HEALING ELEMENT FOR DENTAL RESTORATION

Abstract

The invention relates to a cicatrisation element suitable for connection to a dental implant (60), having a side surface (13) intended for being integrated into a gum in order to shape the gum during the cicatrisation thereof, and an end surface (14), characterised in that a portion of the side surface (13) and of the end surface (14) form an emergent surface, which is asymmetrical relative to at least one perpendicular median plane, and in that the emergent surface comprises at least two informative markers (70) allowing the identification of at least two characteristics of said cicatrisation element and / or of a pillar base (1) and / or of the dental implant (60) to which it will be connected.

Description

Healing element for a dental restoration The present invention relates to a healing element for a dental restoration and to a healing assembly comprising such a healing element. It also relates to a method of manufacturing a dental restoration abutment and / or a prosthesis based on such a healing element. Dental restoration allows for the creation of artificial teeth for a partially or completely edentulous patient. It relies on the integration of one or more implants into the bone structure, achieved through an incision in the gum to access and drill into the bone. A healing element is then typically attached to an implant, and this assembly remains untouched until the implant integrates with the bone through osseointegration and the gum heals around the healing element. The dental restoration can be completed by attaching a restorative abutment to the implant, onto which the dental prosthesis is fixed, or alternatively, by attaching a dental prosthesis directly to the implant. The abutment and the dental prosthesis are customized, adapted to the patient's anatomy and the tooth to be replaced, to achieve a result as close as possible to an ideal natural dentition.For this, the precise volume of the space to be restored is generally taken into account by taking an impression, which allows for the personalized manufacture of the dental prosthesis. In the current state of the art, existing methods of dental restoration encounter some or all of the following technical problems: - In many existing procedures, a new intervention on the gum is performed after it has healed following implant placement, in order to take an impression, either physical or digital, of the space to be restored, while also having a view of the implant and the gum to precisely take into account the entire geometry, with the aim of manufacturing an abutment and a prosthesis of precise shapes: this approach is naturally traumatic; - other existing procedures limit this trauma by using healing components that are not removed during an impression taking, so as not to damage the gum: in return, these procedures use particular healing elements, generally cylindrical and standard in shape and sometimes incorporating additional components to allow taking into account all or part of the geometry above the implant without having full access to it by taking an impression.These less traumatic methods then present other disadvantages, such as complexity and / or less effective optimization of the healing phase. Thus, a general object of the invention is a dental restoration solution that does not include all or some of the drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, a first object of the invention is a dental restoration solution that minimizes patient trauma during the restoration procedure. A second object of the invention is a dental restoration solution that allows for a restoration that is as adapted as possible to the patient's anatomy. A third object of the invention is a dental restoration solution that is as universal as possible, suitable for any implant and any restoration. A fourth object of the invention is a dental restoration solution that is as simple as possible. To this end, the invention is based on a healing element suitable for connection with a dental implant, comprising a lateral surface designed for integration within the gingiva to shape the gingiva during its healing, and an end surface, characterized in that a portion of the lateral surface and the end surface form an emergent surface, which is asymmetrical with respect to at least one perpendicular median plane, and in that the emergent surface comprises at least two informative markers allowing the identification of at least two characteristics of said healing element and / or an abutment base and / or said dental implant to which it would be connected. The emergent surface of the healing element may be asymmetric with respect to at least one median plane perpendicular to the emergent surface and passing through the center of the emergent surface or comprising a central axis of the healing element. A cross-section of the lateral surface of the healing element or a projection onto a plane parallel to the terminal surface of the emerging surface of the healing element may exhibit: - a substantially trapezoidal shape, or a substantially polygonal shape, or triangular, or square, or rectangular, or ovoid, or a substantially polygonal shape with rounded corners; and / or - a part intended for outward positioning of the mouth that is larger than a part intended for inward positioning. The terminal surface of the healing element and / or its emergent surface may exhibit: - a non-planar, curved surface; and / or a convex surface; and / or a smooth surface apart from the informational markers; and / or a surface without a through opening. These characteristics, identified by the informative markers, may include one or more of the following elements: the height of the healing element, the shape of the healing element, including the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of its lateral surface or the projection onto a parallel plane of the emerging surface, the dimensions of the connecting part of the healing element with an abutment base, and indirectly of a dental implant, the orientation of said dental implant, by means of the orientation of the healing element. Said at least two informative markers may include a first type of informative marking of a first characteristic of the healing element and a second type of informative marking