Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SENSOR POSITIONING AND STABILIZING DEVICE
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is an International Application claiming priority to
U.S.
Application Serial No. 13/536,055 filed June 28, 2012, which is a continuation
in
part of U.S. Application Serial No. 13/359,152 filed January 26, 2012, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
61/436,463,
filed January 26, 2011, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to positioning devices for
positioning,
holding and stabilizing dental x-ray film or digital sensors during implant
surgery.
More particularly the invention relates to an improved dental positioning and
stabilizing device that does not require a patient to bite down or manually
hold it
in position in order to take an x-ray.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100031 Dentists typically use intra-oral radiographs ("x-rays") to obtain
images
of their patients' teeth to aid in diagnosis and treatment. In traditional
oral and
dental radiography, an electronic sensor is placed in the patient's mouth
behind
the tooth to be examined. The electronic sensor or film is secured to a
positioning
device or is contained within a cartridge, typically cardboard or plastic. The
sensor is placed behind the tooth while the holder extends through the bite
area
and the patient bites down on the holder to hold the sensor in place. The x-
rays
pass through the tooth and imprint on the sensor, which converts the x-rays
into an
electrical signal. The electrical signal is transmitted over a wire connected
to a
computer, either directly or though a module containing intermediate
processing
circuitry. The computer then processes the signal to produce an image on an
associated output device, such as a monitor or a printer. Similarly, x-ray
film can
be exposed and developed to offer the same or similar view of the desired area
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[0004] Numerous sensor holders have been marketed but in most conventional
cases the patient must either bite down or use a finger to hold the sensor in
place
while the dentist or staff takes the x-ray.
[0005] Intra-oral x-rays are also required in dental implant surgery. Dental
implant surgery is a procedure that replaces damaged or missing teeth with
artificial teeth that look and function like real teeth. Dental implants are
surgically
placed in the jawbone, where they serve as the roots of missing teeth. To
place the
implant, the surgeon uses a dental drill including a driver and bit to drill
through
the patients' tissue and bone. The titanium implant includes a threaded outer
portion that is screwed into the bone by the driver. An abutment portion is
coupled to the titanium implant and extends out of the patient's gum and into
the
oral cavity, A cosmetic tooth is then attached to the abutment portion. Dental
implants are often placed close to adjacent teeth and drilling into the roots
of
adjacent teeth while placing implants can cause irreparable harm.
Consequently,
it is critical for the implant to be placed as substantially parallel as
possible to the
roots of the adjacent teeth. It would be ideal for the dentist to take an x-
ray prior
to removing the drill and drill bit from the patient's jaw/bone so that she
could
ascertain correct and substantially parallel placement of the drilled hole.
However, this task is complicated by several factors. First, the drill bit
being x-
rayed is high above the occlusal plane. Therefore, if a bite block sensor
holder
were used and a patient had to bite down in an attempt to stabilize the
sensor/film
holder, the drill bit would interfere with the biting action thus preventing
stabilization. Second, if the patient is sedated, they are unable to follow
commands to bite down or hold the sensor with their finger. Finally, asking
the
patient to hold the sensor/film holder may introduce bacteria into the
surgical
field, resulting in possible contamination of the implant and associated bone
graft
products.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for an x-ray positioning device that departs from
the
conventional methodology of having a patient bite down on or hold the
sensor/film cartridge or holder in place (referred to herein as "patient
interference"). There is also a need for an x-ray positioning device that
improves
patient comfort.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100071 Accordingly, this invention provides a sensor positioning and
stabilizing
device which overcomes the above-mentioned problems. More specifically, the
invention provides a sensor/filni positioning and stabilizing device wherein
the
device is operably coupled to the drill bit or implant driver shank after the
dentist
drills through the patient's jaw bone.
[00081 The invention also provides a sensor positioning and stabilizing device
which does not require a patient to exert any force on the device to hold it
in
place.
[00091 The invention also provides a sensor positioning and stabilizing device
that eliminates the need for a bite holder.
