second fixation element portion. The second fixation element portion may be arranged apically to the first fixation element portion. The first and second fixation element portions may be attached, preferably integrally attached, to each other. Herein, the term "integrally attached" defines that the first fixation element portion is attached to the second fixation element portion in such a manner that the first fixation element portion cannot be detached or separated from the second fixation element portion without damaging or destroying the first fixation element portion and/or the second fixation element portion.

By configuring the fixation element in this manner, the position locator can be assembled in a particularly efficient way. In particular, the fixation element can be configured so that, after attaching, preferably integrally attaching, the first and second fixation element portions to each other, the fixation element is irremovably or undetachably attached to the main body.

For example, the first fixation element portion may be integrally attached to the second fixation element portion by welding .

At least a part of the channel may extend in a direction which is inclined relative to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body. This configuration allows for a particularly easy access to the channel through the opening in the side wall of the main body.

The at least a part of the channel may extend in a direction which is inclined relative to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body at an inclination angle in the range of 10° to 80°,

preferably 20° to 70°, more preferably 30° to 60° and even more preferably 40° to 50°.

The main body, in particular, the attachment portion, may be configured so that the position locator is attachable to the dental component only in one or more discrete relative rotational positions. The one or more relative rotational positions are one or more rotational positions of the

position locator relative to the dental component around the axis of the main body extending along the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body, i.e., the longitudinal axis of the main body.

This configuration allows for the position locator to be attached to the dental component with a particularly high degree of accuracy with regard to the relative rotational orientation of these two elements.

The attachment portion may comprise at least one projection or protrusion extending in one or more directions

substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body. The at least one projection or protrusion may be provided at the at least a part of the attachment portion which is elastically deformable. The at least one projection or protrusion may be configured to be received in a

corresponding cavity formed in a coronal portion of the dental component, such as a dental implant.

This configuration of the attachment portion allows for the position locator to be attached to the dental component by snap fit in a particularly reliable manner.

In particular, when attaching the attachment portion of the main body to the dental component, the at least a part of the attachment portion can be initially elastically deformed, e.g., elastically compressed or elastically expanded, along the one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body and, subsequently, be restored at least substantially to its initial shape when the at least one projection or protrusion has been received in a corresponding cavity of the dental component, due to the restoring force of the at least a part of the attachment portion. Hence, the position locator can be attached to the dental component by snap fit in a reliable and efficient manner. The engagement of the at least one projection or protrusion of the attachment portion with the corresponding cavity of the dental component provides an audible and/or tactile feedback to a user, such as a clinician or a technician, e.g., in a dental laboratory, providing a clear and

unambiguous indication that the attachment portion, and thus also the entire position locator, is properly attached to the dental component.

The at least one projection or protrusion of the attachment portion extends in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body, i.e., in one or more transverse or radial directions of the main body. In particular, the attachment portion may

comprise at least one projection or protrusion which extends in plural transverse or radial directions of the main body, i.e., extends along a portion of the outer surface of the remainder of the attachment portion in the circumferential direction of the attachment portion. The at least one projection or protrusion may extend along 2% or more, 5% or more, 10% or more, 20% or more or 30% or more of the outer circumference of the remainder of the attachment portion.

The attachment portion of the main body may comprise a plurality of, e.g., two or more, three or more, four or more, or five or more, projections or protrusions, each extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body.

The plurality of projections or protrusions may have the same or different extensions in the circumferential direction of the attachment portion. The plurality of projections or protrusions may have the same or different protruding heights from an outer surface of the remainder of the attachment portion, i.e., heights from this outer surface in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical end of the main body towards the coronal end of the main body.

The plural projections or protrusions of the attachment portion may be sequentially or consecutively arranged in the circumferential direction of the attachment portion, i.e., so that one is arranged after the other in this circumferential direction. The plural projections or protrusions may be equidistantly spaced from each other or spaced from each other at different intervals in the circumferential direction of the attachment portion.

