Dental surgery apparatus

Abstract

An implant assembly (202) is provided that comprises an angled multi-unit abutment MUA (204) releasably secured to an implant (205), the implant assembly configured to exhibit balance rotation when spun around a central axis. An implant assembly driver (201) is provided that comprises a driver body (203) for fitting to the implant assembly. The driver body may comprise a lower edge that has a profile that complements a profile of a seating rim of the angled MUA. Dental surgery apparatus (200) comprising the implant assembly driver and the angled MUA designed for use in the implant assembly. Dental surgery apparatus comprising the implant assembly driver and the implant assembly (202).

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dental surgery apparatus, in particular to dental surgery apparatus for use in dental implant surgery. Background of the Invention Dental implant surgery is a procedure for replacing a damaged or missing tooth with an artificial tooth. When compared to conventional bridges or dentures, dental implants are often favoured for more closely achieving the aesthetic and structural qualities of natural teeth. A dental implant is a surgical component that is fitted into the jaw to support a dental prosthesis such as a crown or bridge. A dental implant has a lower part, known as a fixture or post, that is inserted into the bone, and an upper part, known as an abutment or post extension, to which a dental prosthesis can be secured. Typically, the fixture is screwed into place within the jaw bone and a dental prosthesis is later fixed to the abutment. The biological process of osseointegration is utilised to form a secure, load-bearing bond between the fixture and the bone. The fixture and abutment parts of a dental implant may be made from the same or different materials. The precise placement of the fixture of a dental implant in the jaw bone is important to achieve a properly aligned fitting of the dental prosthesis and to prevent the patient from experiencing avoidable discomfort. Increasingly, software applications are used in conjunction with images of the oral cavity of the patient, such as X-ray or CT scan images, to determine a desired location and orientation for a dental implant. Such a software application may also be utilised to design a surgical guide for use when drilling into the jaw to form the bony socket that the dental implant will be placed into. In some simpler implant cases, in which a patient requires, for example, one or two teeth replacing, an implant can be anchored within the patient’s bone to which an artificial tooth can be fixed directly. An alternative approach is required however in some more complex implant cases in which it is not practical to fix artificial teeth directly to implants due to the complex angles across the patient's arch. In such cases, it is typical to use an intermediary element between the implant and artificial tooth components that is known an abutment Abutments are available that are made from different materials and that have different heights, different diameters and different angles. A type of abutment is known as a multi-unit abutment (MUA), which is often used when a patient is having a full arch replacement which involves embedding a set of implants across the jawbone for supporting a set of artificial teeth (for example, a typical procedure involves four or six implants being used to supporta single bridge). MUA’s of the “straight” category allow height correction, such as for enabling restoration of a gum level, while MUA’s of the “angled” category also enable angle correction. An angled MUA may have a connection type that determines a number of different positions (“timing”) that it may be placed in with a patient’s mouth; for example, a HEX connection type provides 6 positions (each positioned being at 60° rotation from the previous). Placing an angled MUA can be more challenging than placing a straight MUA. For example, it has been found that achieving the correct timing can be more difficult when working at the back of the patient’s jawbone. A particular problem associated with using angled MUA’s is that the established angle can prove to be suboptimal and lead to fixing screws reaching so far to the front of the artificial teeth that they become visible, impairing from a natural look and detracting from a desired aesthetic appearance. This is a particular concern with the incisors, which are typically the most visible teeth. To address this issue, a dental implant combined with an angled MUA for insertion together into the patient’s bone as a unitary component (“single body” implant) has been proposed. While this approach may offer benefits relating to quicker and easier surgery, it is also unfortunately associated with a serious hazard to the patient. It has been found that, in a number of surgeries, the natural healing of bone and / or gums around this particular type of implant is deficient, and in some cases the tissue is reduced to such an extent that the MUA shows above the gums. The patient experiences an undesirable gap between the gums and the sets of artificial teeth, which is not only aesthetically unpleasing and disagreeable from a wellbeing perspective but also problematic in respect of maintaining good oral hygiene. The only solution is to remove the implant and replace it with an implant that is buried even deeper into the patient’s bone. It is desirable to provide dental surgery apparatus that improves the use of angled MUAs. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides dental surgery apparatus. According to a first aspect there is provided an implant assembly driver, comprising a driver body for fitting to an implant assembly, the implant assembly comprising an angled multiunit abutment releasably secured to an implant. In an example, the driver body comprises an assembly fitting portion for fitting to the assembled angled multi-unit abutment of the implant assembly, and a tool engagement portion for engaging a tool usable to rotate the driver body. In an example, the assembly fitting portion defines a fixing channel for receiving a fixing element therethrough for releasably fixing the driver body to the implant assembly. In an example, the implant assembly driver further comprises a fixing element for releasably fixing the driver body to the implant assembly. In an example, the fixing element comprises an externally threaded portion for engaging an internally threaded portion of the angled multi-unit abutment of the implant assembly. In an example, the tool engagement portion is configured for use with a dental torque wrench. In an example, the tool engagement portion is configured for use with a dental handpiece. In an example, the driver body comprises indicia indicating a type of an angled MUA that the implant assembly driver is usable with. According to a second aspect there is provided an implant assembly, comprising an angled multi-unit abutment releasably secured to an implant, the implant assembly configured to exhibit balance rotation when spun around a central axis. According to a third aspect there is provided an angled multi-unit abutment suitable for use in the implant assembly of the second aspect. According to a fourth aspect there is provided an angled multi-unit abutment according to the third aspect and an implant, the angled multi-unit abutment releasably securable to the implant to form the implant assembly of the second aspect. In an example, a fixing element for releasably securing the angled multi-unit abutment to the implant is provided. According to a fifth aspect there is provided an angled multi-unit abutment according to the third aspect and an implant assembly driver according to the first aspect. According to a fifth aspect there is provided an implant assembly according to the second aspect and an implant assembly driver according to the first aspect. In an example, the assembly fitting portion of the driver body of the implant assembly driver has a lower edge that has a profile that complements a profile of a seating rim of the angled MUA of the implant assembly. Dental surgery apparatus is disclosed herein. An implant assembly is provided that comprises an angled multi-unit abutment releasably secured to an implant. An implant assembly driver is provided that comprises a driver body for fitting to the implant assembly. An angled MUA is provided that is designed for use in the implant assembly. Dental surgery apparatus is provided that comprises the implant assembly driver and the angled MUA designed for use in the implant assembly. Dental surgery apparatus is provided that comprises the implant assembly driver and the implant assembly. According to the present disclosure there is provided dental surgery apparatus that advantageously allows for an angled MUA to be releasably secured to an implant before the implant is inserted together with the angled MUA into the patient’s bone, providing the benefit of being able to insert the abutment and the implant into the patient at the same time and retaining the benefit of the abutment being removable from the implant after insertion into the patient’s bone. Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows steps in a method of using apparatus in dental implant surgery; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an implant assembly driver and an implant assembly, according to an example; Figure 3 shows a section view of the implant assembly driver and implant assembly shown in Figure 2, in which the implant assembly driver is fitted to the implant assembly; Figure 4 shows a side view of the implant assembly driver and implant assembly shown in Figure 2, in which the implant assembly driver is fitted to the implant assembly as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an alternative exploded view of the implant assembly driver shown in Figure 2; and Figure 6 illustrates a temporary cylinder placed on the implant assembly of Figure 2. Description Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. In addition, features referred to herein in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has” and / or “having” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated feature or features and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings may have been exaggerated or simplified for illustrative purposes only. An example method 101 of using dental surgery apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure I. At step 102, an implant is received and at step 103, an abutment is received. It is to be appreciated that step 103 may alternatively be performed before step 102. At step 104, the implant and abutment received at steps 102 and 103 are releasably assembled to form an implant assembly. It is important to understand that the implant assembly is formed outside the patient’s body. This is different to prior art methods in which the implant is embedded in the patient’s bone and then the abutment fixed to the embedded implant At step 105, an implant assembly driver is received. It is to be appreciated that step 105 may alternatively be performed before any of the previous steps 101-104. At step 106, the implant assembly driver received at step 105 is connected to the implant assembly formed at step 104. At step 107, the implant assembly is inserted into the patient, using the implant assembly driver. At step 108, the implant assembly driver is disconnected from the inserted implant assembly. The implant assembly and implant assembly driver used in the example method 101 of Figure I will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The dental surgery apparatus of the present invention advantageously provides the benefit of inserting an abutment together with an implant (in the manner of the prior art single body implant described above) and retains the benefit of the abutment being removable from the implant (to overcome the drawback associated with the prior art single body implant described above). Dental surgery apparatus 200 comprising an implant assembly driver 201 and an implant assembly 202, according to a specific example, is shown in Figure 2. The implant assembly driver 201 comprises a driver body 203 for fitting to the implant assembly 202. It is to be appreciated that use of the implant assembly driver 201 is not limited to only the implant assembly 202 and that it may be used with at least one other implant assembly according to the present disclosure. The implant assembly 202 comprises an angled multi-unit abutment (MUA) 204 that is releasably secured to an implant 205. Implant 205 may be termed a fixture or a post. According to this specific illustrated example, the angled MUA 204 is releasably securable to the implant 205 using a suitable fixing element 206. Any suitable tool (not shown) may