Porous Implant Device for Supporting a Denture

Abstract

A dental implant device has an implant portion for being placed in a bore in bone. The implant portion has a coronal end portion and a porous metal portion. A metal coupling has a coronal end configured for connection to a denture support piece. The coupling also has an apical end integrally formed with the coronal end and engaging the porous metal portion. In one form, the coupling is attached to the porous metal portion in a threaded connection so that the coupling is removable from the porous portion without significantly damaging the porous metal portion sufficiently to re-engage another metal coupling.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to porous implants and, in particular, to a porous dental implant with improved osseointegration features and that anchor dentures.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Conventional dentures have prosthetic teeth shaped and colored to appear like natural teeth. The base of the denture is colored to match gingival or soft tissue, and is fixed upon a patient's gingiva by an adhesive. Oftentimes, however, the denture does not adhere well to the patent's gum causing significant discomfort and malfunction of the denture as well as embarrassment to the patient when the denture slips out of the patient's mouth.[0005]In this case, endosseous implants may be used to anchor the denture to support multiple prosthetic teeth. A denture that fits over implants, or shortened natural teeth if preserved, is called an overdenture.[0006]Endosseous dental implants are typically threaded or press-fit int...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Oftentimes, however, the denture does not adhere well to the patent's gum causing significant discomfort and malfunction of the denture as well as embarrassment to the patient when the denture slips out of the patient's mouth.

The overdenture is used when the mandible or maxilla of a patient has insufficient bone mass or strength to hold an implant for each tooth, or when such a surgery for so many implants is cost prohibitive or otherwise harmful to the patient.

However, many years of denture use often result in a reduced alveolar ridge or bone resorption caused by reduced impact from occlusal forces.

However, installing even a reduced number of implants for supporting a denture may be too expensive because the alveolar ridge may need to be built up by grafts for example to adequately support a full size implant.

The grafting procedure can be painful, the grafts may fail to integrate, and the procedure has some risks such as infection or disease transmission if animal or cadaver bone is used.

In other high risk cases such as smokers, diabetics, or osteoporotics that have substantially reduced or missing bone mass, low bone density, and / or abnormally slow bone growth, obtaining adequate support for conventional, full size dental implants may be impossible.

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