of a second distinct characteristic of the healing element. Each information marker can belong to one of the following types: a negative informational marker, particularly in depressions in one of the surfaces of the healing element, a positive informative marker, particularly one raised on one of the surfaces of the healing element, an informative marker of a particular and identifiable shape formed in one of the surfaces of the healing element, notably polygonal or linear in shape, an informative marker consisting of a readable numerical value or a readable identification code such as a barcode or a datamatrix code, an RFID chip. The invention also relates to a series of healing elements, characterized in that it comprises at least two healing elements as described above having different shapes, or in that it comprises at least three healing elements of different shapes. The said at least two or at least three healing elements may have different heights between them and / or have different cross-sections of their lateral surfaces or projections onto a parallel plane of their terminal surfaces. The invention also relates to a healing assembly suitable for connection with a dental implant during a healing phase of a dental restoration procedure, characterized in that it comprises a healing element as described above intended to be surrounded at least partially by a gum and an abutment base intended for fixation in an implant, the abutment base comprising a longitudinal axis along its entire length suitable for alignment with the axis of said implant. The base of the pillar may exhibit symmetry or near-symmetry around its longitudinal axis. The healing element and the abutment base can form two separate elements that can be removably assembled, notably by clipping, and - the abutment base may include a connection device with an implant and a connection device with the healing element, these two connection devices being arranged around an axis aligned with and coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the abutment base, and - the healing element can be arranged around a central axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pillar base. The healing element may include an anti-rotational element, including a groove, to cooperate with an anti-rotational element, including a lug, of the abutment base, and ensure fixation of the healing element in a single orientation, without rotation around the abutment base. Said at least two informative markers of the healing element may include a first informative marker of a first characteristic of the abutment base and a second informative marker of a second characteristic of the abutment base. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a dental restoration abutment and / or a prosthesis, intended to be fixed to a dental implant at a first end, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: taking a physical or digital impression of the oral space including a healing element as described above fixed to the dental implant or a healing assembly as described above fixed to the dental implant, - Automatic determination, and / or determination based on data entered via a human-machine interface by an operator, of the positioning of the dental implant and the oral space, based on said impression and the informative markers of the healing element. These objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the accompanying figures, among which: Figures 1 and 2 respectively represent perspective views of a pillar base used in a restoration process according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 3 and 4 respectively represent perspective views of an intermediate phase of association of a cap on a pillar base in a restoration process according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 5 and 6 respectively represent perspective views of the assembly obtained after fixing a cap onto a pillar base in a restoration process according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 7 and 8 respectively represent the same perspective views in which the cap is shown in transparency to visualize the pillar base. Figure 9 shows the lower and upper teeth in top view. Figure 10 represents a view of the teeth according to a justa-gingival section. Figure 11 shows a horizontal section of the dentition at the justa-gingival level, along with the corresponding caps retained according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 12a to 12d and 13a to 13d show, respectively, top and bottom perspective views of a series of caps according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 14a to 14d show, respectively, side views of the series of caps according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 15a to 15d respectively represent top views of the series of caps according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 16a to 16d respectively represent bottom views of the series of caps according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 17a to 17d and 18a to 18d respectively represent perspective views from above and below of an intermediate phase of association of the series of caps with pillar bases in a restoration process according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 19a to 19d respectively represent side views of the series of caps assembled with pillar bases according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 20 to 22 represent cross-sectional views through a vertical median plane illustrating steps in the restoration process according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 23 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cap according to the embodiment of the invention, placed on an abutment base fixed in an implant. Figure 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a healing unit comprising a cap surrounded by gingiva and placed on an abutment base fixed in an implant according to the embodiment of the invention. Figures 25 and 26 show two schematic cross-sectional views of a gingiva in which a healing unit according to the embodiment of the invention is fixed. The restoration process according to the embodiment of the invention therefore comprises two phases, as explained above: a first phase called healing during which one or more implant(s) are integrated