Customized dental abutments and methods of preparing or selecting the same

Abstract

A customized dental abutment is provided which replicates a tooth being replaced. The dimensions of the abutment are determined by a computer algorithm that modifies standard tooth type models according to a series of measurements taken of the site of desired tooth replacement. Methods of the invention relate to taking a series of measurements of the site of desired tooth replacement, determining the type of tooth being replaced, and preparing or selecting a customized dental abutment based on the measurements and determination. The preparation or selection is made by modifying standard measurements for the type of tooth being replaced in conformity with the measurements taken of the site of desired tooth replacement.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A customized dental abutment, comprising dimensions that replicate those of a patient's natural dentition, wherein said dimensions are determined by a computer algorithm that modifies pre-programmed standard tooth shapes to generate a model of said customized dental abutment.  
     
     
         2 . The dental abutment of    claim 1   , wherein said dimensions comprise a mesial-distal angle, a facial-lingual angle, a rotational axis of a dental implant fixture implanted at a site of desired tooth replacement, a width, a facial-lingual offset, a mesial-distal offset, and a height from the gumline to the top of a dental implant fixture implanted in a patient's mouth for the specific tooth being replaced, as well as the type of tooth being replaced.  
     
     
         3 . The dental abutment of    claim 2   , wherein said dimensions further comprise a height to the occlusal plane and a gingival profile of said tooth being replaced, and said dimensions, including size, position, orientation and inclination, of said adjacent and opposing teeth of said tooth being replaced.  
     
     
         4 . A method of preparing a customized dental abutment from a study cast and impression of a patient's mouth, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) implanting a dental implant fixture in said study cast at the site of tooth replacement as determined by said impression;    (b) measuring a mesial-distal angle of said site;    (c) measuring a facial-lingual angle of said site;    (d) measuring an axis of rotation of said fixture;    (e) measuring a width of said site;    (f) measuring a facial-lingual offset of said site;    (g) measuring a mesial-distal offset of said site:    (h) measuring a height from the gumline to the top of said dental implant fixture;    (i) determining the type of tooth being replaced; and    (j) preparing said abutment based on said measurements and said determination.    
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 4   , further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) measuring a height to the occlusal plane of said site;    (b) determining a gingival profile of said site;    (c) determining dimensions of adjacent teeth; and    (d) determining dimensions of opposing tooth prior to said preparation step.    
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 4   , further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) entering said measurements into a computer programmed to generate a model of said abutment based on said measurements;    (b) generating said model; and    (c) creating a prototype of said abutment based on said model.    
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein said computer is pre-programmed to include a series of average shapes for the type of tooth being replaced.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein said generating step comprises the steps of: 
 (a) comparing said average shape to said entered measurements;    (b) modifying said average shape in conformity with said entered measurements; and    (c) developing said model based on said modified shape.    
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein said creating step comprises the steps of: 
 (a) building said abutment from said prototype;    (b) polishing said abutment; and    (c) sterilizing said abutment.    
     
     
         10 . A method of selecting a dental abutment from an inventory of dental abutments, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining a series of measurements for a tooth being replaced;    (b) determining a type of tooth being replaced; and    (c) selecting an abutment based on said determinations.    
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said measurements comprise a mesial-distal angle, a facial-lingual angle, a rotational axis of a dental implant fixture implanted at a site of desired tooth replacement, a width, a facial-lingual offset, a mesial-distal offset, and a height from the gumline to the top of a dental implant fixture implanted in a patient's mouth for the specific tooth being replaced.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , wherein said measurements further comprise a height to the occlusal plane and a gingival profile of the tooth being replaced, and the dimensions, including the size, position, orientation and inclination, of adjacent and opposing teeth of the tooth being replaced.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said inventory is a computer inventory.