Compression device, kit, and method

A method comprising:

• providing a fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion, said fastener comprising an osseointegrating material;
• providing a compression device, the compression device comprising:
• a peripheral portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a central opening;
• and
• an inwardly projecting resilient tooth;
• wherein the compression device comprises a material that is superelastic at human body temperatures, and wherein the resilient tooth is configured to be deformed in an axial direction upon advancement of the fastener and impingement of the fastener against the tooth, the tooth configured to exert a biasing force against the head portion of said fastener in an opposing axial direction when so deformed;
• wherein the tooth includes a tip portion extending proximally beyond the upper surface of the peripheral portion, and wherein the tooth may be deformed to an extent such that the tip portion no longer extends proximally beyond the upper surface of the peripheral portion;
• surgically exposing a bone segment of a patient;
• inserting the fastener through the central opening of the compression device;
• advancing said fastener into said bone segment to impinge the head portion of said fastener onto the tooth of said compression device, wherein said tooth is deformed by the head portion of the fastener and thereby exerts a biasing force against the head portion of said fastener;
• wherein the peripheral portion of the compression device comprises a generally annular ring portion;
• and
• and wherein the compression device comprises a plurality of inwardly projecting resilient teeth, the teeth configured to exert a biasing force in an axial direction when deformed in an opposing axial direction.