阅读说明：本技术 牙齿修复体的模块化支持件 (Modular support for dental restorations ) 是由 L·J·斯当姆佩尔 于 2019-02-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于牙齿修复体的模块化支撑件配置用于固定到支座和各自的牙齿植入物。模块化支撑件包括可释放地接合各自的支座的连接器,围绕各自的连接器的套环,从基本平行于咬合平面的至少一个套环延伸的垂直间隔的平面翼片,以及基本平行于咬合平面延伸的平面凸片。平面凸片的一端在一对平面翼片之间延伸,以为牙齿修复体提供内部加固框架。还公开了一种将模块化支撑件用于牙齿修复体的方法。(The modular support for a dental restoration is configured for fixing to an abutment and a respective dental implant. The modular support includes a connector releasably engaging a respective seat, a collar surrounding the respective connector, vertically spaced planar tabs extending from at least one of the collars substantially parallel to the bite plane, and planar tabs extending substantially parallel to the bite plane. One end of the planar tab extends between a pair of planar flaps to provide an internal reinforcing frame for the dental restoration. A method of using the modular support for a dental restoration is also disclosed.)

1. A modular support for a dental restoration, the modular support configured for securing to a plurality of abutments, each abutment engaging a respective dental implant, the modular support comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each connector releasably engaging a respective seat;

a plurality of collars, each collar including a bore extending substantially perpendicular to the bite plane, wherein each collar surrounds a respective connector located in its bore;

a pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extending from the at least one collar generally parallel to the bite plane; and

a planar tab extending substantially parallel to the bite plane, wherein at least one end of the planar tab extends between the pair of planar tabs,

wherein the collar, planar tabs and planar tabs provide an internal reinforcing frame for the dental restoration.

2. The modular support of claim 1 wherein the at least one collar and the pair of planar tabs are integrally formed.

3. The modular support of claim 1 further comprising a curable polymeric resin securing the at least one collar to the respective connector, the resin substantially filling a space defined within the bore of the at least one collar and an outer surface of the respective connector located within the bore.

4. The modular support of claim 1, wherein the one end of the planar tab is permanently secured to the pair of planar tabs.

5. The modular support of claim 4 wherein the planar tabs are permanently affixed to the pair of planar tabs by a curable polymer resin.

6. The modular support of claim 1, wherein the pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extend from each of the at least two collars adjacent to each other, and wherein a first end of a planar tab extends between a first pair of planar tabs and a second end of a planar tab extends between a second pair of planar tabs.

7. The modular support of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes a base having a shape complementary to an upper profile of the respective seat, and each connector includes a cylinder extending from the base toward the bite plane.

8. The modular support of claim 1 wherein the at least one pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extend from each of the plurality of collars substantially parallel to a snap plane, and modular support comprises a plurality of planar tabs extending substantially parallel to a snap plane, wherein each planar tab comprises a first end and a second end, the first end sandwiched between a first pair of planar tabs of a first one of the collars, the second end sandwiched between a second pair of planar tabs of a second one of the collars, the second one of the collars adjacent to the first one of the collars.

9. The modular support of claim 1 wherein said plurality of connections, said plurality of collars, said pair of planar tabs and said planar tabs are embedded within a dental restoration comprising a dental prosthesis and acrylic.

10. The modular support of claim 1, wherein the planar tab comprises one or more lateral extensions extending from one side of the planar tab, the lateral extensions configured to provide additional surface area to enhance mechanical attachment to the dental restoration when the modular support is embedded within the dental restoration.

11. The modular support of claim 1 wherein the planar tab extends from at least one other collar, the planar tab extends substantially parallel to the snap plane, and at least one end of the planar tab extends between the pair of planar tabs of the at least one collar.

12. The modular support of claim 11 wherein the at least one other collar and the planar tab are integrally formed.

13. The modular support of claim 1, wherein the at least one collar is configured for securing to a pair of immediately adjacent dental implants, and wherein the at least one collar includes two holes, each hole receiving a respective connector of a respective abutment of the pair of immediately adjacent dental implants.

