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Title:
DENTAL FITTING ATTACHABLE TO A DENTAL COMPONENT AND DENTAL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A DENTAL FITTING AND A DENTAL COMPONENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/101996
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a dental fitting (1), such as an implant cover, attachable to a dental component (50), such as a dental implant. The dental fitting (1) comprises a main body (2) and a cover member (4) movably attached to the main body (2). The main body (2) has an attachment portion (6), preferably a threaded attachment portion, for attaching the dental fitting (1) to the dental component (50). The main body (2) is rotatable relative to the cover member (4) around a longitudinal axis of the main body (2). The main body (2) and the cover member (4) are configured so that movement of the main body (2) relative to the cover member (4) along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) is restricted in the apical and coronal directions. The cover member (4) comprises at least one elastically deformable element (16). The at least one elastically deformable element (16) at least partially restricts movement of the main body (2) relative to the cover member (4) along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2). The invention further relates to a dental assembly (100) comprising a dental fitting (1), such as an implant cover, and a dental component (50), such as a dental implant.

Inventors:
SCHLUMPF CURDIN (CH)
QUARRY ANTONY (CH)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2018/082549
Publication Date:
May 31, 2019
Filing Date:
November 26, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
NOBEL BIOCARE SERVICES AG (CH)
International Classes:
A61C8/00
Foreign References:
US20110097687A12011-04-28
US5947733A1999-09-07
US6247933B12001-06-19
US20100203476A12010-08-12
US20130295521A12013-11-07
US6416324B12002-07-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CAPRÉ, Didier (CH)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A dental fitting (1), such as an implant cover,

attachable to a dental component (50), such as a dental implant, the dental fitting (1) comprising: a main body (2); and a cover member (4) movably attached to the main body (2 ) ; wherein the main body (2) has an attachment portion (6), preferably a threaded attachment portion, for attaching the dental fitting (1) to the dental component (50), the main body (2) is rotatable relative to the cover member (4) around a longitudinal axis of the main body (2), the main body (2) and the cover member (4) are

configured so that movement of the main body (2) relative to the cover member (4) along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) is restricted in the apical and coronal directions, the cover member (4) comprises at least one elastically deformable element (16), an apical end of the at least one elastically deformable element forms the apical end of the cover member, and the at least one elastically deformable element (16) at least partially restricts movement of the main body (2) relative to the cover member (4) along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) .

2. The dental fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cover member (4) has a non-circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) .

3. The dental fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member (4) has a tapering portion (14), such as a conical portion, and an outer circumference of the tapering portion (14) increases in the direction from an apical end of the dental fitting (1) towards a coronal end of the dental fitting (1) .

4. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) comprises an abutting portion (12) for abutting a portion, in particular, an apical end, of the cover member (4) .

5. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member (4) has an inner space (18) extending through the cover member (4) in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2), the inner space (18) is open to a coronal end of the cover member (4) and to an apical end of the cover member (4), and at least a portion of the main body (2) is received within the inner space (18) .

6. The dental fitting (1) according to claim 5 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the cover member (4) is configured so that, in a relaxed state of the at least one elastically deformable element (16), an inner diameter of an apical portion of the inner space (18) is smaller than an outer diameter of the abutting portion (12) .

7. The dental fitting (1) according to claim 5 or 6 as dependent on claim 4, wherein the cover member (4) is

configured so that, in an elastically deformed state of the at least one elastically deformable element (16), an inner diameter of an apical portion of the inner space (18) is equal to or larger than an outer diameter of the abutting portion ( 12 ) .

8. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element (16) is elastically deformable at least in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) .

9. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover member (4) comprises a plurality of elastically deformable elements (16).

10. The dental fitting (1) according to claim 9, wherein the elastically deformable elements (16) are arranged along a circumference of the cover member (4) .

11. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (2) is movable relative to the cover member (4) over a predetermined

distance in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2 ) .

12. The dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length of the at least one elastically deformable element (16) in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) is in the range of 20% to 60% of the length of the cover member (4) in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) .

13. A dental assembly (100) comprising the dental fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a dental component (50), such as a dental implant.

14. The dental assembly (100) according to claim 13, wherein the dental component (50) comprises an internal socket ( 54 ) , and, in a state in which the dental fitting (1) is attached to the dental component (50), the cover member (4) is at least partly received within the internal socket (54) .

15. A dental assembly (100) comprising a dental fitting (1), such as an implant cover, and a dental component (50), such as a dental implant, wherein the dental fitting (1) is attachable to the dental component (50) , the dental fitting (1) comprises: a main body (2); and a cover member (4) movably attached to the main body

(2) , the main body (2) has an attachment portion (6),

preferably a threaded attachment portion, for attaching the dental fitting (1) to the dental component (50), the main body (2) is rotatable relative to the cover member (4) around a longitudinal axis of the main body (2), the main body (2) and the cover member (4) are

configured so that movement of the main body (2) relative to the cover member (4) along the longitudinal axis of the main body (2) is restricted in the apical and coronal directions, the dental component (50) comprises an internal socket

(54) in a state in which the dental fitting (1) is attached to the dental component (50), the cover member (4) is at least partly received within the internal socket (54) and, the cover member and the internal socket each have a tapering portion,

wherein at least a part of the tapering portion of the cover member and at least a part of the tapering portion of the internal socket have a non-circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body and the dental component, respectively.

