Dental implant installation method and device

A dental implant installation device for engaging and picking up a prosthetic support implant then transmitting rotational force from a drill to the implant to thread the implant into bone tissue, the device comprising:

• an elongated shaft;
• a driver head disposed at a forward end of the shaft and configured to engage and transmit turning forces to an axially internal drive socket of a threaded implant, bypassing an axially outer prosthetic interface socket of the implant;
• an aft end of the shaft being configured to releasably and engage a drill and to transmit turning forces from such drill to the device;
• and
• the driver head includes generally parallel driver head facets configured to positively engage complementary and generally parallel facets of an implant drive socket.

A method for engaging and picking up a prosthetic support implant then transmitting rotational force from a drill to the implant to thread the implant into bone tissue;

• the method including the steps of:
• providing a threaded implant having an axially outer prosthetic interface socket and an axially inner drive socket formed in an axially inner wall of the prosthetic interface socket;
• providing a dental implant installation device comprising an elongated shaft, a driver head disposed at a forward end of the shaft and configured to engage and transmit turning forces to the drive socket of the implant, and a retainer supported on the shaft;
• inserting the driver head of the device through the prosthetic interface socket and into the drive socket until the retainer is compressed between the shaft and the prosthetic interface socket;
• lifting and transporting the implant by lifting and carrying the installation device with the implant supported on the device;
• threading the implant into bone tissue by applying torque to the implant installation device;
• and
• withdrawing the device from the implant.