FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of preparing a patient's mouth for the insertion of a prosthetic tooth and a system adapted for use in preparing a patient's mouth for the insertion of a prosthetic tooth as part of implant therapy.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The number of patients worldwide that receive dental implants is large, and growing. Typically, dental implants are used to support prosthetic teeth in patients that have lost teeth or whose teeth have been removed for a variety of reasons.

In a small percentage of cases, it is possible to provide dental patients with temporary dental prostheses secured to the implants immediately after the implants are installed. However, in the vast majority of cases, this is not possible, as further time, usually three to 12 months, is required for healing of the implant sites, and also for taking other steps in relation to preparing the patients' mouths and materials for inserting the prostheses.

Patients often wish to have temporary artificial teeth installed to fill spaces where original teeth are missing or have been removed, to avoid embarrassment as a result of unsightliness caused by the missing teeth. Current options for providing temporary artificial teeth include the following:

1 . inserting partial dentures;

2. inserting an Essix Stent, which is a clear vacuum-formed stent which supports artificial (typically acrylic) teeth in the spaces where the original teeth were located;

3. installing temporary adhesion bridges, which include artificial (typically acrylic) teeth which are bonded to the teeth adjacent to the spaces where the original teeth were located. Such options suffer from the disadvantages that they are often uncomfortable and costly, can impair functions such as speech and eating, can be unhygienic in the vicinity of a healing wound (such as a wound caused by the placing of an implant), and can place undesirable pressure on healing gums, bones, bone grafts, as well as on the newly installed implants, which, because the implants or provisional means of replacing a missing tooth or filling a space are at that stage not fully integrated with the surrounding tissue in the patients' mouth, can jeopardize the success of the implant procedures. In addition, the items installed according to the above options often act as obstacles hindering access to the implants. This, in turn, necessitates time- consuming steps as the installed items usually need to be removed to provide access to the implants, and then replaced multiple times throughout the process of finalising the implant. This can also detrimentally affect appearance, and also the fitting and adhesion of the temporary prosthesis to adjacent teeth.

Another problem with existing implant procedures relates to the fact that, when a tooth is extracted, the gum and bone at the site of the tooth before it was removed now remodel and shrink. This gives rise to a challenge to the dentist in trying to recreate the appearance of the gum prior to the extraction, especially if this is near the front of the mouth and visible when the patient smiles or talks. it is an object of the present invention to ameliorate disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a patient's mouth for the insertion of a prosthetic tooth in a space defined between two existing structures in the mouth, the method including: providing two attachment components, each attachment component having a respective first attachment formation;

providing a releasable fitting having two second attachment formations disposed at opposite sides of the releasable fitting, each second attachment formation being complementary to a respective one of the first attachment formations;

and releasably attaching the releasable fitting to said attachment components by engaging each of the second attachment formations with a respective one of the first attachment formations, and

attaching the attachment components to respective surfaces of the two existing structures without penetration of the two existing structures, such that the releasable fitting extends across the space. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of said two existing structures is an existing tooth.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the releasable fitting includes a mounting jig.

Then, preferably, the step of releasably attaching the releasable fitting to said attachment components occurs before the step of attaching the attachment components to respective surfaces of the two existing structures. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes taking a three- dimensional (3D) digital scan of said mouth using a CAD-CAM or 3D printer scanning device..

