Abstract:
The present invention relates to an adjustable dental implant bar system. There is provided a dental implant bar which can be adjusted and which may have articulated and telescopic arms and which can be further secured to implant heads already installed in the patient&#39;s mouth or alternatively on a manufactured model made with computerized surgical simulation software or using a conventional dental printing system with transfers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of U.S. provisional application for Patent No. 61/148,074 filed on Jan. 29, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable dental implant bar system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known in the art are dental implant bars and related devices. Dental implants are generally used to provide a base or support for a prosthesis. The implants are placed in the jawbone and act as an anchor point for various dental prosthetic devices. Often, two or more implants are connected together by a dental implant bar, the bar in turn being connected to the dental prosthetic device. Known in the art are, for example, Patent and Patent Application documents No. CA2592538, U.S. 20070190475, DE20221475, SE200402427, U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,254, U.S. 20030108845, NL1017284, U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,904, DE19748268, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,078, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,717, CA2195626, DE4211561, EP-534456, SE9100603, DE3524556. 
     One of the problems of conventional dental implant bars is the amount of time required for fabrication. The use of a lab to fabricate or cast this type of structure is generally required and thus one may encounter delivery delays of up to several weeks. 
     Moreover, conventional dental implant bars, being fabricated and assembled prior to installation, may be entirely unusable or require considerable modifications if errors occur during the manufacturing process, thus causing additional production delays and costs. The manufacturing of such dental implant bars is generally sub-contracted offsite, increasing costs, delays and risk of error. 
     Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved system which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome some of the above-discussed prior art concerns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a device which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and is thus an improvement over other related dental implant bar systems and/or methods known in the prior art. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dental implant bar system which permits adjustment of the same by the dentist or technician. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the above mentioned object is achieved, as will be easily understood, by a dental implant bar system such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dental implant bar for mounting on a set of prearranged implant heads by an anchoring mechanism and for receiving dental implants. The dental implant bar includes a plurality of implant sockets for receiving the dental implants, each implant socket being adapted to be anchored to a corresponding one of the implant heads by the anchoring mechanism. The dental implant bar further includes at least one adjustable arm assembly, each arm assembly linking an adjacent pair of the implant sockets and each arm assembly having opposite extremities. The dental implant bar further includes at least one compression assembly, each compression assembly being operatively connected to one of the implant sockets, and this, independently with respect to the anchoring mechanism. Each compression assembly holds, against the implant socket, one of the extremities of at least one of the at least one arm assembly linking the corresponding implant socket to an adjacent one of the implant sockets. The compression assembly is operable between a compressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity is locked against the implant socket and a decompressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity can swivel to change an orientation of the arm assembly with respect to the implant socket. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dental implant system for receiving dental implants. The dental implant system includes a set of prearranged implant heads. The dental implant system further includes a dental implant bar as provided above, each implant socket of the dental implant bar being mounted on one of the prearranged implant heads. The dental implant system further includes an anchoring mechanism for fastening the sockets to the corresponding implant heads. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for mounting a dental implant bar on a set of prearranged implant heads by an anchoring mechanism and for receiving dental implants. The kit includes a plurality of implant sockets for receiving the dental implants, each implant socket adapted to be anchored to a corresponding one of the implant heads by the anchoring mechanism. The kit further includes at least one adjustable arm assembly, each arm assembly having opposite extremities for linking an adjacent pair of the implant sockets. The kit further comprising at least one compression assembly, each for holding, against one of the implant sockets, one of the extremities of at least one of the at least one arm assembly linking the corresponding implant socket to an adjacent one of the implant sockets, independently with respect to the anchoring mechanism. When the kit is assembled, the compression assembly is operable between a compressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity is locked against the implant socket and a decompressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity can swivel to change an orientation of the arm assembly with respect to the implant socket. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method for assembling components of the above-mentioned dental implant bar, dental implant system and/or kit. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a dental prosthesis which can be adjusted and which may have articulated and telescopic arms and a dental implant bar which can be secured to implant heads already installed in the patient&#39;s mouth or alternatively on a manufactured model made with computerized surgical simulation software or using a conventional dental printing system with transfers. The bar, once adjusted by the dentist, will be integrated in the manufacturing process of an implant support prosthesis. 
