Animal Tooth Implant and Method for Manufacturing a Crown-Integrated Abutment for the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an animal dental implant for replacing damaged or lost teeth in animals, comprising: a fixture having male screw threads formed on its outer surface for implantation into the alveolar bone of an animal, a first connecting portion formed on its upper portion that protrudes or is recessed, and a first fastening surface formed on the first connecting portion that is flat in the longitudinal direction; and a crown-integrated abutment formed of a titanium alloy, integrally formed with a crown, and having a second connecting portion formed on its lower surface that corresponds to the first connecting portion, wherein a second fastening surface corresponding to the first fastening surface is formed on the second connecting portion, so that the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion are press-fitted together and a cold-welding bonding force is formed by friction.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental implant for animals, and more specifically, to an animal dental implant in which an abutment, in which a fixture and a crown are integrally formed and implanted into the alveolar bone of an animal, is press-fitted and fastened by a cold welding method. Background Technology

[0003] With the aging of companion animals and the increasing prevalence of periodontal disease and tooth loss, the demand for dental implants for animals is continuously rising. However, most conventional animal implants are simply scaled-down or adapted versions of human implant structures, which has resulted in problems such as an insufficient consideration of the animal's irregular chewing movements and limitations of the surgical environment.

[0004] In particular, while conventional technology typically involves fastening the fixture and abutment using screws, problems such as screw loosening, breakage, and maintenance difficulties have arisen due to the unique chewing habits of humans and other animals, as well as their tendency to tear food. Additionally, when the crown and abutment are configured separately, there were limitations in that the fabrication and surgical processes became more complex and the procedure time increased.

[0005] Furthermore, even when manufacturing crown-integrated abutments, there was a possibility of reduced precision or manufacturing defects due to insufficient consideration of the machining sequence and fixing method. Prior art literature

[0007] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2670184 The problem to be solved

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a realistic and concrete solution that allows lost or problematic teeth to be simply replaced with implants, so that pets, such as dogs considered as family members, can live longer and healthier lives.

[0009] In other words, considering that it is an animal, we aim to provide an implant consisting of a fixture and a crown-integrated abutment to minimize procedure time.

[0010] In addition, the fixture and crown-integrated abutment are designed to enable a simple and rapid procedure by allowing them to be mutually constrained by a cold-welding bonding force caused by friction instead of using screws. means of solving the problem

[0012] The animal dental implant of the present invention for achieving the objectives as described above comprises: a fixture having male screw threads formed on its outer surface for implantation into the alveolar bone of an animal, a first connecting portion formed on its upper portion that protrudes or is recessed, and a first fastening surface formed on the first connecting portion that is flat in the longitudinal direction; and a crown-integrated abutment formed of a titanium alloy, integrally formed with a crown, having a second connecting portion formed on its lower surface that corresponds to and is coupled with the first connecting portion, wherein a second fastening surface corresponding to the first fastening surface is formed on the second connecting portion, and wherein the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion are press-fitted together to form a cold-welding bonding force through friction.

[0013] Preferably, the first and second connecting parts are formed in a tapered shape, so that the cold welding bonding strength is increased by increasing the contact area and stress concentration during press-fit bonding.

[0014] Preferably, the fixture has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the top to the bottom, and the root portion formed at the lowest side is characterized by including a section in which the outer diameter increases and then decreases again.

[0015] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant, comprising: a first step of connecting a scan body using a first connecting portion and a first fastening surface formed on a fixture implanted in the alveolar bone of an animal; a second step of acquiring a digital impression using an intraoral scanner of the scan body, wherein an internal positioning surface corresponding to the first fastening surface is formed on the lower inner diameter surface and a scan surface parallel to the internal positioning surface is formed on the outer surface; a third step of designing a crown-integrated abutment using the digital impression; a fourth step of preparing for processing by transmitting a modeling file of the designed crown-integrated abutment to a CAM device; and a fifth step of manufacturing a premilled abutment by processing a second connecting portion corresponding to the first connecting portion formed on the fixture at one end in the longitudinal direction of a material block made of titanium or a titanium alloy, and processing the other end to form a jig fastening portion. The method is characterized by comprising: a sixth step of fixing the jig fastening part to the holder of the CAM equipment and then processing it to be close to the shape of a tooth; a seventh step of separating the jig fastening part from the holder and then cutting the jig fastening part to produce a preliminary crown-integrated abutment; and an eighth step of surface treating the preliminary crown-integrated abutment to complete the crown-integrated abutment. Effects of the invention

[0017] The animal dental implant according to the present invention is configured such that a fixture and a crown-integrated abutment are press-fitted together to form a cold-welding bonding force through friction between contact surfaces, thereby effectively preventing loosening of the fastening part or detachment due to rotation.

