Connector system for dental implants

Abstract

A coupling part (3) for connecting a base (2) of a dental implant (1) to an abutment (4) of the dental implant (1) has a body (30); an elongated hole (31) along a longitudinal axis (10) of the body (30); at least one snap-in element (38, 38 ', 38' ', 38 ''') suitable for snap-in operative connection engagement with a counter-snap-in element (56) of a connection part (5) which can be arranged in the elongated hole (31), and a contact portion (34) for bringing the coupling part (3) into sealing contact with the base (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling part for a modular dental implant, an assembly for a modular dental implant, a kit of such an assembly, a modular dental implant and a kit for such a modular dental implant. Background Art

[0002] Dental implants can be configured as a single-piece device or a multi-piece device. In general, multi-piece dental implants are widely used due to their advantages over single-piece dental implants. Multi-piece dental implants can be better adapted to a specific intended use due to their modularity. They also allow the final implant to be assembled in sequence, so that, for example, undesirable stress can be avoided during the healing process.

[0003] The multi-part dental implants known from the prior art usually comprise a base to be inserted into the jawbone, an abutment to be attached to the base and a superstructure to be placed on the abutment. The base and the abutment are connected by a connecting part.

[0004] The connecting component is usually configured as a threaded bolt, which, when screwed into the internal thread of the base, securely connects the abutment and the base. The threaded bolt may have an engagement device for turning the threaded bolt at the coronal end facing away from the thread. A head component with a larger diameter is used to securely fix the abutment. This can be molded on the bolt. Alternatively, the connecting component can have a modular structure, which comprises a threaded bolt to be screwed into the base and a head component that can be mounted on the coronal end, as disclosed by way of example in US2008 / 0233538 A1.

[0005] Connecting parts extending in the base in order to achieve a form-fitting connection are also known. For example, such a dental implant is disclosed in US 2013 / 0224689 A1.

[0006] The base, also called an implant, is intended to functionally replace a tooth root and is typically cylindrical or conical in shape. The base typically has threads that can be used to screw the base into the jawbone.

[0007] The abutment, also called implant abutment, serves as an intermediate connection between the base and the superstructure and is usually connected to the base using a secure fit such as screwing and / or gluing.

[0008] The superstructure is the actual dental prosthesis in the form of a crown or bridge, or even a denture. It is also possible to design the abutment and the superstructure as a one-piece element, for example as a one-piece crown. The dental implant can also have two or more bases for fixing the superstructure, for example in the case of bridges and dentures. In the latter case, so-called positioners can be used as abutments, to which corresponding attachment points of the denture are attached either firmly or loosely.

[0009] In dental prostheses, biocompatible and / or bioinert materials are preferably used. Titanium or titanium alloys are often used due to their biocompatibility, as are ceramic materials (such as zirconium oxide ceramics). Both the material and the structure of the base should be able to achieve a high degree of osseointegration and periarticular integration. The above-mentioned requirements for high biocompatibility and bioinertness also apply to the abutment and superstructure. In addition, the forces generated in the dentition place high mechanical demands on the materials and design. Dental implants must be able to absorb the high forces generated during use of the dentition without breaking, cracking or loosening.

[0010] The advantage of titanium is that it is tough and not brittle. However, one disadvantage of titanium is that it may be seen as a foreign body in the mouth due to its dark grey colour. Therefore, titanium is preferred for those parts of the dental implant that are not visible in the mouth, such as those embedded in the jawbone or covered by the gums, or those located within the dental implant or superstructure. Typically, the base is embedded in the jawbone. The abutment may be covered by the gums and / or superstructure.

[0011] Compared to titanium, ceramic materials such as zirconium oxide have the advantage that the color is substantially similar to the natural color of the teeth, so that the corresponding part of the dental implant is not seen as a foreign body. Ceramic parts are preferably used for tooth abutments and other parts visible in the oral cavity.

[0012] If the connection between the abutment and the base is not adequate, it may cause the dental implant to become loose or damaged. For the long-term success of dental implants, it is also important that the inside of the dental implant is well and permanently sealed from the outside. Leaks in the connection can allow bacteria to penetrate the implant, which may lead to peri-implantitis and cause jawbone shrinkage.

[0013] The modular design of dental implants may mean that the mechanical stability of individual components, especially those made of relatively brittle ceramic materials, is not as good as that of a one-piece implant, particularly where shear forces transverse to the implant axis are concerned.

[0014] Assembly of modular implants can be difficult, especially in confined oral areas, because two or more elements must be placed simultaneously.

[0015] US2019 / 0223986 A1 discloses a modular dental implant, which comprises a base and an abutment, and the base and the abutment are connected by a screw-shaped connecting component. The dental implant also has a cylindrical sleeve, which is provided with at least one snap-in element. The snap-in element is configured so that it can engage with a counter-snap-in element formed on the connecting component, so that the sleeve body and the connecting component and therefore also the main body fixed between the sleeve body and the connecting component in a form-fitting manner are connected to each other in a manner of at least temporary fixation. In the assembled state of the dental implant, the cylindrical sleeve is located inside the implant and reinforces the dental implant in the upper region to resist shear forces transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] In most cases, the base and the abutment are configured as two separate components. This has the advantage that the base and the abutment can be adjusted to individual needs. Another advantage is that the abutment can be made of a different material than the base.

[0017] A connector (also called an adapter or coupling) may be used to connect the base and the abutment.

[0018] EP1269932 discloses a ceramic post and a metal connector firmly connected thereto, which can be attached to an implant by means of a screw. The screw passes through the post and the connector from the center and rests with its head on the inner shoulder of the post. There is a form-fitting anti-rotation lock between the post and the connector, effective on both sides of a plane passing through the screw axis.

[0019] US5685714 discloses a support post for a dental implant, which can support a dental prosthesis. The support post includes an area that contacts the dental implant when installed. An intermediate member is attached to the post at least at the junction between the post and the implant. The intermediate member and the support post have different material properties.

[0020] This area often needs improvement. Summary of the invention

[0021] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a modular dental implant system which allows a more flexible construction of the individual components and in particular enables an easy adaptation of the dental implant to the specific conditions of the intended use.

[0022] According to the present invention, the dental implant should be safe and reliable in use and cheap to manufacture.

[0023] The present invention further contemplates that, when providing a patient with a dental implant, it is very advantageous to be able to choose between different prosthetic abutments of a wide range of materials and attach them to the base. Furthermore, when the selected abutment is combined with a suitable base, the manipulation of the abutment should remain within controllable limits, particularly in situations where the abutment may be lost in the patient's mouth.

[0024] Therefore, a further task of the present invention is to provide a coupling component and an assembly comprising the coupling component, wherein the coupling component is configured as an interface. The coupling component is intended to allow different prosthetic abutments made of different materials, preferably ceramic materials, to be attached to the base. Furthermore, the assembly of the coupling component and the assembly should facilitate easy and safe handling.

[0025] According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments can also be derived from the dependent claims and the description. The solution according to the invention can be further improved by individual embodiments, each of which is advantageous in itself and, unless otherwise indicated, can be combined with one another as desired.

[0026] These embodiments and their associated advantages are discussed below.

[0027] A first aspect of the invention relates to a coupling component for connecting a base of a dental implant to an abutment of said dental implant.

[0028] Such a coupling component according to the present invention comprises a body, an elongated hole along the longitudinal axis of the body, at least one snap-in element adapted to engage in a snap-in operation connection with at least one counter-snap-in element of a coupling component which can be arranged in the elongated hole, and a contact portion for making the coupling component in sealing contact with the base.

[0029] The coupling component can be used to provide a standard connection between any base of a dental implant and any abutment of a dental implant. The abutment can for example comprise a superstructure or superstructure, a crown, a denture, a locator, abutment or a healing assembly (such as a gingival former). The abutment and the base can be connected to each other using a connecting component (for example, a screw). In order to connect these components, a connector or a connecting component can be guided to pass through the abutment, and then through the elongated hole of the coupling component. When assembling the dental implant, the connector also can be connected to the base, and therefore the abutment and the coupling component are connected to the base.

[0030] The connector can be guided through the elongated hole of the coupling part until at least one snap-in element of the coupling part engages with at least one counter-snapping element of the connector, so that the connector and the coupling part are at least temporarily connected to each other. The coupling part, the connector and the abutment are held together by the engaged movable connection. This facilitates installation and increases safety when installing the component in the oral cavity. In particular, when the component is to be installed in the region of the mandible, the coupling part would otherwise simply slide off the connector due to gravity.

[0031] The tight fit of the coupling part on the base ensures a permanent seal between the interior and exterior of the fully assembled dental implant, thereby preventing germs from entering the implant. Likewise, foreign matter such as wear and tear will not enter the external space from the dental implant and thus enter the body of the implant wearer.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling part rests on the outer circumference of the contact part on the base. Thus, the top sealing surface of the contact part is arranged radially as far away from the longitudinal axis as possible. Since the top sealing surface is arranged in the outer area of ​​the contact part facing the oral cavity, impurities and germs can be prevented from entering between the coupling part and the base and being deposited there. This is advantageous in terms of hygiene.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the coupling component according to the invention, the contact portion on the base of the coupling component is configured as a flat surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base.

[0034] Surfaces located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis allow good transmission of the compressive forces generated by chewing with the dental implant from the abutment and the coupling part to the base. In the case of a larger or two-step flat surface, the contact point can be as far away from the longitudinal axis as possible, towards the oral cavity. This prevents bacteria and food debris from entering the implant or parts of the implant.

[0035] In another advantageous embodiment of the coupling component according to the invention, the contact portion on the base of the coupling component is configured as a side surface of a right truncated cone aligned with the longitudinal axis.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment of the coupling component according to the invention, the contact portion on the base of the coupling component is configured as a side surface of a curved truncated cone aligned with the longitudinal axis.

[0037] The conical or curved conical side surface of the contact portion of the base of such a coupling part is intended to be accommodated in a correspondingly shaped straight or curved conical bracket of the base. The dimensions of the conical outer surface and the conical bracket are designed so that when the coupling part and the base are supported along the longitudinal axis, the two conical outer surfaces are supported. The support can be a flat support or an annular support. The coupling part is radially fixed in the base. The support forms a bacteria-proof transition between the coupling part and the base.

[0038] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the coupling component according to the invention, the contact portion on the base of the coupling component is configured as a side surface of a conical recess of the base aligned with the longitudinal axis.The conical recess may in turn be a straight cone or a curved cone.

[0039] The conical or curved conical side surface of the contact portion of the base of such a coupling component is configured to receive a correspondingly shaped straight truncated cone or curved truncated cone of the base. The dimensions of the conical outer surface and the conical bracket are designed so that when the coupling component and the base are supported along the longitudinal axis, the two conical outer surfaces are supported flatly. The coupling component is radially fixed in the base.

[0040] Advantageously, in the coupling part according to the invention, the contact portion in the form of a flat surface is arranged at the top longitudinal end of the coupling part.Thus, the forces generated during mastication with the implant are directly transferred vertically into the base.

[0041] It is also very advantageous that the contact portion is as far away from the longitudinal axis of the dental implant as possible. The contact portion should be close to the outside of the implant, towards the oral cavity. This prevents bacteria and food debris from penetrating into the implant or parts of the implant.

[0042] The interface between the base and the abutment of the dental implant is formed according to the coupling component of the present invention. The advantage of doing so is that a direct interface is not required between the base and the abutment, but a suitable interface with the base or abutment is provided according to the coupling component of the present invention. For example, a base with two different outer diameters can be provided, and its tapered bracket has different sizes. Therefore, two coupling components with matching interfaces, i.e. contact portions of corresponding sizes, must be provided. Although there are usually different types of abutments, no matter which abutment, the interface between the coupling component and the abutment can be the same. This means that it is not necessary to store and provide different abutments with different interfaces for base elements of different sizes, or to increase the number of possible combinations. In addition, the coupling component of the present invention makes it possible to combine bases and abutments from different manufacturers, and therefore provides the best possible implant for the specific needs of the patient.

[0043] Furthermore, the connection between the coupling component and the abutment can be made without the use of adhesives and can be assembled or disassembled at any time.

[0044] The body of the coupling component according to the invention can be substantially rotationally symmetrical. This is particularly advantageous in the case of ablation production, since the shaping can be performed substantially by rotation.

[0045] Furthermore, the base of the dental implant is advantageously substantially rotationally symmetrical in order to screw it into the jawbone. In order to ensure that the forces during chewing with the dental implant can be transmitted as evenly as possible from the abutment into the base via the coupling part, the coupling part and the abutment are also advantageously configured substantially rotationally symmetrically. Furthermore, substantially rotationally symmetrical interfaces can be produced easily and economically for various abutments and bases.