     The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic exploded view of a dental implant bar, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a dental implant bar assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the bar assembly shown with a plurality of implant bar units linked together. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of an implant bar unit and attached bar assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of what is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the socket of the implant bar unit shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of what is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along line  9 - 9 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the tightening ring of the implant bar unit shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of what is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in  FIG. 12  along line  13 - 13 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the nut of the implant bar unit assembly shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of what is shown in  FIG. 15  along line  16 - 16 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the ball joint of the bar assembly shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of what is shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  is a right side view of what is shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 21  is a left side view of what is shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the ball pivot arm of the arm assembly shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of what is shown in  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  is a right side view of what is shown in  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a left side view of what is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a dental implant bar unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the bar assembly being shown with a first arm segment of a first arm assembly and a second arm segment of another opposing arm assembly being attached thereto. 
         FIG. 27  is an exploded view of what is shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 28  is a top plan view of what is shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional side view of what is shown in  FIG. 28 , taken along line  29 - 29 . 
         FIG. 30  is a top plan view of what is shown in  FIG. 26 , the implant bar unit being shown without the second arm segment. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of what is shown in  FIG. 30 , taken along line  31 - 31 . 
         FIG. 32  is a top plan view of what is shown in  FIG. 26 , the arm assembly being now positioned in a different configuration. 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional side view of what is shown in  FIG. 32 , taken along line  33 - 33 . 
         FIG. 34  is a top plan view of what is shown in  FIG. 32 , the implant bar unit being shown without the second arm segment. 
         FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional side view of what is shown in  FIG. 34 , taken along line  35 - 35 . 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of an overlapping arm segment. 
         FIG. 37  is a front view of what is shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a top view of what is shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 39  is a right side view of what is shown in  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of a socket of an implant bar system, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 41  is another exploded view of what is shown in  FIG. 27 , the implant bar unit being now shown with an adapter positioned between the socket and the implant head. 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of the adapter shown in  FIG. 41 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are preferred embodiments only, given for exemplification purposes only. 
     In the context of the present invention, the expressions “fastening”, “securing”, “engaging”, “tightening” and any other equivalent expression known in the art may be used interchangeably. Similarly, the expressions “implant”, “implant head” and “post” may be used interchangeably, in the context of the present invention. In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings include specific components such as a nut, a self tapping screw, an implant screw, a spherical end, a cylindrical base, a cylindrical extension, a ball pivot arm and ball joint, etc., and although the preferred embodiment of dental implant bar system and corresponding parts thereof consists of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the dental implant bar system according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom, by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a dental implant bar for mounting on a set of prearranged implant heads by an anchoring mechanism and for receiving dental implants. Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, the dental implant bar  2  according to embodiments of the invention includes at least two implant bar units  4 , neighboring pairs of implant bar units being linked by an arm assembly generally designated by the reference numeral  16 . Each implant bar unit  4  is adapted to be mounted on an implant head  68 , for example affixed in the mouth of a patient. As well known in the art, the implant head  68  may for example be provided with a threaded aperture  70  therein, and the anchoring mechanism  6  include a prosthetic screw  64  engaging the threaded aperture  70  and holding component(s) of the implant bar unit  4  therebetween. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , there are shown components of a dental implant bar  2  according to first and second embodiments of the invention. Each dental-implant-bar unit  4  includes an implant socket generally designated by reference numeral  10  and a compression assembly, which is generally designated herein by reference numeral  11 . The implant sockets  10  are designed to receive the dental implants, as know by those skilled in the art. Each implant socket  10  is adapted to be anchored to a corresponding implant head  68  by the anchoring mechanism  6 . 
     The dental implant bar  2  further includes at least one adjustable arm assembly  16 . Each arm assembly  16  links an adjacent pair of the implant sockets  10  and has opposite extremities  18 . Each dental implant unit  4  further includes a compression assembly  11  operatively connected to one of the corresponding implant socket  10  and this, independently with respect to the anchoring mechanism  6 . Each compression assembly  11  holds, against the implant socket  10 , one of the extremities  18  of each arm assembly  16  linking the corresponding implant socket  10  to an adjacent implant socket. The compression assembly  11  is operable between a compressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity  18  is locked against the implant socket  10  and a decompressed configuration wherein each corresponding extremity  18  can swivel to change an orientation of the arm assembly  16  with respect to the implant socket  10 . 
