Modular template for drilling holes and method of making same

1. A template for use with an instrument for penetrating an uncut irregular surface through a hole in said uncut irregular surface, said hole being located at a desired location on said uncut irregular surface, said template comprising:

a body including a custom surface shaped as a negative impression of the uncut irregular surface to conform to the uncut irregular surface, the body having a receiving section;

a removable portion configured to seat in the receiving section of the body;

said body further including a guideway that is detachably connected to the removable portion and having a first end positioned to open onto said desired location when said body is placed in conforming contact with said uncut irregular surface;

said guideway having a second end positioned on an exterior surface of said body, and connected to said first end by a passage;

a radiographic marker arranged in the removable portion;

means for securing said removable portion to said body;

a stop for limiting a depth of penetration of said instrument into said hole; and

wherein the guideway comprises an inner piece including the stop, and an outer piece, and

wherein the outer piece includes a threaded inner surface configured to engage threads on a threaded outer surface of the inner piece, and a threaded outer surface.

2. The template of claim 1 , wherein said guideway is substantially linear.

3. The template of claim 1 , wherein said stop is integrally formed with said inner piece.

4. The template of claim 1 , wherein said template is intended for use in surgery.

5. The template of claim 4 , wherein said uncut irregular surface is a surface of a bone.

6. The template of claim 5 , wherein said bone is a jaw.

7. The template of claim 5 , wherein said bone is a cranium.

8. A modular template for use with a drill bit for drilling a hole into an uncut irregular surface at a desired location on said uncut irregular surface, said template comprising:

a body including a custom surface shaped as a negative impression of the uncut irregular surface to conform to the uncut irregular surface and a removable portion;

said body further including a guideway that is detachably connected to the removable portion and having a first end positioned to open onto said desired location when said body is placed in conforming contact with said uncut irregular surface;

said guideway having a second end positioned on an exterior surface of said body, and connected to said first end by a passage;

said guideway being positioned in said removable portion; and

means for attaching said removable portion to said body,

wherein each of said body and said removable portion includes a radiographic marker such that said body comprises a radiographic template for subsequent removable portions,

wherein the guideway comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, and

wherein the outer piece includes a threaded inner surface configured to engage threads on a threaded outer surface of the inner piece, and a threaded outer surface.

9. The template of claim 8 , wherein said means for attaching includes a clip.

10. The template of claim 8 , further comprising:

a stop for limiting a depth of penetration of said drill bit into said hole, the stop attached to the inner piece.

11. A template for use with an instrument for penetrating an uncut irregular surface through a hole in said uncut irregular surface, said hole being located at a desired location on said uncut irregular surface, said template comprising:

a body including a custom surface shaped as a negative impression of the uncut irregular surface to conform to the uncut irregular surface, the body having a receiving section;

a removable portion configured to be arranged in the receiving section;

a removable guideway arranged at the removable portion and having a first end positioned to open onto said desired location when said body is placed in conforming contact with said uncut irregular surface, wherein the removable guideway comprises an inner piece and an outer piece, and wherein the outer piece includes an outer surface configured to engage an inner surface of the removable portion;

means for securing said removable portion to said body; and

the inner piece configured as a stop for limiting a depth of penetration of said instrument into said hole.

12. The template of claim 11, wherein the inner piece comprises a ferrule.

13. The template of claim 12, wherein the stop is integrally formed with the ferrule.

14. The template of claim 12, wherein the guideway is substantially linear.

15. The template of claim 11, wherein the uncut irregular surface is a surface of a bone.

16. The template of claim 15, wherein the bone is a jaw.

17. The template of claim 11, further comprising: a modular portion configured as an attachment element of a dental implant prosthesis.

18. The template of claim 11, further comprising: a radiographic marker arranged in the removable portion.

19. A modular template for use with a drill bit for drilling a hole into an uncut irregular surface at a desired location on said uncut irregular surface, said template comprising:

a body including a custom surface shaped as a negative impression of the uncut irregular surface to conform to the uncut irregular surface;

a guideway that is detachably connected to the body and having a first end positioned to open onto said desired location when said body is placed in conforming contact with the uncut irregular surface, wherein the guideway comprises an inner piece, which is configured as a removable stop, and an outer piece, and wherein the outer piece includes an outer surface fastened to an inner surface of the guideway;

the guideway having a second end positioned on an exterior surface of the body, and connected to the first end by a passage; and

the removable stop for limiting a depth of penetration of said instrument into said hole.

20. The template of claim 19, wherein at least the body includes a radiographic marker such that the body comprises a radiographic template.

21. The template of claim 19, further comprising: a connector configured to attach the guideway to the body.

22. The template of claim 19, further comprising: a modular portion configured as an attachment element of a dental implant prosthesis.