US5816809A — Dental prosthesis support device and method of us…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 67 words

A device for use in positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient comprising: a support member having a distal root portion with external screw threads engagable with said implant device, and a proximal post portion with an upper region of said post portion having external screw threads; a weakened region between said upper region and the rest of the device.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 67 words

A device for use in positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient comprising: a support member having a distal root portion with external screw threads engagable with said implant device, and a proximal post portion with an upper region of said post portion having external screw threads; a weakened region between said upper region and the rest of the device.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient which method comprises: providing a support member configured for receiving a prosthesis, having a distal root portion, a middle collar portion, and a proximal post portion with a top region and a constricted region between said top region and the remainder of said support device; coupling the support member to the implant device, removing the top from the post, and installing the prosthesis on the support member.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 84 words

A method of positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient which method comprises: providing a support member configured for receiving a prosthesis, having a distal root portion, a middle collar portion, and a proximal post portion with a top region and a constricted region between said top region and the remainder of said support device; coupling the support member to the implant device, removing the top from the post, and installing the prosthesis on the support member.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 2, wherein the middle collar portion of the support member is greater in cross-section than said implant device.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said collar portion has a lower surface flaring outward from said root portion.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 3 wherein said collar portion has an upper surface tapering in to said post portion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the post tapers to define decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction from the middle collar portion toward the top of the post portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 6 wherein the angle of the post taper is between 4 and 10 degrees.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the distal root portion has two external surface portions, the lower surface portion being unthreaded and the upper surface portion having external screw threads.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

The of claim 2 wherein the support member has a wrench engaging surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 13 words

The of claim 9 wherein the wrench-engaging surface is substantially hexagonal in cross-section.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: installing the prosthesis on the support member so as to be aligned in a preferred alignment with respect to the wrench engaging surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: attaching a temporary healing cap to the top of the support member, and removing the temporary healing cap following healing of the surrounding tissue.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 12 wherein neither the temporary healing cap nor the prosthesis contacts the implant device.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 12, wherein a temporary crown is attached to the temporary healing cap before removal of the temporary healing cap and preceding the installation of the prosthesis on the supporting member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the prosthesis is attached to the support member by cementation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the temporary healing cap is attached to the support member by means of external screw threads on the support member.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 208 words

A device for use in positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient, comprising: a support member with a distal root portion, a middle collar portion and a post portion, the root portion having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a longitudinal axis, the root portion further having an upper and a lower portion, the lower portion having a smooth external surface with a first diameter and the upper portion having external threads defining a second diameter greater than said first diameter, the middle collar portion having a greater cross-section than said implant device and having an upper surface and a lower portion, the lower portion flaring outward from said root portion with said lower portion defining first and second surfaces at first and second different angles with respect to said longitudinal axis, the upper portion tapering in to said post portion, said post portion with a top region, the post tapering to the top region at an angle of about 6 degrees from the middle collar portion, the post further having a wrench-engaging hexagonal outer surface, and the top region of said post having a constricted stem region for breaking an externally threaded top away from the rest of the post.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 208 words

A device for use in positioning and securing a dental prosthesis to an implant device positioned in a patient, comprising: a support member with a distal root portion, a middle collar portion and a post portion, the root portion having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a longitudinal axis, the root portion further having an upper and a lower portion, the lower portion having a smooth external surface with a first diameter and the upper portion having external threads defining a second diameter greater than said first diameter, the middle collar portion having a greater cross-section than said implant device and having an upper surface and a lower portion, the lower portion flaring outward from said root portion with said lower portion defining first and second surfaces at first and second different angles with respect to said longitudinal axis, the upper portion tapering in to said post portion, said post portion with a top region, the post tapering to the top region at an angle of about 6 degrees from the middle collar portion, the post further having a wrench-engaging hexagonal outer surface, and the top region of said post having a constricted stem region for breaking an externally threaded top away from the rest of the post.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 17 wherein the upper portion of said collar portion is angled so as to abut the prosthesis.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of constructing a dental prosthesis for installation on a support device attached to an implant device positioned in a patient which method comprises: providing a support member with a wrench engaging surface, providing an adjustable torque wrench, setting the torque of said wrench using a non-variable standard, providing a calibration device having weight which can be moved to set the amount of torque needed to rotate a first post; engaging the torque wrench with said first posts; adjusting the torque of said adjustable torque wrench until rotation of the wrench causes rotation of said first post; and using said torque wrench to install said support member.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of constructing a dental prosthesis for installation on a support device attached to an implant device positioned in a patient which method comprises: providing a support member with a wrench engaging surface, providing an adjustable torque wrench, setting the torque of said wrench using a non-variable standard, providing a calibration device having weight which can be moved to set the amount of torque needed to rotate a first post; engaging the torque wrench with said first posts; adjusting the torque of said adjustable torque wrench until rotation of the wrench causes rotation of said first post; and using said torque wrench to install said support member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-10-05	2002-04-06	2002-10-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-10-05	2006-04-06	2006-10-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-10-05	2010-04-06	2010-10-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dental prosthesis support device and method of using same

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