Dental device for preserving alveolar crests at tooth extraction sites and for promoting jawbone regeneration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental device (1) for preserving the alveolar ridge around a socket (2) after tooth extraction and for promoting jawbone regeneration within the socket (2). The dental device (1) is characterized by comprising a screw (3) made entirely of a biodegradable material to eliminate the need for a removal procedure, wherein the screw (3) is adapted to be firmly fixed within the jawbone (4) of the socket (2) to prevent micromotion during bone tissue regeneration, the screw (3) has a length such that its head is flush with the alveolar ridge (5) around the socket (2) when inserted to promote full bone regeneration within the socket (2), and the screw (3) has a depression (6) and pores (7) for perfusing blood into the depression (6) to form a blood clot that serves as a biological matrix for bone growth within the socket (2), the pores (7) having a diameter of substantially 20 micrometers or more.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to dental techniques for alveolar ridge preservation and promoting jawbone regeneration at tooth extraction sites prior to implantation. More specifically, the present invention relates to dental devices for preserving alveolar ridges around tooth extraction sockets and promoting jawbone regeneration within tooth extraction sockets prior to implantation. [Background technology]

[0002] Immediate placement of a dental implant in a fresh extraction socket is often not recommended due to the higher implant failure rate compared to continued socket healing and grafting. Associated with this continued treatment is the problem of extensive resorption of the alveolar ridge around the extraction socket during the healing time. In the worst case scenario, insufficient bone volume remains for the placement of an implant. Therefore, several alveolar ridge preservation techniques have been proposed and developed to reduce jaw bone resorption. A wide range of alveolar ridge preservation techniques, such as filling the socket with graft material, covering with collagen plugs and various membranes or gingival punches, have shown efficacy, but only to a limited extent. These alveolar ridge preservation techniques cannot prevent lateral (buccolingually) thinning of 2 to 3 mm and vertical height loss of 1 to 2 mm. All of these techniques lack the effect of maintaining the original shape of the jaw. Therefore, the dental clinical research community has determined that complete preservation of the alveolar ridge is not possible.

[0003] WO2016 / 134979 discloses an alveolar ridge preservation technique in which a jawbone defect is filled with bone graft material and covered with a bioabsorbable magnesium membrane, which is fixed to the jawbone with magnesium alloy pins, nails, or screws. The commonly known technique of simply filling the defect with a particulate or moldable biomaterial and placing a bioabsorbable membrane on the defect is likely to cause vertical collapse. In addition, unstabilized graft materials may also deform when exposed to masticatory forces. It is also known that matrix micromotion during tissue regeneration favors soft tissue growth rather than new bone tissue. Furthermore, it has been observed that dense putties, among other things, result in insufficient nutrient perfusion within the bone graft material. This commonly known alveolar ridge preservation technique limits blood supply, which results in delayed bone growth during the healing phase. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art in an effective manner and to provide a dental device for promoting alveolar ridge preservation and jaw bone regeneration at a tooth extraction site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by a dental device as defined in claim 1. The dependent claims define further developments of the achievement through the present invention.

[0006] According to the present invention, the dental device has a screw made entirely of a biodegradable material to eliminate the need for a removal procedure. The screw is adapted to be fixed firmly in the jawbone of the socket to prevent micromotion during bone tissue regeneration. The screw has a length such that, when inserted, its head is flush with the alveolar ridge surrounding the socket to promote full bone regeneration in the socket. The screw has a recess and pores for perfusing blood into the recess to form a blood clot that serves as a biological matrix for bone growth in the socket.

[0007] The dental device of the present invention provides an effective technique for promoting alveolar ridge preservation and jawbone regeneration at the extraction site. The screw is manufactured from a biodegradable material, which offers a significant advantage over previous experimental approaches with titanium ceramic materials, which would need to remain in the patient for life, causing a negative perception for the costumer, and there is also concern about the generation of particulates when drilling the titanium ceramic material required for the implant. The dental device can be firmly inserted into the socket, as with the screw, improving the stability of the defect during tissue regeneration and preventing the growth of soft tissue compared to new bone tissue. The screw offers an additional advantage over non-stabilized graft materials, which may deform when exposed to masticatory forces. Because the screw acts as a post to maintain the height of the alveolar ridge, vertical collapse does not occur, the shape of the alveolus is maintained in the baseline situation, the loss of bone height is prevented, and the original shape of the jaw can be maintained. This advantage is also worthwhile compared to approaches that use graft materials to underfill the membrane, whose absorption leads to a loss of vertical height. The screw has recesses and pores that allow blood perfusion, a tight connection to the thrombus, and subsequent promotion of bone regeneration.

[0008] According to the present invention, to accommodate various anatomical cases with different socket depths and sizes, the screws of the dental device may be provided with different pre-defined lengths and diameters to be adjustable to individual socket depths and sizes, respectively, allowing dental practitioners to select and apply the dental device according to the needs of the patient.