Description:
Dental itting Attachable to a Dental Component and Dental Assembly Comprising a Dental Fitting and

a Dental Component

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dental fitting, such as an implant cover, attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant. Further, the invention relates to a dental assembly comprising such a dental fitting and the dental component .

Background Art

Dental prostheses, such as dental crowns or dental bridges, are widely used for the treatment of partly or fully

edentulous patients. These prostheses are commonly attached to dental implants placed in a patient's jaw bone with the use of an abutment arranged between implant and prosthesis. For this purpose, single-piece abutments, consisting of a single piece, or multi-piece abutments, comprising two or more separate pieces, may be employed.

When providing a patient with a dental prosthesis, one or more dental implants are placed in the patient's jaw bone first, e.g., by screwing the implant or implants into the jaw bone. Before a prosthesis can be attached thereto, the one or more implants have to be osseointegrated in the jaw bone, in order to provide a sufficient degree of mechanical

stability. During the time required for osseointegration to occur, which is commonly of the order of several months, a coronal portion of each implant is protected by a respective implant cover, such as a healing screw or a healing cap.

When the one or more implants are osseointegrated, the implant cover is removed from each implant and the prosthesis or prostheses is or are attached thereto via one or more respective abutments. Further, for the case of a multi-piece abutment, the different pieces of the abutment have to be attached to each other. Moreover, other dental fittings, such as impression taking components, e.g., open or closed tray impression posts, intra-oral scanning or desk top scanning locators, temporary restorations etc., may have to be attached to the implant in the treatment process.

However, after such a dental fitting, e.g., an implant cover, has been attached to a dental component, such as a dental implant, it may be difficult to remove therefrom. Hence, commonly, additional tools, e.g., retrieval instruments, have to be employed for this purpose, rendering the removal process complicated, time-consuming and inefficient.

US 6,416,324 B1 discloses a healing screw consisting of a shaft and a collar. The shaft and the collar are rotatable relative to each other. The shaft has a lip and a shoulder, preventing the collar from moving off the proximal end of the shaft and from moving toward the distal end of the shaft, respectively. The healing screw is engaged with an implant by screwing a threaded distal end of the shaft into an axial bore of the implant. In the engaged state of the healing screw, an apical surface of the collar abuts a coronal end surface of the implant.

In order to remove the healing screw, the shaft is unscrewed and pulled away from the implant. As the shaft is being pulled away in this manner, its shoulder pushes and lifts the collar, allowing for the healing screw to be removed from the implant as a single unit.

However, in order to provide the collar so as to be arranged between lip and shoulder of the shaft, the collar is

injection moulded around the proximal end of the shaft, rendering manufacture of the healing screw complicated and laborious . Hence, there remains a need for a dental fitting, such as an implant cover, which allows for removal from a dental

component, such as a dental implant, in an efficient manner and has a simple configuration.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dental fitting, such as an implant cover, which allows for removal from a dental component, such as a dental implant, in an efficient manner and has a simple

configuration. Further, the invention aims to provide a dental assembly comprising such a dental fitting and a dental component .

These goals are achieved by a dental fitting with the

technical features of claim 1, by a dental assembly with the technical features of claim 13 and by a dental assembly with the technical features of claim 15.

The invention provides a dental fitting, such as an implant cover, attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant. The dental fitting comprises a main body and a cover member movably attached to the main body. The main body has an attachment portion for attaching the dental fitting to the dental component. The main body is rotatable relative to the cover member around a longitudinal axis of the main body. The main body and the cover member are configured so that movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body is restricted in the apical and coronal directions. The cover member comprises at least one elastically deformable element. The at least one elastically deformable element at least partially restricts movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body. The longitudinal axis of the main body extends along the direction from an apical end of the main body towards a coronal end of the main body.

The main body and the cover member are configured so that movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body is restricted in the apical and coronal directions. Thus, the main body is movable relative to the cover member only over a

predetermined distance, i.e., a limited distance, in the apical and coronal directions along the longitudinal axis of the main body, or the main body is fixed in its position relative to the cover member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

Therefore, the dental fitting can be attached to the dental component in a simple manner, namely by attaching the main body to the dental component by means of the attachment portion. In particular, movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body is restricted in the apical direction, i.e., in the direction from a coronal end of the cover member towards an apical end of the cover member. When attaching the dental fitting to the dental component, the attachment process takes place in the apical direction. Hence, by attaching the main body to the dental component, also the cover member, and thus the entire dental fitting, is attached to the dental

component. Specifically, due to the restriction of relative movement between main body and cover member in the apical direction, the cover member cannot be detached or removed from the main body in the direction away from the dental component and is thus reliably attached.