be used, as appropriate, in using the fixing element 206 to releasably connect the angled MUA 204 and the implant 205. The implant 205 may be an implant known from the prior art. The fixing element 206 may be a fixing element known from the prior art. The driver body 203 comprises an assembly fitting portion, indicated at 207, for fitting to the implant assembly 202, and a tool engagement portion, indicated at 208, for engaging a tool (not shown) usable to rotate the driver body 203. In an example, the tool engagement portion 208 is configured for use with a dental torque wrench (not shown). In an example, the tool engagement portion 208 is configured for use with a dental handpiece (not shown). According to this specific illustrated example, the assembly fitting portion 207 takes the general form of a socket. As shown, the assembly fitting portion 207 defines a fixing aperture 209 that provides an opening to a fixing channel 210 for receiving a suitable fixing element 21 I therethrough, the fixing element 211 for releasably fixing the driver body 203 to the implant assembly 202. Any suitable tool (not shown) may be used, as appropriate, in using the fixing element 21 I to releasably connect the driver body 203 and the implant assembly 202. The fixing aperture 209 may have any suitable shape and dimensions and may have any suitable form, for example a window or a cut-out The fixing channel 210 may have any suitable dimensions. According to this specific illustrated example, the fixing element 21 I comprises an externally threaded portion 212 for engaging an internally threaded portion 213 of the angled MUA 204. According to the specific illustrated example, the angled MUA 204 has an angulation of 17 degrees; however, it is to be appreciated that the angled MUA 204 may have any suitable alternative angulation. As also shown, the assembly fitting portion 207 has a lower edge 214 that has a profile that complements the profile of a seating rim 215 of the angled MUA 204. A section view and a side view of the implant assembly driver 201 fitted to the implant assembly 202 is shown in Figure 3 and in Figure 4 respectively. An important feature of the illustrated dental surgery apparatus 200 will now be described. As the angled MUA 204 and implant 205 of the implant assembly 202 will be inserted together, it is important that rotation of the implant assembly 202 during the insertion stage is balanced. According to the present invention, the implant assembly 202 is configured to exhibit balanced rotation when spun around a central axis 301. Thus, when the angled MUA 204 and implant 205 are screwed together into an implant socket formed in the patient’s bone, in an insertion direction of rotation 302, rotation of the implant assembly 202 will be stable. Predominantly, this is achieved through the design of the angled MUA 204, and through corresponding design of the driver body 203. It is to be appreciated that if a prior art angled MUA were to be secured to a prior art implant outside of the patient’s body, the result would be balanced in rotation and would not be suitable for use in accordance with the present invention; there would be wobble during spinning, which would increase as the speed of rotation increased, which would be prohibitive on safety grounds. The present invention therefore provides: an angled MUA (for use in the implant assembly); an implant assembly (comprising the angled MUA); an implant assembly driver (for use in driving the implant assembly comprising the angled MUA). According to this specific illustrated example, the fixing channel 210 has a central axis 303, and the central axis 303 of the fixing channel 210 is oriented with respect to the central axis 301 of the implant assembly 202 at an angle 304 appropriate for a particular angulation of an angled MUA and, in this example, for the angulation of the angled MUA 204. It can be seen also that the profile of the lower edge 214 of the driver body 203 is sloped relative to the central axis 301 of the implant assembly 202 and that the profile of the seating rim 215 of the angled MUA 204 is similarly sloped relative to the central axis 301 of the implant assembly 202 to define a rotational position of the lower edge 214 of the driver body 203 relative to the seating rim 215 of the angled MUA 204 at which the lower edge 214 of the driver body 203 rests properly on the seating rim 215 of the angled MUA 204. An alternative exploded view of the driver body 203 and fixing element 210 of the implant assembly driver 201 of dental surgery apparatus 200 is shown in Figure 5. According to this illustrated example, the driver body 203 includes indicia 501 denoting a type of angled MUA that the driver body 203 is usable with. The indicia 501 may also denote a rotational position of the driver body 203 relative to the angled MUA 204 at which the driver body 203 will seat properly on the angled MUA 204. In this specific illustrated example, the indicia 501 indicates that the driver body 203 is suitable for use with a 17-degree angled MUA, such as angled MUA 204; however, as mentioned previously the present invention is not limited to any particular type / angulation of MUA. Further, in this specific illustrated example, the indicia 501 comprises alphanumeric characters but may alternatively or additionally comprise any alternative form of indicia. The implant assembly 202 of dental surgery apparatus 200 is shown in Figure 6 with a temporary cylinder 601 placed thereon. It is to be appreciated that following insertion of the implant assembly 202 into a patient, any subsequent surgical procedures may be carried out as normal. Any suitable material or combination of materials may be utilised in the manufacture of: an angled MUA according to the present disclosure, an implant assembly according to the present disclosure, an implant assembly driver, or any component thereof, according to the present disclosure. In an example, the driver body of the implant assembly driver comprises a metal. In an example, the fixing element comprises a metal. Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in 5 detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and / or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I. An implant assembly driver, comprising a driver body for fitting to an implant assembly, the implant assembly comprising an angled multi-unit abutment releasably secured to an implant.

