Bioroot endosseous implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel endosseous implants, which are designed so that the areas intended for bone soft tissue apposition exhibit a scalloped appearance, including both convex and concave patterns, to follow the naturally occurring bone morphology. Thus, the disclosed implants provide attachment possibilities for both bone and soft tissue, thereby effecting both hard- and soft-tissue preservation. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/007,836, filed Dec. 2, 2005, have been considered, and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e) for ex parte reexaminations, or the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 316 as provided in 37 CFR 1.997(e) for inter partes reexaminations.

1. An endosseous dental implant, comprising:
 a threaded shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 an abutment-implant interface disposed towards the proximal end of said shaft; and 
 a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and having an edge disposed adjacent to said abutment-implant interface, said edge of the bone-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology and wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge. 
 
     
     
       2. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said edge of the bone-tissue apposition surface has a non-planar appearance. 
     
     
       3. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 2 , wherein said edge of the bone tissue apposition surface has a highest point and a lowest point and the highest points point of said bone-tissue apposition surface is configured to substantially aligns align with the interproximal areas of the bone-tissue, and wherein the lowest points point of said bone-tissue apposition surface is configured to substantially aligns align with the buccal area of the bone-tissue. 
     
     
       4. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of the bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition and including an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology. 
 
     
     
       5. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 1  further comprising: An endosseous dental implant, comprising:
 a shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 an abutment-implant interface disposed towards the proximal end of said shaft; 
 a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and having a boundary disposed adjacent to said abutment-implant interface, said boundary of said bone-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology; and 
 a means for connecting an abutment to said abutment-implant interface for use in a two-stage procedure; 
 wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said boundary but does not extend beyond said boundary. 
 
     
     
       6. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 5 , wherein said abutment-implant interface has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, and wherein said planar upper surface substantially surrounds said means for connecting. 
     
     
       7. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 5 , wherein said abutment-implant interface has a contoured upper surface, and wherein said contoured upper surface substantially surrounds said means for connecting. 
     
     
       8. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 7 , further comprising an abutment wherein a lower surface of the abutment substantially abuts against said contoured upper surface, thereby providing improved lateral support. 
     
     
       9. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an abutment permanently attached to said abutment-implant interface for use in a one-stage procedure. 
 
     
     
       10. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 9 , wherein said shaft and said abutment are constructed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
       11. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 9 , wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft and wherein said planar upper surface substantially surrounds a chimney. 
     
     
       12. The endosseous dental implant according to  claim 9 , wherein said abutment has a contoured upper surface and wherein said contoured upper surface substantially surrounds a chimney. 
     
     
       13. A one-stage endosseous dental implant, comprising:
 a threaded shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and comprising an edge disposed adjacent to said an abutment-implant interface, said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology; and 
 an abutment permanently attached to the proximal end of said shaft; 
 wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge. 
 
     
     
       14. The one-stage endosseous dental implant according to  claim 13 , wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, and wherein said planar upper surface substantially surrounds a chimney. 
     
     
       15. The one-stage endosseous dental implant according to  claim 13 , wherein said abutment has a contoured upper surface and wherein said contoured upper surface substantially surrounds a chimney. 
     
     
       16. A two-stage endosseous dental implant system, comprising:
 a shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and an edge disposed adjacent to said an abutment-implant interface, said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge; 
 an abutment-implant interface disposed towards the proximal end of said shaft; 
 an abutment configured to attach to said abutment-implant interface; 
 a means for connecting said abutment to said shaft abutment-implant interface; and 
 a crown having a distal end configured to fit over said abutment. 
 
     
     
       17. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 16 , wherein said abutment-implant interface has a substantially planar upper surface substantially surrounding said means for connecting a bore, and wherein said upper planar surface is approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       18. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 17 , wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper abutment-crown interface surface. 
     
     
       19. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 17 , wherein said abutment has a contoured upper abutment-crown interface surface substantially surrounding a chimney, and wherein a distal end of said crown is configured such that at least an outside surface of said crown extends to and follows the contours of said upper abutment-crown interface surface, thereby providing a narrow depth between the distal end of said crown and said bone tissue apposition surface. 
     
