fig1 and 2a illustrate an immediate provisional implant 10 having features according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention . as shown in fig2 a , the implant 10 is preferably divided into four integral segments : a body segment 12 , a neck segment 14 , and a top segment or abutment 16 . in the illustrated embodiment , the neck segment 14 includes a torque - accepting segment 18 , particularly designed to engage with a torque - imparting tool . the body segment 12 includes mechanical structures to aid in anchoring the implant 10 within the mandible or maxilla , and is preferably threaded for this purpose . the body segment 12 thus represents the portion of the implant that is placed in either the mandible ( see fig3 ) or the maxilla . in the illustrated embodiment , the threading 60 extends in a helical path along the length of the body segment 12 . the threads are preferably machined to have a thread interval or “ pitch ” of about 1 mm to 1 . 5 mm ( 1 . 17 mm illustrated ) near the top of the body segment 12 , varying to about 0 . 6 mm to 0 . 9 mm ( 0 . 84 mm illustrated ) at the lower end on the body segment . the threads 60 have flat top lands with a nominal width of about 0 . 10 mm to 0 . 15 mm near the top of the body segment 12 . in the particular preferred embodiment of fig2 a - 2d , the body segment 12 has three sections or sub - regions 61 , 62 , and 63 , distinguished according to how the thread diameter and depth varies in those sub - regions . the intermediate sub - region 62 is preferably a region of approximately constant thread diameter of about 1 . 8 mm to 2 . 2 mm ( about 2 . 032 mm in the illustrated embodiment ) and approximately constant thread depth of about 0 . 22 mm to 0 . 28 mm ( about 0 . 254 mm in the illustrated embodiment ). the lower sub - region 63 , best seen from fig2 b , preferably extends to the distal most end of the body segment 12 . the lower sub - region 63 is preferably characterized by a reducing thread diameter and thread depth toward the distal end , producing a slope or angle to the implant axis . preferably , the thread top lands produce a slope of about 1 °- 10 °, more preferably 3 °- 7 ° ( about 5 ° in the illustrated embodiment ). the troughs define a smaller slope , preferably 0 . 5 °- 3 ° ( about 2 ° in the illustrated embodiment ), such that the thread depth becomes shallower toward the distal end . the upper sub - region 61 of the illustrated embodiment is preferably designed to engage the cortical bone , and is shown in more detail in fig2 d . the thread diameter and thread depth preferably tapers from the proximal to distal end in the upper sub - region 61 greater than the tapering in the lower sub - region 63 . preferably , this taper in thread diameter is characterized by a slope relative to the implant axis of about 6 °- 14 °, more preferably about 8 °- 12 ° and , most preferably , about 10 ° as in the illustrated embodiment . the maximum thread diameter is preferably less than about 3 . 5 mm , more preferably less than about 3 mm ( 2 . 72 mm in the embodiment of fig2 d ). the proximal thread 64 , adjacent the top segment 16 , also represents the maximum width of the immediate provisional implant 10 . the maximum thread depth , also occurring adjacent the neck segment 14 , is preferably between about 0 . 5 mm and 0 . 7 mm ( 0 . 6 mm in the illustrated embodiment ). alternatively , fig2 e - 2g illustrate another preferred embodiment of an immediate provisional implant 10 a having an extended substantially constant - diameter or cylindrical section 62 a , without the flared upper region previously described . for convenience of description and ease of understanding like reference numerals are used to designate like elements . in accordance with this embodiment , the maximum thread diameter is less than about 2 . 5 mm , and is about 2 mm in the illustrated embodiment . the second embodiment is otherwise substantially similar to the provisional implant of fig2 a - 2d . referring again to fig2 a , the torque - accepting segment 18 is located in the lower region of the neck segment 14 , shown located about 1 mm from the largest thread 64 . the torque - accepting segment 18 is preferably located below the top segment 16 . accordingly , the torque - accepting segment 18 facilitates removal of the immediate provisional implant . in the illustrated embodiments , the torque - accepting segment 18 is faceted and takes the shape of a square ( see fig2 c and 2g ) with truncated corners , with a thickness between opposite faces of the square of about 2 mm . the remainder of the neck segment 14 is preferably bendable to adjust the angle of the top segment or abutment 16 . in the illustrated embodiment , the neck segment 14 has an hourglass shape and is illustrated with a length of 2 . 51 mm and a minimum width or diameter of 1 . 27 mm . the top segment 16 is preferably 3 . 81 mm long , and tapered by about 5 °, with a maximum diameter of 2 . 36 mm at the distal end of top segment 16 , adjacent the neck segment 14 . grooves 20 preferably extend partially around the top segment 16 , except for a smooth flat surface 22 , best seen in fig1 . the smooth surface 22 is preferably characterized by a flat plane or face intersecting and truncating the outer surface of the otherwise conical shape of the top segment 16 , with the plane being 0 . 