into the patient's bone structure by osseointegration, and during which a special healing cap associated with an abutment base are used, as will be detailed later, then a second restoration phase as such, during which a definitive prosthesis is placed on the implant(s) by means of a restoration abutment. According to the embodiment of the invention described below, a dental restoration uses, in the first healing phase, an intermediate component that we will call the abutment base 1, which is sometimes simply called an abutment, T-base, or Esthetibase. The abutment base 1, particularly shown in Figures 1 to 8, comprises two main parts, separated by a collar 2. The first part includes a connection device 3 for an implant. The second coronal part is designed to receive a healing cap 10. For this purpose, it includes a connection device 4 for such a cap. According to the embodiment, this connection device 4 includes a clipping element 5 and an anti-rotational element 6, to prevent the cap from rotating around the longitudinal axis L of the abutment base 1, this longitudinal axis L also being designed for alignment with the axis of an implant.According to the embodiment, the anti-rotational element 6 is a lug. This anti-rotational element 6 is further aligned with a specific surface of the connection device 3 with an implant. Moreover, according to the embodiment, the clipping element 5 is formed by several grooves arranged on the circumference of the abutment base 1 near the collar 2. Advantageously, the clipping element 5 is such that it provides an audible click when a healing cap 10 is clipped into place. Note that the abutment base 1 used is not definitive, participates only in the first phase of healing, is preferably removed during the finalization of the restoration, and replaced by a definitive restorative abutment (which may be in the form of a different base).Alternatively, the same base of pillar 1 is possibly removed, cleaned and reused in the final restoration, thus fulfilling the second function of restoration pillar. Furthermore, the abutment base 1 is preferably universal and has a symmetrical, or more precisely, nearly symmetrical shape (the anti-rotational element, for example, is an exception to the symmetry) around a longitudinal axis L, which forms an axis of revolution. This axis L thus forms, in particular, a central axis of symmetry of the connection device 3 with an implant. Advantageously, this same axis L also forms an axis of symmetry of the connection device 4 with a cap. The abutment base 1 therefore extends globally in a single direction, identified by a single longitudinal axis L. We can therefore more generally consider that the abutment base comprises a longitudinal axis L that extends along its entire length, in such a way as to align with the axis of an implant 60. In particular, the two connection devices 3 and 4 of the abutment base 1 are arranged at different levels around this same longitudinal axis L.Following the placement of an implant 60 during a dental restoration procedure, an abutment base 1 is attached to the implant 60 by means of its connecting device 3 and a screw 61. A cap 10 is then attached to the second coronal portion of the abutment base. This assembly is illustrated in Figures 23 and 24. As illustrated in particular by Figures 3 and 7, the cap 10 includes an opening 11 to form a connecting portion and a hollow internal volume for the insertion of the second coronal portion of the abutment base. The periphery of this opening 11 includes a surface 12 designed to bear against a corresponding flat surface of the flange 2 of the abutment base, after the cap 10 is clipped onto the abutment base, resulting in the assembled unit shown in Figures 5 to 8 and 19a to 19d. There are as many different abutment bases as there are different connection devices for existing implants, so that for each existing implant, there is an abutment base with a connection device 3 that is adapted to it. The advantage of this approach is that it allows the entire coronal second portion of the abutment bases, from the flange 2 onwards, to remain unchanged, regardless of the implant corresponding to the abutment base. Naturally, it is also possible to design different coronal second portions for different abutment bases, depending on their intended use. In all cases, the coronal second portion of the abutment base is independent of the implant, uncorrelated with the implant fixation device. The cap 10 is designed to fit into the incised gum, after the fixation of an implant, by fixing, preferably removable, onto an abutment base connected to the implant. The final configuration is shown in Figure 24. In this configuration, the implant 60 is secured to the bone portion 62, the abutment base 1 is fixed to the implant 60, so that its collar 2 is positioned at the boundary between the bone portion 62 and the gingiva 63. The cap 10 covers the abutment base 1 up to the collar 2, so that the gingiva 63 is almost exclusively in contact with the cap 10. The assembly formed by the cap on an abutment base thus constitutes a healing assembly, which temporarily participates in the restoration process, allowing for healing and the smooth fabrication of the final prosthesis, as will be detailed later.The gingiva 63 heals around the lateral surface 13 of the cap 10. For this reason, this lateral surface 13 is chosen to best match the patient's oral environment. The terminal surface 14 opposite the opening 11 of the cap is intended to remain visible above the gingival surface 64 of the gingiva 63, or at least partially visible, since the gingiva remains primarily in contact with the lateral surface 13 of the cap. Note that at least part of the terminal surface 14 and possibly an upper portion of the lateral surface 13 thus form an emergent surface of the cap. This emergent surface is illustrated in particular by Figures 25 and 26. Therefore, caps of different heights can be provided to adapt to different oral geometry configurations. As examples, three different standard heights allow for good adaptation to all situations.This height is advantageously between 3 and 7 mm. Due to the use of an abutment base which acts as an interface, the same cap 10 is thus universally adapted to all existing implants. According to the embodiment of the