2. The implant assembly driver of claim I, the driver body comprising:an assembly fitting portion for fitting to the assembled angled multi-unit abutment of the implant assembly, anda tool engagement portion for engaging a tool usable to rotate the driver body.

3. The implant assembly driver of claim I or claim 2, wherein the assembly fitting portion defines a fixing channel for receiving a fixing element therethrough for releasably fixing the driver body to the implant assembly.

4. The implant assembly driver of claim 3, further comprising a fixing element for releasably fixing the driver body to the implant assembly.

5. The implant assembly driver of claim 4, wherein the fixing element comprises an externally threaded portion for engaging an internally threaded portion of the angled multiunit abutment of the implant assembly.

6. The implant assembly driver of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the tool engagement portion is configured for use with a dental torque wrench.

7. The implant assembly driver of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the tool engagement portion is configured for use with a dental handpiece.

8. The implant assembly driver of any one of claims I to 7, wherein the driver body comprises indicia indicating a type of an angled MUA that the implant assembly driver is usable with.

9. An implant assembly, comprising an angled multi-unit abutment releasably secured to an implant, the implant assembly configured to exhibit balance rotation when spun around a central axis.

10. An angled multi-unit abutment suitable for use in the implant assembly of claim 9.I I. The angled multi-unit abutment of claim 10 and an implant, the angled multi-unit abutment releasably securable to the implant to form the implant assembly of claim 9.

12. The angled multi-unit abutment and an implant of claim 11, and a fixing element for releasably securing the angled multi-unit abutment to the implant.

13. Dental surgery apparatus, comprising:an angled multi-unit abutment as claimed in claim 10; andan implant assembly driver as claimed in any one of claims I to 8.

14. Dental surgery apparatus, comprising:an implant assembly as claimed in claim 9, andan implant assembly driver as claimed in any one of claims I to 8.

15. The dental surgery apparatus of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the assembly fitting portion of the driver body of the implant assembly driver has a lower edge that has a profile that complements a profile of a seating rim of the angled MUA of the implant assembly.14

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