[00101 The invention also provides a sensor positioning and stabilizing device
that allows for easy removal of the sensor.
[00111 The invention also provides a sensor positioning and stabilizing device
that may be used with sensors of any width, length or size.
[00121 The invention includes a finger positioning tab that provides the
surgeon
with greater freedom in orienting the sensor.
[0013] Still further, the invention is relatively thin, which also contributes
to the
improved ergonomics of the sensor positioning and stabilizing device, and
enables
the sensor to get closer to the target area, thereby improving the image data
transmitted. by the sensor to the computer.
[0014] Still further, the positioning and stabilizing system includes an
elongate
receiving channel having a longitudinal axis, said elongate receiving channel
configured to slidably receive a drill bit or a shank of an implant driver;
and a
dental sensor operably coupled to said elongate receiving channel such that
said
dental sensor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said
elongate
receiving channel.
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[0015] Moreover, the invention includes a dental sensor operably coupled .to a
positioning and stabilizing system comprising an elongate receiving channel
for
receiving an implant drill bit or shank of an implant driver wherein the
dental
sensor is substantially parallel to said elongate receiving channel.
100161 Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the
following detailed description taken with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
[00171 For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same
may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. IA shows a drill bit extending from the gums of a patient into the
oral cavity,
[00191 FIG. 1B is an x-ray of the misaligned drill bit of FIG. 1A.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dental sensor positioning and
stabilizing device in accordance with the invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the
dental
sensor positioning and stabilizing device in accordance with the invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device in accordance with the invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a. top view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device
in accordance with the invention.
[00241 FIG. 6A is a .top view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device in accordance with the invention attached to an implant driver with the
sensor placed behind the dental arch.,
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[0025] FIG. 6B is a side view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device in accordance with the invention with the device attached to a drill
bit with
the sensor place behind the dental arch.
[0026] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dental sensor
positioning and stabilizing device in accordance with the invention.
[0027] FIG. 7B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an x-ray of an implant that is correctly aligned in relation
to
adjacent teeth.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] As described above, the invention comprises a dental sensor positioning
and stabilizing device for positioning, stabilizing and aligning dental x-ray
sensors. The positioning device does not require a bite holder, block or other
mechanism or any patient interference such as the patient biting down on the
device or holding the device in place. As used herein, we refer to a "sensor"
as
encompassing both sensors and film.
100301 FIG. 1A shows the oral cavity of a sedated patient after the hole for
the
implant has been drilled. The shank portion of the drill bit can be seen
extending
into the oral cavity out from the gums by 1 to 2 centimeters and ostensibly
appears
parallel with adjacent teeth. As can be seen in FIG. 1B, however, the drill
bit is
not parallel with the roots: of adjacent teeth. FIG. 1B is an x-ray of a
misaligned
drill bit during implant surgery and highlights the problem that the present
invention is designed to solve. In this case, if the drill bit was removed and
an
implant permanently placed the adjacent tooth root would be damaged
irreparably
resulting in possible tooth loss. In addition, if the implant is placed to
close to an
adjacent tooth at the most coronal aspect (near the crown) excessive bone loss
can
occur resulting in a poor aesthetic outcome.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5 an exemplary dental positioning and
stabilizing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
is
shown. Positioning and stabilizing device 10 includes integrally formed
elongate
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arms 14, 16, body 18 having first 30 and second 32 sides thereof and finger
tab
portion 20. Body 18 comprises an elongate receiving channel 19 having a
longitudinal axis and includes aperture 21. Aperture 21 is sized to receive
the
shank portion of the drill bit (as best seen in FIG. 1A) that extends from the
patient's gums and into the oral cavity after the implant hole has been
drilled.