[0018] In addition, since stable connection is possible without separate fastening screws or anti-rotation structures, the structure of the implant can be simplified, thereby providing the effect of simplifying the manufacturing process and surgical procedure.

[0019] In addition, by forming the crown and abutment as a single unit, the need for an additional crown mounting process during the procedure is eliminated, shortening the procedure time and improving the convenience and reliability of animal implant procedures. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an animal dental implant according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the structure of an animal dental implant according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of a fixture applied to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fixture applied to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is an example of a fixture in which a root portion is formed. FIG. 6 is a process flowchart for a method of manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for animal dental implants. Figure 7 is an example of a scan body. Fig. 8 is an example of a premilled abutment. FIG. 9 is an example diagram of fabricating a preliminary crown-integrated abutment by cutting the jig connection part. FIG. 10 is an example diagram showing the process of designing a crown-integrated abutment using a scan body. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, focusing on preferred embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments are merely examples to aid in understanding the invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an animal dental implant according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram of an animal dental implant according to a second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a side view of a fixture applied to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fixture applied to the second embodiment, FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a fixture in which a root portion is formed, FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant, FIG. 7 is an example diagram of a scan body, FIG. 8 is an example diagram of a premilled abutment, FIG. 9 is an example diagram of producing a preliminary crown-integrated abutment by cutting a jig fastening portion, and FIG. 10 is an example diagram showing the process of designing a crown-integrated abutment using a scan body.

[0026] An animal dental implant according to the present invention comprises a fixture (100) implanted in the alveolar bone of an animal and a crown-integrated abutment (200) press-fitted to the fixture (100).

[0027] The fixture (100) has male screw threads (110) formed on its outer surface, which is intended to allow it to be stably implanted into the alveolar bone of an animal. The upper portion of the fixture (100) is a region that is coupled with the lower portion of the crown-integrated abutment (200), and a first connecting portion (120) that protrudes or is recessed is formed therein, and a first fastening surface (130) that is flat in the longitudinal direction is formed on one side of the first connecting portion (120).

[0028] That is, the upper part of the fixture (100) is formed as a horizontal plane, and a first connecting part (120) is formed that protrudes or is sunken in the center of the horizontal plane. It is preferable that such connecting protrusions or connecting grooves form a circular shape overall and have a tapered shape at a predetermined angle.

[0029] Meanwhile, a first fastening surface (130) that is flat in the vertical direction is formed in a portion of the first connecting part (120), and the first fastening surface (130) is intended to allow the direction of connection to be determined simply and accurately when connecting the crown-integrated abutment (200) to be described later.

[0030] The crown-integrated abutment (200) may be made of titanium or a titanium alloy and is formed integrally with the crown. A second connecting portion (210) is formed on the lower surface of the crown-integrated abutment (200) to correspond to and be coupled with the first connecting portion (120) of the fixture (100), and a second connecting surface (220) corresponding to the first connecting surface (1330) is formed on the second connecting portion (210).

[0031] A crown-integrated abutment (200) is coupled to a fixture (100) fixed to the alveolar bone of an animal. When the second connecting part (210) of the crown-integrated abutment (200) is aligned with the first connecting part (120) of the fixture (100) and pressed downward, the first connecting part (120) and the second connecting part (210) are fastened by forming a cold welding bonding force through mutual friction.

[0032] Since the crown-integrated abutment (200) of the present invention has the crown and the abutment integrated, the crown-integrated abutment (200) can be simply pressed into the fixture (100) to perform the procedure.

[0033] Cold welding bonding force is formed between the first connecting part (120) and the second connecting part (210) by friction generated during the press-fitting process, and accordingly, a strong bonding state can be maintained without a separate fastening screw or anti-rotation member.

[0034] The first and second connecting portions (120, 210) can preferably be formed in a tapered shape, and when the first and second connecting portions (120, 210) are formed in a tapered shape, the contact area gradually increases and local stress concentration occurs during press-fit bonding, thereby ensuring a more stable cold welding bonding force.

[0035] In particular, in the present invention, a first fastening surface (130) that is flat in the longitudinal direction is formed on the first connecting portion (120) of the fixture (100), and a second fastening surface (220) that is flat in the longitudinal direction is formed on the second connecting portion (210) of the crown-integrated abutment (200). When the crown-integrated abutment (200) is press-fitted to the fixture (100), the first fastening surface (130) and the second fastening surface (220) interlock with each other to form a cold-welding joint, and at the same time, a structure that does not rotate is formed.