The plural projections or protrusions of the attachment portion may be configured to be received in a corresponding cavity or corresponding cavities formed in the coronal portion of the dental component, such as a dental implant.

The attachment portion may be provided at an apical portion of the main body or at the apical end of the main body. The attachment portion may form the apical end of the main body. The attachment portion may be an apical attachment portion.

The main body may comprise a first main body portion and a second main body portion. The second main body portion may be arranged apically to the first main body portion. The second main body portion may be arranged at an apical portion of the first main body portion. The second main body portion may be arranged at least partly within the first main body portion. The first and second main body portions may be attached, preferably integrally attached, to each other.

Herein, the term "integrally attached" defines that the first main body portion is attached to the second main body portion in such a manner that the first main body portion cannot be detached or separated from the second main body portion without damaging or destroying the first main body portion and/or the second main body portion. By configuring the main body in this manner, the position locator can be assembled in a particularly efficient way. In particular, the main body can be configured so that, after attaching, preferably integrally attaching, the first and second main body portions to each other, the fixation element is irremovably or undetachably attached to the main body.

For example, the first main body portion may be integrally attached to the second main body portion by welding.

Alternatively, the main body may be formed as a single piece, i.e., in a one-piece configuration. Forming the main body as a single piece allows for the position locator to be

manufactured in a particularly simple manner, e.g., by injection moulding, milling, such as CNC milling, etc.

The invention further provides a dental assembly comprising the position locator of the invention and a dental component, such as a dental implant, an abutment or a part of a multi piece abutment. The explanations, features and definitions provided above for the position locator and the dental component fully apply to the dental assembly of the

invention .

The dental assembly of the invention provides the effects and advantages already described in detail above for the position locator of the invention.

The dental component may be, for example, a dental implant or an implant analogue or replica, e.g., for use in a dental laboratory .

The dental component may have at least one cavity formed in a coronal portion thereof for receiving the at least one projection or protrusion of the attachment portion of the position locator. The dental component, such as a dental implant, may have an engagement portion for engagement with the fixation element for fixing the position locator to the dental component. For example, the fixation element may be a screw and the dental component may have a threaded bore for receiving a threaded portion of the screw, allowing for the position locator to be fixed to the dental component in a reversible manner by means of the screw.

Moreover, the invention provides a method of attaching the position locator of the invention to a dental component, such as a dental implant. The explanations, features and

definitions provided above for the position locator and the dental component fully apply to the method of the invention.

The method of the invention of attaching the position locator to a dental component provides the effects and advantages already described in detail above for the position locator of the invention.

The method of the invention may be a method of attaching the position locator according to the invention to a dental component, such as a dental implant, inside or outside a human or animal body. For example, the position locator of the invention may be attached to a dental component in a dental laboratory, e.g., using a jaw bone model.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Hereinafter, non-limiting examples of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a position locator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein

Fig. 1(a) is a side view of the position locator, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position locator taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1 (a) ;

Fig . 2 shows a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator shown in Fig. 1 and a dental implant, wherein Fig. 2(a) is a side view of the dental assembly, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly taken along the line A-A in Fig . 2(a);

Fig. 3 shows the position locator and the dental assembly of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, wherein Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the position locator, and Fig. 3(b) is a perspective view of the dental assembly;

Fig. 4 shows a position locator according to a second

embodiment of the present invention, wherein

Fig. 4(a) is a side view of the position locator, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position locator taken along the line A-A in Fig.

4 (a) ;

Fig. 5 shows a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator shown in Fig. 4 and a dental implant, wherein Fig. 5(a) is a side view of the dental assembly, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly taken along the line A-A in Fig . 5(a); Fig. 6 shows the position locator and the dental assembly of Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, wherein Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the position locator, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the dental assembly;

Fig. 7 shows views for illustrating a process of

assembling the position locator shown in Fig. 4, wherein Fig. 7(a) is a side view of the position locator, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position locator taken along the line A-A in Fig. 7 (a) ;

Fig . 8 shows a position locator according to a third

embodiment of the present invention, wherein

Fig. 8(a) is a side view of the position locator, and Fig. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position locator taken along the line A-A in Fig. 8 (a) ;

