Dental implant positioning system

Abstract

A system is disclosed for installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient. The system includes a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis and guide means for supporting the drive shaft with its axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed. The guide means has a threaded bore for receiving a drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from the bore. The drive shaft can then be engaged with and disengaged from the guide means by radial displacement of the shaft parallel to its axis. A drill is adapted to be releasably coupled to a leading end portion of the drive shaft and may be a self-drilling implant. Means is provided for rotating the drive shaft in a direction to cause the drill to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.

1 . A system for use in installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient, the system comprising:
 a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis;   guide means for supporting the drive shaft with it axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed, the guide means having a threaded bore for receiving the drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from said bore, through which the drive shaft can be engaged with and disengaged from the guide means by radial displacement of the drive shaft parallel to its said axis,   a drill coupled to a leading end portion of the drive shaft; and,   means for rotating the drive shaft in a direction to cause the drill to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide means comprises a holder which has a C-shape defining said opening receiving said drive shaft by radial displacement, and a guide body engageable with the holder via said opening and having said threaded bore. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the body and holder are complimentarily shaped for precise location of said drive shaft in said bore and with respect to the location in a patient's dental arch at which the implant is to be installed. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the holder has a shape that tapers inwardly from said opening, and the guide body is shaped to fit closely into the holder for stably locating the drive shaft with respect to the jawbone of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the holder of the guide means is imbedded in a surgical template formed to be fitted into the mouth of the patient, for locating the guide means in fixed relationship with respect to the location at which the implant is to be installed. 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the drive shaft is provided with a stop for defining a position of maximum penetration of the drill by contact of the stop with an upper surface of the guide body. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein only a lower portion of the drive shaft is threaded so that the drive shaft will come free of the guide means, permitting drilling to continue under manual control. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drill is a self-drilling/self-tapping dental implant. 
     
     
         9 . A kit of parts for use in installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient, comprising:
 a threaded drive shaft rotatable about an axis;   guide means for supporting the drive shaft with its axis oriented in a path along which the implant is to be installed, the guide means having a threaded bore for receiving and the drive shaft and an opening which extends parallel to the axis of the drive shaft and opens radially outwardly from said bore, through which the drive shaft can be engaged with and disengaged from the guide means by radial displacement of the drive shaft parallel to its said axis;   the drive shaft having a leading end portion to which a dental drill or implant can be coupled, and a trailing end to which can be releasably coupled drive means for rotating the shaft in use to cause the drill or implant to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.   
     
     
         10 . A kit of parts as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the guide means comprises a holder which has a C-shape defining said opening receiving said drive shaft by radial displacement, and a guide body engageable with the holder via said opening and having said threaded bore. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing a dental implant in a jawbone of a patient, comprising the steps of:
 providing a kit of parts as claimed in  claim 9 ;   providing a surgical template molded to fit the jawbone of a patient at the location at which the implant is to be installed, the template having said holder embedded therein;   engaging said guide body of the guide means with the holder via said opening;   engaging the threaded drive shaft with the threaded bore in the body; and,   rotating the drive shaft in a direction to cause the drill or implant to penetrate the jawbone of the patient.