14. The modular support of claim 1, further comprising a vertical projection configured to provide enhanced mechanical connection with the dental restoration when the modular support is embedded within the dental restoration, the vertical projection extending through the at least one planar tab.

15. The modular support of claim 14 wherein the vertical projection is permanently affixed to the at least one planar tab by a curable polymer resin.

16. The modular support of claim 14, wherein the vertical projection extends through the at least one end of the planar tab and through a respective pair of planar tabs.

17. The modular support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar is a frustum of a cone having a frustoconical bore through which the respective connector extends, wherein the respective connector extends obliquely to the bite plane.

18. The modular support of claim 17, wherein the cylinder comprises at least one vertical fin, wherein the fin is configured to provide additional surface area to enhance a mechanical connection with a curable polymer resin securing the body to the respective connector.

19. A method of forming a dental restoration for a patient, the patient having a plurality of dental implants, and each dental implant having an abutment, the method comprising:

releasably mounting a connector on each support;

placing a collar over each connector, each collar having a bore for receiving a respective connector, wherein at least one collar includes a pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extending substantially parallel to the snap plane;

positioning a planar tab substantially parallel to the bite plane with one end of the planar tab sandwiched between vertically spaced planar tabs;

securing a planar tab to a planar flap and a collar to a connector to form a modular support;

releasing the modular support from the seat;

forming a dental restoration around the modular support; and

the dental restoration and the modular supports embedded therein are releasably mounted by re-mounting each connector on a respective support.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the planar tabs and planar tabs are secured with a curable resin and the collar and corresponding connector are secured with the curable resin.

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to modular supports for dental restorations and methods of using the same.

Background

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the invention relates to a modular support for a dental restoration configured for securing to a plurality of abutments, each of which engages a respective dental implant. The modular support comprises a plurality of connectors, each connector releasably engaging a respective abutment, a plurality of collars, each collar comprising a bore extending substantially orthogonal to the occlusal plane, wherein each collar surrounds a respective connector located in its bore, a pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extending from at least one collar substantially parallel to the occlusal plane, and a planar tab extending substantially parallel to the occlusal plane, wherein at least one end of the planar tab extends between the pair of planar tabs, wherein the collar, planar tabs and planar tabs provide an internal reinforcing frame for the dental prosthesis.

The at least one collar and the pair of planar tabs may be integrally formed.

The modular support may further comprise a curable polymeric resin securing the at least one collar to the respective connector, the resin substantially filling a space defined within the bore of the at least one collar and an outer surface of the respective connector located within the bore.

One end of the planar tab may be permanently secured to a pair of planar tabs.

The planar tabs may be permanently secured to the pair of planar tabs with a curable polymer resin.

A pair of vertically spaced planar tabs may extend from each of the at least two collars adjacent to each other, wherein a first end of the planar tabs extends between a first pair of the planar tabs and a second end of the planar tabs may extend between a second pair of the planar tabs.

Each of the plurality of connectors may include a base portion having a shape complementary to an upper profile of the respective seat, and each connector may include a cylindrical body extending from the base portion toward the bite plane.

At least one pair of vertically spaced planar tabs may extend from each of the plurality of collars substantially parallel to a bite plane, the modular support may include a plurality of planar tabs extending substantially parallel to the bite plane, wherein each planar tab may include: a first end sandwiched between a first pair of first planar tabs of a first one of the collars; and a second end sandwiched between a second pair of planar tabs of a second of said collars, the second of said collars being adjacent to the first of said collars.

The plurality of connectors, the plurality of collars, the pair of planar tabs and the planar tab may be embedded within a dental restoration comprising a denture and an acrylic.

The planar tab may include one or more lateral extensions extending from one side of the planar tab, the lateral extensions configured to provide additional surface area for enhanced mechanical attachment to the dental restoration when the modular support may be embedded within the dental restoration.

A planar tab may extend from at least one other collar, the planar tab extending substantially parallel to the bite plane, and the at least one end of the planar tab may extend between a pair of planar tabs of the at least one collar.

At least one other collar and planar tab may be integrally formed.

