Method of treating a partially or totally edentulous patient

Abstract

A method of treating a patient having a toothless site (,) in a jaw comprising the steps of providing a fixture (,) for anchorage in the bone (,) of the jaw at the toothless site having a coronal end (,); anchoring the fixture in the bone such that the coronal end is submerged beneath the coronal margin (,) of the gingival layer (,) at the toothless site; providing an abutment (,) which is securable in an operational position to the fixture through an opening (,) provided through the gingival layer to the fixture, the abutment having a transgingival structure (,) which comprises an apical section (,) which tapers outwardly from an apical end of the transgingival structure which in the operational position of the abutment is co-planar with the coronal end of the fixture to a position at which the transgingival structure has a maximum transverse dimension and a coronal section (,) contiguous with the apical section which tapers inwardly from the maximum transverse dimension to a coronal end of the transgingival structure, the apical section terminating at the position of maximum transverse dimension with a convex outer surface profile; removing material from the transgingival structure so as to form a peripheral shoulder (,) of a profile which closely follows that of the coronal margin of the gingival layer at said opening; and forming a crown structure (,) which seats on the peripheral shoulder when the abutment is secured to the fixture.