Moreover, the attachment process is facilitated by the rotatable relative arrangement of main body and cover member. Due to this arrangement, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component without rotating the cover member, i.e., while the cover member remains stationary.

Further, the dental fitting can be removed from the dental component in an efficient and simple way, namely by removing the main body from the dental component. In particular, movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body is restricted in the coronal direction, i.e., in the direction from the apical end of the cover member towards the coronal end of the cover member. When removing the dental fitting from the dental component, the removal process takes place in the coronal direction. Hence, by removing the main body from the dental component, also the cover member, and thus the entire dental fitting, is removed from the dental component. Specifically, due to the restriction of relative movement between main body and cover member in the coronal direction, the cover member is moved in the direction away from the dental component together with the main body when the main body is removed. Also, the removal process is facilitated by the rotatable relative arrangement of main body and cover member.

The at least one elastically deformable element at least partially restricts movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

In particular, the at least one elastically deformable element may restrict movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body in the coronal direction.

The cover member is thus attached to the main body by means of the at least one elastically deformable element. Hence, the dental fitting has a simple configuration. In

particular, main body and cover member can be assembled, i.e., attached to each other, by deforming the at least one elastically deformable element, thus allowing for the dental fitting to be manufactured in a simple manner, without the need for additional connecting parts or joining processes, such as injection moulding or the like.

Therefore, the dental fitting of the invention allows for removal from a dental component, such as a dental implant, in an efficient manner and has a simple configuration.

Preferably, the attachment portion is a threaded attachment portion .

In this case, the dental fitting can be attached to the dental component in a particularly simple manner, namely by screwing the attachment portion into the dental component. Since the main body is rotatable relative to the cover member around the longitudinal axis of the main body, this

attachment process is facilitated. Specifically, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component during the screwing process without rotating the cover member, i.e., while the cover member remains stationary.

Further, the dental fitting can be removed from the dental component in a particularly efficient and simple way, namely by unscrewing the attachment portion from the dental

component. Also in this removal process, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component without rotating the cover member. Due to the restriction of relative

movement between main body and cover member in the coronal direction, the cover member is moved in the direction away from the dental component together with the main body when the main body is unscrewed, thus enabling efficient and simple removal of the dental fitting.

Hence, the dental fitting can be employed for configurations where, in the state of attachment of the dental fitting to the dental component, the cover member is not rotatable relative to the dental component. The dental fitting thus is particularly versatile. At least a portion of the cover member, in particular, at least a coronal portion of the cover member, may have a non circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. For example, the at least a portion of the cover member may have an oval or elliptic shape in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. Particularly preferably, the at least a portion of the cover member has a trioval shape in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. Such a trioval shape has three radial maxima and three radial minima, i.e., three maxima and three minima in the radial directions of the cover member.

A dental fitting having a cover member with such an at least partial non-circular configuration can be particularly advantageously used for a dental component, such as a dental implant, comprising an internal socket at least a portion of which has a non-circular shape in a cross-section

perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the dental component. The longitudinal axis of the dental component extends along the direction from an apical end of the dental component towards a coronal end of the dental component.

In this case, in a state in which the dental fitting is attached to the dental component, the cover member may be at least partly received within the internal socket so that the non-circular portion of the cover member mates with the non circular portion of the internal socket. Thus, the internal socket can be particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member. This is especially advantageous if the dental component is a dental implant and the dental fitting is an implant cover.

Further, the dental fitting can be attached to and removed from the dental component in an efficient and simple manner, i.e., by attaching and removing the main body, respectively. In particular, the non-circular configurations of at least portions of cover member and internal socket inhibit

rotational movement of the cover member relative to the dental component around the longitudinal axis of the dental component. However, since the main body is rotatable

relative to the cover member around the longitudinal axis of the main body, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component around the longitudinal axis of the dental component, e.g., so as to screw the main body into the dental component or unscrew it therefrom, while the cover member remains stationary, i.e., in at least partial engagement with the internal socket. Due to the restriction of relative movement between main body and cover member, the cover member is moved together with the main body in the apical and coronal directions, e.g., when the main body is screwed in and unscrewed, respectively, thus enabling efficient and simple attachment and removal of the dental fitting. In particular, no additional tools, such as retrieval

instruments, are required.

The non-circular portion of the cover member may be a coronal portion of the cover member. The non-circular portion of the cover member may be a rigid portion.

The cover member may have a tapering portion, such as a conical portion. An outer circumference of the tapering portion may increase in the direction from an apical end of the dental fitting towards a coronal end of the dental fitting. For example, by employing such a configuration of the cover member, an internal socket of a dental component can be particularly efficiently sealed, e.g., by at least partly receiving the cover member, in particular, at least part of the tapering portion, within the internal socket.

