Dental surgery apparatus

Abstract

In one aspect, a dental implant initial surgical guide 501 defining at least one locator element guide aperture 503, 504 that is oriented for guiding advancement of a drill towards a locator element socket location (601, 602, Fig 6) in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side (603, Fig 6) of the patient’s gum (604, Fig 6). In another aspect, a dental implant surgical guide (701, Fig 7) defining at least one implant guide aperture (703, Fig 7) therethrough for guiding advancement of a drill towards an implant socket location (1004, Fig 10) in the patient’s bone, from the occlusal side (606, Fig 6) of the patient’s gum. The dental implant surgical guide (701, Fig 7) comprises at least one locator element (706, 707) for location within a respective locator element socket (1001, 1002, Fig 10) formed in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum. The dental implant initial surgical guide 501 and dental implant surgical guide (701, Fig 7) may further be provided with corresponding fixing element guide apertures 506, 508 (708, 709, Fig 7).

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. A known type of surgical guide takes the form of a rigid body comprising a bridge portion disposed between a pair of mounting portions, the mounting portions removably mountable to teeth either side of the drill site and the bridge portion defining a guide aperture for guiding a drill to approach the drill site at a desired angle. This type of surgical guide can work well when the patient has sufficient teeth to stably support it An alternative approach is needed however if, for example, a patient is having a full arch of teeth replaced and, following any required extraction, there are no teeth remaining on which to mount a tooth-supported surgical guide. A tissue-supported surgical guide that is used on the gum has been proposed. A problem with this type of surgical guide is associated with the softer nature of the supporting tissue and, for example, the risk of inflammation and the risk of movement of the guide. Another proposed solution is the use of stackable surgical guides, which comprise a base guide that is supported by the jaw bone and a drilling guide that is mountable upon the bone-supported base guide. A problem with this approach is associated with the increased volume of surgical guide material present within the patient’s mouth and, for example, the risk of impaired visibility and manoeuvring space. It is desirable to provide dental surgery apparatus that facilitates the expeditious and accurate positioning of the drilled hole into which a dental implant is to be sited and to facilitate correct installation of a dental prosthesis within the mouth of the patient Summary of the Invention The present invention provides dental surgery apparatus. According to a first aspect there is provided a dental implant initial surgical guide for temporary siting upon teeth within a patient’s mouth, comprising a main body in which at least one locator element guide aperture is defined therethrough and oriented for guiding advancement of a drill towards a locator element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum. In an example, the at least one locator element guide aperture comprises a first locator element guide aperture and a second locator element aperture, and in which the second locator element guide aperture extends parallel to the first locator element guide aperture. In other examples, the dental implant initial surgical guide may define a different number of locator element guide apertures. In an example, the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum. In an example, each fixing element guide aperture is profiled to receive a fixing pin. In an example, each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual angular disposition. In example, the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, in which each fixing element guide aperture of the plurality of fixing element guide aperture extends relative to the or each locator element guide aperture according to a different individual angular disposition to the or each other fixing element guide aperture of the plurality of fixing element guide aperture, the individual angular dispositions together selected to maintain the surgical guide at a desired position, when in use, within the mouth of a patient. In an example, the main body of the dental implant initial surgical guide is formed using an additive manufacturing process. According to a second aspect there is provided a dental implant surgical guide for temporary siting within a patient’s mouth, comprising a main body in which at least one implant guide aperture is defined therethrough for guiding advancement of a drill towards an implant socket location in the patient’s bone, from the occlusal side of the patient’s gum, and in which the dental implant surgical guide comprises at least one locator element extending from the body for location within a respective locator element socket formed in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum. In an example, the at least one locator element comprises a first locator element and a second locator element, and in which the second locator element extends parallel to the first locator element. In other examples, the dental implant surgical guide may comprise a different number of locator elements. In an example, the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum. In an example, each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual angular disposition. In example, the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, in which each fixing element guide aperture of the plurality of fixing element guide aperture extends relative to the or each locator element guide aperture according to a different individual angular