Fig. 9 shows a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator shown in Fig. 8 and a dental implant, wherein Fig. 9(a) is a side view of the dental assembly, and Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view of the dental assembly taken along the line A-A in Fig. 9(a) ;

Fig. 10 shows the position locator and the dental assembly of Figs. 8 and 9, respectively, wherein Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view of the position locator, and Fig. 10(b) is a perspective view of the dental assembly; and

Fig . 11 shows views for illustrating a process of

assembling the position locator shown in Fig. 8, wherein Fig. 11(a) is a side view of the position locator, and Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the position locator taken along the line A-A in Fig. 11 (a) .

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Figures 1 and 3 (a) show a position locator 1 according to the first embodiment. The position locator 1 is attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant (see Figure 2) .

The position locator 1 comprises a main body 2, wherein the main body 2 has a channel 4 for receiving a fixation element for fixing the position locator 1 to the dental component.

In the first embodiment, the fixation element is a screw 6 having a screw head 8 and a threaded portion 10. The

position locator 1 comprises the screw 6. The screw 6 is received in the channel 4, as is shown in Figures 1(a) and (b) . Specifically, the screw 6 is arranged in the channel 4 so that the screw head 8 rests on a screw seat 12 of the main body 2 (see Figures 1 (b) and 2 (b) ) . The screw 6 is rotatable relative to the main body 2 around an axis of the main body 2 extending along the direction from an apical end 14 of the main body 2 towards a coronal end 18 of the main body 2, i.e., along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

Further, the screw 6 is movable relative to the main body 2 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

The channel 4 extends from the apical end 14 of the main body 2 towards a side wall 16 of the main body 2. As is shown in Figure 1 (b) , the channel 4 substantially extends along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. The channel 4 does not extend all the way to the coronal end 18 of the main body 2. The side wall 16 of the main body 2 is provided with an opening 20 for allowing access to the channel 4. The screw 6 can be introduced into the channel 4 and removed from the channel 4 through the opening 20. The main body 2 is formed as a single piece and the screw 6 is formed as a single piece. For example, the main body 2 may be made of a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel, a ceramic, a polymer or a composite material. The main body 2 may be manufactured, e.g., by injection moulding, milling, such as CNC milling, etc. The position locator 1 is

assembled by introducing the screw 6 into the channel 4 through the opening 20.

The main body 2 comprises an attachment portion 22 for attaching the position locator 1 to the dental component.

The attachment portion 22 is provided at the apical end 14 of the main body 2. A part of the attachment portion 22 is elastically deformable in directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end 14 of the main body 2 towards the coronal end 18 of the main body 2, i.e., in radial directions of the main body 2. In particular, the attachment portion 22 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable fingers 24 (see Figures 1 (a) and 3 (a) ) which can be

elastically bent in radially inward directions.

The attachment portion 22 further comprises a plurality of projections 26 extending outwardly in radial directions of the main body 2. The projections 26 are provided on

respective elastically deformable fingers 24. The

projections 26 are configured to be received in a

corresponding cavity formed in a coronal portion of the dental component, allowing for the position locator 1 to be attached to the dental component by snap fit in a

particularly reliable manner, as will be further detailed below with reference to Figure 2. The main body 2 of the position locator 1 has a continuous coronal end surface 28, as is shown in Figures 3(a) and (b) . This coronal end surface 28 does not have any interruptions in the extension of the surface, such as openings or holes, thus providing a particularly large surface area for position detection, e.g., in a scanning process. In particular, the coronal end surface 28 offers ample surface area for the application of a scan identifier (not shown) thereto. The scan identifier, such as a computer readable scan identifier and/or a human readable scan identifier, may provide

information on the arrangement of the position locator 1, such as its location and orientation, in particular, its rotational orientation. Thus, the position of the dental component, in particular, the rotational orientation thereof, can be detected with a high degree of accuracy.