The tapering portion of the cover member may be a coronal portion of the cover member. The tapering portion of the cover member may be a rigid portion. At least a part of the tapering portion may have a non circular, e.g., trioval, oval or elliptic, shape in a cross- section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body .

The dental fitting may be, for example, an implant cover, such as a healing screw or a healing cap, an abutment, e.g., a single-piece or a multi-piece abutment, a scan abutment, a temporary abutment, an abutment position locator, an

impression taking component, such as an open or closed tray impression post or an impression coping, e.g., a screw-less impression coping, an intra-oral scanning or desk top

scanning locator, a temporary restoration or a final

restoration .

The dental component may be, for example, a dental implant or an implant analogue, e.g., for use in a dental laboratory.

For the case of a multi-piece abutment, e.g., a two-piece abutment, the dental fitting may be one piece of the abutment and the dental component may be another piece of the

abutment. In this case, the one piece of the abutment comprises the attachment portion and can be attached to the other piece of the abutment through the attachment portion. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a base piece or unit of the multi-piece abutment may comprise the attachment portion and be attached to a dental implant by the attachment

portion .

The dental component may be made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel, a ceramic, a polymer material or a composite material. In particular, the dental component may be a dental implant made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel. The main body and the cover member of the dental fitting may be made from the same material or, preferably, from different materials. Preferably, the cover member is made from a polymer material. Preferably, the main body is made from a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

The cover member may be attached to the main body by means of the at least one elastically deformable element by snap fit. In this way, a particularly simple, reliable and efficient attachment of the cover member to the main body can be achieved .

The main body may comprise an abutting portion for abutting a portion, in particular, an apical end, of the cover member.

In this manner, movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body can be restricted in an especially efficient and simple way.

Specifically, when the portion, in particular, the apical end, of the cover member abuts the abutting portion, the main body cannot move, e.g., move further, relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body, e.g., in the coronal direction.

The abutting portion may be in the form of a step or a shoulder radially protruding from a remainder of the main body. The abutting portion may extend along only part of a circumference of the remainder of the main body.

Alternatively, the abutting portion may extend along the entire circumference of the remainder of the main body.

The cover member may have an inner space, such as a through hole, extending through the cover member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. The inner space may be open to a coronal end of the cover member and to an apical end of the cover member. At least a portion, in particular, a coronal portion, of the main body may be received within the inner space. In this way, a particularly simple configuration of the dental fitting can be provided.

The cover member may be configured so that, in a relaxed state of the at least one elastically deformable element, an inner diameter of an apical portion of the inner space is smaller than an outer diameter of the abutting portion. In the assembled state of the dental fitting, i.e., in the state in which the cover member is attached to the main body, the at least one elastically deformable element is in a relaxed state. Hence, in this state, the abutting portion cannot move past an apical portion of the cover member, thus efficiently restricting movement of the main body relative to the cover member.

The cover member may be configured so that, in an elastically deformed state of the at least one elastically deformable element, an inner diameter of the apical portion of the inner space is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the abutting portion. In this case, the dental fitting can be assembled in a particularly simple manner. Specifically, the main body can be introduced into the inner space, in

particular, from a coronal end of the inner space, and the at least one elastically deformable element can be elastically deformed, allowing for the abutting portion to move past the apical portion of the cover member. For example, the at least one elastically deformable element may be elastically deformed by means of the main body, e.g., by pushing the main body into the inner space. Once the abutting portion has been moved past the apical portion of the cover member, the at least one elastically deformable element can be allowed to relax so that the cover member is reliably attached to the main body.

The at least one elastically deformable element may be elastically deformable at least in one or more directions substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body, i.e., at least in one or more radial directions of the main body.

The at least one elastically deformable element may be provided at an apical portion of the cover member. An apical end of the at least one elastically deformable element may form the apical end of the cover member.

The at least one elastically deformable element may be

integrally formed with a remainder of the cover member.

The at least one elastically deformable element may at least substantially extend in a direction from a coronal end of the cover member towards an apical end of the cover member. The at least one elastically deformable element may be, for example, in the form of an elastically deformable finger.

The cover member may comprise a plurality of elastically deformable elements. For example, the cover member may comprise two or more elastically deformable elements, three or more elastically deformable elements, four or more

elastically deformable elements, or five or more elastically deformable elements. The cover member may comprise twelve or fewer elastically deformable elements, ten or fewer

elastically deformable elements, or eight or fewer

elastically deformable elements.

The elastically deformable elements may have at least

substantially identical configurations. At least some of the elastically deformable elements may have different

configurations from each other.

