Importance

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Abstract

A dental anchor is disclosed comprising an elongated body member for insertion into a channel in a tooth in order to anchor a superstructure to the tooth. The body member has at least one section with a substantially oval cross-sectional configuration having a major axis and a minor axis. The at least one section is provided with self tapping threads for threading into the channel. The threads have a root diameter less than the minor axis dimension of the oval configuration and a crest diameter at least equal to the major dimension of the oval configuration. Preferably, the body member includes two similar sections joined together by a reduced thickness portion so that one section can be bent relative to the other section when seated in the channel to provide an anchoring portion for the superstructure. Two dental anchors may be joined together by a reduced thickness frangible member, where the thickness of the reduced thickness portion of each dental anchor has a thickness greater than any thickness of the frangible member. Accordingly, the longer sides of the dental anchor are spaced from the walls of the channel when the anchor is seated in the channel to thereby relieve the stress on the tooth when threading the anchor into the channel. Additionally, it provides spaces therebetween, so that if cement is used it can be disposed in these spaces.

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First Claim