A cradle, assembly, system, and method for installing a prosthesis at a surgical site. The cradle temporarily engages the prosthesis and holds it in the correct orientation and position adjacent the surgical site. An aperture is defined in the cradle and a portion of the prosthesis is received therein. In one embodiment, the cradle, assembly and system are used to install a final dental prosthesis in a patient=s mouth in a single visit to the dentist=s office. A securement member pins the surgical template and subsequently the cradle to the jaw. A metal sub-structure on the final dental prosthesis is received in the aperture in the cradle. Cylinders attached to implants anchored in the jaw extend through holes in the sub-structure and are bonded to the prosthesis. The cradle is detached from the jaw and from the prosthesis prior to screws being re-inserted through the cylinders and into the implants.

An interface element for dental prostheses, having a hollow cylindrical body with two different sections, one lower section (a) of greater outer diameter and another upper section (b) of smaller outer diameter, each provided externally with retention circular grooves (2). The element had an internal seat (4) for a screw head (5) which fixes the implant, and a lower base (6). A side mortise (7) is provided that covers the upper section (b) and provides a side opening for the inclined entrance of the screw (5) and screwdriver (8).

An interface element for dental prostheses, having a hollow cylindrical body with two different sections, one lower section (a) of greater outer diameter and another upper section (b) of smaller outer diameter, each provided externally with retention circular grooves (2). The element had an internal seat (4) for a screw head (5) which fixes the implant, and a lower base (6). A side mortise (7) is provided that covers the upper section (b) and provides a side opening for the inclined entrance of the screw (5) and screwdriver (8). The element further includes two flat surfaces (9) at diametrically opposite sides of the lower section.

A feature for retaining a denture on dental implants is shown and described. An anchor for receiving prongs is threaded to each of one or more implants in the mouth. A denture having prong passages is placed onto jaw bone or overlying tissue, above the implant. The anchor occupies an opening in the denture. With the denture in place and with the prong passages aligned with prong reception sites of the anchor, a pronged denture connector is installed such that the prongs pass through the prong passages of the denture and penetrate the prong reception sites of the anchor. The prongs are frictionally secured in place by an elastic member lining the prong passages of the denture and constricting over inserted prongs. Optionally, the elastic members include a bridge securing one elastic member parallel to the other. The denture may comprise synthetic resin reinforced by a metallic reinforcing bar.

A system for attaching a natural tooth to a dental implant includes a dental prosthesis and an elastomeric cushion. The elastomeric cushion is positioned in contact, either directly or indirectly, with at least a portion of the dental implant and at least a portion of the dental prosthesis such that the elastomeric cushion permits movement of the dental prosthesis relative to the dental implant in response to movement of the natural tooth transferred through the dental prosthesis.

A cradle, assembly, system and method for installing a prosthesis at a surgical site. The cradle temporarily engages the prosthesis and holds it in the correct orientation and position adjacent the surgical site. An aperture is defined in the cradle and a portion of the prosthesis is received therein. In one embodiment, the cradle, assembly and system are used to install a final dental prosthesis in a patient's mouth in a single visit to the dentist's office. A securement member pins the surgical template and subsequently the cradle to the jaw. A reinforced sub-structure on the final dental prosthesis is received in the aperture in the cradle. Cylinders attached to implants anchored in the jaw extend through holes in the sub-structure and are bonded to the prosthesis. The cradle is detached from the jaw and from the prosthesis prior to screws being re-inserted through the cylinders and into the implants.