Dental implant abutments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental implant abutment that is connected to a dental implant fixture that is implanted into alveolar bone. The dental implant fixture according to the present invention includes an inner coffin, one end of which is connected to the fixture and the other end of which has an axial hole formed from the upper end surface to the lower end, an outer coffin, which is connected to the upper outer surface of the inner coffin, and a occlusal force buffering device that has a occlusal force buffering portion along its length, is inserted through the axial hole formed in the upper end surface of the outer coffin, and is placed in the axial hole of the inner coffin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an abutment for a dental implant, and more particularly to an abutment for a dental implant having an improved structure that can effectively buffer vertical or lateral occlusal forces transmitted from a prosthesis connected to the top of the abutment during mastication. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a dental implant is a substitute for a lost natural tooth. The fixture is embedded in the alveolar bone and allowed to fuse with the bone for a certain period of time, after which a prosthesis such as an abutment or artificial tooth is fixed on top of it, thereby restoring the original function of the tooth.

[0003] A conventional dental implant consists of a fixture with a thread formed on its outer surface and an axial hole formed along its vertical center axis so that it can be implanted into the alveolar bone, an abutment whose lower part is inserted into the axial hole of the fixture and whose upper part has a prosthesis attached, and a fixing screw that fastens the fixture and abutment together to firmly secure them.

[0004] In conventional dental implants, the abutment is firmly connected to the fixture with a fixing screw, but such dental implants have limitations in that they cannot reproduce the inherent movement and function of natural teeth themselves. For example, they are completely unable to provide the occlusal force buffering function that the periodontal ligament around natural teeth performs against the occlusal force transmitted during chewing.

[0005] Therefore, with conventional dental implants, when chewing, especially when chewing pressure is applied to food positioned between the implant and natural teeth, the implant remains in place without any chewing pressure buffering function, and the chewing pressure is continuously and primarily transmitted to the adjacent natural teeth, resulting in greater tooth movement than in a dentition consisting entirely of natural teeth and exacerbating the phenomenon of food getting pinched between the implant and the adjacent natural teeth. Furthermore, because conventional dental implants lack any occlusal force buffering function, vertical or lateral occlusal forces are directly transmitted to the prosthesis, fixture, or fixation screw, resulting in fracture of the prosthesis, fixture, or fixation screw. Meanwhile, because conventional dental implants lack any occlusal force buffering function, they require the use of relatively thick and long fixtures implanted in the alveolar bone to adequately support or bear the occlusal force directly transmitted from the prosthesis. In addition, conventional dental implants do not have a bite force buffering function, which means that excessive force is transmitted to the opposing teeth (i.e., the teeth that directly collide with the implant above and below) during chewing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a dental implant abutment that has a function of cushioning occlusal forces through its structure itself, thereby reducing the occurrence of food getting caught between the implant and adjacent natural teeth, reducing breakage of prostheses, fixtures, or fixing screws, reducing the need for relatively thick and long fixtures, allowing for bridge formation with natural teeth by reproducing the inherent movement and cushioning functions of natural teeth, reducing stress generated by tight contact with adjacent teeth when attaching an implant prosthesis, and not applying excessive force to opposing teeth during mastication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a dental implant abutment that is connected to a dental implant fixture that is implanted into the alveolar bone, and that includes an inner coffin that is connected to the fixture at one end and has an axial hole formed from the upper end surface to the lower end at the other end, an outer coffin that is connected to the upper outer surface of the inner coffin, and a bite force buffer that has a bite force buffering portion along its length, is inserted through the axial hole formed in the upper end surface of the outer coffin, and is placed within the axial hole of the inner coffin.

[0008] Preferably, the incision extending from the outer surface of the inner crown to the axial hole is continuous for a certain distance from the upper end of the inner crown.

[0009] Preferably, in claim 2, the incision is formed in a plurality of spiral shapes over a certain section.

[0010] Preferably, the free end portions of the upper ends of the plurality of segments formed by the plurality of incisions are elastically deformable, and the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the plurality of segments are provided with fastening protrusions that protrude further outward than the outer diameter directly below.

[0011] Preferably, the fastening protrusions are formed on the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the plurality of segments of the inner crown, and corresponding fastening recesses are formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, so that the outer crown is connected to the upper outer surface of the inner crown by elastically connecting with the corresponding fastening recesses due to the elastic deformation of the fastening protrusions. As a result, vertical or lateral biting force transmitted through the outer crown is buffered by the elastic connecting structure between the inner and outer crowns or the incision structure formed in the inner crown.