In one preferred embodiment, the method includes making at least one of a surgical stent and a Computer Guided Surgical Stent (CGSS) using CAD-CAM technology or 3D printer technology based on information presented by the 3D scan.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes taking a CT Scan of a portion of the mouth, said portion including the radiographic stent. Then, preferably, the method further includes making at least one of a surgical stent and a CGSS using CAD-CAM technology or 3D printer technology based on information presented by the CT scan. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the step of releasably attaching a releasable fitting, for each first attachment formation and corresponding complementary second attachment formation that are attached to each other, one of the respective first attachment formation and respective second attachment formation defines a slot, and the other of the respective first attachment formation and respective second attachment formation includes an engagement formation that is complementary to, and slidable along, the respective slot.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the space is a void left by an extracted tooth.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of providing two attachment components includes fabricating the attachment components at a first location at which the patient is situated, and the step of attaching the attachment components to respective surfaces of the existing structures is preferably carried out at the first location.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of providing said releasable fitting includes fabricating the fitting.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of providing said releasable fitting includes fabricating the fitting at said first location.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of providing a releasable fitting includes selecting said releasable fitting from a plurality of different releasable fittings.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the step of selecting said releasable fitting from a plurality of different releasable, the plurality of different releasable fittings includes at least one of a group of fittings including a temporary dental bridge, a radiographic stent, a surgical stent, a computer guided surgical stent, and a dental prosthesis, wherein at least two fittings from the groups are available to be selected.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the step of releasably attaching the releasable fitting, the releasable fitting includes a temporary dental bridge.

Then preferably, the method includes, subsequent to the step of attaching the first releasable fitting which includes a temporary dental bridge, of

removing the releasable fitting from said two existing structures by disengaging the second attachment formations from the first attachment formations; and

repeating the step of attaching a releasable fitting to said two existing structures, wherein the releasable fitting includes a radiographic stent.

Preferably, the method includes, subsequent to the step of attaching the releasable fitting which includes a radiographic stent, of

removing the releasable fitting from the two existing structures by disengaging the second attachment formations from the first attachment formations; and

further repeating the step of attaching a releasable fitting wherein the releasable fitting includes the temporary dental bridge.

Preferably, the method includes, subsequent to further repeating the step of attaching the releasable fitting which includes the temporary dental bridge, of removing the releasable fitting which includes the temporary dental bridge from the two existing structures by disengaging the second attachment formations from the first attachment formations; and

repeating the step of attaching a releasable fitting wherein the releasable fitting includes a surgical guide.

Preferably, the method includes, subsequent to repeating the step of attaching a releasable fitting wherein the releasable fitting includes a surgical guide, of inserting at least one dental implant in the mouth, using the surgical guide to guide the positioning of the at least one implant.

Preferably, the method includes, subsequent to the step of inserting at least one dental implant, of

removing the releasable fitting which includes the surgical guide from the two by disengaging the second attachment formations from the first attachment formations; and

yet further repeating the step of attaching a releasable fitting wherein the releasable fitting includes the temporary dental bridge.

Preferably, the method includes, subsequent to said step of yet further repeating the step of attaching the releasable fitting which includes the temporary dental bridge, of inserting at least one dental prosthesis in the mouth such that the dental prosthesis is supported by the at least one implant.

Preferably, the method further includes, prior to the step of attaching the attachment components to respective surfaces of two existing structures, the step of removing another tooth from the mouth to create said space.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of attaching the attachment components to respective surfaces of two existing structures includes effecting such attaching using dental cement or bonding agent. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of releasably attaching the releasable fitting to said two existing structures includes attaching the second attachment formations of the releasable fitting to the first attachment formations using temporary dental cement. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a patient's mouth for the insertion of a prosthetic tooth, wherein there are two existing structures in the mouth defining a space between them, each structure having a structure surface facing the space, the method including: attaching two attachment components to the respective structure surfaces, wherein each attachment component has a first attachment formation;

providing a plurality of different releasable fittings each having two second attachment formations disposed at respective opposite sides of the respective releasable fitting, each second attachment formation being complementary to a respective one of the first attachment formations;

selecting at least one releasable fitting from the plurality of releasable fittings; and

causing one of the at least one selected fitting at a time to be releasably attached to the two existing structures by the engagement of each of the second attachment formations of the respective selected releasable fitting with a respective one of the first attachment formations such that the releasable fitting extends in the space between the two existing structures.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system adapted for use in preparing a patient's mouth for the insertion of a prosthetic tooth, wherein there are two existing structures in the mouth defining a space between them, each structure having a structure surface facing the space, the system including:

two attachment components each having a structure abutment surface, wherein each abutment surface is shaped complementarily with respect to a respective one of the structure surfaces so as to be capable of attachment to the respective structure in conformity with the respective structure surface, wherein each attachment component has a first attachment formation; and a plurality of different releasable fittings each having two second attachment formations, the second attachment formations being disposed at opposite sides of the respective releasable fitting and being complementary to a respective one of the first attachment formations;

whereby the releasable fittings of the plurality of releasable fittings are each adapted to be releasably attached, one at a time, to the two existing structures by engagement of each of the second attachment formations of the respective releasable fitting with a respective one of the first attachment formations such that the releasable fitting extends in the space between the two existing structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic buccal view of teeth and a portion of a patient's gums in the patient's mouth, and components for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a radiographic stent for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a temporary artificial tooth for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic incisal view of teeth in the patient's mouth, and components for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a schematic incisal view, similar to that of Figure 4, in which a mounting jig is shown attached as an assembled unit with attachment components for use in a method according to an embodiment of the invention, with other features shown in dashed lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An important aspect of the procedure for placing an implant in a patient's mouth, in order to support a "final" prosthetic tooth in place of a lost natural tooth, is to provide the patient with a temporary prosthetic tooth. Such a temporary tooth can provide a solution to minimise potential embarrassment and discomfit of the patient which may arise due to the unsightliness of the gap or space left by the missing tooth, during the various stages required for placing the implant before the final prosthesis can be inserted.

The following types of component are often used in the prior art procedure for inserting an implant.

• A temporary bridge. This is a temporary tooth or combination of teeth, preferably of acrylic or composite material, which can be supported on two teeth on either side of the space where the natural tooth was located before it was extracted or otherwise removed.

• A radiographic stent. This type of stent is typically radio-opaque. Thus, when it is used in the process of taking a CT (Computerised tomography) scan, the stent shows on the scan result (image) as a prominent component to facilitate identifying the position and orientation of other features in the image.

• A surgical stent. This is a guide, preferably of acrylic, which is placed in the patient's mouth prior to implant surgery. It is adapted to guide the dentist's instruments as they are used, and to guide components of the implant as these are inserted, so as to achieve appropriate positioning and orientation of these items.

• A Computer Guided Surgical Stent (CGSS). This is a form of surgical stent that is more complex and accurate than a standard surgical stent, as it is made using the information obtained from a CT scan and radiographic stent

According to the prior art, a typical procedure for placing a dental implant may be carried out according to the following example, described, in simplified terms, in relation to a series of appointments attended by the patient with the dentist. First Appointment

At a first appointment, impressions of relevant portions of the patient's mouth, teeth and gums can be taken to serve as a basis to make a temporary prosthesis in the form of a temporary denture, Essix stent or temporary adhesion bridge.

Second Appointment At a second appointment, typically a few days to a week after the first appointment, after the temporary prosthesis has been made, a tooth extraction to create a space between two teeth (adjacent teeth) on either side of the extracted tooth can be carried out, unless the tooth was already removed from the mouth, thereby creating that space. The temporary prosthesis can then be installed in the space by cementing the temporary prosthesis to the two adjacent teeth.

Third Appointment At a third appointment, typically six to eight weeks after the second appointment, the temporary prosthesis can be removed, followed by insertion of a radiographic stent.

A CT scan can then be taken of relevant portions of the patient's mouth, teeth and gums. After the CT scan is completed, the radiographic stent can be removed. A surgical stent or CGSS can then be made utilising information from the CT Scan.