The elastically deformable elements may be arranged along a circumference of the cover member. The elastically

deformable elements may be arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the cover member. The elastically deformable elements may be arranged so as to be equidistantly spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the cover member. The elastically

deformable elements may be arranged along the circumference of the cover member so that gaps are present between

neighbouring elastically deformable elements in the

circumferential direction of the cover member.

The main body may be movable relative to the cover member over a predetermined distance in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. In this way, removal of the dental fitting from the dental component can be further facilitated. In particular, at the initial stage of

removing, e.g., unscrewing, the main body from the dental component, the main body can move relative to the cover member, thus reducing friction between main body and cover member at this stage of the removal process. Hence, the removal process can be initiated more easily.

A coronal portion of the main body may be at least partly received within the cover member.

The attachment portion may be provided apically to the cover member .

A length of the at least one elastically deformable element in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body may be in the range of 20% to 60%, preferably 25% to 55%, more preferably 30% to 50%, and even more preferably 35% to 45%, of the length of the cover member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. In this way, a particularly stable and robust attachment of the cover member to the main body can be achieved.

The at least one elastically deformable element may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body. An inclination angle of the at least one elastically

deformable element relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body may be in the range of 10° to 40°, preferably 15° to 35°, and more preferably 20° to 30°.

The cover member may comprise a rigid portion. The rigid portion may be a coronal portion of the cover member. The at least one elastically deformable element may be provided apically to the rigid portion.

The invention further provides a dental assembly comprising the dental fitting of the invention and a dental component, such as a dental implant. The dental component may be the dental component described above.

The explanations and definitions provided above for the dental fitting and the dental component fully apply to the dental assembly of the invention.

The dental assembly of the invention provides the effects and advantages already described in detail above for the dental fitting of the invention.

The dental component may be, for example, a dental implant or an implant analogue, e.g., for use in a dental laboratory.

For the case of a multi-piece abutment, e.g., a two-piece abutment, the dental fitting may be one piece of the abutment and the dental component may be another piece of the

abutment. In this case, the one piece of the abutment comprises the attachment portion and can be attached to the other piece of the abutment through the attachment portion. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a base piece or unit of the multi-piece abutment may comprise the attachment portion and be attached to a dental implant by the attachment

portion .

The dental component may be made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel, a ceramic, a polymer material or a composite material. In particular, the dental component may be a dental implant made of, for example, a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

The dental component may comprise an internal socket. In a state in which the dental fitting is attached to the dental component, the cover member may be at least partly received within the internal socket. In this case, the internal socket can be particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member, as has been detailed above.

Further, the dental fitting can be attached to and removed from the dental component in an efficient and simple manner, i.e., by attaching and removing the main body, respectively. In particular, the arrangement of the cover member at least partly within the internal socket may impede or even render impossible rotation of the cover member relative to the dental component, e.g., due to friction between these two components or their respective, for example, non-circular, geometries. However, since the main body is rotatable relative to the cover member around the longitudinal axis of the main body, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component around the longitudinal axis of the dental component, e.g., so as to screw the main body into the dental component or unscrew it therefrom, while the cover member remains stationary, i.e., in at least partial engagement with the internal socket. Due to the restriction of relative movement between main body and cover member, the cover member is moved together with the main body in the apical and coronal directions, e.g., when the main body is screwed in and unscrewed, respectively, thus enabling efficient and simple attachment and removal of the dental fitting.

At least a portion of the internal socket may have a non circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental component. At least a portion of the cover member may have a non-circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In this case, in a state in which the dental fitting is attached to the dental component, the cover member may be at least partly received within the internal socket so that the non-circular portion of the cover member mates with the non-circular portion of the internal socket. Hence, the internal socket can be particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member. This is especially advantageous if the dental component is a dental implant and the dental fitting is an implant cover.

The internal socket may have a tapering portion, such as a conical portion. A circumference of the tapering portion may increase in the direction from an apical end of the dental component towards a coronal end of the dental component. The tapering portion of the internal socket may be a coronal portion of the internal socket.

The cover member may have a tapering portion, such as a conical portion, as has been detailed above. The internal socket of the dental component can be particularly

efficiently sealed by at least partly receiving at least part of the tapering portion of the cover member within the tapering portion of the internal socket.

At least a part of the tapering portion of the internal socket may have a non-circular, e.g., trioval, oval or elliptic, shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental component.

The dental component, such as a dental implant, may have an attachment element to which the attachment portion of the main body can be attached for attaching the dental fitting to the dental component. For example, the attachment portion of the main body may be a threaded attachment portion and the attachment element of the dental component may be a threaded bore for at least partly receiving the threaded attachment portion. The attachment element, such as the threaded bore, may be provided apically to the internal socket.