[0012] Preferably, the bite force buffer includes a head portion having a polygonal recess formed on its upper end surface, and a body portion having a bite force buffer formed below the head portion, and the bite force buffer formed as a longitudinal cutout in the body portion.

[0013] Preferably, the longitudinal cutout has a spiral cutout structure for a certain section, and the body is formed of a plurality of helical sections.

[0014] Preferably, a screw thread is formed on the upper outer surface of the bite force buffer, and a corresponding screw thread is formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, so that the upper part of the bite force buffer and the upper part of the outer crown are kept screwed together by a screw connection, and as a result, the vertical or lateral bite force transmitted through the outer crown is buffered by the bite force buffering portion formed on the bite force buffer.

[0015] Preferably, when the bite force buffer is coupled to the outer crown, the upper portion of the bite force buffer restricts or inhibits the fastening protrusion of the inner crown from moving inward toward the vertical central axis, thereby preventing the outer crown from being detached or disassembled from the inner crown.

[0016] Preferably, the corresponding thread formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown is formed in the opposite direction to the corresponding thread formed on the inner surface of the axial hole of the fixture.

[0017] Preferably, a fastening position specifying recess recessed inward is further formed on the inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, thereby specifying and guiding the fastening position of the outer crown relative to the inner crown. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The dental implant abutment according to the present invention has a structure in which a fastening protrusion formed on the outer surface of the upper end of the inner crown is elastically coupled to a corresponding fastening recess formed on the inner surface of the upper part of the axial hole of the outer crown, a structure in which an incision penetrating from the outer surface of the inner crown to the axial hole is formed in a spiral shape for a certain length from the upper end of the inner crown, and a structure in which a bite force buffer having a bite force buffering portion along the length is disposed within the axial hole of the inner crown. This structure effectively buffers vertical or lateral bite forces transmitted during mastication, and as a result, the implanted implant can substantially reproduce the inherent movement and function of natural teeth.

[0019] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of food getting caught between the implant and the adjacent natural teeth, reduce breakage of the prosthesis, fixture or fixation screw, reduce the need to use a relatively thick and long fixture, reduce the transmission of excessive force to the opposing teeth during chewing, make it possible to bridge with natural teeth by reproducing the inherent movement and interference function of natural teeth, and reduce the stress generated by tight contact with the adjacent teeth when attaching a prosthesis to the implant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cut-away cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cut-away, exploded perspective view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating an example of a process for connecting a dental implant abutment according to one embodiment of the present invention to a fixture. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 is an oblique view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an exploded oblique view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is an exploded oblique view of a dental implant according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a dental implant abutment 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is coupled to a fixture 1 that can be implanted into alveolar bone. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the dental implant abutment 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an inner coffin 10, one end of which is coupled to the fixture 1 and the other end of which has an axial hole formed from the upper end surface to the lower end, an outer coffin 20 coupled to the upper outer surface of the inner coffin 10, and a bite force buffer 30, which has a bite force buffering portion 32 along its length, is inserted through the axial hole 22 formed in the upper end surface of the outer coffin 20, and is disposed within the axial hole 12 of the inner coffin 10.

[0024] 2 and 3, the inner crown 10 is connected to the fixture 1 by a fastening device 40 inserted through an axial hole 12 formed in the inner crown 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner crown 10 has an incision 14 extending from the outer surface of the inner crown 10 to the axial hole 12, and the incision 14 is continuously formed for a certain distance from the upper end of the inner crown 10. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, at least one incision 14 is formed in a spiral shape for a certain distance. Preferably, multiple incisions 14 may be formed in a spiral shape. This spiral incision structure formed in the inner crown 10 can buffer vertical or lateral occlusal forces transmitted through the outer crown 20 (and the prosthesis connected to the outer crown 20).

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, the free ends of the upper ends of the segments formed by the incisions 14 in the inner crown 10 are elastically deformable, and fastening protrusions 16 are provided on the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the segments, protruding further outward than the outer diameter directly below.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, the fastening protrusions 16 are formed on the upper outer surfaces of the multiple segments of the inner crown 10, and corresponding fastening recesses 26 are formed on the upper inner surface of the outer crown 20. The fastening protrusions 16 of the inner crown 10 are elastically coupled to the corresponding fastening recesses 26 of the outer crown 20 through elastic deformation, thereby connecting the outer crown 20 to the upper outer surface of the inner crown 10. This coupling structure can buffer vertical or lateral occlusal forces transmitted through the outer crown 20 (and the prosthesis coupled to the outer crown 20). The outer crown 20 is thus elastically coupled to the upper outer surface of the inner crown 10, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, an axial hole 22 is formed in the upper end surface of the outer crown 20.

