Methods and means for dental bone profiling

A bone mill having a substantially cylindrical outer shape comprising teeth with a negative rake on an end and an adjacent side.

A method of preparing a dental implant which is fixed in a living jawbone with its restoration-receiving surface surrounded by crestal bone overlaid with mucosa comprising the steps of forming in said crestal bone a first tapered opening the narrower end of which is substantially centered on said surface and the wider end of which opens through said crestal bone to said mucosa, and forming through said mucosa to said wider end a second tapered opening the narrower end of which has substantially the same width as said wider end of said first opening and the wider end of which opens through the outer surface of said mucosa.

In combination a dental implant adapted to be installed in a jawbone with an end surface of said implant exposed through an opening in the crestal bone, and a bone mill for shaping said opening comprising a substantially cylindrical body bearing on an end and an adjacent side teeth with a negative rake.

In combination a dental implant adapted to be installed in the bone of a dental arch with an end surface of said implant exposed through an opening in the crestal bone, a bone mill having teeth on an end and an adjacent side for shaping said opening in width and depth, said bone mill having an exterior profile that is tapered to produce a tapered shape of said opening and guide means for locating said bone mill relative to said implant and said opening.

A method of preparing bone adjacent to a restoration-receiving surface of a dental implant, said dental implant receiving a healing abutment to form gingiva overlying said bone, comprising:

• forming an opening in said bone with a bone mill, said opening having a contour substantially corresponding to an exterior profile of said bone mill, said exterior profile having a shape that substantially matches the shape of said healing abutment.

A set of components for forming an opening in bone adjacent to a restoration-receiving surface of a dental implant, comprising:

• a bone mill including a hole at one end and cutting teeth at said end, said bone mill has an exterior profile that is tapered to produce a tapered shape of said opening;
• and
• a guide attachable to said dental implant, said guide fitting within said hole of said bone mill for registering said bone mill relative to said implant.

A set of dental components, comprising:

• a dental implant for installation in living bone having a restoration-receiving surface exposed through an opening in said bone;
• and
• a bone mill having teeth with a negative rake on an end, said bone mill for shaping said opening in said bone adjacent to said restoration-receiving surface of said dental implant.

A set of components for forming an opening in bone adjacent to a restoration-receiving surface of a dental implant, comprising:

• a bone milling device including cutting teeth at a lower portion thereof, said bone milling device including a guide for engaging said dental implant and registering said bone milling device relative to said implant;
• and
• a healing abutment for shaping gingiva overlying said bone, said healing abutment having a shape that substantially matches an exterior profile of said bone milling device.

A set of components for forming a tapered opening in bone adjacent to a restoration-receiving surface of a dental implant, comprising:

• a bone mill having a lower end and a tapered side surface that tapers outwardly from said lower end, said tapered side surface having cutting teeth for producing said tapered opening;
• and
• a guide for engaging said dental implant and registering said bone mill relative to said implant.