Figures 2 and 3 (b) show a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator 1 shown in Figure 1 and a dental implant 30 as the dental component.

The dental implant 30 is made of a metal, for example, titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

The dental implant 30 has a recess 32 formed at a coronal portion 34 of the implant 30, for receiving the attachment portion 22 of the main body 2 (see Figure 2 (b) ) . The coronal portion 34 of the implant 30 is formed with an annular cavity (not shown) for receiving the projections 26 of the

attachment portion 22. Therefore, the attachment portion 22 can be attached to and held within the coronal portion 34 of the implant 30 by snap fit.

Further, the dental implant 30 has a threaded bore 36

extending below the recess 32 in the apical direction of the implant 30, as is shown in Figure 2(b) . Moreover, the dental implant 30 has an outer threaded portion 38 for screwing the implant 30 into a patient's jaw bone.

When attaching the position locator 1 to the dental implant 30, the attachment portion 22 of the main body 2 is inserted into the recess 32 of the implant 30 so that the protrusions 26 of the attachment portion 22 are received in the annular cavity formed in the coronal portion 34 of the implant 30. Hence, the attachment portion 22 is securely held within this coronal portion 34 by snap fit, thus reliably attaching the position locator 1 to the implant 30.

In the process of attaching the position locator 1 to the implant 30, the fingers 24 are first elastically deformed, i.e., elastically bent, in radially inward directions upon insertion of the attachment portion 22 into the recess 32, and subsequently restored to their initial shapes, once the projections 26 are received in the annular cavity. This "snap in" process of the projections 26 provides an audible and tactile feedback to the user of the dental assembly, such as a clinician or a technician, e.g., in a dental laboratory, indicating that the position locator 1 is properly seated in the implant 30.

Since the recess 32 of the implant 30 is provided with the annular cavity, running in an annular extension along the circumference of the recess 32, the position locator 1 can be attached to the dental implant 30 by snap fit in any desired rotational position around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 relative to the implant 30. Hence, the position locator 1 can be suitably rotationally aligned with the implant 30 so as to allow for the rotational orientation of the implant 30 to be detected with a particularly high degree of accuracy, e.g., by using a scan identifier. Also, the position locator 1 can be arranged in a rotational position which further facilitates the fixation process to the implant 30, e.g., by rotating the position locator 1 relative to the implant 30 so that the opening 20 in the side wall 16 of the main body 2 is particularly easily accessible to the user of the position locator 1.

After the position locator 1 has been properly attached to the dental implant 30 via the attachment portion 22, the position locator 1 and the implant 30 are securely fixed in the attached state by screwing the screw 6 into the threaded bore 36 of the implant 30. In the fully fixed state of the position locator 1, which is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 (b) , the threaded portion 10 of the screw 6 is received within the threaded bore 36 of the implant 30 and the screw head 8 of the screw 6 rests on the screw seat 12 of the main body 2, thereby firmly holding the position locator 1 and the implant 30 in their relative positions.

In the process of fixing the position locator 1 to the dental implant 30, the screw 6 is rotated relative to the main body 2 around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2, while maintaining the main body 2 in its desired rotational

position relative to the implant 30. Specifically, the screw 6 is screwed into the implant 30 by introducing a screw driver (not shown) through the opening 20 in the side wall 16. In this way, the fixation process of the position locator 1 to the implant 30 is significantly simplified, in particular, in view of the limited space in a patient's mouth. Also, the patient's comfort during this process is considerably enhanced.

In the manner detailed above, the position locator 1 can be fixed to an implant placed in a patient's jaw bone.

Specifically, the implant 30 can be screwed into the

patient's jaw bone by means of the outer threaded portion 38 of the implant 30. Once the implant 30 is osseointegrated in the jaw bone, or immediately after implant placement, the position locator 1 is fixed to the implant 30 through the attachment portion 22 and the screw 6, as has been detailed above .