disposition to the or each other fixing element guide aperture of the plurality of fixing element guide aperture, the individual angular dispositions together selected to maintain the surgical guide at a desired position, when in use, within the mouth of a patient. In an example, each fixing element guide aperture is profiled to receive a fixing pin. In an example, the or each locator element comprises a rod. In an example, the or each locator element comprises a metal rod. In an example, the main body of the dental implant surgical guide is formed using an additive manufacturing process. According to a third aspect there is provided dental surgery apparatus, comprising a dental implant initial surgical guide according to the first aspect and a dental implant surgical guide according to the second aspect. In an example, the at least one locator element guide aperture of the dental implant initial surgical guide comprises a first locator element guide aperture and a second locator element aperture, and the second locator element guide aperture extends parallel to the first locator element guide aperture; and the at least one locator element of the dental implant surgical guide comprises a first locator element and a second locator element, and the second locator element extends parallel to the first locator element. In an example, an indication of an extent to insert a drill into each of the first and the second locator element guide apertures of the dental implant initial surgical guide for forming a respective first and a second locator element socket in the patient’s bone is provided, and each of the first and the second locator elements is configured for spacing the main body of the dental implant surgical guide from the patient’s gum when installed within the respective locator element socket. This feature is beneficial for reducing tissue damage during the dental surgery. In an example, the main body of the dental implant initial surgical guide defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum, in which each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual angular disposition for stabilising the surgical guide in use, and the main body of the dental implant surgical guide defines a corresponding plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough. Dental surgery apparatus is disclosed herein. A dental implant initial surgical guide defines at least one locator element guide aperture that is oriented for guiding advancement of a drill towards a locator element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum. A dental implant surgical guide defines at least one implant guide aperture therethrough for guiding advancement of a drill towards an implant socket location in the patient’s bone, from the occlusal side of the patient’s gum, and comprises at least one locator element for location within a respective locator element socket formed in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum. The dental implant initial surgical guide and dental implant surgical guide further provided with corresponding fixing element guide apertures. According to the present disclosure there is provided a fully fixed surgical guide for use when a patient requires a full arch of teeth to be replaced, the surgical guide comprising parallel vertical locators and labial fixation pins placed at an angle to each other for ensuring stable guide positioning. 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 a prior art drill, removably engaged with a prior art dental handpiece; Figure 2 shows a prior art dental surgical guide; Figure 3 shows the prior art drill of Figure I in use with the prior art dental surgical guide of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows steps in a method of using apparatus in dental implant surgery; Figure 5 illustrates features of a dental implant initial surgical guide according to a first example; Figure 6 illustrates a result of drilling using the dental implant initial surgical guide of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan view of a dental implant surgical guide according to a first example; Figure 8 is a bottom view of the dental implant surgical guide of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a feature of the dental implant surgical guide of Figure 7 in further detail and Figure 10 illustrates features of the dental implant surgical guide of Figure 7 in use. 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. A prior art dental drill 101 is shown in Figure I. Drill 101 has an axial direction A, and a radial direction R. The drill has a shaft working potion 102, which has a tip 103 and a length 104 in the axial direction A. The shaft working portion 102 may be configured to perform any suitable function, for example, bone removal, shaping or finishing, or implant driving. The drill 101 is shown removably engaged with a prior art dental handpiece 105. A prior art dental surgical guide is shown in Figure 2. The dental implant surgical guide 201 comprises a main body 202, through which is defined at least one aperture 203 that is surrounded by a shoulder 204. It is to be understood that the or each aperture of such a surgical guide extends at a predetermined angle for guiding a drill at a pre-planned angle towards the jaw bone of the patient. For example, a central axis 205 through aperture 203 indicates a pre-determined angle through the surgical guide 201 that a drill, such as drill 101, will be guided when inserted into the aperture 203. Referring again to Figure I, the shaft working potion 102 of the prior art drill 101 is shown with a prior art sleeve 106 removably fitted therearound. The sleeve 106 comprises a main portion 107 and an abutment flange 108 which extends radially outwardly from the main portion 107. The abutment flange 108 of the sleeve 106 is shown spaced