Aperture 21 forms elongate receiving channel 19. In an embodiment of the
invention aperture 21 is sized such that the inner diameter is from
approximately
2.45mm to about 2.25mtn. Elongate receiving channel 19 is designed to slidably
accommodate the shank. portion of a dental drill bit or implant driver shank;
however, elongate receiving channel is also designed to frictionally engage
the
shank portion of a dental drill bit or implant driver such that after the
dental
positioning and stabilizing device is in position on the drill bit., the
device is
securedly fixed on the drill bit.
[00321 Arms 14, 16 each include resilient flanges 22, 24, respectively,
Flanges
22, 24 act to operably and resiliently connect elongate arms to cylindrical-
shaped
body 18. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that while body 18 is
depicted as
being circular or cylindrical-shaped many other shapes are contemplated and
fall
within the scope of the invention. Elongate arms 14, 16 are C-shaped in cross
section and include sensor channels 26 which form clamps that are designed to
grip the sensor and stabilize it in position. When stabilized in position, the
sensor
is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of elongate receiving
channel 19.
By substantially parallel we. mean that the sensor can be moved from being
precisely parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate receiving channel
to an
acute angle off from the longitudinal axis of the elongate receiving channel
19. In
other words, the sensor can be positioned at an acute angle from the
longitudinal
axis of the elongate receiving channel, the acute angle being from 0.1 degrees
to
about 45 degrees.
100331 Positioning device is formed from a resilient or flexible material such
as
polypropylene or the like such that flanges 22, 24 resiliently and easily
pivot
elongate arms 14, 16 from. an initial position (shown) to a second open
position.
While in the second position, sensor channels 26 accommodate the dental sensor
and then resiliently return. to the initial position in which channels 26
snuggly
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surround the sensor so that it is stabilized within channels 26.. Arms 14, 16
are
integrally formed with flanges 22, 24. Flanges 22, 24 are integrally formed
with
and extend laterally from. first side 30 of elongate channel 18. Resilient
flanges
22, 24 accommodate the resilient and flexible movement of arms 14, 16 from the
initial position to a second position, as noted above. Those of skill in the
art will
appreciate that numerous embodiments that are within the scope of the
invention
are possible. For example, flanges 22 and 24 need not be integrally formed
with
body 18 but rather may be operably connected by adhesive, connecting tabs and
other such means without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly,
one flange may extend laterally from a central body. Such one flange may
include
two resilient arms having channels which receive the sensor or film. Further,
those of skill, in the art will appreciate that any system designed to hold a
dental
sensor substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate
receiving
channel and which does not require patient interference is within the scope of
the
invention.
100341 Finger tab portion 20 is operably connected to and integrally formed
with
the second side 32 of body 18. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
finger
tab portion need not be integrally formed with circumferential body 18 but
rather
may be operably connected by adhesive, connecting tabs and other such means
without departing from the scope of the invention. Finger tab portion 20
extends
generally radially outward and slightly downward from said circumferential
body
19. Finger tab portion and includes upper 36 and lower 38 elements and tab
portion 44. Upper element 36 includes a first generally straight portion 34
that
extends radially outward from second side 32 of circumferential body 18. Lower
element 38 includes curvilinear portion 40 and extends radially outward and
downward from. second side 32 of circumferential body 18. Tab portion 44
extends laterally from upper and. lower elements 36, 38. Upper and lower
elements 36, 38 and tab portion 44 are ergonomically designed so that the
surgeon
can easily grasp and precisely position the sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 10 behind the teeth and an x-ray of the drill bit in the drilled hole
can be
taken (as best seen in FIG. I B).
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[0035] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 300 in accordance with the invention in which the elongate receiving
channel 319 is substantially longer in length than the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 2 and finger tab portion 320 extends radially outward and is
substantially
perpendicular to elongate arms 314. 316. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate
however that elongate receiving channel 319 may be of any length to
accommodate varying drill bit lengths and patient dental profiles. Positioning
device 310 includes integrally formed elongate arms 314, 316, body 318 having
first 330 and second 332 sides thereof and finger tab portion 320. Body 318
comprises an elongate receiving channel 319 with aperture 321. Aperture 319 is
sized to receive a drill bit or shank portion of an implant driver (as best
seen in
FIG. 1A) that extends from the patient's gums and into the oral cavity after
the
implant hole has been drilled. Elongate receiving channel 319 is designed to
slidably accommodate the shank portion of a dental drill bit.
