Integrated dental implant component and tool for placement of a dental implant component

Abstract

An integrated dental component, carrier and affixation tool provides a clinician with a large object to hold the dental component, and allows for single-handed orientation, placement and fastening with the integration of an affixation tool.

1 . An integrated dental component and tool driver comprising a lower portion having an asymmetrical, conical taper, said conical taper providing a friction fit engagement between said lower portion and the dental component, such that rotating said tool driver effects rotation of the dental component. 
     
     
         2 . An integrated dental component and tool driver as in  claim 1 , wherein the dental component is a scan flag. 
     
     
         3 . An integrated dental component and tool driver as in  claim 1 , an upper portion removably received within a bore in said lower portion. 
     
     
         4 . An integrated dental component and tool driver as in  claim 3 , further comprising a bias member positioned within said bore and biasing the tool driver in a desired direction. 
     
     
         5 . An integrated dental component and tool driver as in  claim 4 , wherein said bias member is a coil spring. 
     
     
         6 . An integrated dental component and tool driver as in  claim 3 , wherein the dental component has an aperture that receives at least a part of said lower portion in a removable manner. 
     
     
         7 . A method of placing a dental component comprising the steps of providing an integrated dental component and tool driver wherein the tool driver has a lower portion having an asymmetrical, conical taper removably receivable within the dental component. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising an upper portion removably receiving at least a part of the tool driver within a bore therein, and wherein said upper portion is removably received within an aperture in the dental component. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 7  wherein a user places the integrated dental component and tool driver in a desired location and removed the tool driver from the dental component. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein the tool driver is then used to physically manipulate the positioning of the dental component.