Further, the position locator 1 may be attached to a dental component, such as the dental implant 30, an implant analogue or an implant replica, outside a human or animal body, e.g., in a dental laboratory. In particular, in the manner

detailed above, the position locator 1 can be fixed to a jaw bone model in the dental laboratory, e.g., using an implant analogue or an implant replica instead of the implant 30.

In the following, a second embodiment of the present

invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

Figures 4 and 6(a) show a position locator 101 according to the second embodiment. The position locator 101 according to the second embodiment differs from the position locator 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the channel 4, in the configuration of the attachment portion 22 and in that the position locator 101 is formed in a two-piece configuration. Elements of the position locator 101 which are similar or identical to corresponding elements of the position locator 1 are denoted with the same reference signs and a repeated detailed description thereof is omitted.

As is shown in Figure 4 (b) , the channel 4 of the main body 2 of the position locator 101 has two channel parts 4a, 4b, wherein the first channel part 4a is arranged apically to the second channel part 4b. The first channel part 4a extends along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. The second channel part 4b extends in a direction which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

Specifically, the extension direction of the second channel part 4b has an inclination angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 of approximately 40°. This

configuration of the channel 4 allows for a particularly easy access to the channel 4 through the opening 20 in the side wall 16 of the main body 2. In particular, the opening 20 can be formed so as to be relatively small as compared to the opening 20 of the position locator 1 according to the first embodiment .

The main body 2 comprises an attachment portion 22 for attaching the position locator 101 to the dental implant 30, as is shown in Figures 4, 5(a), 6 and 7. A part of the attachment portion 22 is elastically deformable in directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end 14 of the main body 2 towards the coronal end 18 of the main body 2, i.e., in radial directions of the main body 2. In

particular, the attachment portion 22 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable fingers 24 (see Figures 4 (a) , 6 and 7) which can be elastically bent in radially outward

directions .

The attachment portion 22 further comprises a plurality of projections 26 extending inwardly in radial directions of the main body 2. The projections 26 are provided on respective elastically deformable fingers 24. The projections 26 are configured to be received in a corresponding cavity formed in the coronal portion 34 of the dental implant 30, allowing for the position locator 101 to be attached to the implant 30 by snap fit in a particularly reliable manner.

The attachment portion 22 of the position locator 101 mainly differs from the attachment portion 22 of the position locator 1 in that, when the attachment portion 22 is being attached to the dental implant 30, the elastically deformable fingers 24 are initially elastically bent in radially outward directions, as will be further detailed below with reference to Figure 5.

The main body 2 comprises a first main body portion 2a and a second main body portion 2b (see Figures 4 (a) , 7 (a) and (b) ) . The second main body portion 2b is arranged at an apical portion of the first main body portion 2a and partly received within the first main body portion 2a. The second main body portion 2b has a screw seat 12 for holding the screw head 8 of the screw 6. The first and second main body portions 2a, 2b are integrally attached to each other.

The assembly process of the position locator 101 is

illustrated in Figure 7. In this process, the screw 6 is introduced into the channel 4, in particular, the first channel part 4a, from an apical end of the first main body portion 2a. Subsequently, the second main body portion 2b is integrally attached to the apical portion of the first main body portion 2a, for example, by welding. After attaching the first and second main body portions 2a, 2b to each other in this way, the screw 6 is irremovably attached to the main body 2. Specifically, the screw 6 is attached to the main body 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 2 around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 and so as to be movable relative to the main body 2 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. However, the screw 6 cannot be removed or detached from the main body 2 without destroying the screw 6 and/or the main body 2. In particular, as is shown in Figure 4 (b) , movement of the screw 6 relative to the main body 2 in the coronal direction is restricted by the inclined second channel part 4b, while movement of the screw 6 relative to the main body 2 in the apical direction is restricted by the screw seat 12 of the second main body portion 2b.

In this way, it is particularly reliably ensured that the screw 6 is not unintentionally separated from the main body 2 and, for example, subsequently lost. For instance, it can be prevented that the screw 6 drops from the main body 2 when fixing the position locator 101 to the dental implant 30 in a patient's mouth and is swallowed or inhaled by the patient. The further features and characteristics of the position locator 101 are substantially the same as or similar to those of the position locator 1. Hence, a repeated detailed description thereof is omitted.