axially from the tip 103 of the shaft working potion 102 by a distance 109. Referring now to Figure 3, the prior art drill 101 is shown in use with the prior art dental surgical guide 201. The main portion 107 of the sleeve 106 is shown inserted into the aperture 203 of the surgical guide 201 until the abutment flange 108 of the sleeve 106 is brought into contact with the shoulder 204 surrounding the aperture 203 of the surgical guide 201 to limit the extent that the tip 103 of the shaft working portion 102 of the drill 101 can be advanced through the surgical guide 201 while forming a socket 301 in the jawbone of a patient and, in turn, limit the depth 302 that the socket 301 is made to (this being the distance 109 between the tip 103 of the shaft working portion 102 and the abutment flange 108 of the sleeve 106 in the axial direction A). Dental surgery apparatus and a method of use of the dental surgery apparatus will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method of using dental surgery apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 4. The method 401 comprises a data phase 402 and a production phase 403. In the data phase 402, at step 404, a 3D model of the patient’s mouth is created, for implant surgery planning. In the production phase 403, a dental implant initial surgical guide is created at step 405 and a dental implant surgical guide is created at step 406. A dental implant initial surgical guide and a dental implant surgical guide according to a first example of dental surgery apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 10. A dental implant initial surgical guide according to a first specific example will be described with reference to Figures 5 &6. A dental implant surgical guide according to a first specific example will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. A schematic of a dental implant initial surgical guide 501 positioned relative to a jaw of a patient 500 is shown in Figure 5. A physical model 600 of a jaw of a patient is shown in Figure 6. Dental implant initial surgical guide 501 comprises a main body 502 in which a first locator element guide aperture 503 and a second locator element guide aperture 504 are defined therethrough. Each of the locator element guide apertures 503, 504 is oriented for guiding advancement of a drill (not shown in Figures 5-10) towards a respective locator element socket location 601, 602 in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side 603 (inner, facing towards the tongue) of the patient’s gum 604. The first and second locator element guide aperture 503, 504 extends parallel to one another. This feature serves to guide a drill to form respective first and second locator element sockets 1001, 1002 that extend, within the patient’s bone, parallel to each other. It is to be understood that each locator element guide aperture extends at a predetermined angle for guiding a drill at a pre-planned angle towards the jawbone of the patient For example, a central axis 505 through the first locator element guide aperture 503 indicates a pre-determined angle through the main body 502 of the initial surgical guide 501 that a drill will be guided when inserted therein. As also shown, the main body 502 of dental implant initial surgical guide 501 defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures, such as first fixing element guide aperture 506, extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill (not shown in Figures 5-10) towards a respective fixing element socket location 1003 in the patient’s bone, from the labial side 605 (outer, facing towards the lips) of the patient’s gum 604. A first fixing element 507 is indicated, associated with the first fixing element guide aperture 506. According to this specific illustrated example, the first fixing element 507 is a fixing pin. A second fixing element guide aperture 508 of the main body 502 of dental implant initial surgical guide 501, through which a second fixing element guide aperture 509 is located, is also indicated. According to this specific illustrated example, the main body 502 of dental implant initial surgical guide 501 is provided with three fixing element guide apertures; however, it is to be appreciated that any suitable number of fixing element guide apertures, in any suitable arrangement, may be provided. As indicated, the fixing element guide apertures of dental implant initial surgical guide 501 are spaced in a circumferential direction C. A depth direction D of dental implant initial surgical guide 501 is also indicated in Figure 5. Each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual angular disposition. This feature is described below. To use, the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 is placed onto the teeth of the jaw of the patient and fixed into position using fixing elements inserted through the fixing element guide apertures, such as fixing element 507 inserted through first fixing element guide aperture 506. First and second locator element sockets 1001, 1002 are then formed in the patient’s bone using a suitable drill inserted through the first and second locator element guide apertures 503, 504 respectively. The dental implant initial surgical guide 501 can then be removed from the patient’s mouth, and any tooth extraction required carried out. Figure 6 shows the locations 601,602 at which the first and second locator element sockets 1001, 1002 are formed using the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 (which is not present in this Figure). A top view of a dental implant surgical guide 701 is shown in Figure 7. A bottom view of the dental implant surgical guide 701 is shown in Figure 8. The dental implant surgical guide 701 comprises a main body 702 in which at least one implant guide aperture, such as first implant guide aperture 703, is defined