Abstract: A screw-type dental implant anchor includes an externally-threaded body portion having internal structure for engaging an insertion tool. The body portion can be joined to a top portion having an unthreaded exterior wall. This internal is inside a top portion or inside the body portion of the anchor. The top portion is open, preferably chamfered at its upper end, and in registration with an internally-threaded shaft inside the body portion of the anchor that extends from a plane just below the head portion downwardly a substantial distance inside the body portion. The distal end of the anchor includes a through hole extending from one side of the body portion to the other, and an opening at the bottom of the body portion extending upwardly inside the body portion a distance sufficient to permit bone and associated tissue to grow into and through these openings and to permit blood tissue to escape.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, one-piece coping insert adapted for use with a dental implant anchoring means includes a shaft that fits into an opening in a dental implant, an abutment head joined to the shaft and adapted to conform to, and fit smoothly on, or in the top surface of the dental implant, a bendable restriction or groove to facilitate preferential bending of the insert at the restriction when the insert is heated to the softening temperature of a thermoplastic, and a relatively unbendable post atop the restriction for receiving and supporting a dental prosthesis such as one or more prosthetic teeth.

Abstract: An implant system includes an anchor the accessible end of which is located substantially at the level of the gum tissue at the alveolar crest. A bendable adapter made of titanium or titanium alloy has one end inserted into the accessible anchor socket for rigid connection thereto, and a second distal end projecting into the dental crown region to support a superstructure. The projecting part of the adapter may take various forms. It may provide a simple coping upon which a single tooth replacement may be built, or it may provide a socket for connection to companion structures. The intermediate portion of the adapter is necked down to provide a bendable region close to the level of the gum tissue whereby the anchor can be positioned for maximum retention, and the projecting end can be positioned to avoid tissue interference, to achieve parallelism for detachable connectors, to achieve maximum occlusal and esthetic functions.

Abstract: A pillar attached directly or indirectly to the jawbone, has an accessible snap-in ball socket. A ball attached to and projecting from an overdenture or other removable prosthesis is sized to enter the socket after being forced through its restricted opening. The overdenture is fitted in such manner that in the absence of occlusal forces, the ball lies at or just inwardly of the restriction. The socket is extended inwardly so that, upon the application of occlusal forces, the ball moves deeper into the socket without imposing stress upon the pillar or its supporting structure. Yet lateral stability is provided.

Abstract: One part of the implant comprises a rigid screw anchor of substantially uniform diameter. The anchor has intermediate peripheral threads to engage the bone tissue at a prepared recess. The lower end of the anchor is hollow, peripherally perforated and open at the end to surround a bone core projecting from the bottom of the prepared recess. The upper end of the anchor has a relatively deep wrench socket for rotation of the anchor and for reception of a companion pillar part. The pillar part is made of slightly flexible plastic material that can approximate a prepared tooth to serve as a single tooth replacement or as a support for a fixed bridge. Optionally, the pillar can provide a platform that forms or mounts one of two companion elements of a connector structure such as for overdenture retention. The anchor can be altered in length not only at the bottom, but also at the top, without changing the manner in which the anchor cooperates with the later placed pillar.