[0036] Arms 314, 316 each include resilient flanges 322, 324, respectively..
Flanges 322, 324 act to operably and resiliently connect elongate arms to
circumferential body 318. Elongate arms 314, 316 are C-shaped in cross section
and include sensor channels 326 which form clamps that are designed to grip
the
sensor and stabilize it in position. Positioning device is formed from a
resilient or
flexible material such as polypropylene or the like such that flanges 322, 324
resiliently and easily pivot elongate arms 314, 316 from an initial position
(shown) to a second open position. While the arms are in the open position,
sensor channels 326 accommodate the dental sensor or film and then resiliently
return to the initial position in which channels 326 snuggly surround the
sensor so
that it is stabilized within channels 26. Arms 314, 316 may be integrally
formed
with flanges 322, 324. Flanges 322, 324 in turn are integrally formed with and
extend laterally from first side 330 of elongate channel 318. Resilient
flanges
322, 324 accommodate the resilient and flexible movement of arms 314, 316 from
the initial position to a second position, as noted above. Those of skill in
the art
will appreciate that numerous embodiments that are within the scope of the
invention are possible. For example, flanges 322 and 324 need not be
integrally
formed with body 318 but rather may be operably connected by adhesive,
connecting tabs and other such means without departing from the scope of the
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invention. Similarly as described above, one flange may extend laterally from
a
central body. Such one flange may include two resilient arms having channels
which receive the sensor or film.
[0037] As depicted in FIG. 3, finger tab portion 320 is operably connected to
and
integrally formed with the second side of body 318. Finger tab portion 320
extends radially outward from circumferential body 318. Finger tab portion
includes tab portion 344. Tab portion 344 extends laterally from straight
portion
334 and is designed so that the surgeon can easily grasp and precisely
position the
sensor positioning and stabilizing device 310 behind the teeth and an x-ray of
the
drill bit in the drilled hole can be taken (as best seen in FIG. I B).
f00381 FIG. 4 is a side view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 10 in accordance with the invention with detail regarding finger tab
portion
20. Finger tab portion 20 includes tab body 40. Finger tab portion 20 extends
generally radially outward and slightly downward from said circumferential
body
19. Finger tab portion and includes upper 36 and lower 38 elements and tab
portion 44. Upper element 36 includes a first generally straight portion 34
that
extends radially outward from second side 32 of circumferential body 18. Lower
element 38 includes curvilinear portion 40 and extends radially outward and
downward from second side 32 of circumferential body 18. Tab portion 44
extends laterally from upper and lower elements 36, 38. tipper and lower
elements 36, 38 and tab portion 44 are ergonomically designed so that the
surgeon
can easily grasp and precisely position the sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 10 behind the teeth and an x-ray of the drill bit in the drilled hole
can be
taken (as best seen in FIG. 1B). Finger tab portion 20 and thus dental sensor
position and stabilizing device 10 may be oriented upwards or downwards
depending on where the implant will be located, i.e. upper or lower gum line.
Optional raised ridge 46 surrounds tab portion 44 and is designed to allow the
surgeon to securedly grip finger tab portion 20.
[00391 FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the sensor positioning and stabilizing
device
in accordance with the invention showing detail regarding aperture flanges 22,
24 and C-shaped in cross section sensor channels 26.
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[0040] FIG. 6A is a top view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 10 in use in accordance with one aspect of the invention. As can be
seen,
the positioning and stabilizing device 10 has been slidably received by an
implant
drill bit 60 through aperture 21 and into elongate receiving channel 19.
Sensor 62
is received within and held by sensor channels 26 thus allowing it to be
easily
positioned behind the dental arch 64 above the occlusal plane 66.
