ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0079] The following observation applies to the whole of the description below. If reference numbers are indicated in a figure for the purposes of clarity of the drawings but are not mentioned in the directly relevant part of the description, then reference is made to where these were mentioned in the descriptions of previous figures. For the sake of clarity, repeated mention of structural parts appearing in successive figures is for the most part avoided, as long as the drawings clearly show that these are “recurring” structural parts.

[0080] FIGS. 1A and 1B

[0081] The implant 1 is here in the form of a solid screw and has an elongate body, with the implant head 10 which is located at the top, ends at its very top with the in principle annular crest 100 , and lies in the horizontal plane. The implant shoulder 11 widening conically in the apical direction extends from the crest 100 and ends at the shoulder edge 110 which has the maximum diameter on the implant head 10 . The implant shoulder 11 is at an angle of, for example, 300 to the perpendicular and can be made relatively wide compared to customary dimensions. Underneath the shoulder edge 110 , the implant head 10 narrows in a trumpet shape and merges into the root portion 12 , so that an undercut 13 is obtained under the shoulder edge 110 . The apically extending root portion 12 has the external thread 14 , ends at the implant tip 15 , and is intended for insertion into the bone. The external thread 14 is preferably self-cutting and has cutting edges 140 in the area of the implant tip 15 . A blind hole 16 extending axially into the implant 1 , by the height of the implant head 10 , opens out within the crest 100 . Provided in the blind hole 16 there is a non-rotationally symmetrical inner contour 17 , for example an internal octagon, which reaches approximately as far as the level of the shoulder edge 110 . Lying underneath the inner contour 17 there is an internally threaded portion 18 which extends as far as the base 19 of the bore. As will be described later, the inner contour 17 is used to receive an adapter. The internally threaded portion 18 can be used to receive an insertion screw or for screwing-in the prosthesis, for example in the form of a bar or bridge. Generally, the implant 1 is made in most cases of titanium and, on the outside, has a special surface structure which promotes osseointegration.

[0082] FIGS. 2A and 2B

[0083] The one-piece transfer cap 2 consists principally of a pot-shaped hollow body 21 and of a plate-like retention wing 28 which horizontally covers the top of the hollow body 21 . Hollow body 21 and retention wing 28 are connected to one another at a separating site with an external radially extending groove 27 and resulting reduced wall thickness. Extending through the transfer cap 2 there is an axial passage 20 which, as cylinder portion 200 , opens out on the top face of the retention wing 28 and reaches to below the level of the groove 27 . Adjoining the cylinder portion 200 there is a ledge 22 of trapezoidal cross section which narrows the clearance width of the axial passage 20 . On the top of the ledge 22 there is an annular seat surface 23 which widens conically toward the cylinder portion 200 . With respect to the axis of the axial passage 20 , the ledge 22 has a perpendicular annular face 24 from which a cone portion 25 extends, widening toward the underside of the hollow body 21 . At the very bottom the hollow body 21 has a circularly extending, elastic lip 26 which, turned inward, once again narrows the end of the axial passage 20 widening toward the site of the lip 26 . From the groove 27 to the lower mouth of the axial passage 20 , the hollow body 21 widens conically on the outside so that the greatest wall thickness is present in the area of the ledge 22 , this wall thickness decreasing toward the site of the lip 26 .

[0084] FIG. 2C

[0085] In a modification of the transfer cap 2 , the mouth of the axial passage 20 on the top face of the retention wing 28 is provided with an outwardly opening bevel 201 , and this mouth is surrounded by a collar 29 . An inwardly directed bead 290 is formed on the collar 29 . Indentations 291 contribute to increasing the elasticity of the collar 29 .

[0086] The retention wing 28 which is provided previously on the transfer cap 2 , and which adjoins the hollow body 21 above a groove 27 narrowing the wall and has the basic shape of a rectangular rounded plate, could be modified. The groove 27 is dispensable, the wing 28 could be designed as a circular plate with no rotation-securing action, and, finally, the wing 28 can be dispensed with altogether.

