Dental implants, tools, and methods

Abstract

Apparatus is provided that includes a dental implant having a lateral external surface. The implant is shaped so as to define a lumen therethrough having a lateral opening through the lateral external surface. The apparatus further includes a retaining element, and a delivery tube having a distal tube end. The retaining element is configured to assume (a) a first position in which the retaining element removably couples the distal tube end to the implant such that the delivery tube is in fluid communication with the lumen via the lateral opening, and (b) a second position in which the retaining element does not couple the distal tube end to the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus comprising:
 a dental implant having a lateral external surface, the implant being shaped so as to define a lumen therethrough having a lateral opening through the lateral external surface;   a delivery tube having a distal tube end, which is removably coupled to the implant such that the delivery tube is in fluid communication with the lumen via the lateral opening; and   a fixing element and a fixing element receptor, which are configured to be temporarily coupled together so as to prevent decoupling of the delivery tube from the implant.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , further comprising an applicator, which is removably coupled to a proximal implant end of the implant, and which is shaped so as to define the fixing element receptor. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the applicator is configured such that removal of the applicator from the implant frees the fixing element from the fixing element receptor. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the delivery tube comprises the fixing element. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the fixing element and the fixing element receptor are configured, when temporarily coupled together, to prevent rotation of the delivery tube with respect to the implant. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the fixing element is shaped so as to define a fixing pin, and the fixing element receptor is shaped so as to define a receptor hole. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the fixing element is shaped so as to define a shape selected from the group consisting of: a slot and a groove, and the fixing element receptor is shaped so as to define a corresponding coupling surface that fixes the fixing element to the fixing element receptor. 
     
     
         40 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus comprising:
 a dental implant; and   a dental applicator, which is shaped so as to define:
 a distal coupling surface, which is configured to removably engage the applicator with a proximal end of the dental implant, 
 a proximal coupling surface, and 
 a longitudinal portion, which is shaped so as to define an external surface that is rotationally asymmetric, 
 wherein the distal and the proximal coupling surfaces share a common central longitudinal axis. 
   
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the distal coupling surface extends from a distal end of the applicator toward the proximal coupling surface. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the proximal coupling surface extends from a proximal end of the applicator toward the distal coupling surface. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the distal coupling surface extends from a distal end of the applicator toward the proximal coupling surface. 
     
     
         52 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein each of the distal and the proximal coupling surfaces is rotationally symmetric and not circular. 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the distal coupling surface is longitudinally non-overlapping with the rotationally-asymmetric external surface. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the proximal coupling surface is longitudinally non-overlapping with the rotationally-asymmetric external surface. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the distal and the proximal coupling surfaces are longitudinally non-overlapping with the rotationally-asymmetric external surface. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the distal and the proximal coupling surfaces are male and regularly polygonally shaped. 
     
     
         62 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the applicator is shaped so as to define a channel therethrough, which is open to both distal and proximal ends of the applicator, and which is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the applicator comprises a connecting element, which is configured to be disposed at least partially in the channel, and to removably couple the applicator to the proximal implant end. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus according to  claim 65 , wherein the connecting element comprises a shaft, at least a portion of which defines a screw thread. 
     
     
         67 - 94 . (canceled)