     It is an advantageous aspect of the invention that the connection of the compression assembly to the implant socket is independent of the anchoring mechanism; as a result, the compression assembly can remain connected to the implant socket even if the anchoring mechanism is disengaged and the entire dental implant bar removed from the mouth of the patient. 
     Preferably, the implant socket  10  includes a base  20 , typically a lower cylindrical portion, which has a top wall  22  and a side wall  23 . A pair of opposed recesses  24   a  and  24   b  are formed along the joinder of top wall  22  and side wall  23 . Preferably a shaft  28 , typically an upper cylindrical portion, projects upwardly from the top wall  22  of the socket  10 . The shaft  28  is thus generally sitting on top of the base  20 , and as shown in the drawings, is of a smaller diameter than the base  20 . The shaft  28  preferably includes a smooth segment  30  and a threaded segment  32 . An aperture  34  is provided in a top wall of the shaft  28  which extends through the implant socket. The shaft of the prosthetic screw  64  can therefor be received through this aperture to engage the threaded aperture  70  in the implant head  68 . In one variant of this embodiment, best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the implant socket  10  further defines a collar  100  in the base  20  in order to receive a complementary connector  102  of the implant head  68 , as part of the anchoring mechanism  4  for fastening each socket  10  of the implant bar  2  onto the implant heads  68 . The collar  100  communicates with aperture  34 . 
     Preferably, each compression assembly  11  comprises a tightening ring  12  and a nut  14 . The tightening ring  12  is sized and shaped for mounting on the base  20  and about the shaft  28  of the implant socket  10 . The nut  14  is sized and shaped for mating with the threaded segment  32  of the shaft  28  to hold the tightening ring  12  against the base  20 . Preferably, the tightening ring  12  has a side wall  38  and a top wall  40 . As will be seen in the drawings, a pair of opposed recesses  42   a  and  42   b  is located at the bottom of side wall  38 . 
     According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, arm assembly  16  includes a first arm segment  48  and a second arm segment  50  with a central telescoping segment  52  being located therebetween. The arm segments  48 ,  50  are substantially identical and positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the central segment. As may be seen in the drawing, the first arm segment  48  includes a sphere-shaped extremity  60  and a tubular body portion for slidably receiving the central segment therein. Similarly, the second arm segment  50  also includes a sphere-shaped extremity  60 . Both, the first  48  and second  50  arm segments are substantially tubular in order to slidably receive the central segment  52  therein from respective ends thereof. The sphere-shaped extremities  60  correspond to extremities  18  of the arm assembly  16 , as can be easily understood. Alternatively, each of the first arm segment  48 , the central segment  52  and the second arm segment  50  may be of any suitable shape, size and configuration for being slidably connected, typically in a telescoping cooperation. 
     Alternatively, with further reference to  FIGS. 36 to 39 , the central segment may be an overlapping segment  110 , so as to receive first  48  and second  50  arm segments in an overlapping fashion, in opening  112 . Such a configuration allows the arm assembly  16  to be adjustable to a smaller length, in comparison with an arm assembly connected by central segment  52 . The overlapping segment  110 , preferably provides a threaded aperture  111  for receiving therein a screw which allows to frictionally lock the arm segments therein. 
