Dental implants and methods for extending service life

摘要

An implant having a damaged proximal protrusion that allows unacceptable crown rotation is repaired using a notching jig slipped over the implant protrusion. Guided by the jig, a burr forms radial slots in the outer proximal implant surface. A new crown is prepared using modifications of well-known casting techniques. The prosthetic crown precisely engages the newly-added slots on the implant to prevent rotation between the implant and the crown. Modified analog implants, copings, and abutments facilitate the method. An improved implant has a proximal protrusion that is generally square in cross section and includes radial slots for use in threading the implant into the jaw bone. No forces need be applied directly to the protrusion's external surfaces when inserting the implant for subsequent osseointegration.