[0046] Advantageously, in the coupling component according to the invention, the at least one snap-in element is configured as an elastic snap-in element.

[0047] The snap-in element allows the coupling part to form a snap-in active connection with the at least one anti-snap-in element of the connecting part which can be arranged in the elongated hole. The elasticity of the snap-in element prevents the snap-in element from being damaged or broken when the parts are closed or separated. In addition, the elasticity ensures a good active connection between the parts and prevents them from being accidentally separated.

[0048] Advantageously, the coupling component can be reversibly connected to the connecting component. Using snap-in elements and counter-snapping elements allows a fully reversible connection. The connection is made without adhesive, which means that no additives that must meet strict approval requirements need to be used. After joining, the components can also be separated. Furthermore, the abutment can be reversibly connected to the coupling component and / or the connecting component.

[0049] The coupling part according to the invention can further comprise at least one further snap-in element, which is adapted to snap-in and moveably connect with at least one further counter-snapping element of the abutment. This allows, for example, the coupling part and the abutment to be connected to each other before the coupling part is inserted into the elongated hole.

[0050] Advantageously, the at least one further snap-in element is configured as an elastic snap-in element. Here too, the elasticity of the at least one further snap-in element can also prevent the snap-in element from being damaged or broken when the components are connected or separated. In addition, the elasticity can also achieve a good effective connection between the components and prevent them from being accidentally separated.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, in the coupling part according to the invention, at least one snap-in element can be arranged at the crown longitudinal end and / or the top longitudinal end of the base. For example, by arranging the snap-in element at one end of the end of the coupling part, the base can rest against the connecting part, while the snap-in element protrudes outside the coupling part and can be elastic in the axial direction by extension.

[0052] Advantageously, in the coupling component according to the invention, the at least one snap-in element is configured as a latching hook, which is formed on the base parallel to the longitudinal axis. The latching hook can simply be snapped into place with the counter-snapping element, for example in the form of a snap-in groove. The alignment parallel to the longitudinal axis provides the snap-in element with additional elasticity, in particular when the snap-in element is deflected perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

[0053] Such a snap-in element can then form a latching-snap connection with a corresponding counter-snap-in element (eg a corresponding recess) of the connecting part.

[0054] A particularly advantageous feature of such a coupling part according to the invention is that the latching hook has a spring-elastic lever arm which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

[0055] In such embodiments, the arrangement of a snap-in lug aligned with the longitudinal axis at the end of the lever arm is advantageous.

[0056] In a further advantageous embodiment, the snap-in lug comprises a snap-in lug extending obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part in the direction of the elongated hole. If the snap-in element comprises a lever arm and a snap-in lug, the oblique snap-in lug can extend from the distal end of the lever arm. Alternatively, if the snap-in element consists entirely of the snap-in lug, the snap-in lug can also extend from another component of the coupling part.

[0057] When the latching element and the counter-latching element are connected, the elastic spring arm is temporarily deflected in the radial direction until the latching lug is latched into the corresponding recess of the counter-latching element.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the end of the at least one snap-in lug facing the connecting part has a convex curvature relative to the longitudinal axis of the connecting part, the radius of which corresponds to the radius of the connecting part. Thus, during engagement or disengagement, a contact zone is formed between the snap-in lug and the connecting part that is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the connecting part, which keeps the connecting part centered in the assembled state.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one snap-in lug has a rounded edge at one end facing the connecting part, so as to enable easy snap-in or snap-out.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling part comprises a plurality of snap-in elements, which enable better retention on the coupling part. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plurality of snap-in elements are equally spaced in the circumferential direction so as to symmetrically retain the coupling part. Three snap-in elements form such an embodiment, allowing axial retention on the coupling part so that the coupling part remains centered around the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. The number of snap-in elements can be selected so as to achieve a predetermined force when retaining the coupling part. For example, six snap-in elements can be provided to ensure that the axial retention of the coupling part is tight and safe.

[0061] Furthermore, the plurality of snap-in elements can be of identical design, in order to simplify production.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of snap-in lugs are configured in such a way that they remain in contact with the connecting part, in particular with the wall surface of the anti-snapping element, in the assembled state. In this way, the connecting part can be centered around the longitudinal axis of the coupling part and, if necessary, the relative positions of the components of the assembly can also be maintained.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the end of the snap-in lug facing the connection part is located in a snap-in lug plane extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. This ensures a symmetrical distribution of the spring force of the snap-in lug acting on the coupling part. In the assembled state, an axial movement of the snap-in lug engaging with the counter-snapping element from a first axial position of the snap-in lug plane to a second axial position of the snap-in lug plane can also be provided. This axial movement allows the coupling part to have an axial play relative to the connection part and therefore relative to the abutment.

[0064] Furthermore, in the coupling part according to the invention, at least one guiding element provided at the coronal longitudinal end of the base is advantageous, said guiding element being adapted for aligning the coupling part relative to the abutment of the dental implant about the longitudinal axis.

[0065] This ensures that the body section and the coupling section are correctly aligned with each other.

[0066] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of such a coupling part according to the invention, the at least one guide element is formed by a cylindrical projection protruding from the coronal longitudinal end of the base and aligned with the longitudinal axis. The cylindrical projection may be continuous or discontinuous.

[0067] In such an embodiment, the at least one snap-in element can protrude crown-like from the guide element. In a preferred embodiment of this type, the snap-in element comprises a snap-in lug, which extends from the guide element in a crown-like direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. The snap-in lug can be arranged directly on the guide element or on an axially extending lever arm.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the guide element is interrupted by a plurality of guide segments. If the guide element is formed by guide segments, the guide segments can form an imaginary hollow cylindrical guide element. The guide segments are each formed by an interruption in the circumferential direction of the guide element and carry a snap-in lug, which can advantageously be taken into account when designing the snap-in lug, in particular taking into account its spring effect.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the guide element, which may be formed by the interruption of a plurality of guide segments, has a radial inner wall surface which, seen in radial direction, deviates radially outwards from the wall surface of the elongated hole of the coupling part. Thus, the radial inner wall surface of the guide element delimits a circumferential inner space above the elongated hole, which is intended to accommodate a preferably circumferential thickening of the connection part when the at least one snap-in lug engages with the counter-snapping element. The thickening may be bead-shaped.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling part comprises a plurality of guide segments and a plurality of snap-in elements, each of which can protrude from the guide segment. It is particularly preferred that the guide segments are equally spaced in the circumferential direction and have the same design in order to simplify manufacturing.

[0071] In a further embodiment, the snap-in element is arranged separately from the guide element.

[0072] Alternatively, the at least one guiding element may be configured as a circular recess arranged at a coronal longitudinal end of the base and aligned with the longitudinal axis.

[0073] The guiding elements serve to align the superstructure component and the coupling component with respect to each other during connection and to guide the components against tilting during assembly.

[0074] The guide elements described above can also transfer radial shear forces between the superstructure component and the coupling component.

[0075] In an advantageous embodiment, a rotational undercut is formed at the coronal longitudinal end of the coupling part in the region of the guide element.

[0076] The rotational undercut may be arranged at the base of the guiding element. The rotational undercut prevents a radial or right-angle transition at the level of the coronal sealing surface when transitioning to the guiding element. This ensures a good bacteria-tight seal between the two components, since the radial transition between the guiding element and the coronal sealing surface of the coupling part does not hinder the sealing contact of the apical sealing surface of the abutment. Avoiding right-angle transitions also reduces the risk of cracking. The rotational undercut also means that the coronal sealing surface can be fully machined, for example with a grinding wheel.

[0077] Furthermore, in an advantageous coupling component, the transition section may be connected to a contact portion of the base, said contact portion of the base being configured in the form of a straight tapered side surface or a curved tapered side surface.

[0078] Advantageously, the outer radius of the coupling part at the coronal end of the transition section is identical to the outer radius of the abutment of the dental implant, so that no protruding edge is produced in this transition region of the dental implant.

[0079] Such a transition section is not arranged in a tapered bracket of the base and is therefore not necessarily tapered. Nevertheless, it is particularly advantageous if the inclination angle of the side surface of the coupling component at the crowned end of the transition section is the same as the inclination angle of the adjoining side surface of the superstructure component, so that smooth side surfaces with the same outer radius are produced.

[0080] Advantageously, in the contact portion or contact region, the surface of the coupling part and / or the surface of the base has a geometrical continuity G1 (tangential continuity).

[0081] The G1 continuity of the surfaces in the contact parts means in particular that there are no edges on any surface of the surfaces in the contact area (continuity G0) which could hook onto the opposing surface and shear off material if the components are displaced relative to each other (even slightly), or which could themselves be particularly susceptible to shearing off.

[0082] It is particularly advantageous if the surface of the coupling component and / or the surface of the base has a geometric continuity G2 (curvature continuity) in the contact portion or contact area.

[0083] The advantage of such G2 continuity of the surface in the contact portion is that the contact pressure remains approximately constant in the case of small relative displacements of the components with respect to each other. The uniform force reduces the effects of asymmetric mechanical forces.

[0084] Advantageously, the coupling part comprises a coronal sealing surface for close contact between the abutment and the coupling part. The coronal sealing surface prevents impurities and germs such as bacteria from penetrating into the implant. Due to the close support, forces acting on the abutment during chewing can also be well transferred to the coupling part. A wider support can reduce the contact pressure and reduce the tension between the parts. With a narrow support, the contact pressure can be increased so that a good seal is produced between the parts. The coronal sealing surface can form a second contact portion of the coupling part.

[0085] In a further advantageous embodiment, the coronal sealing surface is arranged at a coronal longitudinal end of the base and is configured as a flat annular surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base.

[0086] Advantageously, in the coupling part according to the invention, a flat annular crowned sealing surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base is provided at the crowned longitudinal end of the base.

[0087] Such sealing surface lies in a normal plane to the longitudinal axis.The abutment advantageously has a similar sealing surface at the apical longitudinal end, so that when the dental implant is assembled the two mentioned sealing surfaces overlap completely flush and thus seal the interior of the dental implant from the outside.

[0088] Alternatively, the sealing surface can also be configured as a tapered side surface, but this makes the production of the component more complicated.

[0089] In an advantageous embodiment, the coronal sealing surface is arranged on the outer circumference of the contact portion between the abutment and the coupling part. The coronal sealing surface is thus arranged radially as far away from the longitudinal axis as possible. The coronal sealing surface is arranged in the outer region of the contact portion facing the oral cavity, so that impurities and germs can be prevented from entering between the abutment and the coupling part and being deposited there. This is advantageous in terms of hygiene.

[0090] In a further advantageous embodiment of the coupling part according to the invention, a rotation locking section with a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour is arranged at the crown longitudinal end and / or the top longitudinal end of the base. The anti-rotation section can also have a rotationally symmetrical outer contour. The rotationally symmetrical anti-rotation section can be, for example, n-fold rotationally symmetrical, such as a polygon or an ellipse.

[0091] Such an anti-rotation element or anti-rotation section can be configured, for example, as a section of the base adjacent to the conical contact portion, which has a quadrilateral or hexagonal cross section or an n-gonal cross section instead of a circular cross section. Together with a bracket of opposite shape in the base or superstructure component, the anti-rotation element can effectively lock the corresponding component and prevent it from rotating around the longitudinal axis. This is particularly advantageous for preventing the component surfaces of the dental implant according to the present invention from resting on each other and sliding against each other when screwing into the connecting component, so as to avoid surface wear and mechanical damage.

[0092] In another advantageous embodiment of the coupling component according to the present invention, the anti-rotation section is configured to be non-rotationally symmetrical around the longitudinal axis. For example, the outer contour may be asymmetrical at a certain point so that the superstructure component and the coupling component or the coupling component and the base can be installed only in a single, correctly aligned manner with each other. This rotational locking section without rotational symmetry is called a transposition section. After installation, this transposition section can be matched with a complementary structure of a base or a base to allow the base or the base to maintain a single position relative to the coupling component. The transposition portion is not affected by the axis, and a rotation at a certain angle around the axis maps the transposition portion onto itself. In other words, the transposition section does not have rotational symmetry around the longitudinal axis of the coupling component.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, if the coupling part has a guide element, the guide element can form the rotation-locking section, wherein the guide element can have a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour or an n-fold rotationally symmetrical outer contour.