[0027] 3 and 4, the bite force buffer 30 includes a head portion 30a having a polygonal recessed groove 36 formed on its upper end surface and a screw thread 34 formed on its upper outer surface, and a body portion 30b having a bite force buffering portion 32 formed below the head portion 30a. The recessed groove 36 may be threaded in some cases. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bite force buffering portion 32 has a spiral cutout structure formed in the body portion 30b in the length direction, and the body portion 30b is formed with a plurality of helical segments 30b', 30b''. Thus, the bite force buffering portion 32 (e.g., the spiral cutout structure) formed in the body portion 30b of the bite force buffer 30 can buffer vertical or lateral bite forces transmitted through the outer crown 20 (and a prosthesis attached to the outer crown 20). Preferably, the cutout of the bite force buffering portion 32 may be formed continuously to the lower end in some cases.

[0028] 3 and 4, a thread 34 is formed on the upper outer surface of the bite force buffer 30, and a corresponding thread 24 is formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole 22 of the outer crown 20, so that the upper part of the bite force buffer 30 and the upper part of the outer crown 20 can be maintained in a threaded engagement state. Therefore, vertical or lateral bite forces transmitted through the outer crown (and a prosthesis connected to the outer crown 20) can be buffered by the bite force buffering portion 32 of the bite force buffer 30, which is threadedly connected to the outer crown 20. Preferably, the corresponding thread 24 formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole 22 of the outer crown 20 may be formed in the opposite direction to the corresponding thread 3 formed on the inner surface of the axial hole 2 of the fixture 1. This is to prevent loosening of the fixing fastener 40, which fixes the fixture 1 and the inner crown 10.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, when the bite force buffer 30 is coupled to the outer crown 20, the upper portion of the bite force buffer 30 preferably has a diameter sufficient to limit or inhibit the fastening protrusion 16 of the inner crown 10 from moving inward toward the vertical central axis, thereby preventing the outer crown 20 from being detached or disassembled from the inner crown 10.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3, the lower terminal end of the bite force buffer 30 is attached and supported in correspondence with a recess 42 formed on the upper surface of the head portion of the fixed fastener 40, so that the vertical or lateral bite force transmitted through the outer crown (and the prosthesis connected to the outer crown 20) is sufficiently buffered by the bite force buffer portion 32 of the bite force buffer 30 and then transmitted to the fixture 1 via the fixed fastener 40.

[0031] 3, the fastening portion 38 formed with a screw thread at the lower end of the bite force buffer 30 is fastened to a corresponding screw thread formed in the recessed portion 42 of the fixed fastener 40, thereby preventing loosening. This also ensures a reliable fixing force and elastic support force of the bite force buffer 30 to the fixed fastener 40, thereby buffering vertical or lateral bite forces.

[0032] In some cases, a tapered surface may be formed instead of the threads formed on the upper outer surface of the bite force buffer 30. In some cases, the lower end of the bite force buffer 30 may be formed with threads or a polygonal shape, and when the lower end is attached to the upper recess 42 of the fixed fastener 40, the gap between the recess and the fixed fastener 40 may be filled with an adhesive or the like to be joined. As a result, this prevents the fixed fastener 40 from loosening, or when the lower end of the bite force buffer 30 is fixed to the recess 42 of the fixed fastener 40, the upper part of the bite force buffer 30 may have elastic movement (deformation), thereby more reliably buffering vertical or lateral bite forces.

[0033] 2 and 3, a fastening position determining recess 28 recessed inward is additionally formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown 20, thereby determining and guiding the fastening position of the outer crown 20 relative to the inner crown 10. That is, when the outer crown 20 is fastened to the inner crown 10, the outer crown 20 comes into closer contact with the outer surface of the inner crown 10 only at a rotational position predetermined by the fastening position determining recess 28, and then, when pressure is applied to the outer crown 20 toward the inner crown 10 at that position, the outer crown 20 can be elastically fastened to the inner crown 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a flat surface or a recess may be additionally formed at a certain portion of the outer surface of the outer crown 20.

[0034] 5(a) to 5(c) are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating an example of a process for connecting a dental implant abutment according to one embodiment of the present invention to a fixture.