     The tubular body portion of each arm segment  48 ,  50  is further provided with a threaded aperture  56  extending transversely therein. Threaded aperture  56  is designed to receive a screw  58  which allows to frictionally lock the arm segments  48 ,  50  in a desired position with respect to the central segment  52 . Alternatively, such a fastening or locking mechanism may be provided at any suitable location or component depending on the particular configuration of the arm assembly  16 . As another alternative, other types of fasteners or fastening mechanism may be provided between the arm segments and telescopic segments without departing from the scope of the invention. The fastening mechanism may further allow adjusting the arm assembly in length or configuration, or even to disassemble the arm assembly, namely by unscrewing the set screw  58 , and thereby allowing the central segment  52  to slide with respect to the arm segment  48 ,  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 25 , according to another embodiment of the present invention, the arm assembly  16  may include an arm segment  82 , namely a ball pivot arm (see  FIGS. 22 to 25 ) and a joining mean such as a sleeve  84  projecting from opposite extremities of the arm assembly  16 . The arm segment  82  slides into the sleeve  84 . The sleeve  84  may include a ball joint  80  (see  FIGS. 17  to  21 ) corresponding to one of the extremities  18  of the arm assembly  16 . The arm segment  82  preferably includes a ball end  86 , corresponding to the other extremity  18  of the arm assembly  16 , and an extension  88 . The sleeve  84  is provided with a threaded aperture  94  extending transversely therein, preferably along the extention  88 , for receiving a screw  96 , which can frictionally lock the arm segment  82  in position with respect to the sleeve  84  or allow changing the length or configuration of the arm assembly, namely by unscrewing the set screw  96  and allowing the arm segment  82  to slide with respect to the sleeve  84 . 
     According to a third embodiment of the present invention, referring now to 
       FIGS. 26 to 35 , the arm assembly  16  may comprise a first arm segment  104  and a second arm segment  106 , which are slidably engaged in a telescoping cooperation and project from opposite extremities  18  of the arm assembly  16 . The first arm segment and/or the second arm segment may have a threaded aperture extending transversally therein, for receiving a set screw, namely to frictionally lock or to adjust the position of the first arm segment with respect to the second arm segment, similarly to the arm assembly according to the first and second embodiments. 
     With respect to the connection between of the arm assembly and the implant bar units, the extremity(ies) of each connecting arm assembly is preferably retained by being sandwiched between the implant socket and the compression assembly. 
     For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the spherical extremity  60  of the first arm segment  48  is designed to fit within a semispherical recess formed by recesses  24  and  42  of an implant bar unit  4 . The second arm segment  50  fits in an identical arrangement on an adjacent implant bar unit  4 ′. Indeed, the lower-half recesses  24   a  and  24   b  provided in the socket  10  and the complementary upper-half recesses  42   a  and  42   b  provided in the tightening ring  12  preferably form, when aligned, a corresponding pair of substantially semispherical recesses, each for receiving one of the sphere-shaped extremities  60  of a corresponding arm assembly  16 . 
     More particularly, the spherical extremity  60  of an arm assembly  16  may be nested in the corresponding lower-half recess  24  of the corresponding implant socket  10 . The tightening ring, is then mounted onto the base of the socket  10 , by aligning the upper-half recess  42  with the lower-half recess  24 . To aid in the positioning, locating pins  44  extending from an underside of the tightening ring  12  fit within locating apertures  26  formed in top wall  22  of the base  20  of the implant socket  10 . The tightening ring  12  may be compressed against the socket  10  by further introducing nut  14  about the shaft  28  of the implant socket  10 , and by a screwing motion of the nut  14  about the threaded segment  32 . The spherical end  60  may thus be locked so as to prevent axial or rotational movement of the arm segments  48 ,  50 , thus bringing the compression assembly in a compressed configuration. The tightening ring  12  may be decompressed from the implant socket  10  by unscrewing nut  14 , thereby defining a decompressed configuration of the compression assembly and allowing a rotational movement of the arm assembly  16  in order to adjust the orientation thereof. Indeed, the arm assembly  16  can then be rotated in any direction within a suitable range of angles, as can be easily understood, when referring to the drawings. 
     According to the second embodiment of the present invention and referring now to  FIG. 5 , sphere-shaped extremity  60  of the sleeve  84  is similarly designed to fit within semispherical recesses formed by recesses  24  and  42  of the implant bar unit  4 . The sleeve  84  is further shaped and sized to receive extension  88  of a complementary ball pivot arm  82 . The sphere-shaped extremity  60  of the complementary ball pivot arm  82  is also adapted to fit with semispherical recesses  24  and  42  of another implant bar unit. The threaded aperture  94  is designed to receive a screw  96  for securing the extension  88  in place. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 26 to 35 , the extremities  18  of each arm assembly  16  may have a substantially annular shape  108 , i.e. ring-shape. Preferably, the extremities  108  of the arm assemblies  16  and the upper wall  22  of the base  20  of each implant socket  10  have mating curved profiles, in order to allow rotational movement of the arm assembly  16  when the compression assembly  11  is configured in a decompressed configuration, as can be better understood when referring to the drawings. 