[0094] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of such a coupling part according to the invention, the guide element is formed by protruding at the coronal longitudinal end of the base and is aligned with the longitudinal axis. The guide element has an outer contour that is non-rotationally symmetrical or n-fold rotationally symmetrical so as to fix the coupling part to the base in rotational alignment. In a preferred embodiment, the guide element in the shape of a prism extends along the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. For example, the guide element has a square or hexagonal polygonal outer contour. Alternatively, the guide element may include an indexing section.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the indexing section is formed by at least one flat portion of the radial outer wall surface of the guide element, wherein the flat portion extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. Therefore, the geometry of the guide element is configured in such a way that the base is placed on the coupling part only in a determined position. To this end, the base has a corresponding complementary structure, i.e. the wall surface of the receiving opening can be cylindrical and correspondingly has at least one flat portion in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. In the assembled state, both flat portions can be engaged. This secure fit simultaneously produces an anti-rotation connection.

[0096] In another preferred embodiment, the radially outer wall surface of the guide element has at least one radially extending cam which, in the assembled state, can engage with a groove of the wall surface of the receiving opening, thereby producing an indexing section. The rotationally fixed connection between the coupling part and the abutment is also produced by firmly locking.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the radially outer wall surface of the guide element has a profile which, when assembled, is intended to interact with a further complementary structure of the abutment to form an anti-rotation lock between the abutment and the coupling part. In this respect, a structure similar to that used for the indexing section can be used, whereby the structure can be rotationally symmetrical.

[0098] In embodiments in which the guide element forms the anti-rotation section, the at least one snap-in element preferably extends from the guide element in a coronal direction.

[0099] In an advantageous embodiment, in the assembled state, the apical sealing surface of the abutment rests on the coronal sealing surface of the coupling part, so that the dental implant is sealed at this contact point of the two components. This can prevent bacteria and impurities from entering the interior of the dental implant when the dental implant is assembled.

[0100] In a further advantageous embodiment, in the assembled state, the apical sealing surface of the coupling part rests on the coronal sealing surface of the base, so that the dental implant is sealed at this contact point of the two components. This can also prevent bacteria and impurities from entering the interior of the dental implant when the dental implant is assembled.

[0101] The coupling component according to the invention may be made of metal, in particular titanium, a metal alloy, in particular a titanium alloy, a ceramic material, in particular zirconium oxide, a polymer material or a composite material.

[0102] If the snap-in element is elastically deformable, it is more advantageous to use an elastic but stable material. However, it is also possible to manufacture the coupling element according to the invention from two different materials. For example, a first element carrying the elastic snap-in element can be made of metal and connected to a second element made of a less elastic ceramic material to form the coupling element.

[0103] Advantageously, the coupling component according to the invention is produced by a powder injection molding process.

[0104] Typically, powder injection molding can be used to produce, for example, ceramic or metal components.

[0105] The advantage of the connection parts manufactured using the powder injection molding process is that they can also be configured to be non-rotationally symmetrical without making the production more complicated as with the subtractive machining process. The connection parts can be formed in a single working step by injection molding. Subtractive machining processes, in particular machining processes such as milling, turning or drilling, which can cause stress to the structure of the component, are no longer required. The injection molding process can also make the structure of the surface of the component better than that of the machined component. If necessary, the connection parts manufactured using the injection molding process can also be subjected to additional finishing, for example by vibration grinding or polishing. In addition, it is also easier to produce, for example, non-rotationally symmetrical shapes, which would otherwise be more complicated to manufacture, such as milled parts.

[0106] Production using powder injection molding can be recognized by the components, specifically by the surface of the components. The surface of the component is defined by the smooth surface of the injection mold and does not show any traces of the subtractive machining process. This reduces the risk of cracking or bacterial colonization.

[0107] According to conventional dental terminology, "apical" refers to the direction toward the tip of the tooth root, and thus the direction of the jaw bone, and "coronal" refers to the direction toward the crown of the tooth.

[0108] A second aspect of the invention relates to an assembly for a modular dental implant.

[0109] Such an assembly according to the invention (also referred to as a kit) comprises an abutment, a connecting component for firmly connecting the abutment to a base intended to be implanted in the bone tissue of a patient, and a coupling component according to the invention as explained above. The abutment, the connecting component and the coupling component are aligned along a common longitudinal axis. The connecting component can be arranged in the elongated hole of the coupling component and the elongated hole of the abutment. The coupling component, the connecting component and the abutment can be connected or joined together in a form-fitting manner.

[0110] The abutment may comprise, for example, a superstructure, a crown, a denture, a locator, an abutment, or a healing component.

[0111] The abutment according to the invention, the connection part and the coupling part are at least temporarily firmly connected in the assembly according to the invention, which has the advantage that the assembly can be handled as an integrated component during the assembly of the dental implant. For example, when assembling the dental implant, the assembly or the connection part of the assembly can thus be simply placed in the patient's mouth in the hole of the base already implanted in the jawbone, so that the connection element can then be connected to the base in a form-fitting manner and supported relative to the base, finally connecting all components in a form-fitting manner and forming a stable, finished dental implant.

[0112] The at least one snap-in element of the coupling part according to the invention produces a snap-in connection with at least one corresponding counter-snapping element of the connecting part arranged in the elongated hole of the coupling part, thereby achieving an advantageous form-fit connection of the three components. The abutment is then firmly fixed between the coupling part and the connecting part.

[0113] The snap-in connection can be realized without any tools. All that is required is to pull the components together in a certain way. Since the snap-in connection only holds the three components together during assembly and does not have to absorb any of the associated forces, the snap-in connection has sufficient mechanical stability. Depending on the design of the snap-in connection, the snap-in connection can also be released again without the use of tools.

[0114] The abutment may be already connected to the superstructure, or may form an integral element with the superstructure.

[0115] Advantageously, in such an assembly according to the invention, the coupling part can be securely connected or coupled to the connecting part by means of a latching-snap connection or a snap-in connection comprising at least one snap-in element and a counter-snap-in element.

[0116] Various types of latch-and-snap connections or snap-in connections are known. A snap-in connection with an elastically deformable lever arm is very advantageous for dental implants of small dimensions, since it can be easily attached to the component by design. In addition, a latch-and-snap connection can easily be made to work by an axial displacement of the connector relative to the coupling component, without the need for rotation in the circumferential direction as with, for example, a thread lock or a bayonet lock. Since the forces between the components during preassembly are low, a latch-and-snap connection is sufficient to achieve this connection.

[0117] In an advantageous variant of such an assembly according to the invention, the coupling part can be securely connected or connected to the abutment by means of a further latch-snap connection comprising at least one further snap-in element and a further counter-snap-in element.

[0118] The advantage of this embodiment is that, when assembling the assembly according to the invention, the coupling component can be connected to the base before the connecting component is mounted to the coupling component. In addition, it is also possible to provide already preassembled coupling components and bases in this way.

[0119] Advantageously, the connecting part of the assembly according to the invention has at least one anti-snapping element, which is operatively connected or can be connected to at least one snap-in element of the coupling part. By connecting the at least one snap-in element of the coupling part to the at least one anti-snapping element on the connecting part, a snap-in active connection can be produced between the parts.

[0120] A particularly advantageous feature of such a combination is that the at least one counter-snapping element of the connecting component is configured as a radial recess of a side surface of the connecting component.

[0121] The at least one counter-snapping element of the connecting part of the combination according to the invention can be configured as a circumferential snap-in groove.

[0122] The at least one snap-in element of the coupling part can snap into the connecting part via the radial recess or snap-in groove and produce a movable connection between the coupling part and the connecting part. For example, if the connecting part comprises a thread for connecting the connecting part to the base, the connecting part can be rotated about its own longitudinal axis without releasing or interrupting the movable connection between the snap-in element and the connecting part.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting part has a preferably circumferential thickening which delimits the counter-engagement element at the top end. The formation of the counter-snapping element is a flexible solution to accommodate the at least one snap-in lug and thus determine the axial position of the connecting part relative to the coupling part it holds.

[0124] The advantage of the circumferential thickening is that no recess is required below the head of the connection part to form a counter-engagement element, which could become a weak point of the connection part. This solution is therefore particularly advantageous when thinner connection parts need to be used.

[0125] Alternatively, if the diameter of the connecting part is larger, a preferably circumferential recess below the head of the connecting part forms the anti-snapping element, which is also an advantageous solution. For example, the recess can be formed by milling the circumferential area below the head of the connecting part. Both solutions, thickening or recess, prevent the engaged snap-in lug from moving towards the top. If the anti-snapping element is circumferential, the at least one snap-in lug can engage in any rotational position of the connecting part, which simplifies the assembly of the module.

[0126] Further embodiments of the combination will be disclosed below in which the at least one counter-engagement element of the connecting part is configured as a radial recess in a side surface of the connecting part.

[0127] In a further advantageous embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the abutment has at least one further counter-snapping element which is operatively connected to at least one further snap-in element of the coupling part.

[0128] Advantageously, the at least one further counter-engagement element of the abutment of the assembly according to the invention is configured as a radial recess in the region of the apical longitudinal end of the abutment.

[0129] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, the at least one further counter-clicking element of the abutment is configured as a circumferential click-in groove.

[0130] In the coupling component according to the present invention, the connection component and / or the abutment may be made of metal (particularly titanium), a metal alloy, a ceramic material (particularly zirconium oxide), a polymer material or a composite material.

[0131] These components, in particular components made of ceramics, can be manufactured using a powder injection molding process. However, metal components, such as titanium or titanium alloys, can also be manufactured using an injection molding process. Components that can be produced by powder injection molding are more cost-effective than machining processes. It is also easier to produce, for example, non-rotationally symmetrical shapes, which would otherwise be expensive to produce, for example, as milled components.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment, the abutment has a top-arranged receiving opening for receiving the guide element and the at least one snap-in element, whereby the receiving opening can have an axial wall surface complementary to an axially extending wall surface of the guide element. Thus, during assembly of the subassembly, the guide element centers the prosthetic abutment with its receiving opening.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment, the abutment has a complementary structure intended to interact with the indexing section of the coupling part when mounted. The indexing section is not axis-dependent so that the indexing section is mapped onto itself by a certain angle of rotation. In other words, the indexing section has no rotational symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the coupling part. This geometry means that the abutment can only be placed in certain positions.

[0134] Preferred embodiments of the indexing section have been described above in connection with the corresponding embodiments of the coupling part and can be used for the coupling part and the abutment of the assembly. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the complementary structure of the abutment has at least one flat portion extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling part and intended to cooperate with the at least one flat portion of the radially outer wall surface of the guide element.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment, the abutment has a further complementary structure which, in the assembled state, is intended to interact with the profile of the radially outer wall surface of the guide element in order to form an anti-rotation lock between the abutment and the coupling part. In this respect, structures identical or similar to those of the indexing section can be used, whereby the further complementary structure can be rotationally symmetrical.

[0136] Furthermore, the base has an elongated hole (also referred to as through hole) for receiving the connecting part, whereby the elongated hole has a counter-bearing part for receiving the head part of the connecting part. In the assembled state, the connecting part is inserted into the elongated hole of the base and the elongated hole of the coupling part. In the assembled state, the head part is supported against the counter-bearing part. Furthermore, in the assembled state, the at least one snap-in lug or snap-in element engages with the counter-snapping element of the connecting part.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment, the counter-support surface of the abutment and the wall surface of the receiving opening of the abutment have no curvature less than a 0.3 mm radius, seen in longitudinal section. Thus, this geometry of the receiving opening of the coupling part is configured in such a way that the geometry of the abutment can be produced or adjusted using a dental milling machine.

[0138] A third aspect of the invention relates to a modular dental implant.

[0139] Such a dental implant according to the invention comprises a base for implantation in the bone tissue of a patient and an assembly according to the invention as explained above.

[0140] When fitting the modular dental implant according to the invention, the base of the dental implant is already implanted in the bone tissue of the patient. Immediately after implantation of the base, a healing element or gingival former is usually used as an abutment. Once the base has healed, the abutment is removed again for a temporary or definitive prosthetic restoration and a new abutment is made. For this purpose, another abutment needs to be installed; for example, the abutment can include an abutment and / or a superstructure, such as a crown or a denture.

[0141] Advantageously, in the dental implant according to the invention, the base, the abutment, the connecting part and the coupling part are arranged in alignment along the longitudinal axis of the dental implant and can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner by the connecting part or can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner by the connecting part.

[0142] In the dental implant according to the present invention, the base can be made of metal, in particular titanium, a metal alloy or a ceramic material, in particular zirconium oxide. In particular, the base can be manufactured using a powder injection molding process. The advantages of the powder injection molding process have been mentioned above.