The invention further provides a dental assembly comprising a dental fitting, such as an implant cover, and a dental component, such as a dental implant. The dental fitting is attachable to the dental component. The dental fitting comprises a main body and a cover member movably attached to the main body. The main body has an attachment portion for attaching the dental fitting to the dental component. The main body is rotatable relative to the cover member around a longitudinal axis of the main body. The main body and the cover member are configured so that movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body is restricted in the apical and coronal

directions. The dental component comprises an internal socket. The cover member and the internal socket each have a tapering portion, wherein at least a part of the tapering portion of the cover member and at least a part of the tapering portion of the internal socket have a non-circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body and the dental component, respectively. In a state in which the dental fitting is attached to the dental component, the cover member is at least partly received within the internal socket.

The dental component may be the dental component described above. The dental fitting may be the dental fitting

described above. The dental fitting may be the dental fitting described above but without the requirement that the cover member comprises at least one elastically deformable element, and the at least one elastically deformable element at least partially restricts movement of the main body relative to the cover member along the longitudinal axis of the main body. The explanations and definitions provided above for the dental fitting, the dental component and the dental assembly fully apply.

The dental assembly of the invention provides the effects and advantages already described in detail above.

In particular, the internal socket can be particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member. Moreover, the dental fitting can be attached to and removed from the dental component in an efficient and simple manner, i.e., by

attaching and removing the main body, respectively. In particular, the arrangement of the cover member at least partly within the internal socket may impede or even render impossible rotation of the cover member relative to the dental component, e.g., due to friction between these two components or their respective, for example, non-circular, geometries. However, since the main body is rotatable relative to the cover member around the longitudinal axis of the main body, the main body can be rotated relative to the dental component around the longitudinal axis of the dental component, e.g., so as to screw the main body into the dental component or unscrew it therefrom, while the cover member remains stationary, i.e., in at least partial engagement with the internal socket. Due to the restriction of relative movement between main body and cover member, the cover member is moved together with the main body in the apical and coronal directions, e.g., when the main body is screwed in and unscrewed, respectively, thus enabling efficient and simple attachment and removal of the dental fitting.

At least a portion of the internal socket may have a non circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental component. At least a portion of the cover member may have a non-circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In this case, in a state in which the dental fitting is attached to the dental component, the cover member may be at least partly received within the internal socket so that the non-circular portion of the cover member mates with the non-circular portion of the internal socket. Hence, the internal socket can be particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member. This is especially advantageous if the dental component is a dental implant and the dental fitting is an implant cover.

The internal socket may have a tapering portion, such as a conical portion. A circumference of the tapering portion may increase in the direction from an apical end of the dental component towards a coronal end of the dental component. The tapering portion of the internal socket may be a coronal portion of the internal socket.

The cover member may have a tapering portion, such as a conical portion. The internal socket of the dental component can be particularly efficiently sealed by at least partly receiving at least part of the tapering portion of the cover member within the tapering portion of the internal socket.

At least a part of the tapering portion of the internal socket may have a non-circular, e.g., trioval, oval or elliptic, shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental component.

The dental component, such as a dental implant, may have an attachment element to which the attachment portion of the main body can be attached for attaching the dental fitting to the dental component. For example, the attachment portion of the main body may be a threaded attachment portion and the attachment element of the dental component may be a threaded bore for at least partly receiving the threaded attachment portion. The attachment element, such as the threaded bore, may be provided apically to the internal socket. The main body may comprise an abutting portion for abutting a portion, in particular, an apical end, of the cover member, as has been detailed above.

The cover member may have an inner space extending through the cover member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. The inner space may be open to a coronal end of the cover member and to an apical end of the cover member. At least a portion of the main body may be received within the inner space, as has been explained in detail above .

The main body may be movable relative to the cover member over a predetermined distance in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body. Alternatively, the main body may be fixed in its position relative to the cover member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

A coronal portion of the main body may be at least partly received within the cover member.

The attachment portion may be provided apically to the cover member .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Hereinafter, non-limiting examples of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a dental fitting, i.e., an implant cover,

according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of the dental fitting, Fig. 1(b) is a side view of the dental fitting, Fig. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view of the dental fitting, and Fig. 1(d) is a side view of a main body of the dental fitting; Fig. 2 shows a cover member of the dental fitting

according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 2(a) is a side view of the cover member, Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(c) is a bottom view of the cover member, and Fig. 2(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig . 2(c); and

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a dental assembly

according to an embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state, comprising the dental fitting according to the embodiment of the present invention and a dental component, i.e., a dental implant .

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a dental fitting 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dental fitting 1 is an implant cover attachable to a dental component, such as a dental implant (see Figure 3) .

The dental fitting 1 comprises a main body 2 and a cover member 4 movably attached to the main body 2. The main body 2 is rotatable relative to the cover member 4 around a longitudinal axis of the main body 2. The cover member 4 is made from a polymer material. The main body 2 is made from a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel.