Fourth Appointment

At a fourth appointment, a surgical procedure for inserting a dental implant can be performed. Typically, this will necessitate again removing the temporary prosthesis as described above, otherwise the temporary prosthesis would constitute an obstacle hindering access to the surgical site. The surgical procedure may be performed with or without a surgical stent or computer guided surgical stent (CGSS). If such a stent is used, it is inserted after the temporary prosthesis is removed. After the surgical procedure is completed, typically involving the application of sutures to the wound formed by the procedure, the temporary prosthesis can be reinserted as described above, after removing the surgical stent if it was used. Fifth Appointment

At a fifth appointment, typically one to two weeks after the fourth appointment, the sutures can be removed. Sixth Appointment

At a sixth appointment, typically three to six months after the fifth appointment, the temporary prosthesis can again be removed as described above, and an impression of relevant portions of the patient's mouth, teeth, and gums taken for use in the manufacture of a final dental prosthesis which is to be secured by means of the inserted implant.

Then the temporary prosthesis can be reinserted again, as described above. Seventh Appointment

As a seventh appointment, typically one day to two weeks after the sixth appointment, once the final prosthesis is made, the temporary prosthesis can once more be removed as described above, and the final prosthesis inserted using the implant. mbodiments of the present invention

Aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described, relating to the preparation of a patient's mouth for the insertion of an implant for a prosthetic tooth, and then the insertion of that tooth.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, there is shown part of the patient's mouth 10, including two structure in the form of teeth 12 in the mouth, and a space 14 bordered and defined by the two teeth, in which space another tooth (not shown) was previously located, before being removed from the mouth.

The two teeth 12 are connected to, and a protrude from, the patient's gums 16.

Embodiments of the invention are envisaged for use in a situation where a patient (not shown) is to be provided with one or more dental implant (not shown), which is inserted into the patient's gums 16 and underlying bone material, for the attachment and support of a prosthetic tooth (not shown).

As an initial step, a three-dimensional (3D) visual digital scan using CAD-CAM ("computer aided design"-"computer aided manufacturing") or 3D printer/scanner technology, is taken of relevant portions of the patient's mouth 10, in order to obtain a three-dimensional digital image of the two teeth 12, the gums 16 and the space 14, and the relative positioning of these features. Once the 3D digital scan is carried out, according to a preferred embodiment, a mounting jig 18 is formed. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting jig 18 is formed of composite material or ceramic, using CAD-CAM/3D printer technology. This technology includes the use of computers and computerised machines (not shown) running software, which are adapted to enable computerised design of components such as the mounting jig 18, based on the three- dimensional image of the patient's mouth 10 obtained using the 3D digital scan, and performing a manufacturing process on a suitably sized blank to form the mounting jig. In preferred embodiments the same blank (or remainder thereof) might be used for forming other components as discussed below.

While the present embodiments are described in relation to CAD-CAM technology, other forms of manufacturing may be used, such as three- dimensional (3D) printing.

According to the preferred embodiment, the computer aided design of the mounting jig 18 is carried out in conjunction with the computer aided design of a pair of attachment components 20, as described further, below.

Each of the attachment components 20 includes a tooth-abutting surface 22 and defines an elongate first attachment formation 24 (see Figure 4). The first attachment formation 24 of each of the attachment components 20 is in the form of a slot running along the respective attachment component. The first attachment formations 24 are thus referred to below as slots.

Each slot 24 has a relatively narrow neck region 24.1 , and a broader internal region 24.2, as best seen in Figure 4.

The mounting jig 18 includes a main body portion 26 and two second attachment formations 28 at opposite sides of the main body portion. Each of the second attachment formations 28 is elongate, and has a profile, when viewed from the top, which includes a relatively narrow neck portion 28.1 and a broader obstruction portion 28.2 as best seen in Figures 2 and 3.

The neck portion 28.1 and obstruction portion 28.2 of each second attachment formation 28 together constitute a rail, and therefore, each second attachment formation is referred to as such, below.

The profile of each of the two rails 28 is complementary to the profile of the respective one of the two slots 24, also as best seen in Figure 4. Each of the attachment components 20, when it is fabricated, is fabricated together with an integrally attached guide wing 30, as shown in dashed lines in Figures 1 and 4. Each guide wing 30 includes a curved brace portion 32, and a thin connection portion 34, which connects the guide wing 30 to the remainder of the respective attachment component 20.