[0143] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a kit for constructing an assembly.

[0144] Such an assembly kit according to the invention comprises at least one assembly component according to the invention, at least one connecting component and at least one coupling component as defined above in the assembly according to the invention.

[0145] According to the invention, such a kit allows flexible assembly and mounting of subassemblies for subsequent simple assembly with a base to form a finished dental implant according to the invention.

[0146] The abutment may comprise, for example, a superstructure, a crown, a denture, a locator, an abutment or a healing component such as a gingiva former.

[0147] A fifth aspect of the invention relates to a kit for assembling a modular dental implant.

[0148] Such a dental implant kit according to the invention comprises at least one base part, at least one abutment, at least one connecting part and at least one coupling part, as defined above in the dental implant according to the invention.

[0149] The abutment may comprise, for example, a superstructure, a crown, a denture, a locator, an abutment or a healing component such as a gingiva former.

[0150] Further aspects of the invention will also become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0151] In order to better understand the present invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings below. These drawings only illustrate examples of embodiments of the objects of the present invention. In the drawings and in the related description, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the same or similarly acting parts.

[0152] Figure 1 Schematically shown are (a) a possible embodiment of a coupling component according to the invention and (b) the same coupling component according to the invention as a component of a dental implant.

[0153] Figure 2 Schematically shown are (a) another possible embodiment of a coupling component according to the invention and (b) the same coupling component according to the invention as a component of a dental implant.

[0154] Figure 3 A further embodiment of a coupling part according to the invention as a component of an assembly according to the invention is shown schematically in longitudinal section.

[0155] Figure 4 A further possible embodiment of a coupling component according to the invention as a component of a dental implant is shown, wherein the contact portion of the coupling component is in the form of an inverted cone.

[0156] Figure 5 A further embodiment of a coupling component according to the invention as a component of a dental implant is shown, wherein a flat surface serves as a contact portion of the coupling component.

[0157] Figure 6 Schematically illustrated are (a) a removable latch-snap connection, (b) a conditionally removable latch-snap connection, (c) a non-removable bayonet connection, and (d) a non-removable latch-snap connection between a connecting component and a coupling component according to the present invention.

[0158] Figure 7 Further embodiments of a coupling component according to the invention as a component of a dental implant according to the invention are schematically shown, (a) in sectional view, (b) in longitudinal section through plane AA, (c) in perspective view and (d) in exploded view.

[0159] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 7 , (a) is a cross-sectional view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a longitudinal section through plane AA, and (d) is a detailed view of area D.

[0160] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the abutment in , (a) is a sectional view, and (b) is a longitudinal section through plane AA.

[0161] Fig.10 Another possible embodiment of a coupling part according to the invention is schematically shown, (a) in exploded view and (b) in longitudinal section, mounted in an assembly according to the invention.

[0162] Fig.11 Schematically shows Fig.10 1 , (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a top view, (c) is a longitudinal section along AA, (d) is a detail view of the C area, (e) is a longitudinal section along BB, and (f) is a detail view of the D area.

[0163] Fig.12 Two further embodiments of the assembly for dental implants according to the present invention are schematically shown, (a) an integrated component comprising an abutment and a crown; (b) an integrated component comprising an abutment and a gingival former.

[0164] Fig.13 A longitudinal section through an assembly with coupling parts according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0165] Fig.14 Shows Fig.13 A perspective view of the coupling components is shown.

[0166] Fig.15 It shows that Fig.14 A top view of the coupling component is shown.

[0167] Fig.16 Shows Fig.13 A side view of the connecting component is shown.

[0168] Fig.17 A perspective view of a further embodiment of a coupling component is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0169] In the following discussion with respect to the figures, when reference is made to a base 4, the corresponding superstructure 6 also serves as an alternative, unless a clear distinction is made between the two variants.

[0170] Figure 1 An advantageous embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention is shown, which coupling part can be used alone or can also be installed in a dental implant 1 according to the invention.

[0171] The coupling part 3 comprises a body 30 in the shape of a truncated cone, the transverse diameter of which decreases from a coronal longitudinal end 302 towards a tip longitudinal end 301 of the body 30. An elongated hole 31 passes through the body 30 along the longitudinal axis 10. The body 30 is substantially rotationally symmetrical.

[0172] The contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 is provided by a side surface 342 of a truncated cone, for example, of the base 30. The contact portion 34 is intended to lie flush with the assembled dental implant 1 on the side surface of the correspondingly shaped conical bracket 25 of the base 2 so as to seal the interior of the dental implant 1 at this contact point 29, 39 of the two parts.

[0173] At the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the body 30, a coronal sealing surface 32 is formed in the form of an annular flat end face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10. This coronal sealing surface 32 is intended to be positioned flush with a corresponding flat apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 (or superstructure 6) in the assembled dental implant 1 so as to seal the interior of the dental implant 1 at the contact point of the two components.

[0174] At the coronal end 302 of the coupling part 30, four snap-in elements are arranged around the opening of the elongated hole 31, which snap-in elements protrude from the base 30 parallel to the longitudinal axis 10. Of the four snap-in elements, three snap-in elements 38, 38', 38" are visible. The snap-in elements are configured as latching hooks 380, which comprise a spring-elastic lever arm 382 and a snap-in lug 381 pointing radially inwards.

[0175] On the end face of the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3, a guide element 35 aligned with the longitudinal axis 10 is formed in the form of an annular recess. This guide element 35 serves, among other things, to align the abutment 4 to the longitudinal axis 10 by a securely operative snap-in connection with a corresponding guide element 47 of the abutment 4 and thus facilitates the correct assembly of the assembly according to the invention or the dental implant according to the invention. Furthermore, the coupling part 3 and the abutment 4 can be supported against each other in the dental implant 1 in the radial direction by this secure connection 35, 47. Radial shear forces occurring during the subsequent use of the dental implant can be directly transferred from the abutment to the coupling part, so that the connecting part 5 is only subjected to low radial shear forces.

[0176] In order to assemble the dental implant 1 according to the invention, in a first step, a subassembly 11 according to the invention consisting of a coupling part 3, an abutment 4 and a connecting part 5 is created. In a second step, the assembly is connected to a base 2 anchored in the patient's jawbone to form the dental implant 1. Thus, the assembly can be constructed outside the oral cavity and then inserted into the oral cavity as a single component, which greatly simplifies handling. The assembly itself can be assembled directly on site before installation. However, it is also possible to provide an already assembled assembly.

[0177] To construct the assembly according to the invention, the abutment 4 is placed on the coupling part 3 so that the top sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 rests on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3. The annularly protruding guide element 47 of the abutment 4 at the top end is inserted into the guide element 35 configured as an annular groove at the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3. The two guide elements 32, 47 are in radially flush contact, so that a correct alignment of the two components 3, 4 aligned with the longitudinal axis 10 is ensured. A residual gap is advantageously provided between the top end face of the guide element 47 and the base of the groove 35, so that there is only an axial contact pressure on the sealing surfaces 32, 41.

[0178] Subsequently, the connecting part 5, for example in the form of a cylindrical screw, passes through the elongated hole 42 of the base 4 and the adjacent elongated hole 31 of the coupling part 3 from the end of the elongated hole 42 of the base 4 facing away from the base 3 and aligned with the longitudinal axis. The elastic snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38"' are arranged on the coupling part 3, adapted to the size of the connecting part 5, in such a way that they are radially deflected outward by the cylindrical support section 53 of the connecting part 5 when passing through the connecting part 5. Finally, the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38"' reach the counter-snapping elements 56 of the connecting part 5, which are arranged below the head part 52 of the connecting part 5, for example in the form of a circumferential radial snap-in groove 561. The snap-in lugs 381, which are spring-loaded by the deflected latch hooks 380, move inwardly into the circumferential radial snap-in groove 561, so that a reliable connection between the coupling part 3 and the connecting part 5 is produced. The connecting member 5 has a head member 52 whose outer diameter is larger than at least a portion of the inner diameter of the elongated hole 42 of the base 4. Since the base 4 is thus firmly fixed between the coupling member 3 and the head member 52 of the connecting member 5, the coupling member 3, the base 4 and the connecting member 5 are firmly connected to each other.

[0179] It is also possible to first guide the connecting part 5 from the coronal end of the abutment 4 through the elongated hole 42 of the abutment 4, and then guide the connecting part 5 from the coronal end of the coupling part 3 through the elongated hole 31 of the coupling part 3, aligned with the longitudinal axis, until the abutment 4 and the coupling part 3 rest against each other and the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" are firmly connected to the counter-snapping elements 56 of the coupling part 5.

[0180] Advantageously, the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" are configured in such a way that the snap-in lugs 381 engage in recesses in the threads of the top threaded section of the screw-shaped connecting part 5. This means that the thread can be screwed in to pass through the threaded section without the snap-in lugs having to slide on the threads. This avoids unnecessary wear and possible damage to the assembly.

[0181] Alternatively, the outer diameter of the threaded section of the connecting part 5 can also be selected so that it is at most the same size as the free inner diameter of the snap-in element 38, 38', 38", 38'" defined by the snap-in lug 381, and advantageously smaller. When passing through the top threaded section, the snap-in element 38, 38', 38", 38'" will not deflect or will deflect only slightly.

[0182] The above-mentioned firm connection of the three components 3, 4, 5 of the assembly 11 does not yet have to absorb any external forces. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply forces in the longitudinal direction. If necessary, a slight play can or must be maintained between the individual components 3, 4, 5. However, in order to handle the assembly 11 according to the invention more accurately, the spatial positions of the individual components of the assembly relative to each other are preferably as fixed as possible.

[0183] The advantage of designing the counter-snapping element 56 as a circumferential snap-in groove 561 is that the rotational alignment of the connecting part 5 with the coupling part 3 is not critical. This in turn makes it easier to handle. This also allows the connecting part 5 to rotate freely relative to the coupling part 3 about the longitudinal axis 10, which is advantageous when the connecting part 5 is later screwed into the base 2, because the abutment 4 does not rotate with the connecting part.

[0184] The preassembled assembly 11 consisting of the coupling part 3, the abutment 4 and the connecting part 5 can now be assembled with the base 2 (only the upper coronal part of which is shown in the figure) which has been attached to the bone tissue of the patient to form the finished dental implant 1. To this end, the top end of the screw-shaped connecting part 5 is inserted into the coronal opening of the blind hole of the base 2 until the threaded section in the connecting part 5 reaches the internal thread in the hole. Then, using a suitable tool that engages with the engagement device 51 in the head part 52 of the connecting part 5, the external thread of the screw-shaped connecting part 5 can be screwed into the internal thread of the hole of the base 2.

[0185] If, when screwing in the connection screw 5, the truncated cone-shaped contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 reaches the conical bracket 25 of the base 2, the connection part 5 must be screwed in further, although the connection part 3 is now fixed, until the desired tightening torque is reached. For this purpose, the connection part 5 must still be able to move a certain distance in the longitudinal direction relative to the connection part 3. This can be achieved by a correspondingly wide circumferential snap-in groove 561 of the counter-snapping element 56, which allows the thread of the connection part 5 to be screwed in further while rotating to decouple. The snap-in groove 561 should advantageously be wide enough that it can accommodate the snap-in lugs 381 and these snap-in lugs still have sufficient remaining travel in the longitudinal direction in the snap-in groove 561 so that the connection screw can be completely screwed in as the connection part 5. Alternatively, the snap-in element can be radially deflected again after reaching the coronal edge of the snap-in groove 561.

[0186] In the final position, the conical contact portion of the head 52 of the connection part 5 rests on the corresponding conical support surface 43 in the elongated hole 42 of the abutment 4, the apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 rests on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3, and in the example shown, the conical contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 rests on the side surface of the conical bracket 25 of the base 2. Due to the tension applied to the connection part 5 along the longitudinal axis 10 between the head 52 of the connection part 5 and the internal thread (not shown) of the base 2, the abutment 4, the coupling part 3 and the base 2 are supported against each other. By pressing the conical base 30 in the example shown into the conical bracket 25 of the base 2, the coupling part 3 is supported relative to the base in a radially stable manner. Due to the coordinated shape of the contact surfaces of the adjacent components and the application of tension, the interior of the dental implant 1 is sealed from the outside.

[0187] The assembly 11 is removed in the reverse order of the above assembly steps. If necessary, the adhesive forces to be overcome between the individual components are greater than the deflection forces of the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'", so that the connection part 5 can be removed from the dental implant 1 before the remaining components 3, 4 are removed individually by hand.

