Guidance system for implant placement

Abstract

A guide system 10 for the placement of a dental implant to replace a missing tooth 9 in a patient and subsequent placement of a crown is provided. The guide system 10 comprises an instrument 1 having an elongate body to which a rotating drill 5 is attached. The guide system 10 is characterized by at least one bushing 4 fixed to a head 2 of the instrument 1 and surrounding the drill 5. The bushing 4 guides a power unit that rotates the drill 5, and the drill 5 is positioned inside the bushing 4, and since the rotating drill 5 is not in contact with the guide splint 11, the guide hole 12 of the guide splint 11 can be more precisely adjusted relative to the outer diameter of the bushing 4 than in known guide splints. This provides a more precise guide system 10.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guidance system for performing maxillary surgery for the placement of dental implants. [Background technology]

[0002] Dental implants are a solution for replacing or substituting missing or damaged teeth. Dental implants are elements that are inserted into the maxillary bone, onto which a crown or prosthesis is subsequently placed, mimicking the appearance and functionality of the missing or damaged tooth.

[0003] Typically, the placement of dental implants in a patient's oral cavity is a manual process, and the precision and trajectory of the dental implant's final position are highly dependent on the dentist's skill and experience. First, the path to the hole that needs to be drilled in the maxillary bone must be considered, followed by the insertion of the dental implant. The hole in the maxillary bone is drilled using various types of drills that are rotated by a powered device and guided by the dentist's skilled hand. However, in the event of human error, the manual process can be inaccurate and dangerous. For this reason, and to reduce the risks present in manual surgery, there are assistive systems on the market for guiding instruments and placing dental implants during surgery.

[0004] The most well-known guidance systems are digital technology-based systems in which the procedure and position of the implants in the ideal position are virtually planned and calculated using three-dimensional radiographic images of the patient's teeth and jaws and with the aid of an intraoral scanner of the denture surface. From this virtual plan, a guide splint is generated with holes in the predetermined orientation where the dental implants need to be placed. In this way, the guide splint serves to prepare the bone for the implant bed and to guide the drilling in the appropriate direction for the actual insertion of the implants.

[0005] For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 182298(A1) describes a surgical kit based on a splint as described above with holes drilled using digital technology and a set of various drills that are guided through the holes in the splint until the holes are drilled into the maxilla. However, because the drills used rotate at high speeds to drill holes in the jawbone, the guide holes in the splint must have some clearance to allow for this rotation, resulting in some loss of precision in the execution of the surgery. Not to mention this is still a somewhat manual procedure, so the dentist's vibrations can endanger the surgery if they lose control of the drill's path and damage the splint that the drill is in contact with during the surgery.

[0006] To avoid the aforementioned problems, in some cases, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 353384(A1) and WO2017102646, an additional component is placed over the hole in the splint to guide and control the depth to which the drill is inserted during the process of drilling the jawbone to drill a hole for an implant with greater precision. In this case, the additional component includes at least two supports on the splint and central holes with the respective diameters of the drills inserted therethrough. This improves the accuracy of the position of the axis of the hole without being too dependent on the dentist's vibration and skill. However, the additional component only allows one angle of drill movement according to the trajectory of the hole drilled in the additional component and the splint, and therefore, in these mentioned systems, a degree of freedom during surgery is lost.

[0007] In view of all the above, the object of the present invention is a guidance system or instrument during dental surgery that minimizes manual inaccuracies by the dentist, facilitating the surgery and reducing risks to the patient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 182298(A1) [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 353384(A1) [Patent Document 3] WO2017102646 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The object of the present invention is a guide system for the placement of at least one dental implant. The guide system comprises an instrument to which at least one rotating drill is attached. The guide system comprises a set of at least one bushing attached to the head of the instrument and concentrically surrounding the drill. The guide system comprises a guide splint intended to be placed in the patient's oral cavity. The guide splint comprises at least one guide hole through which the bushing and the drill are inserted. The guide system of the present invention has the following features: the bushing is exchangeable with at least another bushing from the set of bushings of different lengths depending on the stage of the operation and the depth of the implant, and the guide system additionally comprises an adapter member between the head and the bushing, the adapter member having an upper end with a diameter adaptable to the head.

[0010] The instrument includes a power unit that rotates a drill coupled to a head at the proximal end of the instrument, to which a bushing is also coupled, and which serves to drill a hole in the patient's maxilla for subsequent insertion of the implant.

