Dental implant system

Abstract

Dental implant (10) comprising a body having a proximal portion configured for enabling a prosthesis to be fixed thereto and a distal portion; characterized by the fact that it comprises a lateral opening (11) configured for receiving and holding an anchoring element (20) that extends along a transverse direction with respect to the body main direction.

Description

[0001] Dental Implant System

[0002] The present application claims priority to the earlier international application N° PCT / EP2023 / 070667 filed on July 26, 2023, in the name of VALLE Gonzalo Manuel, ZARAZAGA MASSETTI Sebastian and PEREZ Gustavo Fernando, the content of this earlier application being incorporated by reference in its entirety in the present application.

[0003] The present invention relates to dental implantology, specifically addressing the challenges associated with rehabilitating atrophic maxilla and mandible, in particular when it is characterized by significant bone loss in the upper and lower jaw. The present invention more precisely relates to the design and implementation of a dental implant system that enables the completion of the rehabilitation process even in case of significant bone loss in the upper and / or lower jaw.

[0004] Dental implants have gained widespread acceptance as an effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Typically resembling screws, they are surgically implanted into the jawbone of a patient to restore both functionality and aesthetics. The success of dental implant treatments relies heavily on achieving primary stability, which refers to the initial resistance to micromovement between the implant and the surrounding bone immediately after placement of the implant.

[0005] A dental implant according to the state of the art is shown in figure 1. Typically, such a system comprises the implant 1 which is fixed in a jawbone 2 and a prosthetic screw 5 which is used to fix an abutment 3 to the implant 1. The abutment 3 carries a crown 4 which forms the replacement tooth. In the procedure, the implant 1 is first screwed in the jawbone 2 and left in place a certain time (several weeks for example) until it is properly integrated in the jawbone 2. Then the abutment 3 is mounted on the implant 1 and attached thereto with the prosthetic screw 5. Finally, the crown 4 is mounted on the abutment 3.

[0006] However, a considerable number of patients, particularly older individuals, show an atrophic maxilla or mandible, characterized in particular by an alveolar bone deficit. Such patients pose significant challenges in achieving an adequate primary stability of the implant 1 in the jawbone 2 due to the diminished bone volume and density. Current treatment approaches used to overcome such conditions often require multiple surgeries and complex bone augmentation procedures, leading to extended treatment time and increased patient discomfort.

[0007] Also, such surgeries and bone augmentation procedures have risks for the patients, for example infections, or insufficient bone growth, other complications etc.

[0008] An aim of the present invention is to improve the known dental implants, implant systems, kits and parts thereof.

[0009] A further aim of the present invention is to propose an implant, a system and a kit that are able to overcome the challenges discussed above, such as rehabilitating the atrophic maxilla or mandible with alveolar bone deficit.

[0010] A further aim of the present invention is to provide an implant, an implant system and kit that are simple to use, reliable and that allow implants to be placed in a safe and stable manner.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments, the present invention concerns a dental implant system that simplifies and streamlines the rehabilitation process, in particular for atrophic maxilla and mandible, by enabling single-stage treatment (bone augmentation and implant placement at the same time). More precisely, in embodiments, the present invention concerns a dental implant comprising a body having a proximal portion configured for enabling a prosthesis (for example an abutment and a crown) to be fixed thereto and a distal portion containing at least one lateral opening configured for receiving and holding an anchoring element that preferably extends along a transverse direction with respect to the body main direction.

[0012] In embodiments, the implant according to the invention is preferably constructed from titanium or zirconia or other implantable materials and is specially designed to enhance primary stability.

[0013] In embodiments, the implant body comprises at least one transversal apical cavity forming a channel that allows for a stronger stabilization in the jawbone using an anchoring element, such as for example a locking screw, in cases of severe atrophy.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cavities are not necessarily transverse. For example, they may also only comprise one lateral opening only.

[0015] In embodiments where the anchoring element is a screw, the corresponding channel(s) may comprise an inner thread cooperating with the screw thread, for example in order to improve the fixation and stabilization of the implant.

[0016] The anchoring element may have any shape that is adapted to or suitable for the intended use.

[0017] Preferably, the anchoring element has the shape of a screw with a screw thread. Preferably, the thread at a distal end of the screw is a self-tapping thread.

