Fixture for attaching prosthesis to bone

Claim 1

A device for using and connecting a prothesis to bone, which comprises: an implant for integration with bone, the implant having a head defining an upper surface and an externally threaded shaft depending therefrom, the shaft tapering downwardly from the head; an abutment to receive the prothesis, the abutment having a lower surface complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, one of either of said lower surface of the abutment or said upper surface of said implant bearing a tongue and the other defining a complementary groove, said tongue and groove interfitting to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said abutment defining a first bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof and said implant defining a screw threaded second bore adapted to align with said first bore of said abutment extending longitudinally from said upper surface of said implant along a central axis of said implant, said abutment defining a seat coaxial with said first bore and superior thereto; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant at the complementary surfaces, said connecting means comprising a bolt having a head and a screw threaded portion such that when the bolt is in its connecting position, the head of the bolt engages with said seat and the screw threaded portion engages said second bore.

Claim 2

A device for using and connecting a prothesis to bone, which comprises: an implant for integration with bone, the implant having a head defining an upper surface and an externally threaded shaft depending therefrom, the shaft tapering downwardly from the head; an abutment to receive the prothesis, the abutment having a lower surface complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, one of either of said lower surface of the abutment or said upper surface of said implant bearing a tongue and the other defining a complementary groove, said tongue and groove interfitting to prevent relative rotation therebetween, said abutment defining a first bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof and said implant defining a screw threaded second bore adapted to align with said first bore of said abutment extending longitudinally from said upper surface of said implant along a central axis of said implant, said abutment defining a seat coaxial with said first bore and superior thereto; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant at the complementary surfaces, said connecting means comprising a bolt having a head and a screw threaded portion such that when the bolt is in its connecting position, the head of the bolt engages with said seat and the screw threaded portion engages said second bore.

Claim 10

A device for use in connecting a dental bridge within the oral cavity which comprises an implant for integration with mandibular bone having a head providing an upper planar surface with a recess therein and an externally screw-threaded shaft depending from the head, and tapering downwardly from the head, the implant defining a first screw-threaded bore extending longitudinally from said recess and along the central axis of the implant; an abutment for receiving the dental bridge, the abutment having a cylindrical portion having a lower planar surface with a protrusion extending therefrom whereby the lower surface is complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, and an upper part-spherical domed surface, the abutment defining a second bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof such that when the implant and the abutment are mated at their respective upper and lower surfaces, said first bore and said second bore are aligned; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant comprised of a screw threaded element capable of being positioned within said first and second bores to effect said connection.

Claim 11

A device for use in connecting a dental bridge within the oral cavity which comprises an implant for integration with mandibular bone having a head providing an upper planar surface with a recess therein and an externally screw-threaded shaft depending from the head, and tapering downwardly from the head, the implant defining a first screw-threaded bore extending longitudinally from said recess and along the central axis of the implant; an abutment for receiving the dental bridge, the abutment having a cylindrical portion having a lower planar surface with a protrusion extending therefrom whereby the lower surface is complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, and an upper part-spherical domed surface, the abutment defining a second bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof such that when the implant and the abutment are mated at their respective upper and lower surfaces, said first bore and said second bore are aligned; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant comprised of a screw threaded element capable of being positioned within said first and second bores to effect said connection.

Claim 14

A device for use in connecting an artificial tooth within the oral cavity which comprises an implant for integration with mandibular bone having a head providing an upper planar surface with a recess therein and an externally screw-threaded shaft depending from the head, and tapering downwardly from the head, the implant defining a first screw-threaded bore extending longitudinally from said recess and along the central axis of the implant; an abutment for receiving the dental bridge, the abutment having a cylindrical portion having a lower planar surface with a protrusion extending therefrom whereby the lower surface is complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, and peg means extending from the cylindrical portion the peg means having a diameter generally less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion from which it extends, the abutment defining a second bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof such that when the implant and the abutment are mated at their respective upper and lower surfaces, said first bore and said second bore are aligned; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant comprised of a screw threaded element capable of being positioned within said first and second bores to effect said connection.

Claim 15

A device for use in connecting an artificial tooth within the oral cavity which comprises an implant for integration with mandibular bone having a head providing an upper planar surface with a recess therein and an externally screw-threaded shaft depending from the head, and tapering downwardly from the head, the implant defining a first screw-threaded bore extending longitudinally from said recess and along the central axis of the implant; an abutment for receiving the dental bridge, the abutment having a cylindrical portion having a lower planar surface with a protrusion extending therefrom whereby the lower surface is complementary to the upper surface of the head of the implant, and peg means extending from the cylindrical portion the peg means having a diameter generally less than the diameter of the cylindrical portion from which it extends, the abutment defining a second bore extending longitudinally through said abutment and along a central axis thereof such that when the implant and the abutment are mated at their respective upper and lower surfaces, said first bore and said second bore are aligned; and connecting means for connecting the abutment to the implant comprised of a screw threaded element capable of being positioned within said first and second bores to effect said connection.