EXPANDABLE DENTAL IMPLANT
An expandable dental implant is provided. The dental implant comprises a crown portion, an expandable root and a cam. The expandable root portion has a plurality of members pivotally coupled to the crown portion. The cam is coupled to the crown portion and is slidably engageable with at least a portion of the plurality of members to urge the members to pivot outward and expand the root portion.
1 . A dental implant comprising:
a crown portion;
an expandable root portion having a plurality of members pivotally coupled to said crown portion; and
a cam coupled to said crown portion and being slidably engageable with at least a portion of the plurality of members to urge said members to pivot outward and expand the root portion.
2 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising said cam having a tool engaging surface for urging said cam to slidably engage at least a portion of the plurality of members.
3 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising said crown portion having a threaded opening formed therein, and said cam having a threaded member engaged with the threaded opening of said crown portion, said cam being rotatably operable to engage a cam surface with at least a portion of the pivotal members.
4 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 3 , further comprising said threaded member having a tool engaging surface for rotating said cam.
5 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
6 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising at least a portion of said pivotal members having an irregular outer surface.
7 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one groove formed thereon.
8 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one ridge formed thereon.
9 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
10 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising said cam surface having an inclined plane.
11 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the pivotal members having an inclined plane engageable with the cam surface.
12 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising said crown portion having a rotatable threaded member, and said cam having a threaded opening formed therein and engaged with the threaded member of said crown portion, said threaded member being rotatably operable to engage a cam surface with at least a portion of the pivotal members.
13 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising said cam surface having an inclined plane.
14 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising at least one of the pivotal members having an inclined plane engageable with the cam surface.
15 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising said threaded member having a tool engaging surface for rotating said cam.
16 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
17 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising at least a portion of said pivotal members having an irregular outer surface.
18 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one groove formed thereon.
19 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one ridge formed thereon.
20 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
21 . A dental implant comprising:
a crown portion being configured to retain a dental restoration and having a longitudinally extending threaded channel;
an expandable root portion comprising a plurality of members pivotally coupled to said crown portion; and
a threaded member positioned in said longitudinally extending threaded channel and having a crown end and a root end, said crown end being configured to receive a tool for turning and activating said threaded member and said root end being configured to engage said plurality of members and urge said members outward when said threaded member is activated.
22 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 21 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
23 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 21 , further comprising at least a portion of said pivotal members having an irregular outer surface.
24 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 23 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one groove formed thereon.
25 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 23 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one ridge formed thereon.
26 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 23 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
27 . A dental implant comprising:
a crown portion configured for retaining a dental restoration and having a longitudinally extending threaded channel;
an expandable root portion comprising a plurality of members pivotally coupled to said crown portion;
a threaded member positioned in said longitudinally extending threaded channel and having a crown end and a root end, said threaded member being configured on said crown end to receive, and be activated by, a tool; and
a cam threadably engaged on the root end of said threaded member, said spreading member being positioned between said plurality of members and configured so that when said threaded member is activated, said spreading member is drawn toward said crown portion and forcing said plurality of members outward.
28 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 27 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.
29 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 27 , further comprising at least a portion of said pivotal members having an irregular outer surface.
30 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 29 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one groove formed thereon.
31 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 29 , further comprising the irregular outer surface having at least one ridge formed thereon.
32 . A dental implant, as set forth in claim 29 , further comprising at least one of the plurality of members having an apical portion having a convex region with ridges formed thereon.