An endosseous dental implant system employs an implant member designed to
be embedded into the jawbone of a patient at a location vacated by a
missing tooth, and a mating abutment member. Both the abutment member and
the implant member have mutually facing gingival ends. A socket of
uniform, noncircular cross section throughout is defined into the
gingival end of either the implant member or the abutment member while a
post of corresponding cross-sectional configuration extends from the
gingival end of the other member. At least one, and possibly a plurality,
of transversely directed projections are formed on the post. These
projections are small enough to allow the post to enter the socket in
close fitting, seated engagement therewith, but large enough to create an
interference fit between the post and the socket to obstruct twisting of
the post within the socket. Apart from the transversely extending
projections, the post has a uniform cross sectional shape and dimensions
throughout its length.