therethrough for guiding advancement of a drill (not shown in Figures 5-10) towards an implant socket location, such as first implant socket location 1004, in the patient’s bone, from the occlusal side 606 (top, facing towards the opposite jaw) of the patient’s gum 604. As shown, the first implant guide aperture 703 is surrounded by a first shoulder 704. It is to be understood that the or each implant guide aperture extends at a predetermined angle for guiding a drill at a pre-planned angle towards the jawbone of the patient For example, a central axis 705 through the first implant guide aperture 703 indicates a predetermined angle through the main body 702 of the surgical guide 701 that a drill will be guided when inserted therein. As shown, the dental implant surgical guide 701 comprises a first locator element 706 and a second locator element 707 that extend from the main body 702. Each of the locator elements 706, 707 is oriented for location within a respective locator element socket 1001, 1002 formed in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side 603 of the patient’s gum 604. The first and second locator elements 706, 707 extend from the underside 801 of the main body 702 of the dental implant surgical guide 701. The first and second locator elements 706, 707 extend parallel to one another. According to this specific illustrated example, each of the first and second locator elements 706, 707 comprises a rod that has a generally circular cross-section and that extends from the main body 702 of the dental implant surgical guide 701 by a depth indicated by at 802 in Figure 8. The configuration of the locator elements 706, 707 serves to facilitate smooth installation of the locator elements 706, 707 in the locator element sockets 1001, 1002 formed in the patient’s bone, in an insertion direction as indicated by arrow 901 in Figure 9, and the subsequent smooth removal of the locator elements 706, 707 from the locator element sockets 1001, 1002, in a withdrawal direction as indicated by arrow 902 in Figure 9, the withdrawal direction 92 opposite the insertion direction 901. As also shown, the main body 702 of dental implant surgical guide 701 defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures, such as first fixing element guide aperture 708 and second fixing element guide aperture 709, extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a fixing element, such as first fixing element 507, towards a fixing element socket location, such as first fixing element socket location 1003 in the patient’s bone, from the labial side 605 (outer, facing towards the lips) of the patient’s gum 604. According to a preferred example, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is provided with fixing element guide apertures that correspond to fixing element guide apertures of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501. With this feature, whether used in the fixing element guide apertures 506, 508 of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 or the corresponding fixing element guide apertures 708, 709 of the dental implant surgical guide 701, the first and second fixing elements 507, 508 will extend at the same position relative to the first and second locator guide apertures 503, 504, and, considering the patient’s mouth, to the patient’s gum 604 and to the first and second locator element sockets 1001, 1002 formed in the patient’s bone using the dental implant initial surgical guide 501. As mentioned previously, in the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 each fixing element guide aperture, such as first and second fixing element guide apertures 506, 508 extends at an individual angular disposition to each locator element guide aperture, such as first and second locator element guide apertures 503, 504. In the dental implant surgical guide 701 each fixing element guide aperture, such as first and second fixing element guide apertures 506, 508 extends at an individual angular disposition to each locator element, such as first and second locator elements 706, 707. The relative positioning of each fixing element guide aperture to each locator element is predetermined, and selected to ensure that, in use, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is stable and resists movement, in particular movement in the vertical direction when an implant is being inserted. To use, following any required tooth extraction, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is placed into the patient’s mouth and the first and second locator elements 706, 707 inserted into the respective first and second locator element sockets 1001, 1002 that were formed in the patient’s bone using the dental implant initial surgical guide 501. Fixing elements can then be inserted through the fixing element guide apertures, such as fixing element 507 inserted through first fixing element guide aperture 506. According to a preferred example, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is provided with fixing element guide apertures that correspond to fixing element guide apertures of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 and allow the use of the same type of fixing element in the same fixing element socket locations of the patient. The dental implant surgical guide 701 is now stably supported in a pre-planned position. Implant socket formation can then be carried out in the patient’s bone using a suitable drill inserted through the or each implant guide aperture, such as through implant guide aperture 703 to form an implant socket in the patient’s bone at implant socket location 1004. During this process, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is the only surgical guide within the mouth and is securely maintained in a desired position. After drilling using the dental implant surgical guide 701 has been