The at least one collar may be configured for securing to a pair of immediately adjacent dental implants, and wherein the at least one collar may comprise two apertures, each aperture receiving a respective connector of a respective abutment of a pair of immediately adjacent dental implants.

The modular support may further comprise a vertical protrusion configured to provide a reinforced mechanical connection with the dental restoration when the modular support is embedded within the dental restoration, the vertical protrusion may extend through the at least one planar tab.

The vertical projection may be permanently affixed to the at least one planar tab with a curable polymer resin.

The vertical projection may extend through at least one end of the planar tab and through the respective pair of planar tabs.

The collar may be a frustum with a frustoconical bore through which the respective connector extends, wherein the respective connector extends obliquely to the bite plane.

The cylinder may include at least one vertical fin, wherein the fin is configured to provide additional surface area to enhance a mechanical connection with a curable polymer resin securing the body to a corresponding connector.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of forming a dental restoration for a patient having a plurality of dental implants, and each dental implant having an abutment. The method comprises the following steps: releasably mounting a connector on each support; placing a collar over each connector, each collar having an aperture for receiving a corresponding connector, wherein at least one collar includes a pair of vertically spaced planar tabs extending substantially parallel to the snap plane; positioning a planar tab substantially parallel to the bite plane, one end of the planar tab being sandwiched between vertically spaced planar tabs; securing a planar tab to the planar tab and a collar to the connector to form a modular support; releasing the modular support from the seat; forming a dental restoration around the modular support; the dental restoration and the modular supports embedded therein are releasably mounted by re-mounting each connector on the respective support.

The planar tabs and planar tabs may be secured with the curable resin, and the collar and corresponding connector may be secured with the curable resin.

The method and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention, and the following detailed description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of an exemplary modular support for a dental restoration according to various aspects of the present invention, the support being shown in the dental restoration and a corresponding dental implant being shown in the lower jaw.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the modular support of fig. 1, shown mounted on a corresponding dental implant.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the modular support of fig. 1 shown mounted on a corresponding dental implant.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the modular support mounted on a corresponding dental implant, taken along line 4-4 of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation view of another exemplary modular support for dental restoration according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an elevation view of another exemplary modular support for dental restoration according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of another exemplary modular support according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary modular support for a dental restoration according to aspects of the present invention, the modular support shown without a corresponding implant.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of various modules of a modular support kit for use in constructing the modular support of fig. 8 and/or other similar modular supports, the support shown without its corresponding implant.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout the various views. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Turning now to fig. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a modular support 30 for a dental restoration 32 is shown. The modular support provides an assembly that can be used as a reinforcing bar for a dental restoration. The modular support allows for distributing the chewing force on the prosthesis over multiple implants at once. Although four implants are shown, it will be appreciated that full arch repair may be supported on more or as few as three implants, while a bridge may be supported on two implants.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, modular support 30 provides an adjustable frame that can be custom-fitted to existing or new dental implants during a patient visit. Furthermore, the modular support provides an adjustable frame that can account for gross misalignment of the dental implant in the horizontal, vertical and angular directions while achieving an accurate and passive fit.

The modular support 30 is configured to releasably engage a plurality of dental implants 33 that have been surgically implanted into the patient's mandible (lower jaw) or maxilla (upper jaw). More specifically, the modular support is configured to releasably engage an abutment 35 of each dental implant, which serves as a connecting element between the respective dental implant and the dental restoration 32. It will be appreciated that mounts are well known and many mount manufacturers have standardized shapes, sizes and inclinations. For example, standard abutment inclinations may include 0 °,17 °, and 30 °, the latter being particularly useful for posterior implants that may be angled to avoid posterior alveolar nerves (see, e.g., implant 33P in fig. 3).

As shown in fig. 4, modular support 30 generally includes (i) a connector 37 for releasably engaging abutment 35, (ii) a collar 39(iii) extending from the collar and sandwich structure around and ultimately secured to the connector and (iv) the ends of tabs or rods 42 to form a framework for eventual insertion into the dental restoration to provide an internal reinforcing framework to impart structural integrity to the dental restoration. As described below, the tabs may be integrally formed with the collar, and the various tabs or rods may be integrally formed with the collar.

