CUSTOMIZABLE SCULPTABLE ANATOMICAL HEALING CAPS, PONTICS, SYSTEMS, AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

Customizable sculptable healing caps or pontics include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an enlarged cuff body extending laterally outward from the elongate body. The cuff body includes a subgingival portion that is anatomically sized and shaped for providing substantially custom filling of the emergence portion of a void resulting from removal of a selected tooth. An exposed portion of the cuff body that resides gingivally above the subgingival portion may also be provided. At least the subgingival portion comprises a sculptable material (e.g., plastic or composite material) so that a practitioner can easily remove select portions with a burr, build up portions with application of a adhering dental material, or both to allow chair-side full customization so that the resulting subgingival portion fills the emergence portion of the void, better preserving the gingival features surrounding the site of tooth removal. In the case of a healing cap, the elongate body may be hollow, including a channel therethrough. Locking structure may also be provided at the distal end for anchoring the healing cap into a dental implant. In the case of a pontic, the elongate body may be solid, as no access channel may be needed. In addition, no locking structure may be provided at the distal end, as a pontic may not be anchored into any dental implant (i.e., no implant may be present).