U.S. patent application number 12/482700 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for implant arrangement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nobel Bicare Services AG. Invention is credited to Jan Hall.
Application Number | 20090305192 12/482700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20290041 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090305192 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; Jan |
December 10, 2009 |
IMPLANT ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
An implant is arranged with a thread which can be exposed to a
jaw bone and which has a first extent in the longitudinal direction
of the implant. Thread flanks are assigned second extents between
the inner and outer peripheries of the thread. Along all or most of
the first extent, the thread flanks are arranged with one or more
grooves that can extend in the peripheral direction and can be
situated on the second extents. The groove or grooves are arranged
to participate in the process by which the implant fuses with the
jaw bone (2).
Inventors: |
Hall; Jan; (Goteborg,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
Nobel Bicare Services AG
Glattbrugg
CH
|
Family ID: |
20290041 |
Appl. No.: |
12/482700 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11870387 |
Oct 10, 2007 |
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12482700 |
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11169189 |
Jun 28, 2005 |
7281925 |
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11870387 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/174 ;
433/202.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 8/0022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/174 ;
433/202.1 |
International
Class: |
A61C 8/00 20060101
A61C008/00; A61C 13/08 20060101 A61C013/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2002 |
SE |
0203896-6 |
Dec 17, 2003 |
SE |
PCT/SE03/01973 |
Claims
1. A dental implant, comprising a body portion that includes a
thread configured to be exposed to a jawbone, the thread having a
first extent in a longitudinal direction of the dental implant and
comprising thread flanks having inner and outer peripheries,
wherein, along at least a portion of the first extent of the
thread, the thread flanks include at least one groove that is on or
between the inner and outer peripheries of the thread flanks,
wherein the at least one groove has a width in the range of 50-300
.mu.m and a depth (H) in the range of 50-100 .mu.m.
2. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
extends along substantially the entire portion of the first
extent.
3. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the dental implant
includes a plurality of grooves that is on or between the inner and
outer peripheries of the thread flanks.
4. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
is configured to be placed opposite at least a cortical part of the
jaw bone for attachment and new formation of bone from said
cortical part, the new formation forming one or more bone strands
which extend from said cortical part and participate in the
retention of the implant in the jaw bone.
5. The dental implant of claim 4, wherein the bone strands are
formed by new bone formation primarily at a bottom part of the at
least one groove.
6. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
is configured to increase a surface area of the thread flanks
exposed to the jaw bone by 5-15%.
7. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
is positioned on a central part of the thread flank between the
inner and outer peripheries.
8. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
has a depth and width and cross section that are substantially the
same along the first extent.
9. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
has a depth or width or cross section that varies along the first
extent.
10. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein over the first extent
the at least one groove is situated at a substantially constant
distance along the thread flanks.
11. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein over the first extent
the at least one groove is situated at a varying distance along the
thread flanks.
12. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
is on an upper side of the thread flanks.
13. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the at least one groove
is on an underside of the thread flanks.
14. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the
thread flanks are provided with porous layers.
15. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the
thread flanks are provided with oxidation layers.
16. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the thread flanks are
provided with bone-growth-stimulating agents.
17. The dental implant of claim 1, wherein the
bone-growth-stimulating agents are applied in the at least one
vertical groove.
18. The dental implant of claim 1, further comprising an abutment
integrally formed with and extending from the body portion for
receiving a dental restoration.
19. A method for producing a dental implant comprising a body
portion having a thread configured to be exposed to a jawbone, the
thread having a first extent in a longitudinal direction of the
implant and comprising thread flanks having inner and outer
peripheries, the method comprising forming, along at least a
portion of the first extent of the thread, at least one groove on
the thread flanks that is on or between the inner and outer
peripheries of the thread flanks, wherein the at least one groove
has a width in the range of 50-300 .mu.m and a depth (H) in the
range of 50-100 .mu.m.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is
formed on upper sides of the thread flanks.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is
formed on lower sides of the thread flanks.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is
formed on a central parts of the thread flanks between the inner
and outer peripheries.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is
formed on the outer periphery of the thread flanks.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one groove is
formed on the inner periphery of the thread flanks.