Although a full arch prosthesis is shown in fig. 1, one will appreciate that the dental prosthesis may be a full arch prosthesis, a partial arch prosthesis, or even a bridge. Generally, the dental prosthesis includes a dental prosthesis 44 and an acrylic resin 46 supporting the teeth. The modular support body may be embedded in the acrylic in other conventional ways.

In various embodiments, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, each collar 39 may have a pair of vertically spaced planar tabs 40 extending substantially parallel to the plane of occlusion. The tabs extending from adjacent collars sandwich opposite ends of the planar tabs 42 extending between adjacent collars. It can be seen that the tab also extends substantially parallel to the bite plane.

The overlapping planar configurations of the tabs and fins allow for minor angular adjustment therebetween, allowing the collars to be easily aligned and positioned with their respective implants and abutments regardless of where the implants may be implanted.

The overlapping planar configuration of the tabs and tabs also allows for minor linear adjustment between adjacent collars, again allowing the collars to be easily aligned and positioned with their respective implants and abutments. For example, for a closer seat, the end of the tab may be inserted more fully into the tab such that a greater proportion of the tab is sandwiched by the tab. Moreover, if the tabs prove too long to be placed between adjacent tab pairs of the collar, the oral surgeon, dentist, assistant or technician can cut or otherwise remove material from the tabs to shorten the overall length of the tabs to make them fit between adjacent tab pairs. Alternatively, tabs of different lengths may be provided to accommodate varying distances between the implant and its corresponding collar and fin pair.

The front collar 39A may include two pairs of tabs extending at an obtuse angle to accommodate the front tab 42 and the rear tab 42^PAnd a rear collar 39^PIt is only necessary to include a pair of tabs to sandwich the rear end of the rear tab 42P.

In other embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, the rear collar 39aP may be provided with a tab 42a that extends substantially parallel to the bite plane. The distal ends of the tabs 42a may be sandwiched between a pair of tabs 40 of adjacent collars 39A. The angular orientation and overlap between the tab and the pair of tabs may be adjusted as desired in a manner similar to that described above.

One will appreciate that the collar may have other tab/tab configurations. For example, the front neck may have a pair of flaps and a tab, in which case the tab would extend at an obtuse angle relative to the flaps. Alternatively, the collar may have sets of three or four tabs extending substantially parallel to the bite plane to provide a further frame for added rigidity, in which case two or three tabs would be arranged in an overlapping manner between the tabs.

Once the overlapping tabs and lugs have been assembled and positioned so that the corresponding collar 39 is centered over its respective connector 37, the tabs and lugs may be secured together by glue, adhesive, or other suitable means to form a rigid frame. Preferably, the tabs and flaps are secured together, preferably using a curable polymeric resin 47, as shown in FIG. 4.

Preferably, the collars and their respective tabs and/or lugs are formed of titanium, stainless steel or other suitable material which provides sufficient reinforcement for the dental restoration. It will be appreciated that the collars and their respective wings may be integrally formed by casting, 3D printing, milling or other suitable manufacturing process. Similarly, the collars and their respective tabs may be integrally formed by casting, 3D printing, milling, or other suitable manufacturing process. Alternatively, the tabs and vanes may be welded, soldered, brazed, bonded, or otherwise rigidly attached to their respective collars.

As shown in fig. 3, the planar tab 42 may include one or more lateral extensions 49 extending from one side of the planar tab. The lateral extensions have additional surface area that provides for a further enhanced mechanical attachment of the modular support 30 to the acrylic of the dental restoration when the modular support is embedded within the dental restoration.

Also as shown in fig. 3, when the modular support is embedded in the dental restoration, vertical protrusions 51 may also be provided to further strengthen the mechanical connection of the modular support 30 to the dental restoration. As shown, the vertical protrusion may be tridentate in shape, however, it should be understood that the vertical protrusion may take various geometric forms including, but not limited to, I-shape, T-shape, Y-shape, and the like.