Once the mounting jig 18 and two attachment components 20 (including their guide wings 30) are fabricated, the mounting jig and attachment components are assembled in relation to each other, by sliding the two rails 28 of the mounting jig along the respective slots 24 of the attachment components into the position as shown in Figure 5.

The design of the mounting jig 18 and attachment components 20 is controlled by the CAD-CAM software and is based on the digital scan, so that the dimensions of these components, once they are assembled as described above, is such that the tooth abutting surfaces 22 of the two attachment components 20 are spaced apart from each other, and configured, so as to be complementary to inner surfaces 12.1 of the two teeth 12 which face into the space 14.

Thus, the distance between the two tooth abutting surfaces 22 is such that they can be attached to the respective inner surfaces 12.1 with the mounting jig 18 extending in the space 14 between the two attachment components 20 and between the teeth 12.

In this configuration, the mounting jig 18 and two attachment components 20 form an assembled unit, generally referenced 36 (see Figure 5).

In addition, also as a result of the computer aided design and manufacturing, the guide wings 30 are configured such that anterior regions 38 of the brace portions 32 abut against the buccal surfaces 12.2 of the two teeth 12, to limit movement of the assembled unit 36 relative to the teeth. Accordingly, with the two guide wings 30 abutting the buccal surfaces 12.2 of the two teeth 12, the assembled unit 36 is suitably dimensioned, orientated and positioned such that the tooth abutting surfaces 22 are in close and conforming engagement with the inner surfaces 12.1 of the two teeth 12.

Prior to positioning the assembled unit 36 in this manner, dental bonding agent is applied to the tooth abutting surfaces 22 and/or to the tooth inner surfaces 12.1 , so that when the assembled unit is positioned as described, the attachment components 20 can be cemented to the teeth, as shown in Figure 4.

Once the cement has sufficiently cured so as to bond the attachment components 20 to the two teeth 12, the guide wings 30 can be removed (e.g. by drilling, flicking them off, etc) from the remainder of the respective attachment components.

In addition, once the two attachment components 20 are secured to the teeth 12 in this manner, the mounting jig 18 can be removed from the two attachment components, by sliding the rails 28 of the mounting jig from the slots 24.

Once the mounting jig 18 is removed, the two attachment components 20 are left, bonded to the two teeth 12.

It will thus be appreciated that the guide wings 30 are used to suitably position the two attachment components 20 relative to the two teeth 12, to facilitate attaching the attachment components to the teeth.

Procedure for installing an implant There will now be described a method, according to a preferred embodiment, of using the attachment components 20 and other components for preparing the patient's mouth 10 for the placing of a dental implant, and one or more prosthetic tooth such that the tooth is held in place by the implant. Apart from the mounting jig 18, various releasable fittings that may be used in conjunction with the attachment components 20 include the following:

• A temporary bridge 40 (see Figure 3), which can be supported on the two teeth 12 and which is used for spanning the space 14.

• A radiographic stent 42 (see Figure 2). According to the preferred embodiment shown, the stent 42 has a through hole 42.1 with openings 42.2, the openings allowing the through-hole to be filled with radio-opaque material such as composite resin or gutta-percha. In another embodiment (not shown) the whole stent is radio-opaque. The ability of the radio-opaque (or partially radio-opaque) stent 42 to facilitate identifying the position and orientation of other features in the CT scan image (as mentioned above) can assist a dentist to visualize on the CT scan image where a prosthetic tooth needs to be placed relative to the bone underlying the gum. This further assists the dentist to determine where the implant needs to be placed in the patient's mouth, the appropriate dimensions, spacing, and angulation of the implant, and to determine if there are any other critical structures in proximity to the proposed surgical site of the implant, such as major nerves or blood vessels, sinuses, etc. · A surgical stent (not shown). This is a guide, preferably of composite material, which is placed in the patient's mouth prior to implant surgery. This stent is adapted to guide the dentist's instruments as they are used, and to guide components of the implant as these are inserted, so as to achieve appropriate positioning and orientation of these items.