     
       20. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 16 , wherein said abutment-implant interface has a contoured upper surface substantially surrounding said means for connecting a bore, and said contoured upper surface approximately matches the contour of the natural bone morphology, and wherein said abutment has a lower surface configured to substantially abut said contoured upper surface. 
     
     
       21. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 20 , wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper abutment-crown interface surface. 
     
     
       22. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 20 , wherein said abutment has a contoured upper abutment-crown interface surface substantially surrounding a chimney, and wherein a distal end of said crown is configured such that at least an outside surface of said crown extends to and follows the contours of said upper abutment-crown interface surface, thereby providing a narrow depth between the distal end of said crown and said bone-tissue apposition surface. 
     
     
       23. A one-stage endosseous dental implant system, comprising:
 a threaded shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; 
 a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and comprising an edge disposed adjacent to said an abutment-implant interface, said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology; 
 an abutment permanently attached to the proximal end of said shaft; and 
 a crown having a distal end configured to secure to said abutment; 
 wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge. 
 
     
     
       24. The one-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 23 , wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper surface substantially surrounding a chimney, and wherein said upper planar surface is approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       25. The one-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 23 , wherein said abutment has a contoured upper surface substantially surrounding a chimney, and wherein said contoured upper surface approximately matches the contour of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology. 
     
     
       26. The one-stage endosseous dental implant system according to  claim 25 , wherein a distal end of said crown is configured such that at least an outside surface of said crown extends to and follows the contours of said contoured upper surface, thereby providing a narrow depth between the distal end of said crown and the bone-tissue apposition surface. 
     
     
       27. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 4, wherein said soft-tissue apposition surface comprises a polished surface. 
     
     
       28. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, further comprising:
 an anti-rotational feature and a bore for connecting an abutment to said abutment-implant interface for use in a two-stage procedure.   
     
     
       29. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 28, wherein said abutment-implant interface has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, and wherein said planar upper surface substantially surrounds said bore. 
     
     
       30. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 28, wherein said abutment-implant interface has a contoured upper surface, and wherein said contoured upper surface substantially surrounds said bore. 
     
     
       31. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 30, further comprising an abutment wherein a lower surface of the abutment substantially abuts against said contoured upper surface, thereby providing improved lateral support. 
     
     
       32. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied textured surface. 
     
     
       33. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied growth factor. 
     
     
       34. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied protein. 
     
     
       35. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an acid etched surface. 
     
     
       36. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises a surface blasted with particles. 
     
     
       37. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes a set of peaks and troughs. 
     
     
       38. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 1, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes two peaks and two troughs. 
     
     
       39. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied textured surface. 
     
     
       40. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied growth factor. 
     
     
       41. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied protein. 
     
     
       42. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an acid etched surface. 
     
     
       43. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises a surface blasted with particles. 
     
     
       44. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein said boundary of said bone-tissue apposition surface defines a set of peaks and troughs. 
     
     
       45. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, wherein an edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface defines two peaks and two troughs. 
     
     
       46. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 45, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least two peaks and troughs configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       47. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       48. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 5, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       49. The one-stage endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       50. The one-stage endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said abutment has a contoured upper surface. 
     
     
       51. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied textured surface. 
     
     
       52. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied growth factor. 
     
     
       53. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied protein. 
     
     
       54. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an acid etched surface. 
     
     
       55. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises a surface blasted with particles. 
     
     
       56. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes a set of peaks and troughs. 
     
     
       57. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes two peaks and two troughs. 
     
     
       58. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 57, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least two peaks and troughs configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       59. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       60. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 13, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       61. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to claim 16, further comprising an anti-rotational member on said shaft for connecting said abutment to said shaft, wherein said anti-rotational feature is an external hex. 
     
     
       62. The two-stage endosseous dental implant system according to claim 16, wherein said abutment includes a through-bore. 
     
     
       63. An endosseous dental implant, comprising:
 a shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;   an upper surface disposed towards the proximal end of said shaft;   a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and said bone-tissue apposition surface having an edge including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge;   a bore having an opening on said upper surface for connecting an abutment to said shaft; and   an anti-rotational member on said shaft also for connecting an abutment to said shaft.   
     