[0087] FIGS. 3A and 3B

[0088] The adapter 3 illustrated is in one piece and has the basic configuration of a bolt provided with many different contours. The structure of the adapter 3 is made up of the driving section 30 forming the lower end, the adjacent holding section 31 , the intermediate section 32 lying above the latter, and the plug-type extension 33 forming the upper end. The driving section 30 has a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour 300 , e.g. a complementary octagon, for form-fit insertion into the inner contour 17 on the implant 1 . The outer contour 300 runs out as a beveled surface 301 at the transition to the holding section 31 . The holding section 31 is formed by a cylindrical portion which starts at the beveled surface 301 . Seen from the direction of the holding section 31 , the intermediate section 32 consists of a first cylindrical flange 320 , a second cylindrical flange 323 , and the cylinder portion 322 of reduced diameter lying between the two flanges 320 , 323 . Above the second flange 323 , the plug-type extension 33 begins with an annular groove 331 for receiving a retaining ring 332 , preferably in the form of an O-ring. Otherwise, the plug-type extension 33 is provided with a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour 330 , e.g. an octagon, for form-fit attachment of a coupling piece for a screwing-in instrument.

[0089] FIG. 3C

[0090] In a variation of the adapter 3 , for interaction with the modified transfer cap 2 according to FIG. 2 C, the holding section 31 extends as far as the first cylindrical flange 320 , on which a radial groove 321 is arranged.

[0091] FIGS. 4A and 4B

[0092] When locked in place, the removable transfer cap 2 sits with its internal cone portion 25 on the implant shoulder 11 and, with its lip 26 , it surrounds the shoulder edge 110 so that the lip 26 engages in the undercut 13 , which has a reduced diameter in relation to the shoulder edge 110 . The blind hole 16 of the implant 1 and the axial passage 20 of the transfer cap 2 are coaxial to one another. The annular face 24 with the least clearance width inside the transfer cap 2 comes to lie above the crest 100 of the implant 1 . In doing so, the axial access to the inner contour 17 in the implant 1 for the adapter 3 to be inserted remains fully open (see FIGS. 5A and 5B ).

[0093] FIGS. 5A and 5B

[0094] When the transfer cap 2 is locked onto the implant 1 and the adapter 3 is inserted to its full depth into this combination, the driving section 30 of the adapter 3 engages in the inner contour 17 in the implant 1 , and the holding section 31 of the adapter 3 is gripped with defined frictional connection by the cylinder portion 200 of the transfer cap 2 . The annular face 24 of the transfer cap 2 surrounds the beveled face 301 , and the first cylindrical flange 320 of the intermediate section 32 of the transfer cap 2 sits on the top face of the retention plate 28 , at the edge of the axial passage 20 opening out here. The frictional connection between the transfer cap 2 and the adapter 3 is dimensioned so that although the adapter 3 inserted in the transfer cap 2 and in the implant 1 does not inadvertently slide out, said adapter 3 can nevertheless be withdrawn with acceptable loading for an inserted implant 1 .

[0095] FIG. 5C

[0096] In the arrangement comprising the implant 1 , the modified transfer cap 2 according to FIG. 2 C and the modified adapter 3 according to FIG. 3 C, the hold of the adapter 3 in the transfer cap 2 is made even more secure. When the adapter 3 is inserted to its full depth, the bead 290 of the elastically spreadable collar 29 of the transfer cap 2 engages in the radial groove 321 in the first flange 320 of the lengthened holding section 31 on the adapter 3 . When withdrawing the adapter 3 from the arrangement, it is necessary to overcome the frictional connection between cylinder portion 200 and holding section 31 and the restraining force by the elastically releasable engagement between bead 290 and radial groove 321 .

[0097] FIGS. 6A and 6B

[0098] In this combination of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , the component parts are modified. The modifications pertain to an implant 1 whose head area 10 has been modified and which, above the implant shoulder 11 , has an external polygon 101 with its radially distributed flats 102 , e.g. eight in number. In the coronal direction, as far as the crest 100 , the flats 102 merge into a tapering cone 103 . Otherwise, this implant 1 again has a root portion 12 which extends to the apical implant tip 15 and which has the external thread 14 and the cutting edges 140 . On the outside, the implant head 10 once again has the implant shoulder 11 which ends at the shoulder edge 110 , below which the undercut 13 lies. The mouth of the blind hole 16 , with internal thread 18 , extending axially into the implant 1 as far as the bore base 19 is surrounded by the crest 100 .

