Artificial tooth structure

Claim 1

An artificial tooth comprising a crown section; a root section adapted to be inserted into an alveolus in the jaw of a vertebrate, the root section being formed by a member of a carbon material which is microcrystalline in structure and substantially impermeable and having at least one substantially cone-shaped projection adapted to fit approximately within the inner surface of the alveolus; and means resiliently securing the crown section to the root section, the resilient securing means including at least one stub exTension for the said member, the stub extension fitting into a complementary cavity in the crown section; and an elastomeric material interposed between the stub extension and the wall of the cavity and between the lower surface of the crown section and those regions of the upper surface of the said member which surround the stub extension, the elastomeric material being preformed and shaped to conform to the profile of the interface between the crown section and the root section, each stub extension having a bulbous head causing the preformed elastomeric material to be in a state of compression and such that it effects a substantial seal between the edge of the crown section and the root section.