invention, the shape of the cap is specifically chosen to promote gum healing, according to an anatomical shape that best corresponds to the tooth to be replaced and consequently also to the future prosthesis intended to occupy this oral space. This shape is characterized in particular by the plane section of its lateral surface 13, this section being a transverse section by a plane perpendicular P to the lateral surface 13, shown in Figure 23, and substantially parallel to the terminal surface 14. As a note, this section is substantially reproduced by the shape of the terminal surface 14, or more precisely by the projection of this terminal surface 14 onto such a perpendicular plane, that is to say, substantially parallel to the gingival surface 64. To understand the approach used, Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the upper and lower teeth, and Figure 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view at the level of the justogingival plane PJ of a dentition, represented in Figure 24, at the level of the roots of the emerging teeth. These figures show that the teeth have cross-sections of different shapes, which can be simplified as rectangular and / or square and / or triangular shapes, but more precisely trapezoidal. Depending on the chosen embodiment, a series of caps 10 of different shapes will allow for the best possible reproduction of these different shapes. Figure 11 thus shows a top view of the sections of all the teeth and a top view of the caps 10 associated with each tooth. The shapes of the different series of teeth, numbered from 11 to 18, from 21 to 28, from 31 to 38, and from 41 to 48 in this figure (these numbers should not be confused with the numerical references used elsewhere in the other figures to designate the features of the invention), are all approximated by means of four different caps 10, referenced A to D. For some teeth, or even all the teeth, several caps, among the caps A to D, appear suitable. As will be detailed later, a healing element of the invention may correspond either to the assembly formed by an abutment base and one of the caps of the series fixed to the abutment base opposite its connection to the dental implant, or to a single healing element fixed directly to the dental implant 60 without the use of the abutment base. More generally, a series of healing elements will be such that the healing elements composing it have different heights and / or different cross-sections of their lateral surfaces 13 or projections onto a parallel plane of their emerging or terminal surfaces. Within the same series of healing elements, the cross sections of the lateral surfaces 13 or the projections onto a parallel plane of their emergent or terminal surfaces 14 are each among: a substantially trapezoidal shape or a substantially polygonal shape, or triangular, or square, or rectangular, or ovoid, or a substantially polygonal shape with rounded angles, or cylindrical. In the example shown in Figure 11, caps A are suitable for restoring the upper lateral incisors and all lower incisors. Caps B are suitable for restoring canines and premolars, caps C are suitable for restoring intermediate molars, and caps D are suitable for restoring the largest molars. These caps will now be described in more detail. Cap A is particularly illustrated in Figures 12a to 16a, cap B in Figures 12b to 16b, cap C in Figures 12c to 16c, and cap D in Figures 12d to 16d. To avoid making the figures too large, the numerical references are not shown for all the caps in these figures; however, all these caps have the same characteristics, which will be described.As can be seen from figures 12 and 15, the terminal surfaces 14 of these caps 10 (A to D), intended for positioning above the gingival emergence, are substantially flat and intended for positioning parallel to a horizontal plane (parallel to the justa-gingival plane PJ, between 1 and 2 mm inclusive above this plane) corresponding to the plane of section of figure 9. They are however slightly convex, presenting a central part 145, more particularly visible on figures 14a to 14d, intended to rise more beyond the gingiva than its peripheral parts 146. The cross-section of the cap, by a plane P perpendicular to its lateral surface 13, as explained previously, which gives the final shape to the gingiva after healing, is essentially reproduced by the terminal surface 14 of the cap, which is its extension. The cross-sections of all the caps are all essentially trapezoidal in shape. They comprise a long side 141, which will be positioned on the outside of the mouth (vestibular side), a parallel short side 142, which will be positioned on the inside of the mouth (lingual side), connected by two sides 143, 144. The intersection of the diagonals of the trapezoid allows us to define a center 15. Furthermore, considering the center 17 of the substantially circular opening 11 of the opposite surface of the cap 10, it is possible to define a central axis 18 of the cap, passing through the two central points 15, 17. This axis 18 of the cap 10 is perpendicular to the terminal surface 14.The entire architecture of the abutment base and associated cap 10 is designed so that the axis 18 of the cap corresponds to the longitudinal axis L of the abutment base, and to the axis of the implant. The four types of caps 10, A, B, C, and D, differ primarily in the trapezoidal shape of the cross-section of their lateral surfaces 13. The trapezoid of the smallest cap A is close to a triangle, as its shorter side 142 is very small. The trapezoid of cap B is close to a rectangle, with its longer side running from the outside of the mouth towards the inside, corresponding to sides 143 and 144. Conversely, the trapezoids of caps C and D are close to a rectangle, or even a square, with their longer side running in the opposite direction, corresponding to sides 141 and 142, which are of similar but slightly different lengths. As examples, Figures 16a to 16d give approximate dimensions of these caps, in millimeters. Naturally, this roughly trapezoidal shape has rounded corners and curved sides to ensure it does not hit the gums.Furthermore, the terminal surface 14 of each cap, disregarding the markers arranged on this surface (which will be described later), presents a continuous surface, without