[0099] Given the presence of the external polygon 101 on the implant 1 , the adapter 3 has changed significantly at its driving section 30 , from which there extends, to a point above the holding section 31 , as far as the bore base 325 , an axial blind hole 34 in which, in the assembled state, the external polygon 101 is placed. The flats 102 are gripped with a form fit by a complementary inner contour 302 on the driving section 30 of the adapter 3 . Below the plug-type extension 33 , the adapter again has the annular groove 331 adjoined by a cylindrical flange 323 which is followed by a polygonal disk 324 of wider diameter. The holding section 31 extends below the polygonal disk 324 and merges into the driving section 30 .

[0100] The transfer cap 2 is in principle unchanged. The circular lip 26 runs around the far bottom of the hollow body 21 , while in the coronal direction there is the retention wing 28 , on which the collar 29 is situated. Large apertures 210 are present in the hollow body 21 , and the retention wing 28 has peripheral bores 280 which can serve for application of a securing line. The apertures 210 permit introduction of impression compound 91 at the holding section 31 of the adapter 3 , by which means the assembled combination acquires additional fixing. In the assembled state, the transfer cap 2 is locked onto the implant shoulder 11 , the lip 26 gripping under the implant shoulder 11 and engaging in the undercut 13 . The adapter 3 bears with its polygonal disk 324 on the collar 29 of the transfer cap 2 , and the holding section 31 lies with defined static friction in the hollow body 21 . The driving section 30 surrounds the raised external polygon 101 .

[0101] FIGS. 7A through 7D

[0102] As a first alternative of a container for storing the arrangement of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , the already known ampoule 4 is described by way of a general example. At the first end face, the ampoule 4 has a holding portion 40 and, on the second end face remote from this, it has a stand portion 41 . Extending between holding portion 40 and stand portion 41 is the cylinder jacket 42 , with the large cutout 43 which extends from the holding portion 40 to the stand portion 41 . The implant 1 held in the ampoule 4 can be removed via the lateral cutout 43 . The cylinder jacket 42 remaining in the area of the cutout 43 has the form of an open shell 420 , while in the stand portion 41 the cylinder jacket 42 provides a tubular portion 421 . The second end face is preferably open.

[0103] The holding portion 40 has the form of a circular end plate, so that this end face is substantially closed, and the cylinder jacket 42 lies perpendicular to the holding portion 40 . In the holding portion 40 there is a laterally open indent 400 which points in the same direction as the cutout 43 . The indent 400 is slit-shaped with rounded parts 401 at the peripheral entrance. Lying in the course of the indent 400 there is a constriction 402 , behind which the indent 400 continues in a semicircle shape. This results in the formation of two opposite jaws 403 , 404 on the holding portion 40 . Beyond the indent 400 , cutting further into the holding portion 40 toward the cylinder jacket 42 , an expansion groove 405 is provided so that, when an adapter 3 carrying an implant 1 is forced in or forced out, the jaws 403 , 404 are better able to spread elastically. After the adapter 3 has been forced in and the constriction 402 has overcome the latter's cross section, the adapter 3 engages in the indent 400 , and the jaws 403 , 404 close together again. An asymmetrical distribution of material, and beads 44 arranged on the outside of the cylinder jacket 42 , have a damping action on a rolling ampoule 4 and prevent it from continuing to roll.

[0104] FIG. 7E

[0105] The arrangement of implant 1 with locked-on transfer cap 2 and with an adapter 3 inserted into both of them is fitted into the ampoule 4 . The implant 1 projects into the inside of the ampoule 4 without touching the latter's cylinder jacket 42 and lies underneath the window-like cutout 43 . With the intermediate section 32 , the adapter 3 is locked into the indent 400 of the holding portion 40 of the ampoule 4 . The cylinder portion 322 lies underneath the constriction 402 , and the two adjoining flanges 320 , 323 engage on the holding portion 40 . The plug-type extension 33 of the adapter 3 protrudes freely outward so that an instrument for gripping the arrangement and withdrawing it from the ampoule 4 can be attached thereto.