The main body 2 is in the form of a screw. The main body 2 has an attachment portion 6, i.e., a threaded attachment portion 6, for attaching the dental fitting 1 to the dental component. The attachment portion 6 forms an apical portion of the main body 2. Further, the main body 2 has a coronal portion 8 and an intermediate portion 10 arranged between the attachment portion 6 and the coronal portion 8 in the

direction of the longitudinal axis of the main body 2, as is shown in Figure 1 (d) . The coronal portion 8 has an outer diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the attachment portion 6 and larger than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion 10.

The intermediate portion 10 comprises an abutting portion 12 for abutting an apical end of the cover member 4, as will be detailed below. The abutting portion 12 is in the form of a step or shoulder radially protruding from a remainder of the intermediate portion 10. The abutting portion 12 extends along the entire circumference of the remainder of the intermediate portion 10. An outer diameter of the abutting portion 12 is larger than an outer diameter of the remainder of the intermediate portion 10 but smaller than the outer diameter of the coronal portion 8 (see Figure 1 (d) ) .

The coronal portion 8 of the main body 2 has a screw head 9 (see Figures 1 (a) and 1 (c) ) , such as a Torx ® screw head, allowing engagement of a driving tool for screwing the main body 2 into the dental component, as will be further detailed below .

The cover member 4 has a rigid coronal portion 14 and three elastically deformable elements 16 provided apically to the coronal portion 14 (see Figures 1 (b) and 2 (c) ) . The three elastically deformable elements 16 form an apical portion of the cover member 4. The coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4 is a tapering portion. An outer circumference of the coronal portion 14 increases in the direction from an apical end of the dental fitting 1 towards a coronal end of the dental fitting 1 (see Figures 1 (b) , 1 (c) , 2 (a) and 2 (d) ) . The coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4 has a trioval shape in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. This trioval shape has three radial maxima 15 and three radial minima 17, as is shown in Figure 2 (b) .

The elastically deformable elements 16 have identical

configurations and are in the form of elastically deformable fingers substantially extending in the direction from a coronal end of the cover member 4 towards an apical end of the cover member 4. Specifically, each of the elastically deformable elements 16 is inclined relative to the

longitudinal axis of the main body 2 at an inclination angle of approximately 15° to 25° (see Figures 1(b) and 1(c)). The length of each elastically deformable element 16 in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 is in the range of 35% to 45% of the length of the cover member 4 in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. The elastically deformable elements 16 are arranged along the circumference of the cover member 4 so as to be equidistantly spaced apart from each other in the

circumferential direction of the cover member 4 (see Figure 2 (c) ) .

Each of the elastically deformable elements 16 is elastically deformable at least in a direction substantially

perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body 2, i.e., in a radial direction of the main body 2. Thus, each elastically deformable element 16 can be flexed radially outward from the relaxed position shown, for example, in Figures 1 (b) and 1 (c) .

The cover member 4 has an inner space 18 (see Figures 2 (c) and 2 (d) ) extending through the cover member 4 in the

direction along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

The inner space 18 is open to coronal and apical ends of the cover member 4. The coronal portion 8 and a coronal part of the intermediate portion 10 of the main body 2 are received within the inner space 18.

The coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4 further has an abutment protrusion 20 (see Figures 1 (c) and 2 (d) ) protruding in a radially inward direction from a remainder of an inner wall surface of the cover member 4 forming the inner space 18. The abutment protrusion 20 extends along the entire circumference of the inner wall surface. The abutment protrusion 20 has an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the coronal portion 8 of the main body 2 but larger than the outer diameters of the remaining portions of the main body 2.

The main body 2 and the cover member 4 are configured so that movement of the main body 2 relative to the cover member 4 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2 is restricted in the apical and coronal directions.

In particular, if the main body 2 is moved relative to the cover member 4 in the apical direction, the main body 2 reaches a position in which an apical surface of the coronal portion 8 abuts a coronal surface of the abutment protrusion 20 (see Figure 1 (c) ) . Hence, relative movement of main body 2 and cover member 4 in the apical direction is restricted.

If the main body 2 is moved relative to the cover member 4 in the coronal direction, the main body 2 reaches a position in which a coronal surface of the abutting portion 12 abuts the apical end of the cover member 4, i.e., apical ends of the elastically deformable elements 16. Thus, relative movement of main body 2 and cover member 4 in the coronal direction is restricted. In particular, the elastically deformable elements 16 restrict movement of the main body 2 relative to the cover member 4 along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. Therefore, the main body 2 is movable relative to the cover member 4 only over a predetermined distance, i.e., a limited distance, in the apical and coronal directions along the longitudinal axis of the main body 2.

As is shown in Figure 1 (c) , the cover member 4 is configured so that, in the relaxed state of the elastically deformable elements 16, the inner diameter of an apical portion of the inner space 18 is smaller than the outer diameter of the abutting portion 12. Hence, the abutting portion 12 cannot move past the apical end of the cover member 4, thus

efficiently restricting movement of the main body 2 relative to the cover member 4.