• A Computer Guided Surgical Stent (CGSS) (not shown). This stent in the present embodiment is made using the computer-aided design. The more accurate CGSS can facilitate quicker, more accurate dental surgery which can hence be less traumatic to the patient.

Each of the above releasable fittings is provided with a pair of rails conforming in profile to the rails 28 of the mounting jig 18, and is fabricated so as to be suitably sized and configured to engage the slots 24 of the attachment components 20 when the attachment components are cemented to the two teeth 12, in a similar engagement to that of the mounting jig 18 as described above. Thus, each of the rails and its neck portion and obstruction portions of these releasable fittings is referenced with the same reference numerals as those of the mounting jig 18.

The various releasable fittings are adapted to be attached to and removed from the attachment components 20 in the same manner as for the mounting jig 18. Therefore, where reference is made to such attachment and removal of such fittings, it is to be understood accordingly.

Method according an embodiment of the invention

A method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will now be described, in terms of a series of appointments that a patient may have with a dentist. However, it is to be appreciated that the description of the method in relation to the appointments, and the timing of the appointments, are provided by way of example only, and the method may be carried out according to different timing.

First Appointment

At a first appointment, a visual digital scan can be taken by means of a 3D digital scanner using CAD-CAM technology or by means of 3D printing/scanning technology. Using the digital scan, all the of the relevant components that will be used, except for the surgical stent or CGSS, can be fabricated, including the attachment components 20, and the releasable fittings including the mounting jig 18, temporary bridge 40, and radiographic stent 42. The first appointment may also be used for extracting one or more teeth from the patient's mouth 10 to create the space 14, for example, in an emergency appointment following a dental trauma suffered by the patient. Alternatively, the patient's tooth or teeth may be extracted as a pre-planned procedure at an earlier appointment.

Once the tooth is extracted, the attachment components 20 can be attached to the remaining two teeth 12 using the mounting jig 18 as described above.

After the attachment components 20 are cemented in place and the guide wings 30 are removed, the mounting jig 18 can be removed as described above, and the temporary dental bridge 40 can be inserted in its place, by sliding the rails 28 of the temporary dental bridge into the slots 24.

The temporary bridge 40, as well as the final prosthetic tooth, can be designed to be of substantially the same shape as the removed natural tooth. Where the process incudes extracting that tooth, or where the removed natural tooth is otherwise available, the shape of the temporary bridge 40 can include a portion 40.1 of the same shape as the root of the removed tooth (as shown in dashed lines in Figure 3).

In this case, the temporary bridge 40, once inserted, can serve as a root "scaffold" around which the gum 10 can heal. This can assist in preserving as much as possible of the original gingival architecture that existed prior to the natural tooth being removed.

The temporary bridge 40 can be secured in place with temporary dental cement.

Second Appointment

At a second appointment, say six to eight weeks after the first appointment, the temporary dental bridge 40 can be removed from the attachment components 20, and the radiographic stent 42 can be inserted in its place.

A CT Scan can then be performed of relevant portions of the patient's mouth 10, in order to obtain a three-dimensional image of the two teeth 12, the gums 16 and the space 14, and the relative positioning of these features. Then, the radiographic stent 42 can be removed and the temporary bridge 40 reinserted to cover the space. Third Appointment

At a third appointment, say a few days to weeks after the second appointment, the temporary bridge 40 can be removed again as described above, and either the standard surgical guide or a surgical guide in the form of a CGSS inserted in its place using the same insertion process.

The surgical procedure of inserting the implant can then be carried out, with the instruments used by the dentist performing the procedure, and the position and orientation of the implant components, being guided by the inserted surgical guide.

As an alternative, the implant can be placed at the same appointment as the extraction. In that case, a CGSS can be manufactured at that appointment to facilitate accurate implant placement.