     Of course, any of the above-mentioned telescoping cooperations of the arm assembly  16  may be suitably combined with any of the extremities  18  described herein, i.e. sphere-shaped or ring-shaped, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Moreover, the arm assembly  16  may include differently shaped extremities  18  and/or cooperations thereof with the implant bar units  4 . For example, according to embodiments of the present invention, the arm assembly  16  may be fixedly secured, at a first extremity  18   1 , to one of the implant bar units  4  (i.e. requiring or without requiring a compression assembly) while being adjustably secured, at a second extremity  18   2 , to another adjacent implant bar unit  4 ′. Moreover, the first extremity  18   1  may be adjustably secured to the first implant unit  4 , with a smaller range or a more limited range of axial movement relative to the range of movement of the second extremity  18   2  with respect to the corresponding implant bar unit  4 ′. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first sphere-shaped extremity  60   a ′ of an arm assembly  16 ′ is received in the corresponding semi-spherical recess provided in implant unit  4   i . A second sphere-shaped extremity  60   b ′ of the same arm assembly  16 ′ is received in a first semi-spherical recess of another adjacent implant unit  4   ii , thereby linking implant bar units  4   i , and  4   ii . Moreover, a first sphere-shaped extremity  60 ″ a of a succeeding arm assembly  16 ″ is received in a second semi-spherical recess of the implant unit  4   ii . A second sphere-shaped extremity  60 ″ b  of the same arm assembly  16 ″ is then received in a first semi-spherical recess of a subsequent adjacent implant unit  4   iii , thereby linking implant bar units  4   ii  and  4   iii . The next implant bar unit  4   iv , is further linked in the same way by another corresponding arm assemblies  16 ″′ to implant bar unit  4   iii  and so on and so forth. It will be understood that the number of implant bar unit in a given embodiment will be dictated by the number of implants to be provided in the mouth of the corresponding patient, and that in the lower limit two implant sockets linked by a single arm assembly may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     According to an alternative embodiment, the socket  10  and/or the tightening ring  12  of one or more of the implant bar unit  4  may have only one half recess in order to form, when assembled a resulting recess for receiving only one extremity of an arm-assembly, for example if the corresponding implant bar unit is a first or a last unit of the dental implant bar assembly. Alternatively, the socket and/or tightening ring may have any suitable number of such recesses, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. 
     As previously mentioned and with reference to  FIG. 1 , a pair of locating apertures  26  are formed in top wall  22  of socket  10 , preferably in opposing locations thereon and a pair of corresponding locating pins  44  extends downwardly from the tightening ring  12  to fit within locating apertures  26  of socket  10 . Though not illustrated in all the figures, a pair of locating apertures and corresponding pins may be included in other embodiments of the present invention, described herein. 
     Furthermore, as better illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 9 , the implant socket is preferably provided with adjusting means, such as opposed recesses  98   a  and  98   b  formed on a lower portion of implant socket  10 . By using a suitable gripping tool such as a wrench for rotatably adjusting and/or securing the implant socket  10 , the tightening ring  12  may be adjusted, namely by screwing or unscrewing nut  14 . Such adjusting means and/or opposed recesses  98   a  and  98   b  may be provided on any embodiment of the present invention described herein. Alternatively, referring now to  FIG. 40 , the adjusting means may include an opening  116  provided in the implant socket, the opening  116  being sized and shaped for receiving a suitable shaft and or the like for adjusting the corresponding socket and/or compression assembly. 
     With regards to the operational aspect, the implant socket  10  is preferably manufactured in order to fit on implant head or post  68 . Implant head or post  68  may or may not form an integral part of implant. The tightening ring  12  is preferably designed to cover smooth segment  30  and extend slightly at the level of the threaded segment  32 . The tightening nut  14  compresses the tightening ring  12  against the socket  10 , by engaging the threaded segment  12 . According to a preferred embodiment, implant screw  64 , which may in practice may already be provided as part of an existing implant, passes through aperture  34  and engages threaded aperture  70  in post  68  to fasten the implant socket  10  onto the implant head  68 . Alternatively, the implant socket  10  may be fastened on the implant head  68  by any other suitable fastening means, for example a configuration wherein the implant socket  10  and implant head  68  form a push button, etc. or, any other frictional retention means, such as a conical profile as used in the SynCone™ dental implant system. 