[0018] In some embodiments, the anchoring element may have the shape of a rod or of shaft with a thread at least on some parts of the element. In embodiments, the apical end of the implant is smooth and round to prevent damage to the sinus membrane during implantation.

[0019] In embodiments, the anchoring element is made of a biocompatible material. Preferably, the material is not resorbable, for example a metal (e.g. Titanium), ceramics or other equivalent materials or mix thereof. In such embodiments, it may be easier to remove the anchoring element.

[0020] In some embodiments, the anchoring element is made of a biocompatible resorbable material such as magnesium alloys, for example.

[0021] More generally, the implant and the anchoring element may be in known suitable materials: metals, mix thereof, and alloys thereof, zirconia (ZrO2), alumina (AI2O3), mix thereof, titanium, alloys thereof etc.

[0022] The anchoring element reinforces the implant's stability, particularly in situations where the intrinsic design of the implant thread alone may not provide sufficient support, for example in case of bone loss as explained above.

[0023] Advantageously and in embodiments, a dedicated drilling guide is integrated into the system to facilitate precise drilling at the correct bone location for optimal placement of the anchoring element. This drilling guide is preferably mounted on the implant, which forms a reference. Preferably, the drilling guide is not fixed only on the implant to avoid mechanical constraints or stress on the implant itself. To this effect, additional means are used as described herein. The implant, the anchoring element and the drilling guide may form a kit with said different parts.

[0024] In embodiments, the invention concerns a dental implant comprising a body with a main axis having a proximal portion configured for enabling a prosthesis to be fixed thereto and a distal portion wherein the distal portion comprises at least an opening configured for receiving and holding an anchoring element that extends along a transverse direction with respect to the main axis. In embodiments, the opening is transversal with respect to the body main axis.

[0025] In embodiments, the dental implant may comprise several openings.

[0026] In embodiments, the opening(s) form(s) a channel in said body.

[0027] In embodiments, the channel comprises an internal thread intended to cooperate with an outer thread of the anchoring element.

[0028] In embodiments, the channel is in a plane perpendicular to the main axis.

[0029] In embodiments, the invention concerns a dental implant system comprising a dental implant as described in the present application and an anchoring element, wherein said dental implant is configured to be fixed to the surrounding bone by the anchoring element via the lateral opening.

[0030] In embodiments, the anchoring element is a screw with a thread.

[0031] In embodiments, the anchoring element is non-resorbable or resorbable.

[0032] In embodiments, the dental implant system comprises a cortical plate configured to be fixed to a jawbone of a patient by the anchoring element.

[0033] In embodiments, the invention concerns a kit comprising a dental implant system as described in the present application comprising a drilling guide for the anchoring element, said drilling guide comprising aligning means.

[0034] In embodiments, the aligning means comprise at least a guide hole in the guide allowing to drill the jawbone of the patient at predetermined location and with a predetermined alignment. In embodiments, the guide hole is in a plane perpendicular to the main axis of the implant or in a plane having an angle with the main axis of the implant.

[0035] In embodiments, the drilling guide comprises at least an occlusal screw to be attached to the implant and a stabilization pin.

[0036] In embodiments, the present invention concerns an implantation method as described in the present application and illustrated in the drawings.

[0037] In embodiments, the present invention concerns the use of a dental implant and / or an implant system and / or a kit as described in the present application and as illustrated in the drawings.

[0038] Other features and embodiments of the invention are described in the following detailed description.

[0039] The invention is described in more details in the following description with the help of some non-limiting examples and of the figures illustrating embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates components of a conventional dental implant system according to the prior art.

[0041] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of an implant system and kit according to the present invention.

[0042] Figures 3A (side and top perspective views), 3B (side perspective views), 3C (front perspective view) and 3D (lateral section view) illustrate an embodiment of the implant with the anchoring element according to the present invention. Figures 4A to 4C illustrate different parts of an embodiment of a drilling guide according to the invention.

[0043] Figures 5 to 12B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a method of using an implant according to the present invention.

[0044] Figures 13A to 17B schematically illustrate an embodiment of an implant according to the present invention with a cortical plate and bone substitute.