[0009] According to the invention, the dental device may be manufactured from any type of resorbable material that provides suitable mechanical properties, for example biodegradable metals and / or biodegradable polymers can be used.

[0010] According to the present invention, different parts of the screw may be manufactured from biodegradable materials with different compositions and densities, allowing for tailoring of the absorption rate throughout the screw to achieve uniform healing within the socket, and also for tailoring of the mechanical strength throughout the screw.

[0011] According to the present invention, the dental device may be manufactured from magnesium or magnesium alloy. In this regard, the collapse of the screw leads to the delivery of magnesium ions with bone growth promoting properties, thereby achieving beneficial effects. It is well known that magnesium triggers the molecular pathway for new bone formation and that magnesium enhances the activity of calcium phosphate bone graft materials in vivo. Thus, the present invention provides the best known osteogenic environment and biological stimulation.

[0012] According to the present invention, in addition to magnesium, other bone formation promoting elements such as strontium may be included in the biodegradable magnesium alloy.

[0013] According to the invention, the screw, and in particular the surface of the screw, may be enriched with antibiotics or growth factors that promote bone formation.

[0014] According to the invention, the screw may be threaded at its tip so that the level of its end can be adjusted to correspond to the height of the alveolar ridge during insertion. The screw thread of the dental device serves to fix it firmly in the socket, either by self-tapping or pre-tapping. To ensure space for blood clots, the screw is preferably narrower than the socket, and therefore the thread is preferably provided only at the tapered tip of the screw.

[0015] According to the present invention, the head of the screw is formed with a flat surface to act as a base for a separate dental barrier film. Alternatively, the flat surface may be formed with a size and shape sufficient to act as a barrier covering the socket itself. The flat surface is substantially equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the screw so that it can cover the entire socket, including the space between the screw and the socket. The flat surface may have several different pre-defined sizes and shapes to accommodate all anatomical cases according to different socket sizes and shapes. Here, any dental barrier film commonly known to those skilled in the art can be used with the dental device. The dental barrier film may be further fixed via a gum flap around the socket. Similarly, the flat surface of the screw may be covered with a gum flap around the socket.

[0016] According to the invention, the dental device is a one-piece part in which the flat part and the screw including the recesses and the pores are made of one or more biodegradable materials. The dental device is preferably partially or entirely manufactured by additive manufacturing, preferably by selective laser melting.

[0017] According to the present invention, the screw may have a uniform grid-like structure, a platform structure or a pore structure surrounding the depressions forming the pores. To improve the mechanical strength, the size of the pores needs to be relatively small, but the pores must also be large enough to allow blood perfusion to the depressions. Here, each pore may preferably have a size of 0.005 to 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 20 micrometers, even more preferably at least 30 micrometers, even more preferably at least 60 micrometers, even more preferably less than 500 micrometers.

[0018] According to the present invention, the screw may have an opening at its tip to allow perfusion of blood from the jawbone into the cavity, and the end of the screw is preferably closed to prevent ingress of soft tissue or impurities into the cavity.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a tooth extraction site with a dental device inserted therein according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dental device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The reference numbers shown in the drawings designate the elements listed below and will be referenced in the description of the exemplary embodiments that follow. 1 Dental Device 2 sockets 3 Screw 4 Jawbone 5 Alveolar ridge 6. Hollow 7. Pore 8 Threads 9 Plane part 10 Opening 11 Gingival flap

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a dental device (1) for preserving the alveolar ridge around an extracted socket (2) and for promoting jawbone regeneration within the extracted socket (2) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dental device (1) has a screw (3) made entirely of a biodegradable material. The screw (3) is adapted to be fixed firmly within the jawbone (4) of the socket (2). The screw (3) has a length such that, when inserted, its head is flush with the alveolar ridge (5) around the socket (2). The screw (3) has a recess (6) and pores (7) for perfusing blood into the recess (6). The diameter of the pores (7) is preferably substantially 20 micrometers or more, more preferably substantially 30 micrometers or more, or even more preferably substantially 60 micrometers or more. The diameter of the pores (7) is preferably less than 500 micrometers.

[0023] In an alternative version of this embodiment (not shown), the screws (3) have several different pre-defined lengths and diameters to accommodate all anatomical cases according to different socket (2) depths and sizes.

[0024] The biodegradable material is preferably polymer-based and / or metal-based. The biodegradable material preferably comprises magnesium and / or strontium. The biodegradable material may also comprise growth factors and / or antibiotics in or on the surface of the screw (3). Different parts of the screw (3) may be made from biodegradable materials with different compositions and / or densities.

[0025] In this embodiment, the threads (8) of the screw (3) are adapted for pre-tapping. Alternatively, the threads (8) of the screw (3) may be adapted for self-tapping. The threads (8) are preferably provided only on the tapered tip of the screw (3).

