Dental appliance with improved connecting element

A dental prosthesis, comprising:

• a first member fixed in a jaw of a patient;
• a second member axially insertable over said first member and adapted to be removably mounted thereon;
• and
• coupling means for anchoring said second member on said first member, said coupling means including:
• an axially and laterally open groove formed in said first member and having a pair of axially extending flanks,
• a shaped surface in the form of a substantially cylindrical surface segment adjoining said groove and formed on said first member,
• a complementary surface in the form of another substantially cylindrical surface segment on said second member formfittingly engaging said shaped surface upon assembly of said second member on said first member,
• a substantially rectangular clamping rib on said second member adjacent said complementary surface, substantially complementary to and receivable in said groove, and having
• a base lying substantially in a plane of said complementary surface,
• four wall portions extending away from said base and including two longitudinal wall portions juxtaposed with said flanks,
• means separating said longitudinal wall portions from said base proximal to said base whereby said longitudinal wall portions can flex outwardly,
• a threaded bore formed centrally of said base between said longitudinal wall portions, and
• a threaded screw threaded into said bore and having a head bearing against said longitudinal wall portions to flex said longitudinal wall portions outwardly,
• said longitudinal wall portions defining a substantially conical inner surface engaged by said head.