25. The method of claim 19, comprising forming, along the first
extent, the least one groove with a varying width.
26. The method of claim 19, comprising forming, along the first
extent, the least one groove with a varying depth.
27. The method of claim 19, comprising forming, along the first
extent, the least one groove with a varying position between the
inner and outer peripheries.
28. The method of claim 19, further comprising forming an abutment
integrally formed with and extending from the body portion for
receiving a dental restoration.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/870,387, filed Oct. 10, 2007 which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/169,189, filed Jun. 28, 2005, which is a
continuation of International Application PCT/SE2003/001973, with
an international filing date of Dec. 17, 2003, which claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to Swedish Patent Application
No. SE 0203896-6, filed Dec. 30, 2002, the entire contents of each
of the above mentioned applications are expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates dental implants, and more
particularly, to a dental implant arrangement and methods of
manufacturing the same with a thread which can be exposed to a jaw
bone and which has a first extent in the longitudinal direction of
the implant and in which thread flanks are assigned second extents
between the inner and outer peripheries of the thread.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In connection with dental implants, there is a need, in
different patient situations, to achieve effective functions so as
to make the implant fuse in the part of the jaw bone in question.
The anchoring of the implant in the jaw bone depends on various
factors, for example the part of the jaw bone to be provided with
an implant, the patient's condition, etc. Different implant
structures, the use of bone-growth-stimulating agents or
substances, etc., have been proposed, and in this connection
reference may be made inter alia to the patent applications filed
by and patents granted to the same Applicant and same inventor as
for the present invention. There is, however, a need for further
improvements so as to obtain effective fusion and retention of the
implant in the jaw bone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the
aforementioned problems and it uses, inter alia, the knowledge that
in connection with implants in general, but not implants in
dentistry of the type in question here. Thus, it is argued that the
degree of anchoring must be able to be stimulated and strengthened
by means of recesses having certain widths and depths. This has
been shown in cell culture tests, and reference is made inter alia
to WO 97/05238. There is also a need to be able to optimize the
anchoring or fusion of the implant in the jaw bone and to achieve
an effective production of the respective implant or implant type.
An object of the invention is to solve this problem too.
[0007] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention relates
to an implant arrangement with a thread which can be exposed to a
jaw bone and which has a first extent in the longitudinal direction
of the implant and in which thread flanks are assigned second
extents between the inner and outer peripheries of the thread. The
invention also relates to a method for producing the implant. The
implant is to be placed in the upper and lower jaws where the
strength of the jaw bone varies and the cortical and trabecular
parts or features vary considerably. In soft parts with
considerable involvement of trabecular and marrow-filled bone, it
is expedient to take measures to increase the anchoring or
retention of the implant in this case too. An object of the
invention is to also solve this problem.
[0008] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, bone
spirals and/or bone strands formed by or with the cortical jaw bone
are intended to extend down into the trabecular and marrow-filled
parts of the jaw bone. It is important how the spirals and strands
are arranged. This embodiment solves this problem too in a
technically advantageous manner and permits application of
bone-growth-stimulating agents (TS, HA) to the implant in a novel
way.
[0009] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, inter
alia, that along all or part of the first extent of the implant,
the thread flanks are arranged with one or more grooves extending
in the peripheral direction and situated on the second extents,
i.e., the extents of the thread flanks. In a complementary or
alternative configuration, the grooves or recesses are arranged on
the inner or outer peripheries of the thread flanks, so that the
recesses of thread flanks lying one above the other can be
considered to form grooves which extend through the inner or outer
edges of the flanks. In the case of the outer edges, the groove or
grooves extend via the free spaces between the flanks. The recess
arrangement can be such that the strands can be seen to be twisted
or straight. In addition, this embodiment is characterized in that
the groove or grooves are arranged to participate in the process of
fusion or retention of the implant in the jaw bone.
