Apparatuses and methods for making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to dental implants
AssigneeBiomet 3i, LLC
InventorAnthony James Prestipino
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention includes apparatuses and methods for making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants. One preferred method includes the step of making a temporary hybrid prosthesis and at about the same time also making a duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis. The duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis permits the final hybrid prosthesis to be made with fewer visits to a restorative dentist and with less dental laboratory time than is currently needed when making a final hybrid prosthesis.
Claims23
A method of making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants in a patient's mouth, comprising:
- making a temporary hybrid prosthesis to be attached to one or more dental implants in a patient's mouth;
- making a duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis;
- and
- using the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis in making the final hybrid prosthesis.
A duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis for use in making a final hybrid prosthesis, the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis comprising:
- a unitary structure in the shape of teeth and gum portions of a temporary hybrid prosthesis to be attached to dental implants in a patient's mouth,
- wherein the unitary structure is made entirely of one type of material.
A method of making a final hybrid prosthesis to be attached to a plurality of dental implants in a patient's mouth, comprising:
- making a temporary hybrid prosthesis to be attached to the plurality of dental implants in the patient's mouth;
- by use of the temporary hybrid prosthesis, developing a stone model of the patient's mouth;
- by use of the stone model, developing a duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis;
- after soft tissue adjacent to the plurality of dental implants has healed, attaching the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis to the plurality of dental implants;
- while the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis is attached to the dental implants, using impression material to identify the contours of the healed soft tissue;
- creating an updated stone/soft-tissue model with the healed soft-tissue contours identified by the impression material;
- and
- making the final hybrid prosthesis by use of the updated stone/soft-tissue model and the duplicate temporary hybrid prosthesis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.