Transmucosal healing cap and lockwasher for dental implants

Claim 1

A specially designed healing cap and implantable fixture, said cap having a centrally located cavity, comprising: a cap body having a vertical axis that extends through the center of said cavity, a distal surface and a proximal surface, a first circular channel extending inwardly from said distal surface to said cavity said channel having a vertical axis coincident with said axis of the cap body and a seat at the juncture of said channel and said cavity, a second hexagonal channel extending inwardly from said proximal surface and in alignment with said first channel; said implantable fixture further having a distal surface and a proximal surface, said fixture directly underlying the proximal surface of said cap body, and having a hexagonal fitting on its distal surface, in alignment with and nestled in said hexagonal channel, said fixture having a threaded opening and a vertical axis coincident with the axis of said cavity; a retaining screw having a grooved head that fits precisely in said seat and a shaft having a threaded end section that extends through said cavity and said hexagonal fitting and screws into said threaded opening in said fixture; a helical washer between said proximal surface of said healing cap and said distal surface of said fixture and around said hexagonal channel, said helical washer being in the form of a split ring having ends that are inclined from the horizontal, said washer assuming the shape of a flat ring when compressed by turning of said retaining screw so as to join said healing cap and fixture in a tight fit.