WO2008157138A3 - Dental implant for asymmetrical abutment mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

A dental implant system includes a longitudinally elongated implant body and an abutment which is adapted for coupling thereto in a laterally offset position. The implant body extends axially from a proximal-most seating surface to a lower apical end. The seating surface extends radially about the implant axis and defines an upper-most end of a smooth coronal portion. A distal-most bone engaging region of the implant includes a generally cylindrical portion adjacent to the coronal portion and a tapered portion which extends from the cylindrical portion to the apical end. Screw threads extend helically about the cylindrical and tapered portions for use in anchoring the body in position in bone. A blind bore extends inwardly from the seating surface along a bore axis inclined at an angle of between about 0° and 20° relative to the longitudinal axis of the implant body. The bore axis is laterally spaced from the implant axis by an offset lateral distance of between about 0.2 mm and 8 mm. The bore includes an internally threaded portion and an enlarged diameter portion provided with one or more slots or grooves which open to the seating surface. The engagement members have a shape selected for mated contact with at least part of a projection on the abutment to prevent its rotation relative to the implant body. The abutment is further provided with a bearing surface configured for juxtaposed placement against at least part of the seating surface when the projection is received in the bore. The bearing surface is provided with a radial diameter which is smaller than a radial diameter of the seating surface by an amount at least as large as the offset distance.