[0011] The head of the instrument comprises a hollow body into which a drill is attached for connection with a power unit to drill a hole in the maxilla. The head comprises at least one threaded inner surface to which is coupled at least one mating end of a replaceable bushing that is bonded to the inner surface of the hole in the head. The bushing comprises a cylindrical hollow body, whereby the drill remains inside and protrudes from the bushing by the desired length to drill into the maxilla. For this reason, depending on the stage of the operation and the required hole depth, the bushing is replaced with at least another bushing of a different length and / or thickness from the original bushing.

[0012] Thus, as the surgery progresses, the bushings are replaced with shorter ones, allowing more length of the drill to be introduced into the maxillary foramen and create the hole in the maxilla required for placing the dental implant. The fact that the bushing is attached to the head allows the head and instrument to move together, allowing for greater freedom of movement for drilling the hole.

[0013] Additionally, since the drill is rotating inside the bushing, contact occurs during surgery between the outer surface of the bushing and the inner surface of the guide splint hole, and since these are static elements, greater precision and less risk to the patient is possible by not requiring clearance in the splint hole, because the rotation of the drill is not in contact with the splint placed in the patient's maxilla.

[0014] All of the above provides a guidance system for dental implant surgery that improves upon the problems of currently known instruments.

[0015] Details of the invention are shown in the following drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the guidance system. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the guidance system of FIG. 1 with a single bushing. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled guidance system of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a guidance system of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the guidance system of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a guidance system (10) for performing the necessary surgery for the placement of a dental implant and the subsequent restoration of the missing tooth on the dental implant to replace the missing or defective tooth (9). As is already known, every surgery for the placement of an implant requires at least one guidance splint (11), on which the guidance system (10) of the present invention rests during the surgery.

[0018] The guide splint (11) includes a guide hole (12) in the dental arch where the patient's tooth (9) is missing. The guide hole (12) is calculated with the aid of digital technology using a three-dimensional radiographic image of the patient's teeth and maxilla and an intraoral scanner according to the diameter of the implant to be used, calculating the direction or trajectory in which the implant needs to be introduced and then creating a hole or bed in the patient's maxilla to accommodate the corresponding implant. Once the guide hole (12) is calculated and the guide splint (11) is generated, the guide splint (11) is placed on the patient's maxilla, and the guide hole (12) indicates to the dentist where to guide the guide system (10) to perform the implant insertion surgery. As can be seen in the drawing, the guide splint (11) includes two or more guide holes (12), allowing for simultaneous surgery and the insertion of multiple implants.

[0019] 1-3 illustrate a guide system (10) comprising an instrument (1) coupled to at least one drill (5) rotated by a power unit for drilling a maxillary foramen into which an implant is inserted. As can be seen in the drawings, the guide system (10) comprises at least one set of at least one bushing (4) fixed to a head (2) of the instrument (1) and concentrically surrounding the drill (5). The instrument (1) comprises an elongate body having a distal end (1a) via which a dentist manipulates the instrument (1) and a proximal end (1b) having a hollow head (2) to which the drill (5) rotated by a power unit is fixed. The drill (5) is responsible for drilling the maxillary foramen in the patient's maxilla for subsequent introduction of a dental implant, which will allow for the final placement of a crown. The head (2) of the instrument (1) has an inner surface (2a) to which at least one bushing (4) of the assembly is joined by a mating end (4a) of the bushing (4). The inner surface (2a) of the head (2) and the outer mating end (4a) of the bushing (4) are complementary. The bushing (4) also has a hollow cylindrical body protruding from one end (4b) of the bushing (4) for insertion and rotation of a drill (5) connected to the head (2) of the instrument (1) through the hollow cylindrical body to make posterior contact with the maxillary bone.