[0010] In embodiments of the invention, the groove or grooves of
the thread flanks are arranged to increase the surface of the
thread flanks exposed to the jaw bone. The groove(s) of the thread
flanks can be arranged at the central parts of the thread flanks.
The groove depth and/or groove width can be substantially the same
or vary along the longitudinal extent of the implant thread. The
groove or grooves are situated at the same or varying distance
along the various thread flanks. The groove or grooves can be
arranged on the upper sides and/or undersides of the thread flanks.
In a preferred embodiment, the thread flanks are provided with
oxidation layers or porous layers which themselves have a
stimulating effect on the anchoring function. In a further
alternative embodiment, the thread flanks can be provided with
bone-growth-stimulating agent, for example TS, in a gel form or
soft consistency and/or HA.
[0011] An embodiment of a method according to the invention
comprises that one or more grooves are formed on the upper and/or
undersides of the thread flanks, preferably at the central parts of
the flanks, which grooves, in the peripheral direction of the
thread flanks, extend along all or substantial parts of the
longitudinal extent of the implant.
[0012] In another embodiment, a groove or grooves are made along
the longitudinal extent of the implant with the same or varying
width and/or depth and/or position along the extents of the
flanks.
[0013] By what has been proposed above, the desired solutions to
the problems are achieved. The proposals have been found to be
feasible through carrying out animal tests which show desired
effective formation of new bone in the groove arrangements and show
that effective retention principles can be created for the implant
even in jaw bones with considerable involvement of soft bone
(trabecular bone, marrow, etc).
[0014] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects,
advantages and novel features of the invention have been described
herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such
advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular
embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or
carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or
group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving
other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Presently proposed embodiments of the device and arrangement
according to the invention will be described below with reference
to the attached drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through an implant, showing
peripherally extending grooves arranged on the upper sides of the
thread flanks, and it will also be seen that new bone has formed
and filled the flanks and said grooves.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows, in an enlarged longitudinal section through
the implant, growth of bone in a groove shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a further enlarged groove according to FIG.
2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the implant,
showing bone growing down into the groove from surrounding
bone.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the implant,
showing grooves which are arranged on the thread flanks and which
extend in the peripheral direction along the longitudinal direction
of the implant.
[0021] FIG. 6 shows the implant in a cross section A-A from FIG.
5.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross section showing an example of the shape of
the groove.
[0023] FIGS. 8-8b show, in longitudinal section and in a
diagrammatic form, reinforcement elements, obtained by bone
guidance, for implants.
[0024] FIG. 9 shows, in longitudinal section and in a diagrammatic
form, the application of bone-growth-stimulating agent.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows, in longitudinal section and in a diagrammatic
form, another embodiment of reinforcement elements produced with
bone guidance.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the removal torques in tests
carried out on dogs and rabbits.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In FIG. 1, parts of an implant are designated by 1. In said
part, the implant is provided with a thread which is exposed to the
jaw bone and which, in FIG. 1, is represented with two thread
flanks 3 and 4. The thread flanks are provided on their upper sides
3a and 4a with grooves 5 and 6. The surface of the thread or thread
flanks which is exposed to the jaw bone 2 is designated by 1a. In
this illustrative embodiment, the thread flanks are designed with
an oxide layer 1b which is already known from the implants sold by
Nobel Biocare AB. The oxide layer is characterized on the one hand
by a high pore content and on the other hand by the fact that it
stimulates new formation of bone in conjunction with application of
the implant in the jaw bone. The surface 1a or the oxide layer 1b
can be provided with bone-growth-stimulating agent, for example HA,
in the manner specified by the Applicant of the present application
in said applications and patents. The type of implant or implant
type or implant type can be of the kind called TiUnite, which is a
type of oxide layer. Alternatively, bone-growth-stimulating agent
in the form of TS of soft consistency can be applied in the grooves
5, 6 before the implant is fitted in the jaw bone (not shown). In
FIG. 1, new bone 7, 8 has formed in the bottom of the peripheral
spiral groove, which in FIG. 1 is represented by 5 and 6. The
new-formed bone is of the cortical type and thus extends from the
cortical part (not shown in FIG. 1) of the jaw bone down into the
part 2 of the jaw bone which has been assumed to consist of
trabecular or marrow-filled bone. The cortical spiral 7, 8 is thus
contiguous with the cortical part of the jaw bone and thus arranged
to participate in the retention of the implant in the jaw bone in
the specific case where the latter has a considerable involvement
of soft bone.