[0188] Alternatively, when constructing the dental implant 1 according to the invention, the previously created assembly 11 (3, 4, 5) can be omitted. In this case, the coupling part 3 is first inserted into the corresponding bracket 25 of the base 2. In a second step, the abutment 4 is placed on the coupling part 3. In a third step, the connecting part 5 is guided through the corresponding through holes 42, 31 of the abutment 4 and the coupling part 3 and forms an operative connection with the base.

[0189] Instead of a separate counter-catch element 56, in the case of a screw-shaped connecting part 5, the thread of the connecting part can also be used directly as the counter-catch element 56. In this case, when assembling the assembly 11, the top thread of the connecting part 5 is screwed onto the snap-in lug 381 of the snap-in element, which serves as a mating thread. When the connecting part 5 is tightened at the end of the assembly process, during which the coupling part 3 has been fixed relative to the base 2, the latch hook 380 is then slightly deflected by the side of the threaded recess.

[0190] In such an embodiment of the assembly, it is also possible to place the coupling part 3 at any position along the threaded section of the connecting part 5 .

[0191] Figure 2 4 shows a further advantageous embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention, which coupling part can be used alone or can be installed in a dental implant 1 according to the invention.

[0192] The base 30 of the illustrated coupling part 3 according to the invention is again configured as a truncated cone with a correspondingly tapered contact portion 34; and an elongated hole 31 extends through the base 30 along the longitudinal axis 10. Four snap-in elements, of which three snap-in elements 38, 38', 38" are visible, are arranged around the opening of the elongated hole 31 at the top longitudinal end 301 of the coupling part 3 and protrude parallel to the longitudinal axis 10 on and from the base 30.

[0193] An annular collar protrudes from the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3 and serves as a guide element 35. In the assembled state of the dental implant 1, the outer side surface of the guide element 35 bears on a guide element 47 which is formed as a cylindrical section inside the elongated hole 42 of the abutment 4, so that radial shear forces are transmitted directly between the two components 3, 4.

[0194] The structure and function of the individual elements of the dental implant 1 shown are similar to those of Figure 1 The structure and function of the illustrated embodiment. The assembly of the modules 11 (3, 4, 5) and their installation in the base 2 are also similar.

[0195] Due to the position of the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" of the coupling part 3, the counter-snapping element 56 of the connecting part 5 must be arranged further away from the head part 52 and within the base 2 in the assembled dental implant 1. Again, only the coronal longitudinal end of the base is shown.

[0196] Due to the alignment of the snap-in element, the embodiment of the coupling part 3 shown is particularly suitable for screwing the threaded section of the connecting part 5 into the snap-in lug, because tilting is not possible. Here, the thread can also be used directly as a counter-snapping element.

[0197] Figure 3 A further embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 4 as a component of an assembly 11 according to the invention.

[0198] The base 30 of the coupling part 3 is configured as a truncated cone with a tapered contact portion 34. An elongated hole 31 passes through the base 30 along the longitudinal axis 10. A set of snap-in elements 38 protrude from the base 30 at a top longitudinal end 301 parallel to the longitudinal axis 10, similar to Figure 2 and latches into a counter-catch element 56 in the form of a circumferential catch groove 561 on the shaft of the connecting part 5.

[0199] At the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3, an annular recess is arranged centered on the annular coronal sealing surface 32 and the longitudinal axis 10, which serves as a guide element 35. A guide element 47 in the form of an annular projection of the abutment 4 projects from the apical sealing surface 41 at the apical end 401 of the abutment 4. The radial side surface of the projection 47 is positioned flush with the radial inner wall of the recess 35. The two components 3, 4 are accordingly aligned with the common longitudinal axis 10. In the assembled dental implant, radial shear forces are also transmitted directly between the components.

[0200] In the recess 35 of the coupling part 3, a set of further snap-in elements 38a are arranged around the crown-shaped opening of the elongated hole 31, which protrude from the bottom of the recess parallel to the longitudinal axis 10. The further snap-in elements 38a each comprise a latching hook with a resilient lever arm and a radially outwardly pointing snap-in lug at the end of the lever arm. The further snap-in elements 38a are operatively connected to corresponding further counter-snapping elements 46.

[0201] The further anti-clip element 46 is realized as a common circumferential undercut clipping groove 461 in the elongated hole 42 of the base 4, into which the clipping lugs of the further clipping element 38a engage. The further clipping element 38a and the anti-clip element 46 together with the guide elements 35, 47 form a secure connection between the coupling part 3 and the base 4.

[0202] The latching lugs of the other latching element 38a are rounded on both sides, so that in order to separate the two components 3, 4, it is sufficient to apply a tension along the longitudinal axis 10, which presses the latching lugs inwardly at the edge of the latching groove 461 and thus deflects the elastic lever arm radially inwardly.

[0203] To construct the assembly 11, in a first step, the coupling part 3 and the assembly part 4 are placed on top of each other or inserted and latched and thus reversibly and securely connected to each other. In a second step, the connecting part 5 is pushed from the coronal end 402 of the abutment 4 along the longitudinal axis 10 through the elongated holes 31, 42 of the abutment 4 and the coupling part 3 until the snap-in lugs of the snap-in element 38 engage in the counter-snapping element 56 of the connecting part 5 in the form of a circumferential snap-in groove 561.

[0204] In the embodiment example shown, the further snap-in element 38a is arranged in such a way that when the connecting part 5 is inserted into the elongated hole 31, 42, the inner side of the lever arm of the latching hook of the further snap-in element 38a rests against the connecting part 5. Once the connecting part 5 is inserted, a radially inward deflection of the further snap-in element 38a is no longer possible. Therefore, the coupling part 3 and the base 4 can only be decoupled again once the connecting part 5 has been removed.

[0205] The assembly of the subassembly 11 according to the invention on the base is similar to the previously discussed embodiments.

[0206] The design example shown is particularly advantageous if the base 4 is to be pre-equipped with a coupling part 3 matching the intended base, since the coupling part 3 and the base 4 can be handled as a common component in the reversibly coupled state.

[0207] Figure 4 A further embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention as part of a fully assembled dental implant 1 is shown in FIG.

[0208] The assembly of the subassembly 11 and the dental implant 1 according to the invention is substantially similar to the embodiments disclosed above.

[0209] The coupling part 3 has a base 30 with an elongated hole 31. The contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 is formed by a tapered counter-side surface 344 of a straight tapered recess at the apical longitudinal end 301 of the coupling part 3. The contact portion 34 rests on the surface of the straight tapered support 27 at the coronal end of the base 2, so that the interior of the dental implant 1 is sealed at this contact point 29, 39. For the sake of clarity, the apical end of the base is not shown again.

[0210] The annular sealing surface 32 is arranged at the coronal end 302 of the base 30, and a guide element 35 in the form of an annular protrusion protrudes from the base 30. On the top side 401 facing the coupling part 3, the base 4 has an annular top sealing surface 41, which rests on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part so that the two components 3 and 4 are sealed to each other at this contact point. The cylindrical recess in the center of the top sealing surface 41 serves as a guide element 47. The guide element 35 is positioned flush with the outer surface inside the recess 47. As in the embodiments already discussed, the radially adjacent guide elements 35, 47 ensure correct alignment during assembly of the subassembly on the one hand, and on the other hand transmit radial shear forces between the two components 3, 4 in the assembled dental implant 1.

[0211] Distributed around the crown-shaped opening of the elongated hole 31 are several snap-in elements 38 in the form of latching hooks 380 aligned along the longitudinal axis 10. The snap-in lugs of the latching hooks engage in counter-snapping elements 56 in the form of circumferential snap-in grooves 561 of the connecting part 5.

[0212] The threaded section 54 of the shaft of the connecting part 5 is screwed into the internal thread (not shown) of the base 2. The coupling part 3 and the base 4 are firmly fixed between the head part 52 of the connecting part 5 and the conical support 27 of the base 2 and supported against each other in the longitudinal direction 10 by the connecting part 5.

[0213] Figure 5A further embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention is shown as a component of a dental implant 1. The coupling part 3 is again adapted to connect a base 2 of the dental implant 1 to an abutment 4 of the dental implant 1 .

[0214] As in the above-described embodiment, the coupling part 3 comprises a base 30 having an elongated hole 31 along the longitudinal axis 10 of the base 30. A plurality of snap-in elements 38 are arranged on the base 30. The snap-in elements 38 are adapted to be snap-operatedly connected with the at least one counter-snap-in element 56 of the connection part 5 which may be arranged in the elongated hole 31. In the embodiment example, the contact portion 34 on the base 30 of the coupling part 3 for the sealing support 29, 39 of the coupling part 3 on the base 2 is configured as a flat surface 341 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10 of the base 30, which rests on a similar flat support surface 341 at the coronal end of the base 2.

[0215] As shown in the embodiment example, several flat surfaces can be arranged in the axial direction. Preferably, the contact portion 34 where the coupling component rests sealingly 29, 39 on the base 2 is as close to the oral cavity as possible, or the contact portion 34 is as far radially as possible from the longitudinal axis 10 of the base 30. This prevents bacteria from penetrating into the dental implant 1 or parts of the implant as completely as possible.

[0216] The other flat surface can be used to position or align the coupling part 3 relative to the base 2. Due to the flat surface 341 of the contact portion 34, forces generated, for example, when chewing with the dental implant 1 and acting along the longitudinal axis 10 of the dental implant 1 are directly transmitted from the coupling part 3 to the base 2 without radially acting lateral forces. This is particularly advantageous for ceramic components, because these components can absorb compressive forces very well, but are not very suitable for shear forces or tensile forces.

[0217] In the assembled or coupled state, the apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 rests on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3 and forms a coronal contact portion, so that the dental implant 1 is sealed at this contact point of the two components 3, 4. Similarly, in the assembled or coupled state, the apical sealing surface 39 of the coupling part rests on the coronal sealing surface 29 of the base 2 and forms a contact portion 34, so that the dental implant 1 is sealed at this contact point of the two components 2, 3.

[0218] The above-mentioned snap-in connection between the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38"' of the coupling part and the counter-snap-in element 56 of the connecting part 5 or between the further snap-in elements 38a, 38a' and the further counter-snap-in element 46 can be configured both reversibly and irreversibly. Different variants of such snap-in connections are shown in Figure 6 middle.

[0219] The reversibly releasable snap-in connection is shown in Figure 6 (a). The snap-in element 38 of the coupling part 3 is configured as a latch hook 380, which has a spring-elastic lever arm 382 and a snap-in lug 381 attached to the free end of the lever arm. The snap-in lug 381 engages in the counter-snapping element 56 of the connecting part 5, wherein the counter-snapping element 56 is configured as a snap-in groove 561.

[0220] The snap-in lug 381 has a slope inclined relative to the axis of the lever arm on the side facing the lever arm and an end face perpendicular to the axis of the lever arm on the side facing away from the lever arm. Similarly, the snap-in groove 561 has a slope 562 on one side and a vertical wall on the other side. Such a snap-in connection can be released again by applying a tensile force downward along the lever arm, which is sufficient to deflect the snap-in lug 381 on the slope 562 outward in a sliding manner, thereby overcoming the corresponding radial spring force of the lever arm 382.

[0221] For example, the connection can be prevented from loosening by blocking or preventing the deflection of the snap-in element, for example by not providing space for the snap-in lug 381 to deflect radially from the snap-in groove 461, 561. For example, this can be achieved by inserting the connecting part 5 into the elongated hole so that the snap-in element is blocked in the radial direction. Therefore, the connection between the coupling part 3 and the base 4 can only be released again after the connecting part 5 has been removed from the elongated hole 31.

[0222] Figure 6 (b) shows a conditionally reversibly releasable snap-in connection. Both end faces of the snap-in lug 381 of the snap-in element 38 and the two walls of the snap-in groove 561 of the counter-snapping element 56 are aligned perpendicular to the axis of the lever arm. Even under tension, such a snap-in connection cannot necessarily be released without being damaged. However, for example, the lever arm 382 can be radially deflected using a suitable tool in order to lift the snap-in lug 381 from the snap-in groove 561 and thus release the snap-in connection again.

[0223] Figure 6 (c) shows a snap-in connection that cannot be released in the longitudinal direction because it is created in the form of a bayonet hook. The lower wall of the snap-in groove 561 is undercut at a certain angle. The end face of the snap-in lug 381 on one side of the lever arm 382 then has an inverted slope.