[0106] FIGS. 8A through 8E

[0107] As a second suitable alternative of a container for storing the arrangement of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , a blister pack is proposed with a horizontal plate 69 and a shell part 68 extending downward from the latter. In the thermoformed bottom mold 6 advantageously made of transparent plastic, a depression is provided which extends widely across the outer contour of the arrangement and which is divided into three sections, namely, on the one hand, an instrument recess 60 for the plug-type extension 33 of the adapter 3 protruding into it; on the other hand the depression consists of an implant recess 61 into which the implant 1 with the attached transfer cap 2 extends. Between the instrument recess 60 and the opposite implant recess 61 , there are two transversely extending and mutually aligned guide slits 62 for lightly clamping the retention plate 28 of the transfer cap 2 .

[0108] The depth and size of the recesses 60 , 61 and slits 62 are such that, in the instrument recess 60 , the free space necessary for attachment of a coupling piece 7 and screwing-in instrument, e.g. a dental handpiece 79 , is present. The implant 1 is positioned in the implant recess 61 in such a way that it touches neither the side walls nor the base of the bottom mold 6 and in no event does it come into contact with the cover (not shown) for covering the bottom mold 6 . Further depressions 63 can be provided inside the bottom mold 6 , e.g. for introduction of an insertion screw.

[0109] FIGS. 9A and 9B

[0110] In the completed state, the ampoule 4 , with the inserted arrangement comprising implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , is inserted into an outer capsule 5 . The outer capsule 5 consists of a hollow cylinder 50 whose base 51 is closed, and of a screw-on closure lid 56 . On the inside, at a distance from the base 51 , the edge of the cylinder 50 is provided with a peripheral contact shoulder 52 which serves as an axial abutment for the inserted ampoule 4 . Extending from the level of the contact shoulder 52 toward the base 51 , and situated centrally in the cylinder 50 , there is a funnel seat 53 with a blind hole 54 . The interior of the cylinder 50 widens slightly conically toward the opening in order to make it easier to empty out the inserted ampoule 4 and to exclude the possibility of jamming. The closure lid 56 has a base 57 from which a radially extending shoulder 58 extends into the opening of the cylinder 50 . The shoulder 58 of the closure lid 56 also constitutes an axial abutment for the inserted ampoule 4 .

[0111] FIGS. 10A and 10B

[0112] With the equipped ampoule 4 inserted into the outer capsule 5 , the holding portion 40 of the ampoule 4 is facing toward the base 51 of the outer capsule 5 , while the standing portion 41 of the ampoule 4 points in the direction of the closure lid 56 of the outer capsule 5 . The plug-type extension 33 of the adapter 3 protrudes into the blind hole 54 located inside the outer capsule 5 . With the closure lid 56 screwed on, the ampoule 4 is axially stabilized between the contact shoulder 52 of the cylinder 50 and the shoulder 58 on the closure lid 56 .

[0113] FIGS. 11A through 11D

[0114] The step-by-step handling of the arrangement with implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 is explained with reference to the following sequence of figures, taking the example of an ampoule 4 with outer capsule 5 as container, up to the point prior to insertion of the implant 1 into the bone. The example concerns the insertion of a dental implant into the human jaw bone. The starting point is where the arrangement consisting of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 is fitted in an ampoule 4 which in turn is situated in an outer capsule 5 . The adapter 3 clamped in the holding portion 40 of the ampoule 4 holds the implant 1 with the locked-on transfer cap 2 in position. The entire content of the outer capsule 5 is sterile.

[0115] FIG. 11 A→step 1 : To open the outer capsule 5 , the closure lid 56 has been removed from the cylinder 50 . The ampoule 4 with the arrangement contained in it is tipped out of the now open cylinder 50 of the outer capsule 5 and onto a sterile support.