[0041] FIG. 6B is a side view of the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing
device 10 in accordance the invention in operation. The dental surgeon first
drills
a hole through the patient's mucosa 70 and bone 68 as close as possible to a
parallel position next to adjacent teeth. As can be seen, the positioning and
stabilizing device 10 is then slidably received by the implant drill bit 60 as
also
seen in FIG. 6A. Sensor 62 is positioned within sensor channels 26 and is
moveably positioned from left to right by the finger tab portion 20 behind the
dental arch 64 above the occlusal plane 66 into the correct position for
taking an
x-ray of the drill bit. With the drill bit in position, the dental surgeon
next takes
an x-ray and views it on a computer screen. If the drill bit is positioned
parallel to
adjacent tooth structure, the dental sensor positioning device is removed from
the
drill bit 60 and a second, larger drill bit is used to enlarge the pre-
existing hole.
The process of taking an x-ray may be repeated as many times as the surgeon
desires to ensure that the hole into which the dental implant will be secured
is
parallel to adjacent tooth structure. If the x-ray shows that the initial
drilling of
the drill bit is not parallel then the sensor positioning device is removed
and a
second, larger drill bit is used to drill through the pre-existing hole to
correct the
path of the hole. The sensor positioning device is then place on the drill bit
(with
the drill removed) and another x-ray is taken to verify position. The dental
..
surgeon may repeat the process as many times as desired to verify that the
drill bit
is correctly positioned and substantially parallel to the adjacent teeth. The
drill
bit is then removed and replaced with implant 72 as best seen in FIG. 8.
[00421 Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B an alternative embodiment of the
dental sensor positioning and stabilizing device 710 in accordance with the
invention is shown. Dental sensor positioning and stabilizing device 710
broadly
includes sensor holder 712 having sensor face 713; body 714 defining a
plurality
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of elongate receiving channels positioned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
719
thereof; and actuator portion 719 defining first and second resilient arms
720, 722.
Body 714 may be integrally formed with sensor holder 712, however, those of
skill in the art will appreciate that body 714 can also be adhesively joined
or snap
fitted with sensor holder 712.
100431 In preferred constructions, sensor holder 712, body 714 and actuator
portion 719 may be integrally-formed as a single component. For example, in
one
construction, sensor holder 712, body 714 and actuator portion 719 are
injection
molded as a single part in one manufacturing step. By integrally-molding the
dental sensor positioning and stabilizing device 710, the overall cost of the
device
is reduced. If the dental sensor positioning and stabilizing device 710 is
integrally
formed, a single material may be used in a single injection molding step.
Alternatively, two different materials or any number of materials could be
used to
form the device. For example, a co-molding or two step injection molding
process may also be employed.
100441 Sensor face 713 preferably includes a sheath (not shown) that will be
adhesively and removably coupled to sensor face 713 for holding a dental
sensor
(not shown). A plurality of elongate receiving channels 716, 717, 718 are
positioned in body 714 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 719 thereof and
are
structured to accommodate a drill bit. Drill bit may be positioned in first,
second
or third receiving channel depending on the particular patient anatomy
involved.
[0045) Apertures 724, 725 and 726 are sized to receive the shank portion of a
drill bit (as best seen in FIG. 1A) that extends from the patient's gums and
into the
oral cavity after the implant hole has been drilled. Apertures 724, 725, 726
form
elongate receiving channels 716, 717, 718. In an embodiment of the invention,
apertures 724, 725, 726 are sized such that the inner diameter is from
approximately 2.45mm to about 2.25mm. Elongate receiving channels 716, 717,
718 are structured to slidably accommodate the shank portion of a dental drill
bit
or implant driver shank; however, elongate receiving channels 716, 717, 718
are
also designed to frictionally engage the shank portion of a dental drill bit
or
implant driver such that after the dental positioning and stabilizing device
is in
position on the drill bit, the device is securedly fixed on the drill bit.