[0224] To close the snap-in connection, the connecting part 5 and the coupling part 3 are coupled at an angle on the longitudinal axis, similar to a bayonet lock, whereby a non-undercut snap-in recess (not shown) in the connecting part 5, similar to e.g. Figure 6(b) to accommodate the snap-in lug 561. This recess is circumferentially connected to the undercut snap-in groove 561, so that by rotating the connecting part 5 relative to the coupling part 3 about the longitudinal axis, the snap-in lug 381 becomes the undercut snap-in groove 561.

[0225] When pulled, the snap-in lug 381 is deflected towards the connection part. Therefore, a non-destructive reversible release of the snap-in connection is not possible. It is also not possible to release the snap-in connection under pressure, because the snap-in lug 381 is firmly held in the undercut snap-in groove 561. The snap-in connection can only be released by screwing the snap-in lug 381 from the snap-in groove 561 into a non-undercut recess of the connection part 5, but this requires deliberate manipulation.

[0226] at last, Figure 6 (d) shows a substantially non-detachable snap-in connection. The lower wall of the snap-in groove 561 is undercut at a certain angle. The end face of the snap-in lug 381 on one side of the lever arm 382 has an inverted slope.

[0227] When pulled, the snap-in lug 381 is deflected towards the connection part. Therefore, a non-destructive reversible release of the snap-in connection is not possible. Manual release of the snap-in connection is also not possible because the snap-in lug 381 is firmly held in the undercut snap-in groove 561.

[0228] The advantage of a non-detachable or conditionally detachable snap-in connection is that the components of the assembly cannot inadvertently become detached from each other when the assembly 11 is removed from the dental implant. On the other hand, the advantage of a reversible snap-in connection is that the assembly 11 can be more easily disassembled after assembly.

[0229] Figure 7 , 8 Further advantageous embodiments of the dental implant 1 according to the invention and of its individual components are described in FIGS.

[0230] The base 2 of the dental implant 1 comprises a tapered external thread 22 and an upstream cut thread 21 for the external thread in the apical region. The base 2 is implanted into the bone tissue of the patient by screwing the cut thread 21 and the subsequent external thread 22 into a prepared hole in the bone tissue. A blind hole 24 with a cylindrical internal thread 23 is arranged in the base 2 along the longitudinal axis 10. A bracket 25 in the form of an inverted truncated cone is arranged in the coronal opening region of the blind hole. For example, as in the embodiment example shown, an anti-rotation section 28 can be arranged between the internal thread 23 and the tapered bracket 25.

[0231] In the illustrated embodiment example, the base 30 of the coupling part 3 comprises an anti-rotation section 36 at its top longitudinal end 301, a central contact portion 34 in the form of a truncated cone and a transition section 304 at its coronal longitudinal end 302. The elongated hole 31 extends along the longitudinal axis 10. At the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3, the annular sealing surface 32 is arranged at the outer edge in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10. Four snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" protrude from the coronal end face parallel to the longitudinal axis in the form of latch hooks 380, which have a lever arm 382 and a snap-in lug 381 pointing to the longitudinal axis 10.

[0232] Alternatively, the contact portion 34 may also have the shape of a curved truncated cone. The bracket 25 of the base 2 may then also be configured to have a corresponding conical curvature.

[0233] The contact portion 34 and the transition section 304 may also be formed as portions of a common truncated cone or a curved truncated cone.

[0234] The abutment 4 has an elongated hole 42, a first bracket 44 at the coronal longitudinal end 402 of the abutment 4, a second bracket 45 at the apical longitudinal end 401, and a conical support surface 43 arranged therebetween. At the apical longitudinal end 401, there is an annular sealing surface 41 around the second bracket 45 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10. At the coronal longitudinal end 402, the abutment 4 is configured as a retainer with an annular bead 48 of a retainer fastening system.

[0235] The connecting part 5 comprises a cylindrical shank 57 and a head 52. The shank 57 has a threaded section 54 at one top end and a support section 53 adjoining thereto. In the example shown, the head 52 has an engagement device 51 in the form of a recess with a star-shaped inner contour, which can be engaged with a suitable turning tool in order to apply a rotational force around the longitudinal axis 10 of the connecting part 5. A guide section 58, a counter-engagement element 56 in the form of a circumferential engagement groove 561 and a conical contact portion 59 are arranged between the support section 53 and the head 52.

[0236] In the assembled dental implant 1, the contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 is flushly positioned and sealed on the surface of, for example, the conical bracket 25 of the base 2. This creates a radial support for the two components 2, 3 and seals the interior of the dental implant 1 at the corresponding contact points of the components 2, 3. The outer contour of the anti-rotation section 36 of the coupling part 3 can interact firmly with the inner contour of the anti-rotation section 28 of the base 2, so that the rotational alignment between the coupling part 3 and the base 2 is fixed. Depending on the contour design of the corresponding anti-rotation sections 28, 36, the alignment can be performed several times or only once.

[0237] The apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 lies on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3, so that the dental implant 1 is sealed at this contact point of the two components 3, 4. The transition section 304 of the coupling part 3 forms a substantially edgeless surface with the adjoining side surface of the abutment 4. The latching hooks 380 of the four snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" engage in the snap-in grooves 561 of the counter-snapping element 56 of the connecting part 5.

[0238] In the assembled dental implant 1, the threaded section 54 of the connecting part 5 is screwed into the internal thread 23 of the base 2. The support section 53 of the connecting part 5 is supported on the inner side of the elongated hole 31 of the coupling part 3. Similarly, the guide section 58 of the connecting part 5 is radially supported on the guide element 35 of the coupling part 3. The conical contact portion 59 of the connecting part 5 rests on the support surface 43 of the abutment 4. Therefore, the abutment 4 is radially supported on the connecting part 5. In contrast to the previously discussed embodiments of the present invention, the abutment 4 has no radial support directly on the coupling part 3. Instead, the radial shear forces are indirectly transmitted from the abutment 4 to the base 2 via the connecting part 5.

[0239] Fig.10 Another advantageous embodiment of the assembly 11 and its individual components according to the invention is disclosed in FIG. Fig. 9 This shows that the coupling part 3 according to the present invention advantageously allows the abutment 4 to be connected to different types of base bodies 2 by providing a coupling part suitable for the abutment and the base combined therewith.

[0240] The coupling part 3 has a base 30 with an elongated hole 31 along the longitudinal axis 10. The base 30 comprises an outer contact portion 34 and a cylindrical contact portion 37. The contact portion 34 has the shape of a curved truncated cone. At the crowned longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3, an annular crowned sealing surface 32 is arranged at the outer edge in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 10. Parallel to the longitudinal axis, four snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" protrude from the crowned end face in the form of latching hooks 380, which have a lever arm 382 and an inwardly directed snap-in lug 381.

[0241] The contact portion 34 of the coupling part 3 is intended to be flush positioned and sealed against the surface of the similarly shaped curved cone bracket 25 of the base 2 in the assembled dental implant. This creates a radial support for the two components and seals the interior of the dental implant at the corresponding contact points of the components. The contact portion 37 of the coupling part 3 is intended to be radially supported on the inner wall of the cylindrical contact portion of the base 2.

[0242] For base 4, refer to Fig. 9 Corresponding annotations.

[0243] The connecting part 5 comprises a cylindrical shank 57 and a head 52. The shank 57 has a threaded section 54 and a support section 53 adjoining it at one top end. In the embodiment example shown, the head 52 can have an engagement device 51 in the form of a recess with a star-shaped inner profile, which can be engaged with a suitable turning tool. The counter-engagement element 56 is arranged between the support section 53 and the head 52. As shown, this can take the form of a circumferential snap-in groove 561 and a conical contact portion 59.

[0244] In the assembled assembly 11, the apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 rests in a contact portion on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3, so that in the fully assembled state, the dental implant 1 is sealed at this contact point of the two components 3, 4. The latching hooks 380 of the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38", 38'" engage in the snap-in grooves 561 of the counter-snap-in elements 56 of the connecting part 5. The upper part of the support section 53 of the connecting part 5 is supported on the inner side of the elongated hole 31 of the connecting part 3. The conical contact portion 59 of the connecting part 5 rests on the conical support surface 43 of the upper structural part 4, so that the conical support surface is radially supported on the connecting part 5.

[0245] The threaded portion 54 of the coupling part 5 is intended to be screwed into the internal thread of the base 2. The lower part of the support section 53 of the connecting part 5 not located inside the coupling part 3 can be arranged to be positioned flush with the unthreaded part of the blind hole on the inner wall of the base 2.

[0246] Fig.11 A further advantageous embodiment of a coupling part 3 according to the invention is shown, which is suitable for use with the coupling part according to the already discussed Figure 8 and 9 The connecting member 5 and the base 4 are assembled together to form the assembly according to the invention.

[0247] The body 30 of the illustrated coupling member 3 comprises a curved conical contact portion 34 and an adjoining cylindrical contact portion 37. As discussed in the previous embodiment examples, the contact portion 34 and the cylindrical contact portion 37 are intended to be in operative connection with a curved conical bracket or with an adjoining contact portion of a base.

[0248] The elongated hole 31 extends along the longitudinal axis 10 from the apical longitudinal end 301 to the coronal longitudinal end 302. The annular sealing surface 32 extends along the outer edge of the coronal end face of the coupling part 3. Three guide elements 35, 35', 35" are formed by cylindrical protrusions. On the one hand, these guide elements allow the coupling part 4 to be correctly inserted into the corresponding apical recess 45 of the abutment 4. On the other hand, in the assembled dental implant, the guide section 58 of the connecting part 5 is radially supported on the lower continuous side surface 351 of the guide elements.

[0249] Three snap-in elements 38 , 38 ′, 38 ″ are arranged between the guide elements. The snap-in elements in the form of latching hooks 380 each comprise an elastic spring arm 382 and an inwardly pointing snap-in lug 381 which is intended to latch into a snap-in groove 561 of a snap-in element 56 of the connecting part 5 .

[0250] Like the coupling part 3 according to the invention already discussed, the coupling part 3 shown is also preferably made of metal, in particular titanium or a titanium alloy. The guide element 35 and the snap-in elements 38, 38', 38" can be manufactured by cylindrical protrusions, for example by milling. If the transition between the guide element 35, 35', 35" and the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3 has a corner radius, the abutment 4 cannot rest tightly on the coupling part 3. Such a corner radius may occur, for example, if the machining tool is not or is no longer sharp ground. Since the inner wall of the elongated hole 42 of the abutment 4 rests on the guide element 35, 35', 35", the lower part of the elongated hole 42 rests on the corner radius. As a result, the top sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 cannot rest tightly on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3. In addition, the centering length or guide length of the abutment 4 on the guide element 35, 35', 35" will be shortened due to the corner radius. The rotational undercut 303 is therefore preferably arranged at the base of the guide element 35, 35', 35". In the region of the guide element 35, 35', 35", the rotational undercut 303 at the coronal longitudinal end 302 of the coupling part 3 can prevent a radial transition between the guide element 35, 35', 35" and the coronal end 302 of the coupling part 3, thereby preventing the abutment 4 from resting tightly on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3 and thus, for example, preventing bacteria from penetrating between the coupling part 3 and the abutment 4. In addition, the guide element 35, 35', 35" is therefore used to guide and align the coupling part 3 and the abutment 4 over their entire height. The rotational undercut 303 also prevents the formation of an acute angle between the guide element 35 and the coronal sealing surface 32 (see Fig.11(f)). A right angle is disadvantageous in terms of stresses, since it has a certain notch effect and is prone to cracking, especially hairline cracking, under load. In addition, the crown-shaped sealing surface 32 can be completely machined by the rotation undercut 303, for example with a grinding wheel. The rotation undercut 303 defines the limits of the sealing surface.

[0251] Alternatively or in addition to the rotational undercut, a transition radius may be provided at the apical end of the abutment 4 at the edge of the elongated hole 42 of the abutment 4, so that the apical sealing surface 41 of the abutment 4 may rest on the coronal sealing surface 32 of the coupling part 3. As a result, in the assembled state, the dental implant 1 is sealed at the contact point of the two components 3, 4.

[0252] Instead of the base 4 to which another component can be attached when necessary as in the previous embodiment, the superstructure 6 can also be directly connected to the coupling part 3. Therefore, the superstructure 6 can also be regarded as the base 4. For example, Fig.12 (a) shows an assembly 11 comprising a superstructure 6 in the form of a single-tooth prosthesis or crown, and Fig.11 The connecting member 3 shown and Figure 8 The connecting part 5 is shown. The superstructure 6 thus corresponds to an integral assembly with abutment and structure. The engagement means 51 of the connecting part 5 are accessible from above through the elongated hole 62. After final assembly, the elongated hole 62 can be filled.