any raised areas, hollows, grooves, edges, or asperities. This surface is convex. In particular, it does not have a hollow shape, and naturally, no through-hole, as would be necessary if the cap were secured with a screw. This smooth geometry is conducive to oral hygiene, preventing, for example, the accumulation of food and the buildup of dental plaque. Alternatively, the series of caps could include a different number of different geometries, for example at least three, or even at least two. In a simplified embodiment, a single cap shape could be suitable for all teeth. According to other embodiments, the cross-section of a cap at its lateral surface 13 could approximate any polygon, such as a three-, five-, or six-sided polygon. Alternatively, the angles of these polygons could be so rounded that the overall shape would approximate an oblong shape, or even an ovoid cross-section, or any other shape further removed from a polygon. Advantageously, this shape includes at least one geometrically defined center or point to define a center 15, or even a possible axis 18 of the cap, this center being advantageously, but not necessarily, aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the pillar base. Depending on the embodiment, the geometry of the visible emergent surface of the crown on the inside of the mouth differs from the geometry on the outside, to account for the curvature of the gingiva. This shape of the emergent surface of the crown is therefore asymmetrical with respect to a median plane containing the tangent T of the gingiva and passing through the center of the crown, called the median tangent plane. This tangent T (and therefore the projection of the median tangent plane) is shown in Figures 15a to 15d and more specifically in Figure 9 when considering a tooth 50 to be restored. This median plane, called the tangent plane T, is parallel to the tangent T to the gingiva, perpendicular to the justogingival plane PJ, and passes through the midline 15 of a crown. Thus, a circular cross-section for the cap, associated for example with a cylindrical cap, is unsuitable. More generally, any planar cross-section exhibiting symmetry about a point or axis is poorly suited or unsuitable for the aforementioned cap cross-section, as it would not be adapted to the anatomy of the mouth. For the same reasons, the emergent and visible surface of the cap, in particular the terminal surface 14, is therefore generally not symmetrical with respect to at least one, or even several, planes including its axis 18. It is not symmetrical with respect to at least one, or several, planes perpendicular to the terminal surface 14 and passing through its center 15. We will call a perpendicular median plane a plane corresponding to a definition given above.Such a plane is substantially perpendicular to the terminal surface 14 of the healing element, and therefore also substantially perpendicular to the justogingival plane forming the final surface of the gingiva, from which the teeth emerge. It passes through the center of the terminal surface 14. Alternatively, a perpendicular median plane can be defined as any plane containing the axis 18 of the cap. In the example shown, particularly visible in Figures 15a to 15d, only the median plane perpendicular to the aforementioned tangent plane T, passing through the midline of the two sides 141, 142, forms a plane of symmetry. The terminal surfaces 14 of the caps are extended from their periphery 146 by the lateral surface 13, around which the gingiva primarily heals, thus giving the gingiva the shape adapted to the future prosthesis. This lateral surface 13 has several surfaces 131, 132, 133, 134, substantially flat, possibly slightly curved, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 18 of the cap and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the abutment base, respectively extending the different sides 141, 142, 143, 144 of the terminal surface 14 of the cap. The interfaces between the terminal surface 14 and these different parts of the lateral surface 13 are formed by rounded, smooth, and in particular convex surfaces. Finally, the lateral surface 13 of the caps terminates in a substantially frustoconical surface 19, extending to the substantially circular opening 11 mentioned previously. This opening 11 leads to a hollow portion internal to the cap 10, which accommodates the second coronal portion of the abutment base. This hollow portion is equipped with a fastening device complementary to that 4 of the abutment base. In this embodiment, these consist of ridges designed to clip onto the grooves 5 of the abutment base. Finally, a substantially longitudinal groove 16 is arranged in this hollow portion of the cap to cooperate with the lug, thus forming a rotationally locked and perfectly indexed connection, the orientation of the cap being unique and precisely fixed.Figures 3 to 8 and 17a to 17d, 18a to 18d, and 19a to 19d particularly illustrate a healing assembly according to the invention, formed by assembling a cap 10 with an abutment base 1. The cap can be made of a medical-grade plastic material and be pink, white, or cream in color. Alternatively, it can be made of metal, for example, titanium, or zirconia. The use of these healing caps thus promotes optimal gingival healing in a dental restoration procedure, as previously discussed, due to their geometry designed to conform to oral anatomy. The solution has been described with a removable healing cap separate from the base in the preceding embodiment.As a side note, this healing element can alternatively be completely subgingival and invisible, then made visible by intervention on the gingiva to implement the remainder of the recognition procedure described below. In this case, the extreme part of the cap will always be referred to, somewhat inaccurately, as the emergent part. The cap 10 will also be more generally referred to as the "healing element" 10 hereafter. For each healing cap 10 as described above, the emergent surface, formed by the terminal surface 14 and possibly the upper part of the lateral surface 13, advantageously includes at least two informative markers allowing the identification of at least two characteristics of the healing cap 10 and / or indirectly of the abutment base 1 and / or the dental implant 60.The