28 mm below the outer radius of the surface . this flat surface 22 provides for engagement with a wrench and also provides anti - rotation relative to a provisional abutment or restoration secured thereto . unlike the permanent implants , which are meant to be submerged below sutured soft tissue during a healing period after stage - one surgery , the neck segment 14 and abutment segment 16 are integrally formed with the anchoring or body segment 12 . as noted above , these segments form an extension with a length preferably greater than about 3 mm , more preferably greater than about 5 mm ( 7 . 34 mm in the illustrated embodiment ). this integral extension serves to allow attachment of a temporary prosthesis to the provisional implants 10 without further steps for connecting the extension . fig3 illustrates a mandible 23 of a patient having a plurality of immediate provisional implants 10 implanted therein , along with a plurality of “ permanent ” threaded implants 24 . as shown , the provisional implants 10 are alternated with the permanent implants 24 , which are meant to remain in place when the provisional implants are removed after the healing period . the provisional implants 10 are preferably substantially more narrow than the permanent implants 24 , preferably less than half the width . each provisional implant 10 is shown with a coping 26 that mates with the top segment 16 of the implant 10 . the coping 26 is also illustrated individually in fig4 a - 4c . fig5 illustrates another arrangement for the immediate provisional implants 10 . it will be appreciated that other arrangements are contemplated , as would be determined based on the positioning of the implants 24 and other factors . fig6 and 7 illustrate one embodiment of the immediate provisional implant system . fig6 shows an autoclavable kit 100 containing the tools for placement and removal of the immediate provisional implants . fig7 shows the contents of the kit 100 in more detail . as shown in fig7 , the system includes the following : fifteen implants 10 and copings 26 ( in three packs of five ); optional analogs 28 and comfort caps 29 ( also packaged in packs of five ); a disposable twist drill 30 ; an insertion wrench 32 ; a hand wrench 34 ; a ratchet adapter 36 ; a ratchet 38 ; parallel pins 40 ; a bending tool 42 ; a retrieval tool 44 ; a stabilizer 45 ; and an organizer 46 for the packaged items . the packaged items 10 , 26 , 29 and the disposable twist drill 30 are desirably pre - sterilized . the torque - accepting segment 18 of the immediate provisional implant of fig1 - 2d is designed to mate with a torque - supplying tool like the insertion wrench 32 and / or hand wrench 34 that are shown in fig7 . fig8 a - 8e illustrate a preferred placement procedure for the immediate provisional implant system , using the components described above . in step 1 , as shown in fig8 a , it is first ensured that there is a minimum distance of 3 mm from the conventionally submerged permanent implants 24 . then , the cortical crestal bone 50 is penetrated preferably with a disposable twist drill 30 and the ratchet having a width smaller than the provisional implants 10 ( 1 . 5 mm shown ). the drill 30 penetrates preferably to a depth of about 14 mm . either the apical , buccal or lingual cortical bone is engaged to ensure implant stability . for step 2 , as shown in fig8 b , the insertion wrench 32 is inserted into the hand wrench or handpiece 34 . for step 3 , the implant abutment 16 is placed into the insertion wrench 32 and the implant 10 is self threaded into the osteotomy until the shoulder of the implant 10 is even with the ridge , as shown in fig8 c . if the bone 50 is dense , the ratchet 38 with ratchet adapter 36 can be optionally employed . as shown in fig8 d , the ratchet adapter 36 is first inserted into the ratchet 38 . the insertion wrench 32 is placed into the ratchet adapter 36 and step 3 proceeds as described above . for step 5 , as shown in fig8 e , after the immediate provisional implants 10 are placed , the tissue is sutured , leaving the abutment segments 16 exposed . for the fully edentulous case , as illustrated in fig9 a - 9d , the five steps described above are followed by placing parallel pins 40 ( step 6 ) onto the implants 10 , as shown in fig9 a . this helps aid in visualizing orientation or parallelism of each immediate provisional implant with respect to the jawbone or other implants . as shown in fig9 b ( step 7 ), the implants are preferably adjusted or bent at the neck of the implant using a bending tool 42 to achieve a desired orientation . as shown in fig9 c ( step 8 ), copings 26 are then placed over the implants . in step 9 ( not shown ), any exposed undercuts on the implant are blocked out . the soft tissue and sutures are lubricated with petroleum jelly . as shown in fig9 d , in step 10 , autopolymerizing , tooth - colored acrylic , mixed to a pliable consistency , is placed into a processed acrylic shell 52 and placed over the copings 26 . desirably , the acrylic is moderately viscous so as to avoid being forced under the tissue onto the implant 10 , hardening preferably only over the coping 26 . the patient is instructed to close in centric relation occlusion . a prosthesis 54 is thereby formed , as shown in fig9 e . as shown in fig9 e , after the acrylic has hardened , the provisional prosthesis 54 is removed with the copings 26 secured in the prosthesis ( step 11 ). if desired , excess acrylic can be removed from the prosthesis and the underside checked and cleared of any soft tissue impingements . the occlusion may also need to be refined and the provisional restoration removed , shaped and polished prior to affixation . once suitably refined the restoration or provisional prosthesis 54 is preferably cemented into place using a suitable temporary adhesive , such as improv ™ temporary cement ( cat . no . 