[0036] Preferably, the shape of the second connecting part (210) formed on the crown-integrated abutment (200) and the first connecting part (120) formed on the top of the fixture (100) may vary depending on the shape of the animal's tooth.

[0037] For example, if the crown-integrated abutment (200) has a relatively long and curved shape like a canine tooth, the second connecting part (210) may be formed with an increased axial protrusion length, taking into account the shape of the crown and expected load characteristics.

[0038] Accordingly, a first connecting part (120) in the form of a concave groove into which a second connecting part (210) is inserted may be formed relatively deeply at the upper part of the fixture (100), thereby increasing the contact area during press-fitting, so as to improve the cold welding bonding strength and to provide sufficient resistance to torsional force or bending moment.

[0039] Cold welding joints using press-fit connections can prevent a decrease in fastening force or loosening due to rotation even during long-term use after fastening, enabling stable use even in environments with irregular external forces or animal chewing habits.

[0040] The fixture (100) of the present invention may be configured to have a shape in which the outer diameter gradually decreases from the top to the bottom. This shape is intended to appropriately control insertion resistance when implanted in the alveolar bone and to prevent excessive stress from concentrating on the alveolar bone during the implantation process.

[0041] In particular, a root portion (140) may be formed at the lowest end of the fixture (100) of the present invention, and the root portion (140) may be formed to include a section in which the outer diameter temporarily increases and then decreases again. Unlike a simple tapered fixture, the shape of such a root portion (140) is a structural feature intended to improve mechanical bonding strength within the alveolar bone.

[0042] In general, the alveolar bone of animals, especially dogs and cats, often has uneven bone density and shape compared to human alveolar bone, and the teeth are also often long and pointed. For this reason, securing primary stability is an important factor when implanting.

[0043] The root portion (140) of the present invention is designed considering the shape of the alveolar bone of such animals. The contact area with the alveolar bone is increased by the expansion section in which the outer diameter increases, thereby preventing the implant from moving slightly inside the alveolar bone after implantation. In addition, by forming a section in which the outer diameter decreases again, excessive pressure on the alveolar bone that may occur during the implantation process is relieved, and a stable fixation state can be maintained while reducing damage to the bone tissue.

[0044] This root portion (140) structure is particularly advantageous when applied to tooth positions that are long, such as canines, and where lateral loads are significant during occlusion. Since canines can generate large shear forces and bending moments during occlusion, a stable fixation structure at the lower end of the implant is required. The root portion (140) of the present invention acts as a kind of anchor within the alveolar bone, thereby effectively suppressing rotation or axial movement of the implant.

[0045] In addition, since the shape of the root portion (140) has the effect of increasing the contact area with bone tissue inside the alveolar bone, it is advantageous for maintaining a stable bonding state even during the process of osseointegration formation over the long term.

[0046] Accordingly, the fixture (100) according to the present invention can simultaneously secure initial fixation force suitable for the shape of an animal's alveolar bone and long-term bonding stability through a basic shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the top to the bottom and a structure in which the outer diameter temporarily increases at the bottom root portion (140) and then decreases again.

[0048] Next, a method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0049] The method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant according to the present invention includes a process of digitally acquiring the oral structure of an animal and designing and fabricating a customized crown-integrated abutment based thereon. This manufacturing method enables the production of an implant suitable for the oral structure of each individual by utilizing digital impression technology and CAD / CAM processing processes.

[0050] In the first step (S100), a scan body (300) is connected using a first connecting part (120) formed on a fixture (100) implanted in the alveolar bone of an animal.

[0051] More specifically, a first fastening surface (130) formed in the longitudinal direction together with a first connecting part (120) is formed on the upper part of the fixture (100), and an internal positioning surface (310) corresponding to the first fastening surface (130) is formed on the lower inner diameter surface of the scan body (300).

[0052] Accordingly, the scan body (300) can be coupled to the first connecting part (120) of the fixture (100) in an accurate direction, and such a structure allows the scan body (300) to be coupled to the fixture (100) in a constant direction without rotation, thereby enabling accurate position information to be secured during the subsequent digital scanning process.

[0053] In the second step (S200), an intraoral scanner is used to scan the oral structure in which the scan body (300) is combined to obtain a digital impression. On the outer surface of the scan body (300), a scan surface (320) parallel to the internal positioning surface (310) is formed, and this scan surface (320) can be formed as a flat structure that is easy for the scanner to recognize.