[0116] FIG. 11 B→step 2 : The plug-type extension 33 with the external polygon protrudes from the ampoule 4 . To attach a screwing-in instrument, e.g. a ratchet or a dental handpiece 79 , a ratchet coupling 7 or a coupling 7 for the dental handpiece is provided. The couplings 7 are provided with a socket 70 complementary to the outer contour 330 on the plug-type extension 33 .

[0117] FIG. 11 C-→step 3 : If a ratchet is provided as screwing-in instrument, a ratchet coupling 7 is fitted onto the plug-type extension 33 which protrudes above the holding portion 40 from the ampoule 4 .

[0118] FIG. 11 D→step 4 : With the ratchet coupling 7 or a coupling piece 7 for motorized drive attached to the plug-type extension 33 , the arrangement of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 is removed from the ampoule 4 and transferred to the site of application.

[0119] FIGS. 12A through 12M

[0120] The following series of figures is used to explain the subsequent step-by-step handling of the arrangement with implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , up to the time of production of the master model and beyond this. The example again concerns dental implant technology.

[0121] FIG. 12 A→step 5 : With the ratchet coupling 7 attached to the adapter 3 , the implant 1 together with the locked-on transfer cap 2 is screwed into the bone. In general, the implant 1 is first turned gently by hand into the blind bore in the jaw bone before the screwing-in instrument (not shown) is applied.

[0122] FIG. 12 B→step 6 : The implant 1 is screwed into the bone until the intended depth is reached.

[0123] FIG. 12 C→step 7 : After screwing has been completed, the ratchet coupling 7 is removed from the adapter 3 .

[0124] FIG. 12 D→step 8 : The adapter 3 has been removed from the inserted implant 1 with the still locked-on transfer cap 2 remaining thereon, counter to the resistance of the frictional connection and counter to the possible additional force-fit engagement between transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 .

[0125] FIG. 12 E→step 9 : The axial passage 20 into the transfer cap 2 , which axial passage 20 is open at the top and opens out on the top face of the retention wing 28 when the adapter 3 is withdrawn, is closed off with a sealing medium 90 .

[0126] FIG. 12 F→step 10 : For impression-taking, an impression tray 9 filled with impression compound 91 is placed over the inserted implant 1 , with the transfer cap 2 still locked on the latter.

[0127] FIG. 12 G→step 11 : The impression tray 9 is removed from the inserted implant 1 , the transfer cap 2 remaining embedded in the impression compound 91 in the impression tray 9 . Upon removal of the impression tray 9 , the elastic lip 26 of the transfer cap 2 opens and springs over the shoulder edge 110 of the implant 1 . The impression AD is taken and appears as such in the impression tray 9 .

[0128] FIG. 12 H→step 12 : A manipulation implant 8 complementary to the inserted implant 1 is made ready. The manipulation implant 8 likewise has a shoulder 811 , a shoulder edge 810 and an undercut 83 , in the same way as the implant shoulder 11 , the shoulder edge 110 and the undercut 13 are present on the original implant 1 .

[0129] FIG. 12 I→step 13 : The complementary manipulation implant 8 is fitted into the transfer cap 2 , remaining in the impression tray 9 , and the impression AD which has been taken. Here once again the lip 26 locks over the shoulder edge 810 on the manipulation implant 8 and engages in the latter's undercut 83 .

[0130] FIG. 12 J→step 14 : The impression AD, with the manipulation implant 8 fitted in it, is filled with a modeling compound 92 , usually plaster.

[0131] FIG. 12 K→step 15 : The impression tray 9 , with the transfer cap 2 embedded therein, is detached from the manipulation implant 8 with the modeling compound 92 which has set around the latter. Around the manipulation implant 8 , the master model MM has been obtained which corresponds to the geometric situation in the patient's mouth.

[0132] FIG. 12 L→step 16 : The transfer cap 2 embedded in impression compound 91 is removed from the impression tray 9 and is fitted onto the manipulation implant 8 fitted in the master model MM.

[0133] FIG. 12 M→step 17 : For further processing, the retention wing 28 is detached from the transfer cap 2 fitted on the manipulation implant 8 .

