Dental implant analog having retention groove for soft tissue modeling

Dental implant analog having retention groove for soft tissue modeling
United States Patent Application: 20030162148
Kind Code A1
Prestipino, David M.
Publication Date: August 28, 2003
Inventors: Prestipino, David M.; (Star Tannery, VA)
Correspondence Name and Address: JENKENS & GILCHRIST, P.C.
225 WEST WASHINGTON
SUITE 2600
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
Serial No.: 081422
Series Code: 10
Filed: February 22, 2002
Abstract
An implant analog is for supporting an article that is used to develop a dental prosthesis. The analog provides a main body for being anchored in a model of a mouth of a patient. The main body includes an upper surface for contacting the article that is used to develop a dental prosthesis. The analog includes a groove extending inward along a periphery of the main body below the upper surface for receiving a soft modeling material that replicates gingival tissue. Material for forming a soft tissue model flows into the groove to create a corresponding rib in the soft tissue model that allows the soft tissue model to be properly registered on the underlying stone model.