[0054] Through this scanning surface (320), the scanning equipment can accurately recognize the position and direction of the scan body (300), and as a result, can obtain accurate three-dimensional data regarding the position and angle of the fixture (100), and the digital impression data obtained in this way may include information such as the position of the fixture (100), the relationship with adjacent teeth, and the occlusal state.

[0055] In the third step (S300), a crown-integrated abutment (200) is designed using the digital impression data obtained in the second step (S200).

[0056] In this stage, a crown-integrated abutment (200) structure including a second connecting part (210) corresponding to a first connecting part (120) of a fixture (100) is designed using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, and at the same time, a crown shape suitable for the shape of an animal's tooth is designed. In particular, during the design process, the shape, taper angle, and position of the fastening surface of the second connecting part (210) that is press-fitted with the fixture (100) are considered, and the shape of the crown can also be determined by considering the occlusal relationship with adjacent teeth and the alignment of the teeth.

[0057] In the fourth step (S400), the modeling file of the crown-integrated abutment (200) created in the design stage is transmitted to a CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) machine to prepare for processing.

[0058] In this process, coordinate alignment of modeling data, setting of tool paths, and setting of machining conditions can be performed, preparing the system so that the subsequent cutting process can be carried out accurately.

[0059] In the fifth step (S500), a pre-milled abutment (200a) is manufactured using a material block made of titanium or a titanium alloy. In this step, a second connecting part (210) is machined at one end in the longitudinal direction of the material block to correspond to and be coupled with a first connecting part (120) formed in the fixture (100), and a jig fastening part (230) for fixing in a CAM machine is machined at the other end. By manufacturing the pre-milled abutment (200a) in this way, the workpiece can be stably fixed in the subsequent crown shape machining step.

[0060] In the sixth step (S600), the jig fastening part (230) is fixed to the holder of the CAM equipment, and cutting is performed to process it to a shape close to a crown. The processing performed in this step is based on the modeling data designed in the CAD stage, and a structure close to the final tooth shape is formed by removing the material block step by step using a cutting tool.

[0061] In step 7 (S700), the pre-milled abutment (200a) processed from the holder of the CAM equipment is separated, and the jig fastening part (230) is cut and removed to produce a preliminary crown-integrated abutment (200b). Since the jig fastening part (230) is a structure intended for fixation during the processing process, it can be removed before being used as an actual implant.

[0062] In the eighth step (S800), the surface of the preliminary crown-integrated abutment (200b) is finished through polishing, sandblasting, or other surface treatment processes to complete the final crown-integrated abutment (200). Through such surface treatment, the surface roughness of the product can be controlled, the appearance quality can be improved, and foreign body sensation or friction can be reduced during oral use.

[0064] Next, more specific embodiments related to the present invention will be presented.

[0065] This embodiment is intended to explain the process of performing an implant procedure using a crown-integrated abutment according to the present invention in cases where a pet dog's canine tooth is damaged.

[0066] For example, consider a case where a canine tooth located in the upper or lower jaw of a pet dog is fractured or loses function due to trauma or periodontal disease. Since canines are long teeth subjected to significant lateral loads during occlusion, high initial fixation and a stable bonding structure are required.

[0067] First, the practitioner examines the dog's oral condition, extracts the damaged canine tooth or removes the remaining root, and prepares the alveolar bone. Subsequently, the placement and orientation of the fixture are determined, and the shape and density of the alveolar bone are analyzed by scanning the dog's oral structure using an intraoral scanner or by utilizing CT scan data.

[0068] Next, the fixture according to the present invention is implanted into the alveolar bone of the dog.

[0069] The above fixture is fastened to the alveolar bone by means of screw threads formed on its outer surface, and includes a shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the top to the bottom, as well as a structure in which the outer diameter increases at the lowest root portion and then decreases again.

[0070] This structure acts as an anchor within the alveolar bone to enhance initial fixation and enables stable support against lateral loads occurring in the canine region.

[0071] After the fixture is stably implanted, a scan body is attached to the first connection portion of the fixture. Since the scan body includes an internal positioning surface corresponding to the first connection surface, it is attached to the fixture in an accurate direction without rotation. In this state, digital impression data is acquired by scanning the inside of the oral cavity using an intraoral scanner. This data includes the position and angle of the fixture, the relationship with adjacent teeth, occlusal information, etc.

[0072] A crown-integrated abutment is designed using CAD software based on the acquired digital impression data.