The vertical protrusion may extend through the tab 42, or may extend through the flap 40 and the tab sandwiched therebetween, mechanically pinning the flap and tab together. The tabs and/or tabs may be pre-drilled to accommodate the protrusions, or may be drilled at desired locations during assembly. Once in place, the tabs may be secured to the tabs and/or flaps by any suitable means. Preferably, the tabs are secured to the tabs and flaps using a curable polymer resin 47.

Once the frame of modular support 30 is assembled, i.e., once the collars, tabs and vertical projections (if used) are positioned such that the tab pairs and tabs overlap and the collars are aligned with the patient's seat, curable polymer resin (or other suitable means) may be used to secure these components to each other to form a rigid frame. Each collar 39 may then be secured to its corresponding connector 37 with a curable polymer resin while the connectors are mounted on their corresponding abutments 35 and implants 33. This in-situ assembly allows for precision and passive fitting.

Referring to fig. 4, each collar 39 includes a hole 53 extending substantially normal to the plane of occlusion OP. The apertures are sized to surround the respective connectors 37 so that the space within the apertures surrounding the connectors may be filled with glue and/or adhesive to permanently secure the collar and connectors together. For example, when the collar 39 is positioned around the connector 37 in the patient's mouth, the holes 53 may be filled with a curable polymer resin 47 to secure the collar and connector together. The resin can be easily applied into the holes through the open tops of the holes. To better distribute the resin, application openings 54 may be provided in the side walls of the collar, as shown in fig. 3 and 4.

It will be appreciated that misalignment of dental implants is not uncommon. To accommodate this misalignment, the collar 39 may be provided with a tapered wall 53' to accommodate the misalignment to as much as several degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the bore tapers from each end to provide an hourglass shape, wherein the tapered walls may be angled at about 10-15, more preferably about 12, relative to the bore axis. As described above, the module is reversible and may simply be flipped 180 ° to orient the planar tabs and/or the slotted bars in their desired orientation. An hourglass shape is particularly suitable for accommodating this reversibility.

In various embodiments, the connector 37 comprises a bottom 56, the shape of which bottom 56 is complementary to the upper profile of the respective seat 35 to which it is attached. For example, and as shown in fig. 4, the bottom portion may have a conical shape that sits on a complementary conical top portion of the respective seat. The connector may include a cylindrical body 58 that extends from the bottom and into the bore 53 of the collar 39. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder extends through the hole, whereby the portion of the cylinder extending out of the collar may provide additional reinforcement to the dental restoration module support 30 embedded therein (see, e.g., fig. 1).

In various embodiments, adjacent implants 33b may have been implanted in close proximity to one another, as shown in fig. 6. In this case, the respective connector cylinders 58 may be too close to each other and preclude the use of two collars, that is, they may preclude the use of a separate collar for each cylinder. Thus, in various embodiments, collar 39b may have two holes 53b, wherein each hole may receive a respective connector 37b of an immediately adjacent proximal dental implant.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 4, the cylindrical body 58 extends together with the longitudinal axis of the upper profile of the seat 35 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the occlusion plane P. However, one will appreciate that misalignment of dental implants is not uncommon. In such a case, and when the various inclinations of the abutment cannot compensate for such misalignment, the cylindrical body 58 may be inclined to the occlusal plane, as shown in fig. 7. To accommodate such misalignment, the collar 39c may have a frustoconical shape and the cylinder 58c may include one or more eccentric fins 60, as shown in fig. 7. The resulting frustoconical hole allows the collar to accommodate up to a few degrees of misalignment, and the fins provide mechanical structure to fill the space within the frustoconical hole and provide further reinforcement and structural integrity to the curable polymer resin or means of filling the hole 53c to secure the collar and connector together.

In other embodiments, the connector 37d may have a base 56d that is shaped complementary to the seat 35d such that they form a ball and socket interface similar to the LOCATOR F-

The inclination can be adjusted by means of the attachment system. Also, the holes 53 are sized to surround the respective connectors 37d so that the space within the holes surrounding the connectors may be filled with a curable polymer resin 47 to secure the collar and connectors together (see, e.g., fig. 7).