[0035] First, as shown in Figure 5(a), the inner crown 10 is fixed to the fixture 1 implanted in the alveolar bone using a fixing fastener 40. Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), the outer crown 20 is seated on the upper outer surface of the inner crown 10 and smoothly rotated, bringing the outer crown 20 into closer contact with the inner crown 10 at the rotational position previously determined by the fastening position-determining recess 28. In this state, when the outer crown 20 is pressed vertically against the inner crown 10, the fastening protrusion 16 of the inner crown 10 elastically deforms and elastically engages with the fastening recess 26 of the outer crown 20. Then, the bite force buffer 30 is inserted through the axial hole 22 formed on the upper end surface of the outer crown 20, and the threads 34 of the bite force buffer 30 engage with the corresponding threads 24 of the outer crown 20, so that the bite force buffer 30 is positioned within the axial hole 12 of the inner crown 10, as shown in Figure 5(c). In this process, adhesive may be further applied to the lower end of the bite force buffer 30 before it is placed.

[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, an outer coffin may be integrally formed on the prosthesis.

[0037] FIG. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of a dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6(a), the bite force buffer 30 of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention has an extended overall length so that the threads formed at its lower end can be coupled with corresponding threads formed on the inner surface of the axial hole of the fixture, thereby allowing the bite force buffer itself to simultaneously function as a fixed fastener.

[0039] 6(b), a seal groove 11 may be further formed on the outer surface of the inner crown 10 of the dental implant according to another embodiment of the present invention in the circumferential direction of the inner crown 10. A seal ring is inserted into the seal groove 11 when the inner crown 10 and the outer crown 20 are joined together, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering inside.

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner crown and the fixation fastener can be formed as a single piece, in which case the bottom of the single piece can be formed with a shape other than a thread.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described in detail above in connection with specific embodiments with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to such specific structures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. However, it is intended to clarify in advance that any such simple design, material modifications, or structural variations are clearly within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dental implant abutment to be connected to a dental implant fixture to be planted in alveolar bone, an inner coffin, one end of which is connected to the fixture and the other end of which has an axial hole formed from the upper end surface to the lower end; an outer coffin coupled to an upper outer surface of the inner coffin; An abutment for dental implants, characterized in that it includes a bite force buffering device that has a bite force buffering portion along the length direction, is inserted through an axial hole formed in the upper end surface of the outer crown, and is placed within the axial hole of the inner crown.

2. 2. The dental implant abutment according to claim 1, wherein the incision extending from the outer surface of the inner crown to the axial hole is continuous for a certain distance from the upper end of the inner crown.

3. The dental implant abutment according to claim 2 , wherein the incision is formed in a spiral shape over a predetermined section.

4. 4. The dental implant abutment of claim 3, wherein the free end portions of the upper ends of the plurality of segments formed by the plurality of incisions are elastically deformable, and the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the plurality of segments are provided with fastening protrusions that protrude further outward than the outer diameter directly below.

5. 5. The dental implant abutment of claim 4, wherein the fastening protrusions are formed on the outer surfaces of the upper ends of the plurality of segments of the inner crown, and corresponding fastening recesses are formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, so that the outer crown is connected to the upper outer surface of the inner crown by elastically connecting with the corresponding fastening recesses due to the elastic deformation of the fastening protrusions, and as a result, vertical or lateral biting force transmitted through the outer crown is buffered by the elastic connecting structure between the inner crown and the outer crown or the incision structure formed in the inner crown.

6. 2. The dental implant abutment according to claim 1, wherein the bite force buffer comprises a head portion having a polygonal recess formed on an upper end surface thereof, and a body portion having a bite force buffer formed below the head portion, the bite force buffer being formed as a longitudinal cutout in the body portion.

7. The dental implant abutment according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal cutout has a spiral cutout structure for a certain section, and the body is formed of a plurality of helical segments.

8. 7. The dental implant abutment according to claim 6, wherein a screw thread is formed on the upper outer surface of the bite force buffer and a corresponding screw thread is formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, so that the upper part of the bite force buffer and the upper part of the outer crown are maintained in a screw-connected state by a screw thread connection, and as a result, the vertical or lateral bite force transmitted through the outer crown is buffered by the bite force buffering portion formed on the bite force buffer.

9. 9. The dental implant abutment according to claim 8, wherein when the bite force buffer is coupled to the outer crown, the upper part of the bite force buffer limits or inhibits the fastening protrusion of the inner crown from moving inward toward the vertical central axis, thereby preventing the outer crown from being detached or disassembled from the inner crown.

10. 10. The dental implant abutment according to claim 9, wherein the corresponding thread formed on the upper inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown is formed in the opposite direction to the corresponding thread formed on the inner surface of the axial hole of the fixture.

11. 2. The dental implant abutment according to claim 1, wherein a fastening position identifying recess that is recessed inward is further formed on the inner surface of the axial hole of the outer crown, thereby identifying and guiding the fastening position of the outer crown relative to the inner crown.

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