After the surgical procedure is completed, typically involving the application of sutures to the wound formed by the procedure, the surgical guide can be removed and the temporary bridge 40 reinserted in its place. Fourth Appointment

At a fourth appointment, say one to two weeks after the third appointment, the sutures may be removed. This may be preceded by removing the temporary bridge 40 and taking another 3D Visual Scan of the implant. From the information provided by this scan, the final prosthesis can be made utilizing CAD-CAM or 3D printer technology. Alternatively, an impression of a portion of the mouth 10 that includes the two teeth 12 and the portion of the patient's gum 16 adjacent to the two teeth can be taken and sent to a dental laboratory for manufacture of the final prosthesis. After this visual digital scan is taken, the temporary dental bridge 40 can be reinserted as described above.

The same CAD-CAM technology used for designing and fabricating the attachment formations 20 and various releasable components described above can also be used for designing and fabricating the final prosthetic tooth (not shown) which is to be supported by implant.

The method and components used according to embodiments of the invention can facilitate the streamlining of the dental implant process when compared with the conventional approach, from the initial stage of extraction of a tooth and digital scanning to the final stage of placing the final prosthetic tooth using the implant.

A potentially important advantage of embodiments of the invention is that they involve placing of no or minimal pressure on the newly inserted implant and surrounding soft tissue or graft. This can facilitate the healing process which in turn can be critical to the success of the implant procedure and resulting aesthetic outcome.

Indeed, embodiments of the invention may facilitate the recreation of the soft tissue contours that had previously been established by the natural tooth that was removed and which is to be replaced by the new dental prosthesis.

The modular nature of the components used in accordance with embodiments of the invention needed for each stage of the procedure can be manufactured before that stage, and indeed even before a CT scan is taken or a tooth is extracted. In particular, once the attachment components 20 are bonded to the two teeth 12, the other components can simply be slotted into place as they are required by means of the respective rails 28 and slots 24, and then simply removed once that stage has been completed. The modularity of the components can provide desirable flexibility to the dentist performing the procedures. For example, if at the time of a particular stage of the procedure it transpires that parameters, for example at the surgical site in the patient's mouth 10, are not favourable for the particular stage to be performed, it will typically be a simple process, if required, to insert the temporary bridge 40 so that the patient can leave from the appointment with the bridge in place to avoid potential embarrassment and also the need to return a day or so later to have a less satisfactory temporary tooth or bridge inserted.

The fact that embodiments of the invention employ CAD-CAM technology can be beneficial in reducing time and cost for performing various stages of the implant procedure. For example, if the dentist that performs the procedures has suitable equipment such as CAM apparatus or 3D printers available on site, this may obviate the need to have the various components described above manufactured at a laboratory remote from the dentist's premises. In addition, such equipment can be used to fabricate the components rapidly, even while the patient is present.

From the above description of the prior art method of carrying out the implant procedure, it may be appreciated how many times a temporary prosthesis needs to be inserted, removed and reinserted. This can be especially time- consuming where the temporary prosthesis is in the form of a temporary adhesion bridge. In addition, with each act of removing and then reattaching such a bridge, its integrity can be detrimentally affected.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to achieve such detachment and reattachment of the temporary bridge 40 rapidly and easily and with minimal, if any, detriment to the bridge itself or other components or features in the patient's mouth 10.

Although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and examples, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to those particular embodiments and examples, but may be embodied in other forms.

For example, if there is only one tooth 12 adjacent to the position where the prosthetic tooth is to be placed (i.e. the position of the space 14), a mini-implant (not shown) can be inserted in place of the other tooth 12 adjacent to that position, so that the mini-implant and existing tooth 12 define the space 14 between them. The components and method of the embodiments of the invention can then be used as described above.

The attachment components 20 including the slots 24, as well as the mounting jig 18, temporary bridge 40, radiographic stent 42 and their respective rails 28, can be configured differently or have different shapes to those shown in the drawings, depending, for example, on the ease or requirements of manufacture, or aesthetic considerations.