4400 ) available from nobel biocare usa , inc . of yorba linda , calif . in another embodiment , a direct technique is provided using a patient &# 39 ; s existing denture 56 . steps 1 to 9 are completed as described above with respect to fig8 a - 9c . then , in step 10a ( not shown ), flanges are removed from the patient &# 39 ; s existing denture . the denture 50 is hollowed from second pre - molar to second pre - molar . in step 11a , autopolymerizing acrylic is placed in the hollowed out denture 56 and placed over the copings 26 , as shown in fig1 . the patient is instructed to close in centric relation occlusion . after the material has set , the denture is removed and cleaned , trimming excess material , and polishing the denture and removing any soft tissue impingements . the denture 56 is then cemented in place using a temporary cement . in another embodiment , an indirect procedure is provided for partially or fully edentulous cases . steps 1 to 9 are first completed as described above . the copings 26 are placed onto the implants in step 10b , as shown in fig1 a . in step 11b , an impression is taken with a resilient impression material 58 , as shown in fig1 b . a light body material is used at the implant / tissue interface . the impression 58 with copings 26 ( fig1 a ) is then removed . a bite registration is recorded and an impression of the opposing arch is taken . in step 13b , as shown in fig1 c , the immediate provisional implant analogs 28 are placed into the copings 26 and the impression is then poured in hard stone . the model is separated from the impression and mounted on an articulator . the technician can now fabricate the provisional prosthesis on the mounted models . after it is completed the provisional prosthesis is cemented in place over the coping 26 using a temporary adhesive . in each of the above embodiments , it is preferred that the provisional restorations be reinforced with reinforcement fibers or orthodontic wire , as appropriate . the immediate provisional implants described above are intended to provide interim support for a multiple unit restoration for a period of several months . typically , they will be used while permanent implants that have been simultaneously placed are submerged out of function during a period of osseointegration ranging from 3 to 6 months . the immediate provisional implants bear the load of temporary prostheses during this healing period while the permanent implants osseointegrate . though not necessary , the provisional implants are preferably removed at the time of or prior to the restoration of the permanent implants . initially , the provisional prosthesis is removed from the implants . any remaining temporary cement is removed from the top of the implants . the provisional implant retrieval tool is desirably placed into the ratchet adapter and ratchet . the retrieval tool is placed over the abutment of the provisional implant and the implant unscrewed by applying torque in a counter clockwise direction ( for the illustrated thread orientation ). after the implant is removed , a curette may be used to remove any associated granulation tissue . the soft tissue opening can be expected to close similar to a tooth extraction site . alternatively , the provisional implants can be left in place and allowed to fully osseointegrate to the bone . in that case , only the portion of the provisional implants above the crestal bone are removed using a diamond burr . the exposed portions of the implant are then ground smooth with the crestal bone and the gums are sutured over the wound and allowed to heal . while the components of the present invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity , it is manifest that many changes may be made in the specific designs , constructions and methodology hereinabove described without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure . it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification , but is to be defined only by a fair reading of the appended claims , including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled .
an immediate provisional implant is provided , and method of use therefor , that serves to protect permanent dental implant anchors and overlying tissue during the healing and osseointegration process . potentially damaging forces resulting from patient use of a temporary prosthesis during the osseointegration period are carried by the immediate provisional implant , rather than impinging upon non - osseointegrated permanent implant anchors or overlying tissue . the immediate provisional implants are self - threading and are inserted in osteotomies located near permanent dental implant anchors . the temporary prosthesis is removed after a period allowed for osseointegration of the permanent implant anchors , and the provisional implants can also be removed at the same time . the immediate provisional implants are non - linearly tapered from a maximum thread diameter near the bone surface to a more narrow distal end , providing immediate stability without the benefit of osseointegration .