     Moreover, referring now to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , the anchoring mechanism of the implant bar may include an adapter  114  operatively connected between the base and the implant head, in order to allow anchoring the implant bar on differently shaped implant heads, either on a model for laboratory or on a patient. Indeed, and as can be easily understood, implant posts and implant heads may be provided in a variety of shapes and may each be provided with different types of connections for receiving an implant bar. The adapter may thus allow anchoring the implant bar on different sets of such prearranged implant heads, so as to render the implant bar system universally compatible with any or at least a wide variety of implant heads or implant posts. 
     As previously mentioned, the compression assembly  11  is operable independently with respect to the anchoring mechanism. That is to say, while the socket  10  is fastened to the implant head  68  via the prosthetic screw  64 , the compression assembly  11  may be added on to the socket, removed therefrom or adjusted by tightening or loosening the ring  12 , and this without affecting the cooperation between screw  64  and the implant head  68 . Moreover, the compression assembly  11  may be added onto the socket  10 , removed therefrom or adjusted similarly, even if the socket  10  is not fastened or placed on the implant head  68 . Furthermore, the socket  10  may be connected and/or fastened to the implant head  68  and/or removed therefrom irrespective of the configuration of the socket with respect to the compression assembly. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are particularly advantageous in that the implant bar may be adjusted, with respect to orientation and length, in certain circumstances, for example, when an implant and/or implant head is replaced or, when the implant bar presents imperfections due to the manufacturing process or due to errors in the printed implant model, thus rendering the implant bar to be reversible or adjustable. Moreover, the dental implant bar, according to the present invention, can be adjusted, locked, and readjusted, at any time. Moreover, the compression assembly, which allows assembly of the dental bar via the arm assemblies, are operable independently with respect to the anchoring mechanism which attached the implant sockets to the implant head. Thus, the implant bar may be assembled, unassembled, replaced in part or in whole, etc. as required, and this may be accomplished on location by a dentist and/or technician, so as to reduce or eliminate the need for sub-contracting the manufacturing of the implant bar assembly. Moreover, the modular architecture of the implant bar system reduces waste of time, effort, material and costs due to errors or imprecision in the manufacturing process. Embodiments of the present invention are also advantageous in that the assembly, unassembly and adjusting of the dental implant bar system is executed quickly. Indeed and for indicative purposes, the applicant has assembled an implant bar system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, on a model having 5 implants, in approximately one hour. Moreover, the above-mentioned assembly, unassembly and adjusting may be performed using simple tools that may be easily accessible and known to the dentist and/or technician in the field, for example, pliers, grippers, screw driver, etc. and the like. Alternatively, a matching set of tools may be manufactured for the specific use with the implant bar system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is thus understood that other suitable tools may also be used and/or created for the purpose of manipulating the implant bar system according to a particular design, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. 
     Several modifications could be brought to the above-described embodiments, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. Indeed and for example, the collar opening described in the second embodiment may be replaced by any suitable shape which allows the socket to be fitted onto a corresponding implant head, as readily understood by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, the socket, telescopic arm may have a shape other than cylindrical. 
     Several other modifications could be made. Indeed, the bar assembly may comprise other suitable adjustable, pivotable and/or extendible bar systems, incorporating for example an elastic element such as a spring or rubber and/or comprising only one pivotable end and/or comprising a plurality of tubular segments. Moreover, the bar assembly may comprise any substantially elongated connector and may vary in profile, for example, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc. Furthermore, the articulation formed by the ball end and semi-spherical recess may be replaced by or incorporate a cylindrical hinge or system thereof. Moreover, the securing screws of the bar assembly may be replaced by other securing means such as a clip or any suitable fastening mechanism, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. 
     Furthermore, though the above described embodiments are directed to external dental implant bars, the present invention is also intended for subgingival applications, that is to say a dental implant system integrating the above described implant bar, at least a portion of the implant bar being located within the gingival tissue. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may he made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Indeed, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.