BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to systems, devices, and methods of filling and sealing access channels of abutments, crowns, bridges, and bars. More particularly, some embodiments herein relate to PTFE dental plugs and systems and methods of using such plugs in filling and sealing access channels of abutments, crowns, bridges, bars and natural teeth.

Description of the Related Art

Dental implant supported restoration devices are used for the replacement of missing teeth. A dental implant supported restoration device includes a dental implant anchored in the bone and a prosthetic secured to the dental implant. Prosthetics, such as abutments, crowns, bridges and bars can be attached to the dental implants via a retaining screw.

When attaching prosthetics to a dental implant using a screw, an access channel to allow insertion and stabilization of the prosthetic screw is formed in the prosthetic. The access channel is then sealed off from the oral environment with a seal to prevent collection of foreign debris and foreign bodies within the access channel and to minimize growth of microorganisms.

Cotton has been used to fill access channels, but cotton is easily compressible, hydrophilic, organic, and porous, with many voids. Cotton fill material does not provide sufficient stiffness to support the seal, and leads to seal breakage which then results in fluid intrusion into the access channel and growth of microorganisms supported by the cotton within the access channel.

Common plumber's tape has also been used to fill the access channel. Such thin tape material is folded or crumpled into the access channel, and when filling the access channel it is still compressible. The folded and crumpled nature of the tape, when used to fill access channels, still provides inadequate support for the access channel seal, and the folds and crumples in the tape can collect water and foreign debris that supports microorganism growth. Such tape also suffers from unknown degradation and transformation during sterilization and possible contamination, including incorporation of perfluorooctanoic acid.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method of using a dental filler is disclosed. The method may include securing a prosthetic to a dental implant, the prosthetic having an access channel therethrough. The method may also include filling a portion of the access channel by inserting a polytetrafluoroethylene dental plug into the access channel and compressing the polytetrafluoroethylene dental plug within the access channel.

A dental filler system is disclosed. The dental filler system may include a polytetrafluoroethylene dental plug having a first length and a first diameter. The dental filler system may also include a dental prosthetic having an access channel formed therein, the access channel having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, having a fill length that is smaller than the first length, and being shaped to receive a fastener.

A dental filler is disclosed. The dental filler may include a body of polytetrafluoroethylene material extending from a first end to a second end and having a first cross-sectional area at the first end and a second cross-sectional area at the second end. The body may a volumetric density between 0.15 and 2.15 g/cm3and a low crystallinity characterized by a crystalline to amorphous peak melt temperature between 320 and 340 degrees C.

