The invention is directed to a bone plate system. The bone plate system comprises a base plate (14) having two generally parallel elongated screw slots (30) extending therethrough. Two bone screws (16) are provided that are capable of securing the base plate to a bone by insertion through the screw slots into the bone. Each bone screw has a screw head (15) and a threaded portion (17) extending therefrom. An interference device (8) is attached to the base plate and retains the bone screws while permitting the bone screws to toggle and to controllably slide in the screw slots of the base plate. This design is particularly useful for joining adjacent vertebral bodies, as it permits controlled settling of the vertebral bodies, thereby enhancing the healing process.