[0020] The embodiments of Figures 1-3 incorporate some essential features of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 1, the guidance system (10) includes at least one bushing (4) set (40) that can be replaced with at least another bushing (4) or multiple bushings (4). The bushing set (40) has the same diameter depending on the implant to be placed in the patient's oral cavity and various lengths that allow it to be interchanged depending on the stage of surgery and the required depth of the maxillary foramen. According to the drilling protocol, the drill (5) also changes length and thickness depending on the dental implant to be placed. However, while the drill (5) can continue to rotate without contacting the inner surface of the bushing (4) to drill the maxillary foramen, there is no need to change the bushing (4) unless the depth of the maxillary foramen requires it. Therefore, depending on the stage of surgery, as many bushings (4) as required by the surgery or the depth of the implant to be placed are required in the bushing set (40). This is because the greater the contact surface of the guidance splint (11) with the guidance foramen (12), the better the guidance system (10) of the present invention can be guided. Additionally, in Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the mating end (4a) and the inner surface (2a) of the head (2) are threaded and complementary to each other.

[0021] Optionally, the guide hole (12) comprises at least one metal sleeve on the inner surface of the guide hole (12), which allows the diameter of the hole (12) to not change when the guide splint (11) hardens. In addition to this shape, a more precise fit between the bushing and the inner surface of the guide hole (12) is allowed.

[0022] The interchangeability of the bushing (4) is due to the fact that drilling the maxillary foramen requires that the length of the drill (5) protruding from the final end (4b) of the bushing (4) be variable depending on the point in the dental implant insertion surgery, as shown in Figure 3. As the surgery progresses, it is necessary to change the drill (5), i.e., according to the drilling protocol, both the diameter and the length of the drill (5) are changed, and it is advanced deeper into the maxillary bone until sufficient depth and thickness of the maxillary foramen is obtained for inserting the dental implant.

[0023] Thanks to the bushing (4) as an additional guiding element for the drill (5), it is possible to drill the maxillary foramen with greater precision, i.e. the movement of the drill (5) does not come into direct contact with the guiding splint (11), and therefore the guiding holes (12) of the splint (11) can be closer to the outer diameter of the bushing (4) than in known splints, since they are not calculated taking into account clearance for the rotation of the drill (5). A more precise guiding system (10) is therefore achieved.

[0024] In addition, unlike other guidance systems, the bushings (4, 40) do not remain blocked in the guide holes (12) of the guide splint (11), i.e., the bushings (4) do not block the rotation of the power unit of the instrument (1) relative to the insertion axis of the implant, allowing greater freedom of movement for the dentist.

[0025] Optionally, the guide system (10) can be guided by at least two guide splints (11) with different diameters of guide holes (12) to guide the set of bushings (40) and the drill (5) of the guide system (10).

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the guide system 20 includes an adapter member 3 between the head 2 and the bushing 4. The adapter member 3 is necessary when the mating end 4a of the bushing 4 is not complementary to the inner surface 2a of the head 2. In this case, the adapter member 3 is necessary to allow the bushing 4 to be secured to the instrument 1. The adapter member 3 comprises a hollow cylindrical body having an upper end 3a of a suitable diameter, with longitudinal slots 3c positioned around the surface of the adapter body 3 from the upper end 3a to the lower end 3b. Thus, they allow the diameter of the upper end 3a to increase or decrease when the head 2 is introduced inside the adapter member 3 through a combination of vertical insertion (V) and twisting movements at the ends, thereby allowing the adapter member 3 to engage the instrument 1 when it reaches the proper position. In this manner, the upper end (3a) can conform to the diameter of the head (2) thanks to the groove (3c), and as the slot (3c) tends to return to its initial position of smaller diameter, the slot (3c) presses against the head (2) to secure the adapter member (3) to the instrument (1). Additionally, the adapter member (3) has a lower end (3b) complementary to the mating end (4a) of the bushing (4) for coupling at least one bushing (4) to the instrument (1). Optionally, the adapter member (3) has a protruding arcuate hook (3d) extending from the upper end (3a) to embrace the longitudinal body of the instrument (1) and block sliding of the adapter member (3) with the head (2) in the vertical direction (V), as seen in FIG. 5 .

[0027] As previously mentioned, in the preferred embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, the bushing (4) has a mating end (4a) that is complementary to the lower end (3b) of the adapter member (3), where the mating portion is preferably threaded.

[0028] Due to all the above, the present invention provides an improved and comfortable guidance system 10 with greater precision in preparing the maxillary foramen for dental implant placement by using the instrument 1 and at least one bushing 4. In addition, the dentist can use the instrument 1 with one hand since all additional auxiliary components are attached to the instrument 1.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a procedure for preparing and using the inventive guidance system (10) during an implant placement operation. First, when a dental implant needs to be placed, it is necessary to carry out a dental examination, for which dental X-rays and 3D imaging are performed to obtain models of the patient's teeth (9) and jaws. In this way, it is possible to calculate, on these models, the trajectory for drilling the maxillary foramen by the instruments (1) of the inventive guidance system (10).