[0134] The sequence described in FIGS. 12D through 12M can also be used for producing a superstructure for dental bridges and bars which bear on more than one inserted implant 1 . Before the impression-taking, the adapter 3 was removed from the combination of implant 1 , transfer cap 2 and adapter 3 , and the then exposed axial passage 20 in the transfer cap 2 open at the top, and opening out on the top face of the retention wing 28 , is sealed off with a sealing medium 90 (see FIGS. 12D through 12F ).

[0135] The arrangement according to the invention is also advantageous in cases where there are several inserted implants 1 for bars or bridges. The steps following step 17 and intended for production of a prosthetic superstructure will be obvious to the skilled person. The adjoining transfer caps 2 which sit on the manipulation implants 8 anchored in the master model MM are bridged by a bar framework made of plastic that can be burned out, and the composite is removed from the manipulation implants 8 . This composite of transfer caps 2 and bar framework is then introduced into an embedding compound. After heating the embedding compound, a cavity is formed which, cast with titanium or gold for example, corresponds to the final bar framework which, after the customary surface treatment, is fitted onto the implants 1 arranged in the patient's mouth.

[0136] FIGS. 13A through 13G

[0137] This sequence of figures is used to explain the operative handling with the modified arrangement according to FIG. 6 A, which handling is in principle the same, so that, in the drawing, introductory steps and intermediate steps can be left out.

[0138] FIG. 13 A→step 4 : The implant 1 , with the locked-on transfer cap 2 , was removed from a container (not shown) using a ratchet coupling 7 attached to the adapter 3 or using a coupling piece 7 for a motor-driven handpiece 79 . The socket 70 grips the plug-type extension 33 of the adapter 3 .

[0139] FIG. 13 B→step 5 : The implant 1 is screwed into the bone, for example with the ratchet coupling 7 attached to the adapter 3 . The rotation movement is transmitted from the socket 70 to the implant 1 by the driving action of the adapter 3 which, with its inner contour 302 , engages with a form-fit on the external polygon 101 of the implant 1 .

[0140] FIG. 13 →step 7 : The implant 1 has been screwed into the bone to the desired depth (step 6 ) and the ratchet coupling 7 has been removed from the adapter 3 .

[0141] FIG. 13 D→step 10 : For impression-taking, an impression tray filled with impression compound 91 is fitted over the inserted implant 1 , with the locked-on transfer cap 2 and the adapter 3 fitted therein. The transfer cap 2 with its retention wing 28 and the plug-type extension 33 of the adapter 3 are embedded in impression compound 91 . Removal of the adapter 3 (step 8 ) and closure of the inlet opening (step 9 ) into the transfer cap 9 are not carried out here.

[0142] FIG. 13 E→step 11 : The impression tray with the impression compound 91 is removed from the inserted implant 1 , whose external polygon 101 is thereby exposed. The transfer cap 2 with the adapter 3 remains in the impression compound 91 in the impression tray. The impression AD is taken.

[0143] FIG. 13 F→step 13 : In intermediate step 12 , a manipulation implant 8 was brought to the transfer cap 2 remaining in the impression compound 91 and it is now locked in this.

[0144] FIG. 13 G→step 15 : In intermediate step 14 , the impression AD, in which the manipulation implant 8 complementary to the implant 1 with external polygon 101 fits, was filled with modeling compound 92 . After the impression tray with the transfer cap 2 and the adapter 3 fitted therein were removed from the manipulation implant 8 , the master model MM for the subsequent dental procedure was obtained. The manipulation implant 8 has a polygon 812 , corresponding to the external polygon 101 of the implant 1 , and the complementary analogous shoulder 811 .

[0145] When providing a prosthesis on an inserted implant 1 for an individual artificial tooth, it is necessary to transfer the rotation position between the inserted implant 1 , with possible abutment, and the surrounding geometry of the mouth. For this purpose, in a deviation from the method sequence first described according to FIGS. 12C through 12M , the adapter 3 for impression-taking is left in the transfer cap 2 and implant 1 , is embedded in the impression tray 9 , and is used for the subsequent steps in the production of the master model MM.