[0026] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the dental device (1) of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the dental device (1) has a flat portion (9) formed on the head of the screw (3), which functions as a barrier by itself or as a support for a dental barrier film. The flat portion (9) is equal to or substantially larger than the outer diameter of the screw (3) so that it can cover the entire socket (2). The dental barrier film is used to cover the socket (2). The dental barrier film is provided separately from the flat portion (9). The flat portion (9) has a size and shape adapted to support the dental barrier film like a pad.

[0027] In alternative versions of this embodiment, the planar portion (9) has several different pre-defined sizes and shapes to accommodate all anatomical cases according to different socket (2) sizes and shapes.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the flat part (9) and the screw (3) including the recess (6) and the pore (7) are provided as one piece from biodegradable material(s), preferably a magnesium alloy. The dental device (1) is preferably manufactured partially or entirely by additive manufacturing. The additive manufacturing process preferably comprises selective laser melting applied to the above mentioned biodegradable material in powder form. The pores (7) are formed to the preferred diameter or size in the additive manufacturing process by selective laser melting of the biodegradable material.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the screw (3) has a pore structure surrounding the depression (6). This pore structure forms pores (7) for blood perfusion in the screw (3). Alternatively, a grid-like or platform-like structure may be manufactured to form pores (7) for blood perfusion in the screw (3).

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the screw (3) has an opening (10) at its tip to allow blood to perfuse from the jawbone (4) into the cavity (6), and the screw (3) is closed at its distal end to prevent soft tissue or the like from penetrating into the cavity (6).

[0031] The dental device (1) can be used in a fresh extraction site before implantation. The dentist measures the depth, size and shape of the socket (2) and selects the dental device (1) that matches exactly in length, diameter, dimensions and shape. The screw (3) is then inserted into the socket (2) so that its upper end is level with the alveolar ridge (5). Optionally, a dental barrier membrane is then placed on the flat portion (9) and secured in place via a gum flap (11) around the gum. The gum flap (11) is sutured. When the extraction site has healed, the dental device (1) is completely absorbed and no removal procedure is required. The implant can then be inserted into the regenerated jawbone. The present invention can significantly reduce the failure rate of implants.

Claims

1. A dental device (1) for preserving the alveolar ridge around a tooth extraction socket (2) and for promoting jaw bone regeneration within the tooth extraction socket (2), comprising: The screw (3) is entirely made of a biodegradable material to eliminate the need for a removal procedure; wherein the screw (3) is adapted to be fixed firmly within the jawbone (4) of the socket (2) to prevent micro-movements during bone tissue regeneration; The screw (3) has a length such that its head is flush with the alveolar ridge (5) around the socket (2) when inserted in order to promote bone regeneration filling the socket (2); The head of the screw (3) has a flat portion (9) that serves as a base for a dental barrier film, The flat portion (9) is larger than the outer diameter of the screw (3) so as to cover the space between the socket (2) and the screw (3); and said screw (3) having a recess (6) and pores (7) for perfusing blood into said recess (6) to form a blood clot that serves as a biological matrix for bone growth in said socket (2); The diameter of the pore or pores (7) is substantially 20 micrometers or more, A dental device (1).

2. 2. Dental device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of the pores (7) is substantially 30 micrometers or more, or substantially 60 micrometers or more.

3. Dental device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diameter of the pores (7) is substantially smaller than 500 micrometers.

4. The dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length and / or diameter of the screw (3) has one of a number of predefined lengths and / or diameters in order to accommodate all anatomical cases according to different socket (2) depths and sizes.

5. Dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the biodegradable material is polymer-based and / or metal-based.

6. 6. Dental device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the biodegradable material comprises magnesium.

7. Dental device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the biodegradable material contains strontium.

8. Dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the biodegradable material comprises growth factors and / or antibiotics.

9. 9. Dental device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the growth factors and / or antibiotics are applied to the surface of the screw (3).

10. Dental device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread (8) of the screw (3) is adapted for self-tapping.

11. Dental device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thread (8) of the screw (3) is adapted for pre-tapping.

12. Dental device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the screw thread (8) is provided only on the tapered tip of the screw (3).

13. 13. A dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a dental barrier film for covering the socket (2), wherein the planar portion (9) has a size and shape adapted to support the dental barrier film from below and is provided separately from the planar portion (9).

14. A dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the planar portion (9) has any of several different predefined dimensions and shapes in order to accommodate all anatomical cases according to different sizes and shapes of the sockets (2).

15. Dental device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses (6) and pores (7) are provided as an integral part manufactured from the biodegradable material.

16. Dental device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is partially or integrally manufactured by additive manufacturing.

17. 17. The dental device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the additive manufacturing process comprises selective laser melting.

18. 18. Dental device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the screw (3) has a grid-like, perforated and / or platform-like structure surrounding the recess (6).

19. A dental device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the screw (3) has an opening (10) at its tip to allow blood perfusion from the jawbone (4) to the cavity (6), and the end is closed to prevent penetration of soft tissue or the like into the cavity (6).

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