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[00461 Arms 720, 722 may be integrally formed with body 714, however, those
of skill in the art will appreciated that any structure that operably coupled
arms
720, 722 to body 714 may be employed. Arms 720, 722 act to operably and
resiliently couple with body 314. Positioning device 710 is formed from a
resilient or flexible material such as polypropylene or the like such that
arms 720,
722 resiliently and easily move from. an initial non-actuated position (shown)
to a
second actuated position 728 as shown by arrows as best seen in FIG. 713. When
the surgeon pinches the arms to actuate the device to the second position,
elongate
receiving channels 716, 717, 71-8 open in response thereof allowing easy
placement of the dental positioning and stabilizing device 710 over the dental
drill
bit or implant driver dental and then resiliently return to the initial non-
actuated
position in which elongate receiving channels 716, 717, 718 snuggly surround
the
sensor so that it is stabilized within channels 716, 717, 718. As can best be
seen
in FIG. 7B, coupling mechanism 730 transmits the actuation of arms 720, 722
from the initial non-actuated position to the second actuated position to
elongated
receiving channels 716, 717, 718.
[00471 Those of skill in the art will appreciate that numerous embodiments
that
are within the scope of the invention are possible. For example, arms 720, 722
and sensor holder 712 need not be integrally formed with body 318 but rather
may
be operably connected by adhesive, connecting tabs and other such means
without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0048] In operation the dental positioning and stabilizing device of FIGS. 7A
and
7B are used as follows. The dental surgeon first drills a hole through the
patient's
mucosa 70 and bone 68 as close as possible to a parallel position next to
adjacent
teeth. The surgeon grasps actuator portion 720 and pinches it inwardly to move
it
from the non-actuated initial position to the actuated position which causes
elongate channels to open so that the positioning and stabilizing device 710
may
then slidably be received by an implant drill bit received through one of
elongate
receiving channels 716, 717, 718 depending on the particular patient anatomy.
A
sensor (not shown) is positioned within a sheath (not shown) that is operably
coupled to the face 713 of the sensosr holder 712 and may be moveably
positioned
from left to right by the actuator portion 719 behind the dental arch 64 above
the
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occlusal plane 66 into the correct position for taking an x-ray of the drill
bit. With
the drill bit in position, the dental surgeon next takes an x-ray and views it
on a
computer Screen. If the drill bit is positioned parallel to adjacent tooth
structure,
the dental sensor positioning device is removed from the drill bit and a
second,
larger drill bit is used to enlarge the pre-existing hole. The process of
taking an x-
ray may be repeated as many times as the surgeon desires to ensure that the
hole
into which the dental implant will be secured is parallel to adjacent tooth
structure.
If the x-ray shows that the initial drilling of the drill bit is not parallel
then the
sensor positioning device is removed and a second, larger drill bit is used to
drill
through the pre-existing hole to correct the path of the hole. The sensor
positioning device is then place on the drill bit (with the drill removed) and
another x-ray is taken to verify position. The dental surgeon may repeat the
process as many times as desired to verify that the drill bit is correctly
positioned
and substantially parallel to the adjacent teeth. The drill bit is then
removed and
replaced with implant 72 as best seen in FIG. 8.
[0049] FIG. 8 depicts an x-ray taken with the sensor positioning and
stabilizing
device 10, 710 in accordance with the invention. As can be seen and compared
to
the angled drill bit depicted in FIG. 1B the implant 72 can be seen to be
correctly
positioned and substantially parallel to the adjacent teeth.
[0050] Advantageously, the sensor positioning and stabilizing device in
accordance with the invention is supported by a drill bit thus eliminating the
need
to have a patient bite down on, manually hold the sensor/film cartridge or
holder
in place, or otherwise stabilize the device. The sensor positioning and
stabilizing
device in accordance requires no patient interference.
[0051] While the invention has been particularly shown and describe with
respect
to exemplary embodiments thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate and understand that changes in form and details may be made without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
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