placement of such informative markers on the healing cap 10 eliminates the need for a traditional impression technique on the implant and reduces the time and complexity required to subsequently develop the dental restoration abutment that will replace the healing cap 10 and the abutment base 1, and on which the final prosthesis will be fitted. In one embodiment, the features identified by the informative markers include one or more of the following: the height of the healing cap 10, - the shape of the healing cap 10, in particular the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of its lateral surface 13 or the projection onto a parallel plane of the emerging surface, the dimensions of the linking part of the healing cap 10 with the abutment base, and therefore indirectly of the dental implant 60, - the orientation of the dental implant 60, via the orientation of the cap, for example by a marker aligned with an anti-rotational element of the cap, for example the groove 1 6. In one particular embodiment, said at least two informative markers comprise a first type of informative marking of a first characteristic of the healing cap 10 and a second type of informative marking of a second characteristic of the healing cap 10. These first and second characteristics related to the healing cap 10 are, in particular, the height of the healing element 10 and / or the shape of the healing cap 10, specifically the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of its lateral surface 13 or the projection onto a parallel plane of the emerging surface. Indirectly, a marker can allow information to be deduced about the abutment base and possibly about the implant, such as their orientation, which may be related to the orientation of the cap. Provided that this is not limiting to the design freedom of the informational markers, each informational marker belongs in particular to one of the following types: a negative informational marker, notably recessed in one of the surfaces of the healing cap 10, particularly on its emergent surface, a positive informative marker, notably raised on one of the surfaces of the healing cap 10, particularly on its emergent surface, an informative marker of a particular and identifiable shape formed in one of the surfaces of the healing cap 10, in particular of polygonal or linear shape, - an informative marker consisting of a readable numerical value or a readable identification code such as a barcode and / or a datamatrix code. This marker may be composed of numbers and / or letters and / or any symbol and / or colors and / or laser markings; - an informational device consisting of an RFID chip. As a side note, the geometric considerations described earlier for characterizing the healing element remain valid even without the informational markers. For this reason, these markers are not shown in the figures, except for Figures 14c, 15c, 23, 24, and 26, to avoid making them too cumbersome. However, they are indeed present on all the caps. For example, the characterization of a negative information marker, such as a simple hole, includes its position relative to the rest of the cap 10 in which it is formed, its size, its shape, or the number of such negative information markers. These characteristics of each negative information marker allow us to characterize the characteristics of the healing cap 10 and / or the abutment base 1, as defined by the negative information marker(s), such as the height of the healing element. From this, we can then deduce the height of the abutment base 1. Again, as an example, these same characteristics can be deduced from the characterization of a positive information marker, such as its position relative to the rest of the cap 10 in which it is formed, its size, its shape, or the number of such positive information markers.These characteristics of each positive informational marker allow us to characterize the characteristics of the healing cap 10 and / or the abutment base 1, and therefore of the dental implant 60, as defined by the positive informational marker(s). Another example of such informational markers with specific and identifiable shapes is a notch formed directly in the healing cap 10 itself. The presence of two such notches and the distance between them can be used to indicate, for example, the position and type of abutment base and, by extension, the dental implant 60. A third example of such informational markers with specific and identifiable shapes is a line, such as an engraving or relief, integral to the healing cap 10.The dimension, position of this line and / or number of such lines can be used to characterize an additional characteristic of the healing cap 10 and / or the abutment base 1 and therefore of the dental implant 60. In general, the fabrication of a dental restoration abutment, intended to be fixed to the dental implant 60 at one end and to receive a prosthesis at its other end, includes the following steps: the taking of a physical or digital impression of the oral space including a healing element as described above and fixed on the dental implant 60, for example one of the caps 10 of the series, the automatic determination, from this impression and the informative markers of the healing element, of the oral space of the abutment base 1 and therefore of the positioning of the dental implant 60. In addition to the advantages described above, the healing element allows for a beneficial restorative procedure, including the fabrication of a final dental prosthesis and abutment, with minimal trauma to the gums. Indeed, it is possible to obtain a digital or physical impression of the area to be restored without removing the healing element from the mouth, thus avoiding any impact on the gums. Therefore, in addition to its primary healing function, detailed previously, the cap fulfills a second function during the restorative procedure, enabling the advantageous shaping of the restorative abutment and / or prosthesis before its removal. This function complements its primary healing function, as it prevents further trauma to the gums after healing, allowing for the creation of a chosen, anatomically advantageous shape. To achieve this, at the end of the healing phase of the dental restoration procedure, a practitioner can take a digital impression of the patient's