[0030] Once the trajectory is calculated, a guide splint (11) is printed using 3D technology with calculated guide holes (12) to assist the inventive guide system (10) during the drilling procedure. Therefore, the next step is to place the splint (11) in the patient's mouth and begin the process of drilling the maxillary drill hole.

[0031] Once the guide splint (11) is in place, the procedure for preparing and using the guide system (10) is characterized by coupling at least one bushing (4) of the set of bushings (40) of the guide system (10) to the head (2) of the instrument (1) on which is secured a rotating drill (5) that is inserted concentrically through the bushing (4) to drill the maxillary foramen.

[0032] Once the drill (5) and bushing (4) are secured to the power unit and head (2), respectively, a hole is drilled into the bone where the dental implant will be placed. To do this, according to the drilling protocol and procedures of the present invention, it is necessary to start with a shorter, thinner drill (5) with a longer bushing (4), i.e., a minimally protruding drill (5) and bushing (4) set, so that the initial maxillary hole is as precise as possible. Subsequently, the thickness and length of the drill (5) must be increased and the length of the bushing (4) replaced, thereby creating a conical hole, such as the shape of the dental implant. In summary, once the dental implant and bushing set (40) to be used during the procedure have been selected, the first drill (5) is secured and the longest bushing (4) is positioned concentrically around the drill (5), allowing the drill (5) to protrude from the bottom (4b) of the bushing (4) the minimum length necessary for an accurate initial maxillary hole. Thus, once the bushing (4) is positioned, it is inserted into the guide hole (12) of the guide splint (11) to drill a first hole with the greatest possible contact between the bushing (4) and the splint (11) for better guidance. The drill (5) then needs to be changed to the next one according to the drilling protocol etc. until the maxillary hole is completed and the dental implant can be inserted.

[0033] Optionally, if the thickness of the drill 5 is increased and / or a greater or lesser projection length of the drill 5 is required, the procedure requires a change of the bushing 4. Thus, the bushing 4 is replaced with another bushing 4 of the set of bushings 40, allowing the drill 5 to rotate concentrically inside and continuing to allow the contact length between the bushing 4 and the guide hole 12 to remain as large as possible, thereby achieving a more precise guide procedure.

[0034] Once the maxillary foramen is drilled, the metal bolt of the implant is inserted into the jaw, after which a prosthetic restoration such as a crown, bridge or other element is placed on it to replace the affected tooth (9).

Claims

1. A guide system (10) for the placement of at least one dental implant, comprising an instrument (1) to which at least one rotating drill (5) is attached, said guide system (10) comprising a set (40) of at least one bushing (4) attached to a head (2) of said instrument (1) and concentrically surrounding said drill (5), said guide system (10) comprising a guide splint (11) intended to be placed in a patient's oral cavity, said guide splint (11) comprising at least one guide hole (12) through which said bushing (4) and said drill (5) are inserted, the bushing (4) is interchangeable with at least another bushing (4) of the set (40) of bushings of a different length; The guidance system (10) additionally comprises an adapter member (3) between the head (2) and the bushing (4), the adapter member (3) having an upper end (3a) with a diameter that is compatible with the head (2). A guidance system (10).

2. 2. The guidance system (10) of claim 1, wherein the bushing (4) comprises a hollow cylinder through which the drill (5) is inserted.

3. 2. The guidance system (10) according to claim 1, wherein an adapter member (3) is adapted to the head (2) by means of a longitudinal slot (3c) from the upper end (3a) to the lower end (3b), the head (2) being inserted and remaining inside the adapter member (3), the lower end (3b) engaging with a connecting end (4a) from the bushing (4).

4. 4. A guidance system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the adapter member (3) comprises an arcuate protruding hook (3d) for embracing the elongate body of the instrument (1).

5. 4. The guidance system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the bushing (4) comprises a mating end (4a) that is threaded complementarily to the lower end (3b) of the adapter member (3).

6. 2. The guide system (10) of claim 1, wherein the guide hole (12) of the guide splint (11) comprises at least one metallic sleeve on an inner surface of the guide hole (12).

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