completed, the dental implant surgical guide 701 can be removed from the patient’s mouth. Further steps in the implant surgery can be performed as appropriate. An implant 1005 is indicated in Figure 10, inserted in within implant socket 1006 formed at implant socket location 1004. Implant 1005 may be termed a fixture or a post. As mentioned previously, the relative angular positioning of the fixing elements, such as first and second fixing elements 507, 509, and the locator elements, such as the first and second locator elements 706, 707 is preplanned to secure the dental implant surgical guide 701 in a desired position within the patient’s mouth during the dental surgery. Like dental initial implant surgical guide 501, dental implant surgical guide 701 has a circumferential direction C and a depth direction D. In Figure 10, the dental implant surgical guide 701 is shown oriented generally horizontally with a reference line 1007 therethrough, extending in the depth direction D, shown oriented generally vertically. As indicated, a central axis 1008 of first locator element 706 extends relative to the reference line 1007 at an angle 1009. As also indicated, a central axis 1010 of second fixing element 509 extends relative to the reference line 1007 at an angle 1011. As further indicated, the central axes 1008, 1010 of the second fixing element 509 and first locator element 706 extend at a relative angle 1012, in a plane that includes the reference line 1007. Thus, according to the illustrated arrangement, the angle 1012 is the sum of the angles 1009 and 1011. An angular displacement 1013 between the second fixing element 509 and the first locator element 706, in a plane to which the reference line 1007 is normal, is also indicated. A feature of a preferred example of dental surgery apparatus comprising a dental implant initial surgical guide according to the present invention and a dental implant surgical guide according to the present invention will now be described. According to a specific example, the dental surgery apparatus comprises the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 and dental implant surgical guide 701. An indication of an extent to insert a drill into each of the firstand the second locator element guide apertures 503, 504 of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 for forming a respective first and a second locator element socket in the patient’s bone is provided, and each of the first and the second locator elements 706, 707 is configured for spacing the main body 702 of the dental implant surgical guide 701 from the patient’s gum 604 when installed within the respective locator element sockets 1001, 1002. According to a specific example, the indication of an extent to insert a drill into each of the first and the second locator element guide apertures 503, 504 of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 specifies a sleeve of a set of sleeves (not shown in the Figures) usable with a drill (not shown in Figures 5-10), for example prior art sleeve 106 usable on the shaft working potion 102 of the prior art drill 101 shown in Figures I &3, the sleeve having a known maximum drilling depth when used with the drill, and the first and the second locator elements 706, 707 are each configured to extend from the underside 801 of the dental implant surgical guide 701 a distance that will ensure that a gap between the dental implant surgical guide 701 and the patient’s gum 604 will be provided when the locator elements 706, 707 are properly inserted into the locator element sockets 1001, 1002 formed to the indicated extent to insert a drill when using the dental implant initial surgical guide 501. Providing for the dental implant surgical guide 701 to be spaced from the patient’s gum 604 is beneficial for reducing tissue damage during the dental surgery. In an example, the main body 502 of the dental implant initial surgical guide 501 is formed using an additive manufacturing process. In an example, the main body 702 of the dental implant surgical guide 701 is formed using an additive manufacturing process. In an example, each of the first and second locator elements 706, 707 comprises a metal rod. A dental implant initial surgical guide of the present invention may define any suitable number, which may be greater than two, of locator element guide apertures. The or each locator element guide element may have any suitable shape and be provided at any suitable position. A dental implant surgical guide of the present invention may define any suitable number, which may be greater than two, of locator element guide apertures. The or each locator element guide element may have any suitable shape and be provided at any suitable position. Any suitable number of locator elements, of any suitable shape and dimensions, and comprising any suitable material or combination of materials may be utilised. A dental implant initial surgical guide of the present invention may define any suitable number of fixing element guide elements, each having any suitable shape and being provided at any suitable position. A dental implant surgical guide of the present invention may define any suitable number of fixing element guide elements, each having any suitable shape and being provided at any suitable position. Any suitable number of fixing elements, of any suitable shape and dimensions, and comprising any suitable material or combination of materials, may be utilised. Any suitable material or combination of materials may be utilised in the manufacture of the main body, or any other component of, a dental implant initial surgical guide and / or a dental implant surgical guide according to the present disclosure. 5 Although illustrative embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed in 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. 0