mouth without removing the healing cap. The scan data, obtained using any device such as an oral scanner, is automatically transmitted to a computer equipped with dental restoration software. This software has a user interface through which an operator can specify the cap model used, or more generally, the reference of the healing cap, and possibly the implant and / or abutment base used. Informative markers can be entered into the software by the operator or automatically identified by the software using any appropriate detection, recognition, and identification method, depending on the nature and characteristics of the marker.Using the scan data and informational markers, software automatically determines the axis of the healing element through geometric construction. For example, this involves identifying the center 15 of the cap and the direction perpendicular to the terminal surface 14 passing through this center 15, then determining its orientation and the space it occupies, using the markers. This allows the software to automatically determine the implant axis without requiring direct visualization. The healing element is advantageously aligned with the implant, its axis coinciding with that of the implant. Indeed, it is possible to deduce from the informative markers the orientation of the axis of the connection device with the implant, for example the connection device 3 of the abutment base with the implant: this allows to automatically deduce the positioning of the connection device of the implant, without having to visualize it directly, from the knowledge of the abutment base. Finally, if healing elements of varying heights exist, this height must be determined to perfectly position the invisible implant. One approach could be to create healing elements of different colors for different heights. A second approach involves designating and identifying at least one informative marker on the healing element to indicate this height. As an alternative or complementary implementation, an operator enters the reference of the healing element via a human-machine interface. This allows the software to retrieve certain characteristics of this healing element, either confirming or supplementing those obtained from the markers, such as its height, center, and / or axis, from a library stored as a database in electronic memory that the operator can consult. Figure 20 illustrates, as an example, a virtual cap 10' stored in the library associated with the restoration software. A spatial reference 51' is associated with the cap, allowing its positioning in space. Alternatively, the software can automatically recognize the healing element from its informative markers, or even its other geometric characteristics, without manual entry of its reference.An operator can assist software in correctly positioning the reference mark 51 of the actual cap, i.e., in recognizing its actual positioning, by capturing one or more points of the emerging surface on an image obtained by the digitization step mentioned above and presented to the operator on a human-machine interface screen. Using the digitized data, and possibly with the help of points on the surface of the healing element manually entered by an operator, the software can associate the virtual healing element from its library with the digitized oral environment, replacing the actual healing element to obtain a more perfect digital reproduction. As shown in Figure 21, the actual reference point 51 of the actual cap 10 is thus automatically determined by the software. It is possible to perfectly position the virtual healing element on the digital impression, either automatically or, if necessary, through operator intervention via a human-machine interface that allows visualization of the oral impression and the healing element.This perfect positioning of the virtual healing element allows us to deduce all the surrounding geometries, from the known references stored in the database associated with the precise healing element considered, including the position of the implant 60 and the geometry of the healed gingiva without the presence of the cap 10 or the abutment base, as represented by figure 22. Alternatively, the markers used are sufficient to provide the data necessary for the correct positioning of the cap without recourse to a library. In all cases, when the restoration software has accurately repositioned the hidden implant positioning, it deduces from this knowledge the final geometry of the restoration abutment to be manufactured, which must be fixed to the implant and occupy the entire gingival volume defined by the healing element, and then the geometry of the dental prosthesis intended to be fixed to this abutment, in a known manner. As a side note, this restoration process can be performed entirely digitally, and therefore virtually, in a fully or partially automated manner, or it can involve the construction of a plastic or plaster model. In the latter case, a physical impression, for example in silicone, can be taken, and a plaster cast can be poured into the impression to create the master model—that is, a replica of the dental arch to be restored—which is then scanned in a laboratory to reconstruct a digital image. As can be seen from the description above, the final phase of the restoration process relies on a restoration device, which includes a central processing and control unit, comprising at least one microprocessor connected to electronic memory, on which software is run to implement all or part of the steps of the restoration process described above.This central unit is connected via a communication device to a digital data acquisition module representing all or part of a patient's dentition, which may consist of a device such as an oral scanner. It is also connected to a human-machine interface, including, for example, a screen and / or a keyboard, to allow interaction with an operator, as explained above. The central unit then performs all necessary processing, calculations, and other operations using software. Finally, it is capable of generating and transmitting manufacturing commands to a device for manufacturing abutments for restorations and / or prostheses. It can also be connected via a second communication device to a manufacturing device such as a machine tool.