[0253] Fig.12 (b) shows an assembly 11 with a superstructure 6 in the form of a healing element, i.e. a gingival former. After the base has been implanted in the patient's bone tissue, such an assembly is temporarily mounted on the base, on the one hand closing the interior of the dental implant and on the other hand shaping the gingiva during the healing of the base and thus also serving as a placeholder for the final structure.

[0254] Figures 13 to 17 Further embodiments of the invention are also shown in and described herein.

[0255] Fig.13 An assembly 810 , also called a kit, is shown in an assembled state, the assembly comprising an abutment 730 , a connecting member 732 (also called a fixing screw) and a coupling member 740 (also called an adapter) for connecting to the base 720 .

[0256] The base 720 is intended to be permanently inserted and screwed into the jawbone and has external threads with which it can be screwed into a pre-drilled blind hole in the jawbone during implantation. Fig.13 The external thread is not shown in the purely schematic diagram.

[0257] Furthermore, the base 720 has a cylindrical blind hole 742 which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the base and opens toward a conical bracket 744 of the base, also referred to as the coronal end. The blind hole 742 comprises an internal thread 746 which, in the assembled state of the assembly 810, engages with a top threaded portion 748 of the connecting part 732, also referred to as an external thread. The blind hole 742 widens outwards in a conical shape and thus forms a conical bracket 744 of the base.

[0258] Also like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the coupling part 740 includes a body 750 having an elongated hole 754, also referred to as a cylindrical through hole. The elongated hole 754 extends from a coronal end 756 of the coupling member to a top end 758 along the longitudinal axis A of the coupling member and is adapted to receive the connecting member 732. The coupling part 740 has an implant connection geometry in the form of a truncated cone contact portion 760 (also referred to as a top section) for connecting the coupling part to the base, and in the assembled state, the conical side surface of the truncated cone contact portion rests on the conical side surface of the conical bracket 744.

[0259] Adjacent to the contact portion 760 , the coupling member 740 includes a frustoconical transition section 762 (also referred to as a crown section) having a second cone angle that is smaller than the first cone angle of the contact portion 760 .

[0260] The transition section 762 is defined by a coronally aligned annular coronal sealing surface (also referred to as a support surface 764) arranged at the coronal end 756 for receiving abutment 730 (also referred to as a prosthetic abutment), the support surface extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the connecting component.

[0261] The coupling component is integral and unitary.

[0262] The base 720, the connecting member 732 and the coupling member 740 are substantially rotationally symmetrical. Figures 13 to 15 In an embodiment of the present invention, the abutment connection geometry for connecting the coupling component to the abutment is also rotationally symmetric. Fig.17 In the embodiment shown, this is not the case, as explained below.

[0263] The base 730 also has an elongated hole 770 (also called a cylindrical through hole) with a conical support surface 772 (also called a base) in the form of a circumferential shoulder for receiving a head part 774 (also called a head area) of the connecting part 732. Coronally, the base 730 is limited by an interface intended to receive a superstructure (e.g., a crown). The conical support surface is arranged axially in such a way that the head part 774 does not protrude beyond the interface. At the top, the base 730 has a top longitudinal end (also called an end surface 776) which, in the assembled state, in the present case, extends complementarily with the coronal sealing surface 764 of the connecting part in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis A of the connecting part.

[0264] In the present case, the assembled state refers to the state of assembly in which the connection part 732 is inserted into the elongated hole 770 of the base 730 and the elongated hole 754 (also called through hole) of the coupling part, wherein the at least one snap-in lug 790 of the coupling part is latched into the counter-snapping element 710, also called snap-in recess, of the connection part 732. Therefore, this represents an assembled state in which the connection part 732, the upper structure part 730 and the coupling part 740 may be loosely connected to each other and can be handled as a combined unit.

[0265] In the assembled state, the elongated hole 770 of the upper structural component and the elongated hole 754 of the coupling component are coaxial with each other. In this case, the longitudinal axis of the coupling component A, the longitudinal axis of the connecting component and the longitudinal axis L of the base coincide. In addition, the connecting component 732 can retain the upper structural component 730, specifically the top longitudinal end 776 of the coupling component, which is fixed against the crown-shaped sealing surface 764.

[0266] The connecting member 732 is used to securely and loosely fasten the assembly 810 to the base 720 . Fig.16 The connecting part 732 in the embodiment comprises a cylindrical shaft (also referred to as a bolt 780) having a top threaded section 748 and a head part 774. In the example shown, the head part 774 has an engagement device 782 (also referred to as a concave recess) for a hexagonal wrench, so that the connecting part 732 can be screwed in and out. Other ways of operatively connecting the connecting part 732 to a tightening tool are also known to those skilled in the art. The connecting part 732 is advantageously made of metal.

[0267] The inner diameter of the elongated hole 754 of the coupling member 740 is selected so that when the assembly 810 is installed, the unthreaded section of the shaft 780 is located flush with the elongated hole 754. The connecting member 732 pulls the upper structural member 730, the coupling member 740 and the base 720 together with a certain tension so that the top longitudinal end 776 of the upper structural member 730 is pressed against the crowned sealing surface 764 of the coupling member 740, and the tapered contact portion 760 of the coupling member is pressed into the tapered bracket 744 of the base. This results in a secure and strong snap-in connection between the base 730, the coupling member 740 and the base 720, which also seals the interior of the assembly consisting of the blind hole 742 and the elongated hole 754.

[0268] The superstructure (e.g., a ceramic crown) can then be mounted on the superstructure component 730 on the assembly 810, such as by gluing. Fig.13 As shown, the assembly is firmly and loosely connected to the base 720. Advantageously, this superstructure seals the base 730 from the outside, so that the connection part 732 is completely located inside the assembly 810.

[0269] The coupling member 740 includes a plurality of snap-in elements 738, as Fig.14 and Fig.15 The snap-in element 738 comprises snap-in lugs 790 which extend obliquely from a guide element 792 (also referred to as a carrier element) in the direction of the elongated hole. When the connecting part 732 is inserted into the elongated hole, the plurality of snap-in lugs 790 are intended to latch into the counter-snapping element 710 of the connecting part located below the head part 774.

[0270] The guide element 792 forms a cylindrical ring, which is arranged radially inwardly toward the crown sealing surface 764 of the coupling part 740, and the guide element extends axially on the top and abuts the elongated hole 754 of the coupling part. The guide or carrier element 792 is used as a guide element similar to the guide element 35 described above. The guide element 792 is interrupted and includes a guide segment 793. In the present case, six guide segments 793 are formed, which are equidistantly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction and are formed in the same way. Therefore, the guide element 792 has an intermittent cylindrical radial inner wall surface 796, which is radially offset outwardly toward the wall surface 798 of the elongated hole 754 of the coupling part when viewed in the radial direction. In addition, the guide element 792 has an intermittent radial outer wall surface 700.

[0271] The guide element 792 is intended to be inserted into a second bracket 702 (also referred to as top-arranged bracket opening 702 ) of the superstructure component 730 , wherein a wall surface 704 of the second bracket 702 is complementary to a radially outer wall surface 700 of the guide element 792 .

[0272] The rotation undercut 794 (also called circular groove) extends radially outward around the guide element 792 and, seen in the radial direction, extends from the radial outer wall surface 700 of the guide element 792 to the crown-shaped sealing surface 764 of the coupling part. The rotation undercut 794 has a slightly rounded cross section and forms a separation of the guide element 792 from the crown-shaped sealing surface 764 of the coupling part.

[0273] The plurality of snap-in lugs 790 , here six snap-in lugs, protrude from the guide element 792 , in particular from a guide segment 793 in each case, and are spaced equidistantly from one another in the circumferential direction.

[0274] In the present case, the complementary structure of the connecting part 732 is in the form of an anti-engagement element 710, which extends circumferentially into a circle below the head part 774. The guide section 712 (also called the circumferential thickening portion) of the connecting part is arranged in the form of a bead to define the anti-engagement element 710 at the top. The diameter of the connecting part in the area of ​​the anti-engagement element 710 can be the same as the diameter in the area of ​​the shaft 780. The diameter of the connecting part is smaller in the area of ​​the anti-engagement element and is larger at the top relative to the anti-engagement element in the area of ​​the guide section 712 to prevent the top of the engaged snap-in lug 790 from moving. In this regard, it should also be mentioned that the length dimension of the snap-in lug is set so that it remains in contact with the connecting part 732 in the assembled state. In addition, the end of the snap-in lug 790 facing the connecting part 732 is located in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the coupling part.

[0275] When the connecting member 732 is inserted into the elongated hole 770 of the upper structural member, the connecting member 732 can be inserted into the elongated hole 754 of the coupling member until the plurality of snap-in lugs 790 engage with the busbar element 710. As a result, the upper structural member 730 is held between the head member 774 of the connecting member 732 and the coupling member 740, so that the upper structural member, the connecting member and the coupling member form one unit.

[0276] for Fig.17 The features of the coupling component 740 are described using the same reference numerals as the previous embodiments and only the differences are discussed.

[0277] exist Fig.17 In the illustrated embodiment, the guide element 792 forms a continuous ring from which the plurality of snap-in lugs 790 (four snap-in lugs in this case) protrude. In addition, the implant connection geometry is configured differently, wherein the contact portion of the coupling component 760 is frustoconical, and the contact portion 766 is cylindrical.

[0278] Compared with the previous embodiment, Fig.17The geometry of the abutment connection for connecting the coupling part to the abutment in the embodiment shown is not rotationally symmetrical.

[0279] The guide element has an indexing section 714, which is in the form of a first flat portion and a second flat portion of the radial outer wall surface 700 of the guide element. Parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the coupling part, the first flat portion and the second flat portion extend in a first plane and a second plane, respectively, and in an embodiment of the present invention, the first plane and the second plane are perpendicular to each other. The wall surface (not shown) of the receiving opening 704 of the base 730 has a structure complementary to the indexing section, and the structure and the indexing section interact in the assembled state. The indexing section 714 is intended to allow a single positioning of the base 730 relative to the coupling part 760 in the assembled state and to form an anti-rotation lock between the base and the coupling part.

[0280] Four snap-in elements 738 extend in the coronal direction from the guide element 792. The snap-in elements 738 comprise a latching hook 795 with a lever arm 797 and an inwardly directed snap-in lug 790.

[0281] Additional points regarding the disclosure are listed below.

[0282] 1. A coupling component for connecting to a base, the coupling component comprising an implant connection geometry for connecting the coupling component to the base; an elongated hole extending from the coronal end of the coupling component to the apical end along the longitudinal axis of the coupling component and intended to receive a coupling component having a head component; and an abutment connection geometry arranged at the coronal end of the coupling component for receiving a prosthetic abutment, characterized in that the coupling component has an axially protruding guide element, the guide element being arranged at the coupling component. At the coronal end of the connecting component and adjacent to the elongated hole of the connecting component, the guiding element is arranged radially inwardly relative to the abutment connection geometry and has a radial outer wall surface and comprises at least one snap-in lug, the at least one snap-in lug extending coronally obliquely from the guiding element to the longitudinal axis of the connecting component in the direction of the elongated hole of the connecting component, the snap-in lug being used for this purpose, when the connecting component is inserted into the elongated hole of the connecting component and into the elongated hole of the prosthetic abutment extending along the longitudinal axis of the connecting component in the assembled state, the snap-in lug engages with the anti-snapping element of the connecting component arranged at the top end of the head component, and the head component rests against the abutment support arranged in the elongated hole of the prosthetic abutment.

[0283] II. The coupling component according to point 1, characterized in that the guide element extends along the longitudinal axis of the coupling component in a prismatic or cylindrical shape.

[0284] III. The coupling component according to point 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide element has a radial inner wall surface which deviates radially outward from the wall surface of the elongated hole of the coupling component as seen in the radial direction.

[0285] IV. A connecting component according to any one of points 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide element is intended to be inserted into a receiving opening arranged at the top end of the prosthetic base, and the radial outer wall surface of the guide element is continuous or interrupted and is configured to complement the wall surface of the receiving opening.

[0286] V. A coupling component according to point 4, characterized in that the guide element comprises an indexing portion, which is intended to cooperate with a complementary structure of the prosthetic abutment in the assembled state to allow a single positioning of the prosthetic abutment relative to the coupling component.

[0287] VI. The coupling component according to point 5, characterized in that the indexing section is formed by at least one flat portion of the radial outer wall surface of the guide element, the at least one flat portion or wherein the flat portion extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling component.