[0045] Figure 1 illustrates an implant system according to the prior art. Such an implant system comprises the implant 1 itself which is screwed into a jawbone 2 of a patient, an abutment 3 and a crown 4 mounted on the abutment 3. Once the abutment 3 is mounted on the implant 1, one usually uses a prosthetic screw 5 to attach both parts (implant 1 and abutment 3) together.

[0046] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the system and kit according to the invention. As illustrated, the system comprises a dental implant 10, an anchoring element 20. The kit further comprises a drilling guide 30 with an occlusal screw 31, stabilization pins 32 and a guide hole 33. The use of the drilling guide 30 will be explained hereunder in the present description.

[0047] Figures 3A to 3D illustrate an embodiment of an implant 10 according to the present invention. The implant 10 is similar to the implant 1 of figure 1 but comprises a transversal apical cavity 11 (for example under the shape of a channel) at its distal end which, in the implantation procedure, will receive an anchoring element 20, for example in the shape of a screw 20. Figures 3A (perspective and top views) and 3B (perspective view) show the implant 10 and the anchoring element 20 in their non-assembled state, i.e. before they have been implanted in the bone of a patient as will be explained and illustrated in the following description. The implant 10 also comprises an inner thread 13 (see figure 3D) to receive the prosthetic screw 5 (see figure 1).

[0048] Figures 3C (perspective view) shows the implant 10 and the anchoring element 20 in their assembled state, i.e. after they have been implanted in the bone of a patient as will be explained in the following description.

[0049] Figures 4A to 4C illustrates schematically parts of the drilling guide 30: the pins 32 which are screwed in holes 35 with a thread, a channel 33 for piercing the bone of a patient and handle 34 with occlusal screw 31.

[0050] Figures 5 to 17B illustrates a procedure using the implant system and kit according to the present invention which is detailed hereunder with exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0051] Figure 5 illustrates schematically in perspective view a part of a jawbone 40 of a patient, reference 41 marking the zone of defect of the bone, e.g. the alveolar bone deficit mentioned above. In the present description, the reference to a jawbone can be to the upper jawbone or lower jawbone indifferently and the outside of the mouth is indicated.

[0052] Figure 6 illustrates schematically in perspective view a surgical guide 50 with a guiding hole 51 placed over the jawbone 40.

[0053] Figure 7 illustrates schematically in perspective view the surgical guide 50 over the jawbone 40 in which, thanks to the guiding hole 51 a hole 42 has been drilled in said jawbone 40. The hole 42 is meant to receive an implant 10 as illustrated in figure 8. Typically, the implant 10 comprise an outer thread 12 (see figures 3A to 3D) which preferably is a self-tapping thread and is screwed in the hole 42 of the jawbone 40 (see figure 8).

[0054] Figures 9A (perspective view) and 9B (side view) illustrate an embodiment of a kit according to the present invention with a drilling guide 30 mounted in place on the implant 10. Specifically, the drilling guide 30 is mounted on the implant 10 through the hole 51 of the surgical guide 50, an occlusal screw 31 being attached to an inner thread 13 of the implant 10, the inner thread 13 being used at the end of the procedure to attach the abutment 3, via the prosthetic screw 5 (see figure 1), on which the crown 4 will be mounted. The drilling guide 30 is attached for example by rotating handle 34. To stabilize the guide 30, two stabilization pins 32 are preferably used so that the guide 30 is not fixed only by the implant 10. The drilling guide 30, once in place and indexed by its attachment to the implant 10 allows to define a reference to drill the jawbone 40 through channel 33.

[0055] Figure 10 illustrates schematically in perspective view the jawbone 40 after the use of the drilling guide 30 and with the drilling guide 30 removed. One sees now the drilled hole 43 in the bone 40. Figure 11 is the same view without the surgical guide 50.

[0056] Figures 12A (perspective view) and 12B (side view) illustrate the implant 10 and the anchoring element 20 screwed in place. Preferably, the anchoring element 20 is a self-tapping screw. As illustrated in figures 12A and 12B, the implant 10 is now stable and will be ready, after typically a couple of weeks, to receive an abutment 3 and a crown 4 as is done in the art of the invention (see figure 1). The implant 10 is stabilized by the anchoring element 20 which compensates the bone deficit 41 (see also figures 3C which illustrate the assembly of implant 10 and anchoring element 20).