Claims

I. A dental implant initial surgical guide for temporary siting upon teeth within a patient’s mouth, comprising a main body in which at least one locator element guide aperture is defined therethrough and oriented for guiding advancement of a drill towards a locator element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum.

2. The dental implant initial surgical guide of claim I, in which said at least one locator element guide aperture comprises a first locator element guide aperture and a second locator element aperture, and in which the second locator element guide aperture extends parallel to the first locator element guide aperture.

3. The dental implant initial surgical guide of claim I or claim 2, in which the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum.

4. The dental implant initial surgical guide of claim 3, in which each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual angular disposition.

5. The dental implant initial surgical guide of any one of claims I to 4, in which the main body is formed using an additive manufacturing process.

6. A dental implant surgical guide for temporary siting within a patient’s mouth, comprising a main body in which at least one implant guide aperture is defined therethrough for guiding advancement of a drill towards an implant socket location in the patient’s bone, from the occlusal side of the patient’s gum, and in which the dental implant surgical guide comprises at least one locator element extending from the main body for location within a respective locator element socket formed in the patient’s bone, from the lingual side of the patient’s gum.

7. The dental implant surgical guide of claim 6, in which said at least one locator element comprises a first locator element and a second locator element, and in which the second locator element extends parallel to the first locator element.

8. The dental implant surgical guide of claim 6 or claim 7, in which each of the first locator element and the second locator element comprises a metal rod.

9. The dental implant surgical guide of any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the main body defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum.

10. The dental implant surgical guide of claim 9, in which the or each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element according to an individual angular disposition.I I. The dental implant surgical guide of any one of claims 6 to 10, in which the main body is formed using an additive manufacturing process.

12. Dental surgery apparatus, comprising:the dental implant initial surgical guide of any one of claims I to 5, andthe dental implant surgical guide of any one of claims 6 to I I.

13. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which:said at least one locator element guide aperture comprises a first locator element guide aperture and a second locator element aperture, and the second locator element guide aperture extends parallel to the first locator element guide aperture; andsaid at least one locator element comprises a first locator element and a second locator element, and the second locator element extends parallel to the first locator element.of 14. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which:an indication of an extent to insert a drill into each of the first and the second locator element guide apertures of the dental implant initial surgical guide for forming a respective first and a second locator element socket in the patient’s bone is provided, and5 in which each of the first and the second locator elements is configured for spacingthe main body of the dental implant surgical guide from the patient’s gum when installed within the respective locator element socket.

15. Dental surgery apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, in which:0 the main body of the dental implant initial surgical guide defines a plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough, each fixing element guide aperture for guiding advancement of a drill towards a respective fixing element socket location in the patient’s bone, from the labial side of the patient’s gum, in which each fixing element guide aperture extends relative to each locator element guide aperture according to an individual5 angular disposition for stabilising the surgical guide in use, andthe main body of the dental implant surgical guide defines a corresponding plurality of fixing element guide apertures extending therethrough.Application No: GB2405665.7Claims searched: 1-5 &12-15Examiner: Mr Geraint DaviesDate of search: 21 October 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-5 US 2008 / 0026338 Al (CINANDER) See entire document, noting particularly the Figures, and paragraph [0057] X 1-5 CN 110507429 A (ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY) Note particularly the Figures, specifically ‘guide aperture’ 5 X 1-5 US 2019 / 0328486 Al (WEALLENS et al.) Note particularly Figures 9-11, specifically ‘guide apertures’ 88, 114 X 1-5 US 2021 / 0386513 Al (KOFRON et al.) Note particularly Figure 2, specifically ‘guide apertures’ 20 X 1-5 US 2024 / 0023978 Al (LOZADA) Note particularly Figure 2, specifically ‘guide apertures’ 12, 13Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From A61C 0001 / 08 01 / 01 / 2006 A61B 0017 / 17 01 / 01 / 2006 A61C 0008 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006Application No: GB2405665.7Examiner: Cassandra FraserClaims searched: 6-15Date of search: 13 March 2025Patents Act 1977Further Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance v A 6-11 US 8398396 B2 (TAORMINA). See figures and description, in particular figure 5. X 6-11 US 2014 / 0248583 Al (ROSTAMI). See description and figures 3A-3E-2. X 6-11 CN 112472334 B (GUANGZHOU HONGJIAN BIOMEDICAL PRODUCTS TECH CO LTD). See description and figure 15. X 6-11 US 2017 / 0290645 Al (ROSTAMI). See figures and description. X 6-11 US 2010 / 0291508 Al (JENSEN). See figures and description, particularly figure 8.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From A61C 0001 / 08 01 / 01 / 2006Subclass Subgroup Valid From A61B 0017 / 17 01 / 01 / 2006 0008 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006

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