Figures 5 and 6 (b) show a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator 101 shown in Figure 4 and the dental implant 30 as the dental component.

The dental implant 30 of the dental assembly shown in Figure 5 mainly differs from the dental implant 30 of the dental assembly shown in Figure 2 in that it comprises an engagement projection 33 at its coronal end (see Figure 5(b)) for engagement with the attachment portion 22 of the main body 2. The engagement projection 33 of the implant 30 is formed with an annular cavity (not shown) , extending along the outer circumference of the engagement projection 33, for receiving the projections 26 of the attachment portion 22. Therefore, the attachment portion 22 can be attached to and held on the engagement projection 33 of the implant 30 by snap fit.

When attaching the position locator 101 to the dental implant 30, the attachment portion 22 of the main body 2 is slid over the engagement projection 33 of the implant 30 so that the protrusions 26 of the attachment portion 22 are received in the annular cavity formed in the engagement projection 33. Hence, the attachment portion 22 is securely held on the engagement projection 33 by snap fit, thus reliably attaching the position locator 101 to the implant 30.

In the process of attaching the position locator 101 to the implant 30, the fingers 24 are first elastically deformed, i.e., elastically bent, in radially outward directions upon sliding the attachment portion 22 over the engagement

projection 33, and subsequently restored to their initial shapes, once the projections 26 are received in the annular cavity. This "snap in" process of the projections 26 provides an audible and tactile feedback to the user of the dental assembly in substantially the same manner as described above for the position locator 1.

Since the engagement projection 33 of the implant 30 is provided with the annular cavity, running in an annular extension along the outer circumference of the engagement projection 33, the position locator 101 can be attached to the dental implant 30 by snap fit in any desired rotational position around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 relative to the implant 30. Hence, the position locator 101 can be suitably rotationally aligned with the implant 30 in substantially the same manner as detailed above for the position locator 1.

After the position locator 101 has been properly attached to the dental implant 30 via the attachment portion 22, the position locator 101 and the implant 30 are securely fixed in the attached state in substantially the same manner as detailed above for the position locator 1.

In the following, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.

Figures 8 and 10 (a) show a position locator 201 according to the third embodiment. The position locator 201 according to the third embodiment differs from the position locator 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the channel 4 and in the configuration of the screw 6. Elements of the position locator 201 which are similar or identical to corresponding elements of the position locator 1 are denoted with the same reference signs and a repeated detailed description thereof is omitted.

As is shown in Figure 8 (b) , the channel 4 of the main body 2 of the position locator 201 has two channel parts 4a, 4b, wherein the first channel part 4a is arranged apically to the second channel part 4b. The first channel part 4a extends along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. The second channel part 4b extends in a direction which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

configuration of the channel 4 allows for a particularly easy access to the channel 4 through the opening 20 in the side wall 16 of the main body 2, substantially in the same manner as detailed above for the position locator 101 according to the second embodiment.

The screw 6 comprises a first screw portion 6a and a second screw portion 6b (see Figures 8(b) and 11) . The second screw portion 6b is arranged apically to the first screw portion 6a. The first screw portion 6a has the screw head 8 and the second screw portion 6b has the threaded portion 10. The first and second screw portions 6a, 6b are integrally

attached to each other.

The assembly process of the position locator 201 is

illustrated in Figure 11. In this process, the first screw portion 6a is introduced into the channel 4 through the opening 20 in the side wall 16. The second screw portion 6b is introduced into the channel 4 from the apical end 14 of the main body 2. Subsequently, the first screw portion 6a is integrally attached to the second screw portion 6b, e.g., by welding. For example, a welding process may be performed through gaps between the fingers 24 of the attachment portion 22.