Claims

Demands:

1. Healing element suitable for connection with a dental implant (60), comprising a lateral surface (13) intended for integration within a gingiva to shape the gingiva during its healing, and a terminal surface (14), characterized in that a portion of the lateral surface (13) and the terminal surface (14) form an emergent surface, which is asymmetric with respect to at least one perpendicular median plane, and in that the emergent surface comprises at least two informative markers (70) allowing the identification of at least two characteristics of said healing element and / or an abutment base (1) and / or said dental implant (60) to which it would be connected. 2.Healing element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the emergent surface of the healing element (10) is asymmetric with respect to at least one median plane perpendicular to the emergent surface and passing through the center of the emergent surface or comprising a central axis (18) of the healing element.

3. Healing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cross-section of the lateral surface (13) of the healing element or a projection onto a plane parallel to the terminal surface (14) of the emergent surface of the healing element has: - a substantially trapezoidal shape, or a substantially polygonal shape, or triangular, or square, or rectangular, or ovoid, or a substantially polygonal shape with rounded corners; and / or - a part intended for outward positioning of the mouth that is larger than a part intended for inward positioning.

4. Healing element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that its terminal surface (14) and / or its emergent surface has: - a non-planar, curved surface; and / or a convex surface; and / or a smooth surface apart from the informational markers (70); and / or a surface without any through openings.

5. A healing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said characteristics identified by the informative markers (70) comprise one or more elements from: the height of the healing element, - the shape of the healing element, in particular the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of its lateral surface (13) or the projection onto a parallel plane of the emerging surface, the dimensions of the linking part of the healing element (10) with an abutment base (1), and indirectly of a dental implant (60), - the orientation of said dental implant (60), via the orientation of the healing element (10).

6. Healing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two informative markers (70) comprise a first type of informative marking of a first characteristic of the healing element (10) and a second type of informative marking of a second distinct characteristic of the healing element (10).

7. A healing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each informative marker belongs to one of the following types: a negative informational marker, particularly in depressions in one of the surfaces of the healing element, a positive informative marker, particularly one raised on one of the surfaces of the healing element, an informative marker of a particular and identifiable shape formed in one of the surfaces of the healing element, notably polygonal or linear in shape, an informative marker consisting of a readable numerical value or a readable identification code such as a barcode or a datamatrix code, an RFID chip.

8. Series of healing elements, characterized in that it comprises at least two healing elements according to one of the preceding claims having different shapes, or in that it comprises at least three healing elements according to one of the preceding claims of different shapes.

9. Series of healing elements according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least two or at least three healing elements have different heights between them and / or have different cross-sections of their lateral surfaces (13) or projections onto a parallel plane of their terminal surfaces (14).

10. Healing assembly suitable for connection with a dental implant (60) during a healing phase of a dental restoration procedure, characterized in that it comprises a healing element (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 intended to be at least partially surrounded by a gingiva (63) and an abutment base (1) intended for fixation in an implant (60), the abutment base comprising a longitudinal axis (L) along its entire length suitable for alignment with the axis of said implant (60).

11. A healing assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the abutment base (1) has symmetry or near-symmetry about its longitudinal axis (L).

12. A healing assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the healing element (10) and the abutment base (1) form two distinct elements assembled in a removable manner, in particular by clipping, and in that - the abutment base (1) includes a connection device (3) with an implant and a connection device (4) with the healing element (10), these two connecting devices being arranged around an axis aligned with and coinciding with the longitudinal axis (L) of the pillar base (1), and in that - the healing element (10) is arranged around a central axis (18) aligned with the longitudinal axis (L) of the pillar base (1).

13. Healing assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the healing element (10) comprises an anti-rotational element, in particular a groove (1 6), to cooperate with an anti-rotational element (6), in particular a lug, of the pillar base (1 ), and ensure a fixation of the healing element (10) in a single orientation, without rotation around the pillar base (1 ).

14. Healing assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that said at least two informative markers (70) of the healing element (10) comprise a first informative marking of a first feature of the pillar base (1) and a second informative marking of a second feature of the pillar base (1)- 15. A method for manufacturing a dental restoration abutment and / or a prosthesis, intended to be fixed to a dental implant at a first end, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: production of a physical or digital impression of the oral space comprising a healing element according to any one of claims 1 to 7 fixed to the dental implant or a healing assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14 fixed to the dental implant, automatic determination and / or from data entered on a human-machine interface by an operator of the positioning of the dental implant and the oral space, from said impression and informative markers of the healing element (10).