[0288] VII. The coupling component according to point 4 is characterized in that the radial outer wall surface of the guide element has a profile which, in the assembled state, is intended to interact with another complementary structure of the prosthetic abutment so as to form an anti-rotation lock between the prosthetic abutment and the coupling component.

[0289] VIII. The connecting component according to any one of points 1 to 7 is characterized in that the end of the at least one snap-in lug facing the connecting component has a curvature that protrudes relative to the longitudinal axis of the connecting component, and its curvature radius corresponds to the radius of the connecting component.

[0290] IX. A coupling component according to any one of points 1 to 8, characterized by a slightly rounded groove, which extends radially outward around the guide element and, viewed in the radial direction, extends from the radial outer wall surface of the guide element to the base connection geometry of the coupling component.

[0291] X. Coupling component according to one of points 1 to 9, characterized in that the abutment connection geometry is formed by a support surface, which preferably extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coupling component.

[0292] XI. Coupling component according to one of points 1 to 10, characterized by a plurality of snap-in lugs, which are preferably equidistantly spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0293] XII. Coupling component according to one of points 1 to 11, characterized in that the guide element is continuous.

[0294] XIII. A coupling component according to one of points 1 to 11, characterized in that the guide element is interrupted by a plurality of guide segments, which are preferably equidistantly spaced from one another in the circumferential direction and have the same design, and that the guide element comprises a plurality of snap-in lugs, preferably one snap-in lug protruding from each guide segment.

[0295] XIV. A combination comprising a coupling part according to one of the preceding points, the coupling part being used to be connected to a dental base; an abutment, the abutment being used to be connected to the coupling part; and a coupling part, the coupling part being used to fasten the abutment and the coupling part to the base, characterized in that the coupling part has an anti-snapping element, which is arranged at the top end of its head part and is intended to receive the at least one snap-in lug, and if appropriate, the prosthetic abutment has an elongated hole for receiving the coupling part, the elongated hole or the abutment wherein the elongated hole has the head part for receiving the coupling part, wherein in the assembled state, the coupling part is inserted into the elongated hole of the prosthetic abutment and into the elongated hole of the coupling part, the head part is supported against the abutment and the at least one snap-in lug engages in the anti-snapping element.

[0296] XV. An assembly according to item 14, characterized in that the connecting part has a circumferential thickening, which limits the anti-snapping element at the top end.

[0297] XVI. An assembly according to one of points 14 to 15, characterized in that the counter-engagement element has an axial length that allows the engaged snap-in lug to move axially toward the connecting part, the axial movement being smaller than the axial height of the guide element measured from the crown end of the connecting part.

[0298] XVII. An assembly according to one of points 14 to 16, characterized in that the base has a receiving opening arranged at the top end, which is used to receive the guide element and the at least one snap-in lug, and the receiving opening or wherein the receiving opening has a wall surface formed complementary to the radial outer wall surface of the guide element.

[0299] XVIII. The assembly according to point 17 is characterized in that, viewed from a longitudinal cross section, the surface of the abutment and the wall surface of the receiving opening of the prosthetic abutment have no curvature with a radius less than 0.3 mm.

[0300] XIX. Assembly according to any of points 14 to 18, characterized in that the prosthetic abutment has a complementary structure which is intended to interact with the indexing portion of the coupling part in the assembled state.

[0301] XX. An assembly according to point 19, characterized in that the complementary structure includes at least one flat portion, which extends in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting part and is intended to cooperate with at least one flat portion of the radial outer wall surface of the guide element to form the indexing portion.

[0302] XXI. An assembly according to any one of points 14 to 20, characterized in that the prosthetic abutment component has an additional complementary structure, which, when assembled, is intended to cooperate with the contour of the radial outer wall surface of the guide component to form an anti-rotation lock between the prosthetic abutment component and the connecting component.

[0303] XXII. An assembly according to any of points 14 to 21, comprising a dental base.

[0304] The present invention is not limited in its scope by the specific embodiments described herein. On the contrary, in addition to the examples disclosed herein, various other modifications of the present invention will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description and the drawings, and these modifications also fall within the scope of the claims. In addition, various references are cited in the specification, and the disclosures of the references are hereby incorporated by reference into the specification as a whole.

[0305] List of Reference Numerals

[0306] 1 Dental Implants

[0307] 10 Longitudinal axis

[0308] 11 Assembly

[0309] 2 Basics

[0310] 21 Thread cutting

[0311] 22 External thread

[0312] 23 Internal thread

[0313] 24 holes, blind holes

[0314] 25 Conical bracket

[0315] 26 Support Section

[0316] 26a Support section

[0317] 27 Conical support

[0318] 28 Anti-rotation section

[0319] 29 Crown sealing surface

[0320] 3 Connecting parts

[0321] 30 Main Body

[0322] 301 Top longitudinal end

[0323] 302 crown longitudinal end

[0324] 303 Rotary undercut

[0325] 304 Transition Section

[0326] 31 Slender hole

[0327] 311 Support Section

[0328] 32 Crown sealing surface

[0329] 33 Support section

[0330] 34 Contact part

[0331] 341 Flat contact surface

[0332] 342 straight tapered side surface

[0333] 343 Conical side surface

[0334] 344 Inverted tapered side surface

[0335] 35, 35', 35" guide elements

[0336] 351 Surface area of ​​the guide element

[0337] 35a Guide element

[0338] 36 Anti-rotation section

[0339] 37 Contact part

[0340] 38, 38', 38", 38" snap-in elements

[0341] 38a, 38a' Additional snap-in elements

[0342] 380 Latch Hook

[0343] 381 snap-in lug

[0344] 382 Spring-elastic lever arm

[0345] 39 Top sealing surface

[0346] 4 abutments

[0347] 401 Top longitudinal end

[0348] 402 crown longitudinal end

[0349] 41 Top sealing surface

[0350] 42 Slender hole

[0351] 43 Conical support surface

[0352] 44 First bracket

[0353] 45 Second bracket

[0354] 46 Additional anti-snapping elements

[0355] 461 Additional snap-in grooves

[0356] 47 Guide element

[0357] 48 Ring beads

[0358] 5 Connecting parts

[0359] 51 Jointing device

[0360] 52 Head parts

[0361] 53 Support section

[0362] 54 Top thread section

[0363] 55 Top end

[0364] 56 Anti-snapping element

[0365] 561 snap into groove

[0366] 562 Slope

[0367] 57 Axis

[0368] 58 Boot Segment

[0369] 59 Conical contact part

[0370] 6 Superstructure

[0371] 61a Dental prosthesis, crown

[0372] 61b Gingiva former, healing element

[0373] 62 Slender hole

[0374] 810 Assembly, Kit

[0375] 720 Base, dental implant

[0376] 730 Assemblies, prosthetic abutment

[0377] 732 Connecting parts, fixing screws

[0378] 738 Snap-in element

[0379] 740 Connecting parts, adapters

[0380] 742 Blind hole

[0381] 744 Conical bracket, coronal end of implant

[0382] 746 Internal thread of blind hole

[0383] 748 Top threaded section, external thread of fixing screw

[0384] 750 Adapter Body

[0385] 754 Adapter elongated hole, through hole

[0386] 756 Crown end of adapter

[0387] 758 Top end of adapter

[0388] 760 Contact part of adapter, top section

[0389] 762 Transition section of adapter, crown section

[0390] 764 Crown sealing surface, contact surface

[0391] 766 Support Section

[0392] 770 Slim hole in base, through hole

[0393] 772 Conical support surface in through hole of abutment, counter bearing element

[0394] 774 Head part of fixing screw, head area

[0395] 776 Top longitudinal end of abutment, front view

[0396] 780 Shank, bolt

[0397] 782 Hexagonal key slot engagement device, recessed

[0398] 790 snap-in lug

[0399] 792 Guide element, carrier element

[0400] 793 guide segment, carrier segment

[0401] 794 Rotary undercut, groove

[0402] 795 Latch Hook

[0403] 796 Radial inner wall surface of carrier element

[0404] 797 Lever Arm

[0405] 798 Wall surface of adapter through hole

[0406] 700 Radial outer wall surface of the support element

[0407] 702 Two brackets for prosthetic abutment, bracket opening

[0408] 704 Wall surface of bracket opening

[0409] 710 Anti-snapping element, snap into recess

[0410] 712 Guide section, thickened part

[0411] 714 Translocation segment

Claims

1. A coupling component (3) for connecting a base (2) of a dental implant (1) to an abutment (4) of the dental implant (1), the coupling component comprising Main body (30), an elongated hole (31) along the longitudinal axis (10) of the body (30), at least one snap-in element (38, 38', 38", 38'"), which is suitable for snap-in operative connection engagement with at least one counter-snapping element (56) of a connecting part (5) arranged in the elongated hole (31), and A contact portion (34) is used to make the coupling member (3) and the base (2) seal in contact.

2. A connecting component (3) according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion (34) on the main body (30) of the connecting component (3) is configured as a flat surface (341) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10) of the main body (30), or a side surface (342) of a straight truncated cone aligned with the longitudinal axis (10), or a side surface (343) of a curved truncated cone aligned with the longitudinal axis (10), or a side surface of a conical recess in the main body (30) aligned with the longitudinal axis (10).

3. Coupling part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one snap-in element (38, 38', 38", 38'") is configured as an elastic snap-in element.

4. A coupling part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one snap-in element (38, 38', 38", 38'") is arranged at the coronal longitudinal end (302) and / or at the apical longitudinal end (301) of the body (30).

5. Coupling part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one snap-in element (38, 38', 38", 38'") is configured as a latching hook (380) which is formed on the body (30) parallel to the longitudinal axis (10).

6. A connecting part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one guide element (35, 35', 35") is arranged at the coronal longitudinal end (302) of the body (30), the at least one guide element being suitable for aligning the connecting part (3) relative to the base (4) of the dental implant (1) so as to align with the longitudinal axis (10).

7. Coupling part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the region of the guide element (35, 35', 35") a rotational undercut (303) is formed at the coronal longitudinal end (302) of the coupling part (3).

8. Coupling component (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the coupling component (3) in the contact portion (34) has a G1 continuity, and advantageously a G2 continuity.

9. Coupling component (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling component (3) comprises a crowned sealing surface (32) for tightly supporting a superstructure component (4, 6) on the coupling component (3).

10. The coupling component (3) according to claim 9, wherein the crowned sealing surface (32) is arranged at a crowned longitudinal end (302) of the body (30) and is configured as a flat annular surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10) of the body (30).

11. The coupling component (3) according to claim 9, wherein the crown-shaped sealing surface (32) is arranged on an outer circumference of the contact portion between the body (4, 6) and the coupling component (3).

12. Coupling part (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an anti-rotation section (36) is arranged at a coronal longitudinal end (302) and / or at a apical longitudinal end (301) of the body (30).

13. Coupling component (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-rotation section (36) has a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour.

14. An assembly (11) for a modular dental implant (1), the assembly comprising abutment(4), a connecting member (5) for firmly connecting the abutment (4) to a base (2) intended to be implanted in the bone tissue of a patient, and The coupling component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the base (4), the connecting member (5) and the coupling member (3) are aligned along a common longitudinal axis (10), The connecting member (5) can be arranged in the elongated hole (31) of the connecting member (3) and the elongated hole (42, 63) of the base (4), and The coupling component (3), the connecting component (5) and the base (4) can be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner or can be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner.

15. An assembly (11) according to claim 14, wherein the connecting part (5) has at least one anti-snapping element (56), which is or can be operatively connected to at least one snap-in element (38, 38', 38", 38'") of the connecting part (3).

16. The combination (11) according to claim 14, wherein the connecting part (5) is reversibly connectable to the coupling part (3).

17. A modular dental implant (1) comprising a base (2) for implantation in bone tissue of a patient and an assembly (11) according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

18. A modular dental implant (1) according to claim 17, wherein in the assembled state, the apical sealing surface (41) of the abutment (4) rests on the coronal sealing surface (32) of the connecting part (3), so that the dental implant (1) is sealed at this contact point of the two components (3, 4).

19. A modular dental implant (1) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein in the assembled state the apical sealing surface (39) of the connecting part (3) rests on the coronal sealing surface (29) of the base (2), so that the dental implant (1) is sealed at this contact point of the two components (3, 2).

20. A kit for constructing an assembly (11), the kit comprising at least one abutment (4), at least one connecting component (5) and at least one coupling component (3) as defined by the assembly (11) according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

21. A kit for constructing a modular dental implant (1), the kit comprising at least one base (2), at least one abutment (4), at least one connecting part (5) and at least one coupling part (3) as defined by the dental implant (1) according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

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