| abstract |
A support post for use with a dental implant comprising a ceramic portion, a screw, and a metal portion. The ceramic portion is adapted to support a prosthesis thereon. The ceramic portion has a supragingival region for protruding beyond the gingiva and a subgingival end for extending into the gingiva. The ceramic portion has a passageway extending therethrough. According to one embodiment, the passageway narrows to form a shoulder that is made entirely of ceramic. The screw is adapted to engage an internally threaded bore in the implant and be insertable through the passageway. The screw comprises a bead and a threaded section. The head of the screw seats entirely on the shoulder. The metal portion comprises a lower section and an upper section extending into the passageway. The metal portion abuts the subgingival end of the ceramic portion. The lower section is adapted to receive and engage the corresponding boss of the dental implant. The metal portion has an opening to provide access to the screw. |