     
       64. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, wherein said anti-rotational member is an external hex. 
     
     
       65. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, wherein said anti-rotational member is an internal hex formed in said upper surface. 
     
     
       66. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, wherein said upper surface is substantially planar and approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       67. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, wherein said upper surface is contoured. 
     
     
       68. The endosseous dental implant of claim 67, wherein said shaft includes threads. 
     
     
       69. The endosseous dental implant of claim 67, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said upper surface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, and said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       70. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 69, wherein said soft-tissue apposition surface comprises a polished surface. 
     
     
       71. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, wherein the shaft includes threads. 
     
     
       72. The endosseous dental implant of claim 63, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said upper surface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, and said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       73. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 72, wherein said soft-tissue apposition surface comprises a polished surface. 
     
     
       74. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied textured surface. 
     
     
       75. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied growth factor. 
     
     
       76. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied protein. 
     
     
       77. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an acid etched surface. 
     
     
       78. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises a surface blasted with particles. 
     
     
       79. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes a set of peaks and troughs. 
     
     
       80. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes two peaks and two troughs. 
     
     
       81. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 80, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and an abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including an edge with at least two peaks and troughs configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       82. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and an abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       83. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 63, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and a abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       84. An endosseous dental implant, comprising:
 a shaft made from a biocompatible material, said shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft being substantially symmetrical about a straight longitudinal axis of said shaft;   an upper surface disposed towards the proximal end of said shaft;   a bone tissue/soft tissue transition region between said shaft and said upper surface; and   a bone-tissue apposition surface formed on said bone tissue/soft tissue transition region, said bone-tissue apposition surface comprising an edge with at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring bone-tissue morphology, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises at least one of a roughened surface, a textured surface, or an applied biologic modifier that extends to said edge but does not extend beyond said edge.   
     
     
       85. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said edge of said bone tissue apposition surface has a highest point and a lowest point and the highest point of said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface substantially aligns with the interproximal areas of the bone-tissue, and wherein the lowest point of said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface substantially aligns with the buccal area of the bone-tissue. 
     
     
       86. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84 further comprising:
 a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said bone-tissue apposition surface and said upper surface, said soft-tissue apposition surface having an edge including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology.   
     
     
       87. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 86, wherein said soft-tissue apposition surface comprises a polished surface. 
     
     
       88. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said upper surface has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       89. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein upper surface has a contoured upper surface. 
     
     
       90. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, further comprising:
 an abutment permanently attached to said upper surface for use in a one-stage procedure.   
     
     
       91. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 90, wherein said shaft and said abutment are constructed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
       92. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 90, wherein said abutment has a substantially planar upper surface approximately 90° to the longitudinal axis of said shaft. 
     
     
       93. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 90, wherein said abutment has a contoured upper surface. 
     
     
       94. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, further comprising a bore having an opening on said upper surface for connecting an abutment to said shaft and an anti-rotational member comprising a plurality of interconnected sides also for connecting an abutment to said shaft. 
     
     
       95. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 94, wherein said anti-rotational member is an external hex. 
     
     
       96. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 94, wherein said anti-rotational member is an internal hex. 
     
     
       97. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied textured surface. 
     
     
       98. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied growth factor. 
     
     
       99. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an applied protein. 
     
     
       100. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises an acid etched surface. 
     
     
       101. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said bone-tissue apposition surface comprises a surface blasted with particles. 
     
     
       102. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes a set of peaks and troughs. 
     
     
       103. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 102, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and a abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including at least two peaks and troughs configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morphology, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       104. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface including at least one peak and trough configured to approximate the physiological contours of naturally occurring soft-tissue morpholoogy, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       105. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, further comprising a soft-tissue apposition surface formed on said shaft and disposed between said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface and said abutment-implant interface, said soft-tissue apposition surface being configured to promote, enhance or maintain soft-tissue growth or apposition. 
     
     
       106. The endosseous dental implant according to claim 84, wherein said edge of said bone-tissue apposition surface includes two peaks and two troughs.