Submergible post-type dental implant system and method of using same

Abstract

A submergible, post-type dental implant system for anchoring an artificial crown or bridge in a row of teeth or edentulous or partially edentulous area includes a root structure which is surgically implanted transgingivally and into the bone therebeneath, an implant head which is compatibly sized and shaped to fit over an upper tapered portion of the root structure. Prior to the assembly of these two titanium alloy components, a healing cap is disposed over the tapered portion of the root structure during the time interval for healing which may be as much as three to six months. After the healing periods has ended, a tool is used to remove the healing cap and thereafter the implant head is aligned and slid over the top tapered portion of the root structure. The assembly concept employed is that of a locking taper concept where implant head retention on the root structure is dependent on the friction between the head and root of the implant generated by impacting the female taper of the implant head with its male counterpart on the root structure. The lower or inserting portion of the root structure is disposed with a series of substantially parallel fins which serve as cutting fins and generate small bone chips from particles which facilitate a 'seeding' action and serve as nucleation sites for early bone formation within the various recesses and contours of this lower anchoring portion of the root structure.