After attaching the first and second screw portions 6a, 6b to each other in this way, the screw 6 is irremovably attached to the main body 2. Specifically, the screw 6 is attached to the main body 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the main body 2 around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 and so as to be movable relative to the main body 2 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. However, the screw 6 cannot be removed or detached from the main body 2 without destroying the screw 6 and/or the main body 2. In

particular, as is shown in Figure 8 (b) , movement of the screw 6 relative to the main body 2 in the coronal direction is restricted by the inclined second channel part 4b, while movement of the screw 6 relative to the main body 2 in the apical direction is restricted by the screw seat 12 of the main body 2.

In this way, in a similar manner as described above for the position locator 101, it is particularly reliably ensured that the screw 6 is not unintentionally separated from the main body 2 and, for example, subsequently lost.

The further features and characteristics of the position locator 201 are substantially the same as or similar to those of the position locator 1. Hence, a repeated detailed description thereof is omitted. In particular, the

attachment portion 22 of the position locator 201 is

substantially identical to that of the position locator 1.

Figures 9 and 10 (b) show a dental assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the position locator 201 shown in Figure 8 and the dental implant 30 as the dental component.

The dental implant 30 of the dental assembly shown in Figure 9 is substantially identical to the dental implant 30 of the dental assembly shown in Figure 2. Further, the position locator 201 is attached and fixed to the dental implant 30 in substantially the same manner as detailed above for the dental assembly shown in Figure 2.

Claims

1. A position locator (1; 101; 201) attachable to a dental component (30), such as a dental implant, the position locator (1; 101; 201) comprising: a main body (2); wherein the main body (2) has a channel (4) for receiving a fixation element (6), such as a screw, for fixing the

position locator (1; 101; 201) to the dental component (30), the channel (4) extends from an apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards a side wall (16) of the main body (2), the side wall (16) of the main body (2) is provided with an opening (20) for allowing access to the channel (4), the main body (2) comprises an attachment portion (22) for attaching the position locator (1; 101; 201) to the dental component (30), and at least a part of the attachment portion (22) is elastically deformable at least in one or more directions perpendicular to the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards a coronal end (18) of the main body (2) .

2. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to claim 1, wherein the main body (2) has a continuous coronal end surface (28) .

3. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a coronal end surface (28) of the main body (2) is provided with a scan identifier.

4. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the fixation element ( 6) .

5. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to claim 4, wherein the fixation element (6) is rotatable relative to the main body (2) around an axis of the main body (2) extending along the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards the coronal end (18) of the main body (2) .

6. The position locator (101; 201) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fixation element (6) is irremovably attached to the main body (2) .

7. The position locator (201) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the fixation element (6) comprises a first fixation element portion (6a) and a second fixation element portion (6b), the second fixation element portion (6b) is arranged apically to the first fixation element portion (6a), and the first and second fixation element portions (6a, 6b) are attached, preferably integrally

attached, to each other.

8. The position locator (101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part (4b) of the channel (4) extends in a direction which is inclined relative to the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards the coronal end (18) of the main body (2) .

9. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2), in particular, the attachment portion (22), is configured so that the position locator (1; 101; 201) is attachable to the dental component (30) only in one or more discrete relative rotational positions, the one or more relative rotational positions being one or more rotational positions of the position locator (1; 101; 201) relative to the dental component (30) around an axis of the main body (2) extending along the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards the coronal end (18) of the main body (2) .

10. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment portion (22) comprises at least one projection (26) extending in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the direction from the apical end (14) of the main body (2) towards the coronal end (18) of the main body (2) .

11. The position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment portion (22) is provided at an apical portion of the main body (2) or at the apical end (14) of the main body (2) .

12. The position locator (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) comprises a first main body portion (2a) and a second main body portion (2b) , and the first and second main body portions (2a, 2b) are attached, preferably integrally attached, to each other.

13. The position locator (1; 201) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the main body (2) is formed as a single piece.

14. A dental assembly comprising the position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims and a dental component (30), such as a dental implant, an abutment or a part of a multi-piece abutment.

15. A method of attaching the position locator (1; 101; 201) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to a dental component (30), such as a dental implant, an abutment or a part of a multi-piece abutment.