Dental implant system

Abstract

The dental implant system includes implants having integral abutments therewith for the removable or fixed attachment of plural or single prosthetic teeth, as appropriate. The system for removable dental prostheses includes a metal housing permanently installed in the removable prosthesis, and a rubber retentive insert installed in the housing. The insert is removably installed over the abutment of the implant to secure the dental prosthesis thereto. The system includes transfer copings for transferring an impression to the lab for manufacture of the prosthesis, and lab processing copings and analogs for handling and forming the prosthesis during manufacture. The system may be assembled as a kit having some or all of the above components.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A kit for a dental prosthesis, comprising:
 a dental prosthesis;   an implant having an abutment formed integrally therewith, the implant being adapted for implantation in a patient's mouth, the prosthesis being retained in the patient's mouth when the prosthesis is seated on the abutment;   a transfer coping adapted for removable installation upon the abutment;   a lab processing coping matching the transfer coping, the lab processing coping being adapted for installation within the dental prosthesis;   an analog and pin adapted for holding the lab processing coping during manufacture thereof;   a sheath, the analog being slidable into the sheath for holding the analog and pin; and   an elastomeric ring removably disposed about the abutment.   
     
     
         9 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 8 , further including:
 at least one prosthesis-retaining housing installed within the dental prosthesis; and   a rubber insert removably installed within the housing, the insert having an abutment receptacle formed therein.   
     
     
         10 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the housing has an inwardly disposed base flange, the base flange having a plurality of radially disposed slots defined therein; and   the insert has a plurality of axial ribs extending radially therefrom, the ribs being removably insertable through the slots of the base flange of the housing, the ribs being captured by the base flange when the insert is rotated in the housing in order to secure the insert in the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 10 , further comprising an insert installation and removal instrument having an elongated shaft and a bit attached to an end of the shaft, the abutment receptacle having a slot defined therein for receiving the bit. 
     
     
         12 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the implant has a tapered, helically threaded base portion having a pointed distal tip;   a collar opposite the tip, the abutment extending from the collar;   a micro-threaded portion disposed between the collar and the base portion; and   a head disposed upon the abutment opposite the collar, the head having a non-circular periphery.   
     
     
         13 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 8 , wherein the dental prosthesis is selected from the group consisting of removable partial dental prostheses and removable full dental prostheses. 
     
     
         14 . The kit for a dental prosthesis according to  claim 8 , wherein the dental prosthesis is a single fixed prosthetic tooth. 
     
     
         15 . A dental implant assembly, comprising an implant having:
 a tapered, helically threaded base portion having a pointed distal tip;   a collar opposite the tip;   a micro-threaded portion disposed between the collar and the base portion;   an abutment extending from the collar; and   a head disposed upon the abutment opposite the collar, the head having a non-circular periphery.   
     
     
         16 . The dental implant assembly according to  claim 15 , further including:
 a dental prosthesis having at least one prosthesis-retaining housing installed therein; and   a rubber insert removably installed within the housing, the insert having an abutment receptacle formed therein.   
     
     
         17 . The dental implant assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the dental prosthesis is selected from the group consisting of removable partial dental prostheses and removable full dental prostheses. 
     
     
         18 . The dental implant assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the housing has an inwardly disposed base flange, the base flange having a plurality of radially disposed slots defined therein;   the insert has a plurality of axial ribs extending radially therefrom, the ribs being removably insertable through the slots of the base flange of the housing, the ribs being captured by the base flange when the insert is rotated in the housing in order to retain the insert in the housing; and   an insert installation and removal instrument having an elongated shaft and a bit attached to an end of the shaft, the abutment receptacle having a slot defined therein for receiving the bit.   
     
     
         19 . The dental implant assembly according to  claim 15 , further comprising a dental prosthesis consisting of a single fixed prosthetic tooth. 
     
     
         20 . The dental implant assembly according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a transfer coping adapted for removable installation upon the abutment;   a lab processing coping matching the transfer coping, the lab processing coping being adapted for installation within the dental prosthesis;   an analog adapted for holding the lab processing coping during manufacture thereof; and   a sheath, the analog being slidable in the sheath for holding the analog.