Further, the cover member 4 is configured so that, in an elastically deformed state of the elastically deformable elements 16, the inner diameter of the apical portion of the inner space 18 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the abutting portion 12. Thus, the dental fitting 1 can be assembled in a particularly simple manner, as will be detailed in the following.

Specifically, the main body 2 can be introduced into the inner space 18 from a coronal end of the inner space 18.

Since the inner diameter of the abutment protrusion 20 is larger than the outer diameters of the remaining portions of the main body 2, i.e., the portions other than the coronal portion 8 thereof, these portions can move past the abutment protrusion 20 in the apical direction when inserting the main body 2 into the inner space 18. When the abutting portion 12 reaches the apical portion of the cover member 4, it

elastically deforms the elastically deformable elements 16, i.e., pushes these elements 16 radially outward, allowing for the abutting portion 12 to move past the apical portion of the cover member 4. Once the abutting portion 12 has been moved past the apical portion of the cover member 4, the elastically deformable elements 16 relax, i.e., return to their non-deformed state, so that the cover member 4 is reliably attached to the main body 2 (see Figures 1 (a) , 1 (b) and 1 (c) ) .

Figure 3 shows a dental assembly 100 according to an

embodiment of the present invention. The dental assembly 100 comprises the dental fitting 1 and a dental component 50.

The dental component 50 is a dental implant. The dental assembly 100 is shown in Figure 3 in an assembled state, i.e., in a state in which the dental fitting 1 is fully attached to the dental component 50.

The dental component 50 is made of a metal, such as titanium, a titanium alloy or stainless steel. The dental component 50 has an outer threaded portion 52 for screwing the dental component 50 into a patient's jaw bone.

The dental component 50 comprises an internal socket 54 arranged at a coronal portion of the dental component 50.

The internal socket 54 has a trioval shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the dental

component 50. Further, the internal socket 54 is tapered so that a circumference of the internal socket 54 increases in the direction from an apical end of the dental component 50 towards a coronal end of the dental component 50. The trioval shape and the taper of the internal socket 54 match the trioval shape and the taper of the coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4, respectively. In the state in which the dental fitting 1 is attached to the dental component 50, the cover member 4 is almost entirely received within the

internal socket 54 (see Figure 3) so that the trioval coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4 mates with the trioval internal socket 54. Hence, the internal socket 54 is

particularly efficiently sealed by the cover member 4.

Moreover, the dental component 50 has a threaded bore 56 for receiving the threaded attachment portion 6 of the main body 2. As is shown in Figure 3, the threaded bore 56 is provided apically to the internal socket 54.

The dental fitting 1 can be attached to and removed from the dental component 50 in an efficient and simple manner, i.e., by attaching and removing the main body 2, respectively, as will be detailed in the following.

When attaching the dental fitting 1 to the dental component 50, the dental fitting 1 is inserted into the internal socket 54 and moved in the apical direction relative to the dental component 50 until the attachment portion 6 of the main body 2 reaches the threaded bore 56. Subsequently, the attachment portion 6 is screwed into the threaded bore 56 by using a driving tool engaged with the screw head 9 (see Figures 1 (a) and 1 (c) ) . By screwing the attachment portion 6 into the threaded bore 56, the dental fitting 1 is moved further relative to the dental component 50 in the apical direction.

Due to the restriction of relative movement between main body 2 and cover member 4, the cover member 4 is moved together with the main body 2 in the apical direction. Specifically, the cover member 4 is pushed in the apical direction by the abutment of the apical surface of the coronal portion 8 of the main body 2 on the coronal surface of the abutment protrusion 20 of the cover member 4 (see Figure 1 (c) ) . When the trioval coronal portion 14 of the cover member 4 comes into mating contact with the trioval internal socket 54, it can no longer rotate relative to the dental component 50 around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2. However, since the main body 2 is rotatable relative to the cover member 4 around the longitudinal axis of the main body 2, the main body 2 can be rotated relative to the dental component 50 around the longitudinal axis of the dental component 50, so as to screw the main body 2 into the threaded bore 56 while the cover member 4 remains stationary, i.e., in engagement with the internal socket 54. Hence, the attachment portion 6 can be fully screwed into the threaded bore 56, thereby attaching the dental fitting 1 to the dental component 50.

When removing the dental fitting 1 from the dental component 50, the attachment portion 6 is unscrewed from the threaded bore 56 using the same driving tool as for the attachment process, thus moving the dental fitting 1 relative to the dental component 50 in the coronal direction. Due to the restriction of relative movement between main body 2 and cover member 4, the cover member 4 is moved together with the main body 2 in the coronal direction. Specifically, the cover member 4 is pushed in the coronal direction, out of engagement with the internal socket 54, by the abutment of the coronal surface of the abutting portion 12 of the main body 2 against the apical end of the cover member 4, i.e., the apical ends of the elastically deformable elements 16. Therefore, the dental fitting 1 can be removed from the dental component 50 in an efficient and simple manner.