[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlargements showing bone growths 7 and 8
down into the groove 5, 6 (cf. FIG. 1). The downward growth
emanates principally from the cortical part of the jaw bone, and
the figures also show the enclosed osteocytes 7a. The case
according to FIGS. 1-3 is comparable to a case with tibia in which
the upper sides and undersides of the flanks were studied. 30% of
all the threads with grooves showed bone growth, while only 3% of
the threads without grooves showed bone growth. Osteogenesis
evidently appears to take place in the grooves.
[0029] The case according to FIG. 4 shows new growth 2a of bone
which fills out a respective groove 5' in close contact with the
implant surface 1a. It will be noted here that there is no contact
between bone and implant under the groove 5', i.e., at the implant
surface part 1a'. A space or gap 1a'' can be present for body
fluid.
[0030] There is therefore preferential bone growth in the groove,
which permits bone guidance and bone formation. The presence of
osteocytes indicates that mature bone is present.
[0031] In accordance with FIG. 5, the implant 1 has a length L
which can assume values of known type, and in this connection
reference is made to the so-called Branemark system. The implant is
arranged with a thread 9 which can extend along all or substantial
parts of the longitudinal extent L of the implant. The thread
flanks, for example thread flanks 3 and 4, are arranged with an
external diameter R and an internal diameter R1. Said diameters can
be constant or can vary along the longitudinal extent L. The
recesses on the thread flanks, for example thread flanks 3, 4,
comprise grooves which combine to form a spiral groove along the
longitudinal extent L of the implant. Groove parts on the thread
flanks 3 and 4 are designated by 5 and 6. In accordance with the
above, the grooves are arranged on the upper sides of the thread
flanks. The groove parts on the thread flanks can be arranged at
central parts 3b, 4b of the thread flanks. In one illustrative
embodiment, the groove or the groove parts are arranged at a
distance R3 from the center axis 10 of the implant. Said distance
R3 can be the same for all the groove parts or can vary between the
different groove parts. Alternatively or complementarily, the
thread flanks can be provided with more than one groove, and an
example of such an additional groove has been designated by 11.
Alternatively or complementarily, the thread flanks can be provided
with grooves 11' on their undersides. The terms upper sides and
undersides can also relate to whether the implant is to be applied
in the upper jaw or lower jaw.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows how a thread flank groove 12 extends circularly
and peripherally around the thread flank 13 (see also FIG. 5) in
question. In accordance with the examples below, it has been shown
that the degree of anchoring increases considerably by what is
proposed according to the invention. Thus, the removal torques M
have increased considerably, see below. In the view shown in FIG.