[0057] In some embodiments, the implant system according to the present invention is used to carry out a bone augmentation procedure as illustrated in the figures discussed hereunder.

[0058] Figures 13A (perspective view) and 13B (side partial cut view) illustrate an embodiment with a cortical plate 60 used to add bone substitute, the plate 60 being held in place by the anchoring element 20.

[0059] Figures 14A (perspective view) and 14B (side partial cut view) illustrate an embodiment where bone substitute 61 has been added between the plate 60 and the jawbone 40 whereby the plate 60 ensures that the bone substitute remains in place. Figures 15A (perspective view) and 15B (side partial cut view) illustrate an embodiment where a cover cap 14 is added on the implant to protect its connection (thread 13) before the gum 44 is sutured.

[0060] Figures 16A (perspective view) and 16B (side partial cut view) illustrate an embodiment where the gum 44 has been sutured.

[0061] Figures 17A (perspective view) and 17B (side partial cut view) illustrate an embodiment where after several months, the bone substitute 61 and the cortical plate 60 are fully integrated in the jawbone 40. After this last step, the gum 44 is opened., the anchoring element 20 and the cap 14 are removed and the abutment 3 and the crown 4 may be mounted (see figure 1).

[0062] The dental implant system presented herein offers several distinct advantages over existing solutions. By enabling the rehabilitation of atrophic maxilla and mandible in a single surgical stage (bone augmentation at the same time as implant placement), it significantly reduces treatment time and minimizes patient discomfort. The utilization of at least one apical cavity, the incorporation of an anchoring element 20, and the inclusion of a dedicated drilling guide 30 ensure enhanced primary stability and precise surgical placement of the anchoring element 20. Additionally, the optional utilization of bone substitute material 61 promotes bone regeneration and facilitates successful implant integration.

[0063] Exemplary embodiments have been described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the systems and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are nonlimiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined not solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. A number of problems with conventional methods and systems are noted herein and the methods and systems disclosed herein may address one or more of these problems. By describing these problems, no admission as to their knowledge in the art is intended. A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, although certain methods and systems are described herein with several non-limiting embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Moreover, while this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace and cover all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. Dental implant (10) comprising a body with a main axis having a proximal portion configured for enabling a prosthesis to be fixed thereto and a distal portion; wherein the distal portion comprises at least an opening (11) configured for receiving and holding an anchoring element (20) that extends along a transverse direction with respect to the main axis.

2. Dental implant according to claim 1 wherein the opening (11) is transversal with respect to the body main axis.

3. Dental implant according to claim 1 or 2 comprising several openings.

4. Dental implant according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said opening(s) (11) form(s) a channel in said body (10).

5. Dental implant according to claim 4, wherein said channel comprises an internal thread intended to cooperate with a thread of the anchoring element (20).

6. Dental implant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said channel is in a plane perpendicular to the main axis.

7. Dental implant system comprising a dental implant (10) according to anyone of the preceding claims and an anchoring element (20), wherein said dental implant is configured to be fixed to the surrounding bone by the anchoring element (20) via the lateral opening (11).

8. Dental implant system according to claim 7 wherein the anchoring element (20) is a screw with a thread.

9. Dental implant system according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the anchoring element (20) is non-resorbable or resorbable.

10. Dental implant system according to anyone of claims 7 to 9 furthermore comprising a cortical plate (60) configured to be fixed to the jawbone of the patient by the anchoring element (20).

11. Kit comprising a dental implant system according to one of the preceding claims comprising a drilling guide (30) for the anchoring element (20), said drilling guide (30) comprising aligning means (31,32,33).

12. Kit according to claim 11, wherein said aligning means comprise at least a guide hole (33) in the guide (30) allowing to drill the jawbone of the patient at predetermined location and with a predetermined alignment.

13. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein said guide hole (33) is in a plane perpendicular to the main axis of the implant or in a plane having an angle with the main axis of the implant.

14. Kit according to one of the preceding claims 11 to 13, wherein said drilling guide (30) comprises at least an occlusal screw to be attached to the implant (10) and a stabilization pin

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