[0073] In this process, a second connecting part corresponding to the first connecting part of the fixture, a tapered structure that enables cold welding during press-fit bonding, and a long, pointed crown shape suitable for the shape of a canine tooth are designed together. In particular, since canines are long and subject to concentrated loads, it is desirable to design the connection part so that the bonding depth and contact area are sufficiently secured.

[0074] The designed data is transmitted to a CAM machine to machine a premilled abutment using a titanium or titanium alloy block. At this time, a second connecting part that is coupled to the fixture is machined first, and a crown shape is machined while a jig fastening part is formed on the opposite side to ensure stable machining. After machining is completed, the jig fastening part is removed and surface treatment is performed to complete the final crown-integrated abutment.

[0075] The completed crown-integrated abutment is joined to the first connecting part of the fixture by a press-fit method, wherein the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are joined so as to correspond to each other, and the contact area is increased by the tapered structure and the frictional force is increased by the press-fit force to form a cold welding bond, thereby securing a strong bond without a separate screw.

[0076] After the bonding is complete, the crown-integrated abutment functions in a form similar to the dog's natural teeth, and the masticatory and defensive functions of the canine teeth are restored. In addition, since the structure of the present invention enables prevention of rotation, improved resistance to lateral loads, and long-term osseointegration stability, stable implant maintenance is possible even in the oral environment of the dog. Industrial applicability

[0078] The animal dental implant according to the present invention can be applied to the field of medical implants for replacing damaged or lost teeth in companion animals. In particular, since customized tooth restoration is possible through a crown-integrated abutment structure, it can be utilized in animal dental hospitals and clinics, as well as in the veterinary implant manufacturing industry.

[0079] No content Explanation of the symbols

[0080] 100 : Fixture 110: Male thread 120: First connecting part 130 : First connection surface 140 : Root portion 200 : Crown-integrated abutment 210 : Second connecting part 220 : Second fastening surface 230 : Jig fastening part 200a: Premilled abutment 200b: Spare crown-integrated abutment 300 : Scan Body 310 : Internal positioning plane 320 : Scan surface S100: Phase 1 S200: Phase 2 S300: Phase 3 S400: Stage 4 S500: Phase 5 S600: Stage 6 S700: Stage 7 S800: Stage 8

Claims

Claim 1 A dental implant for animals characterized by comprising: a fixture having male screw threads formed on its outer surface for implantation into the alveolar bone of an animal, a first connecting portion formed on its upper portion that protrudes or is recessed, and a first fastening surface formed on the first connecting portion that is flat in the longitudinal direction; and a crown-integrated abutment formed of titanium alloy, integrally formed with a crown, and having a second connecting portion formed on its lower surface that corresponds to and is coupled with the first connecting portion, wherein a second fastening surface corresponding to the first fastening surface is formed on the second connecting portion, and wherein the second connecting portion and the first connecting portion are press-fitted together to form a cold-welding bonding force through friction. Claim 2 An animal dental implant according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting part and the second connecting part are formed in a tapered shape so as to increase the cold welding bonding strength by increasing the contact area and stress concentration during press-fit bonding. Claim 3 An animal dental implant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixture has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the top to the bottom, and the root portion formed at the lowest side includes a section in which the outer diameter increases and then decreases again. Claim 4 A method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant comprises: a first step of joining a scan body using a first connection portion and a first fastening surface formed on a fixture implanted in the alveolar bone of an animal; a second step of acquiring a digital impression using an intraoral scanner of the scan body, wherein an internal positioning surface corresponding to the first fastening surface is formed on the lower inner diameter surface and a scan surface parallel to the internal positioning surface is formed on the outer surface; a third step of designing a crown-integrated abutment using the digital impression; a fourth step of preparing for processing by transmitting a modeling file of the designed crown-integrated abutment to a CAM device; a fifth step of manufacturing a premilled abutment by processing a second connection portion corresponding to the first connection portion formed on the fixture at one end in the longitudinal direction of a material block made of titanium or a titanium alloy, and processing the other end to form a jig fastening portion; and fixing the jig fastening portion to a holder of the CAM device and then processing it to closely resemble a tooth shape. A method for manufacturing a crown-integrated abutment for an animal dental implant, characterized by comprising: a 6th step; a 7th step of separating the jig fastening part from the holder and then cutting the jig fastening part to produce a preliminary crown-integrated abutment; and an 8th step of surface treating the preliminary crown-integrated abutment to complete the crown-integrated abutment.

Images