6, the groove 12 can be given a variation for radius R3.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a groove 14 in a thread
flank 15. In this case the width of the groove is indicated by B
and the depth of the groove is indicated by H. In the cross section
shown according to the embodiment in FIG. 7, the groove has been
shown in a semicircle shape. However, the groove can assume other
shapes, for example triangular, rectangular or square, or
combinations thereof, etc. In one embodiment, the groove is
configured to increase the surface area of the thread flanks
exposed to the jaw bone by 5-15%. Other amounts of increase to the
surface area may be achieved using different shapes and
geometries.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a cortical part 16 of a jaw bone which also has
a trabecular part 17. An implant 18 with peripheral spiral-shaped
groove is shown by 18. In FIG. 8a, the lower parts of the implant
18 have been removed for the sake of clarity. The spiral-shaped 3
groove is shown by 19, which in principle can also represent a
reinforcement element for securing the implant. The reinforcement
element has arisen through formation of new bone. The parts of the
groove or of the reinforcement element at the cortical part 16
permit access for the body fluid generated by the cortical part in
the hole formed (pre-formed) in the jaw bone during application of
the implant in the inward (downward, upward) extending recess. A
reinforcement element consisting of new cortical bone can thus be
obtained down (deep down) in the trabecular part of the gum.
[0035] FIG. 8b shows that other shapes or extents of the
reinforcement element 19' are possible, for example straight or
twisted reinforcement elements. The reinforcement element increases
the retention of the implant, and the element(s) can be arranged
with greater dimensions at their outer parts.
[0036] FIG. 9 shows the use of bone-growth-stimulating agent 20
which can have a gel-like consistency and is applied in the spaces
21 between the thread flanks. The agent can stimulate bone growth
in the soft parts of the jaw bone over a comparatively long time
and contribute to the increased retention function even for a
protracted period of time.
[0037] FIG. 10 aims to show alternative groove applications for
obtaining alternative reinforcing elements, cf. FIG. 8b. Thus,
recesses 22, 23 and 24 in the thread flanks can be seen to form
grooves which extend through the recesses and the spaces 25, 26
between the thread flanks. In a further alternative or
complementary embodiment, the implant can be provided with grooves
27 extending in the longitudinal direction of the implant.
[0038] FIG. 11 shows examples of the removal torques which were
required on the implant applied on rabbits and dogs in accordance
with the principles of the invention. The case with rabbits is
indicated by 28 and 29 and the case with dogs is indicated by 30,
31 and 32.
[0039] In the case with rabbits (9 rabbits were used), implants SI
and S3 were used in a bone (femur and tibia) and a control implant
in another bone. The time of incorporation was 6 weeks. The
implants had TiUnite, (oxide layer), surfaces. The groove widths
were 110 (S1) and 200 (S3) .mu.m and the groove depth was 70 .mu.m.
The following removal torques were obtained:
[0040] ST: mean value for femur 63 Ncm
[0041] C: mean value for femur 51 Ncm
[0042] S1: mean value for tibia 37 Ncm
[0043] C: mean value for tibia 30 Ncm
(S1-C)/C=0.27 femur
(S1-C)/C=0.30 tibia
[0044] S3: mean value for femur 63 Ncm
[0045] C: mean value for femur 59 Ncm
[0046] S3: mean value for tibia 35 Ncm
[0047] C: mean value for tibia 32 Ncm
(S3-C)/C=0.8 femur
(S3-C)/C=0.08 tibia
where SX-C is the mean value of the sum taken from each pair from
each rabbit.
[0048] In the case with dogs, the following values were obtained in
the same way with groove widths 80 (SO), 110 (Si) and 160 (S2):
[0049] SO: mean value 150 Ncm
[0050] S1: mean value 119 Ncm
[0051] S2: mean value 99 Ncm
[0052] C: mean value 102 Ncm
(SO-C)/=0.21
(S1-C)/C=0.17
(S2-C)/C=0.07
where SX-C is the mean value of the sum taken from each pair from
each dog.
[0053] The increase in area can be established at ca. 10%.
[0054] The implant as such can be made of tissue-compatible
material, for example titanium.
[0055] Although the foregoing systems and methods have been
described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other
embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
from the disclosure herein. Additionally, other combinations,
omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the
skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein. While certain
embodiments of the inventions have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the
invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above by way of
example, and instead it can be modified within the scope of the
attached patent claims and the inventive concept.
* * * * *