It will be appreciated that the collar, tabs and tabs may have various other configurations to provide suitable modular support. For example, the modular support 30e of fig. 8 (with corresponding implants, anchors, or connectors not shown) may be assembled from various modules selected from a kit, such as the various modules shown in fig. 9. These modules may include: wing-wing module WW, long wing-wing module WW ', wing-tab module WT, long wing-tab module WT ', tab-tab module TT, long tab-tab module TT ', straight front-bar module AB, curved front-bar module AB ', distal-mount module DA, long distal-mount module DA ', and/or various combinations of short or long wings 40e, 40e ' and/or short or long tabs 42e, 42e ' extending from collar 39 e.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the tabs 40e, 40e' may have rounded ends that may provide increased surface area that overlaps with corresponding protrusions regardless of the relative angle between the ends. As also shown, the lateral extension 49e may be cylindrical and may have rounded ends, a configuration that minimizes the angled surface and may provide a better mechanical connection between the modular support and the acrylic of the dental restoration.

An exemplary method of preparing a modular support according to the present invention may now be described. The implant 33 is surgically installed in the patient's jaw bone, while the abutment 35 is mounted thereon in an otherwise conventional manner. The implant may be pre-existing (i.e. installed for or with an existing dental restoration), or may be installed surgically specifically for the preparation of a new dental restoration.

A suitable connector 37, a collar 39 with tabs 40 and a tab 42 (see, e.g., fig. 3) may be provided. Similarly, suitable connectors 37, collars 39A of bearing tabs 40, collars 39aP of bearing tabs 42a, and tabs 42 (see, e.g., fig. 5) may be provided. It will be appreciated that an assemblage of various components may be provided as a kit that may be used in a dental professional.

The connector 37 may then be releasably mounted in situ on the support 35 during the patient visit. The connector may be secured to the mount by screws (see fig. 4), ball retainers (see right side of fig. 4) or other suitable means.

Next, a collar 39 may be placed around each connector 37, and the appropriate tabs 40 and tabs 42 positioned relative to each other so that they overlap.

Once the appropriate tabs 40 and tabs 42 have the desired overlap, the collar 39 can be centered around the respective connector 37. The curable resin may then be applied to the tabs and lugs in situ. After application of the curable resin, the collar, tabs and tabs may be finely repositioned as desired. And once the desired orientation is achieved, the curable resin may be cured (in other conventional ways) to secure the flaps and tabs together to form a rigid frame. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that one or more of the components may be disassembled so that the curable resin may be applied to the components outside the patient's mouth, then reassembled in the desired orientation, and then cured.

Once the frame is secured, it may be positioned so that each collar 39 is properly centered over each connector 37. And once the desired orientation is achieved, curable resin may be applied to the bore 53 of each collar. Once the curable resin is applied, the collar can be finely repositioned as desired. And once the desired positioning is achieved, the curable resin may be cured (in other conventional ways) to secure the collar to the respective connector.

It will be appreciated that the collar may be secured to the connector after the tabs and tabs are secured, or the collar may be secured to the connector before the tabs and tabs are secured together, as described above.

Once the resin has cured, the tabs and flaps, as well as the loops and connectors, are secured together to form a rigid frame in the form of a modular support. Thus, modular support 30 may be removed from implant 33 by unscrewing connector 37 (see fig. 4) from seat 35, or otherwise detached from the seat (see, e.g., fig. 7), and removed from the patient's mouth.

Next, the modular supports 30 may be embedded into the dental restoration 32. For example, the dental restoration may be formed by applying an acrylic 46 around the modular support and providing the dental restoration in an otherwise conventional manner.

Once the dental restoration (with the modular support therein) is completed, the dental restoration 32 may then be returned to the patient's mouth and releasably mounted on the patient support 35 of the respective implant 33.

According to various aspects of the present invention, modular support 30 and dental restoration 32 may be manufactured on the same day, thereby reducing the number of patient visits and correspondingly reducing costs.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

In many respects, the various modified features of the various figures are similar to those previously described and like reference numerals are followed by the suffixes "a", "b", "c" and "d" to denote corresponding parts. Certain features have reference numerals followed by other suffixes "a" and "P", where the former denotes "anterior (antigen)" and the latter denotes "posterior (posterior)".

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention and various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.