Loose implant abutment screws may lead to a fracture. What can be done if this happens?

---

Dental implant abutments and prosthetic screws have the potential for fracture. (1,2) Interestingly it is not widely reported that re-tightening may lead to subsequent fractures. (3). The following factors are documented to reduce this incidence:

PREVENTION (4,5)

• Ensure the exact fit and seating of the prosthesis.
• Avoid occlusal overload and use an adequate number of implants.
• Avoiding excessive angulation of implants.
• Apply the recommended screw-tightening torque with a torque wrench.
• Use the correct fixation screw.
• Schedule immediate visits when looseness is reported.
• Replacing loose screws instead of re-tightening them.

*Systems using grade 23 titanium (below) are 60% stronger than those of pure titanium. (6)

CURE

The Dental Studio Simple Screw Removal Kit.

This simple and inexpensive kit facilitates the removal of almost all fractured or damaged screws and offers a quick, easy and low-trauma application and is a must for all practices placing or restoring dental implants.

The kit includes a hierarchy of tools used in the following sequence:

Method 1

Use the CLAW DRIVER in a counterclockwise rotation and 30-50 rpm to engage the top surface of the broken screw with sufficient friction to remove it. If this is not possible then method 2 should be undertaken.

Method 2

This method utilises THE DRILL at 1500-200 rpm to create a crevice of sufficient depth that the driver will engage with sufficient friction to remove the screw.

Method 3

This method uses the tap driver at 30-50 rpm to create a hole inside the damaged screw surface such that the driver will engage and remove the damaged screw.

DRILL GUIDES

To protect the internal face of the dental implant the Dental Studio Kit includes drill guides which fit inside the implant and allow placement of the drills and drivers whilst at the same time protecting the implant surface. The drill guides are available in 4 types to match the various internal implant designs.

GUIDE WRENCH

A 2 piece guide wrench is included which attaches to the top of the drill guide. This fixation helps steady the drill guide which is especially important when passing a high-speed drill through its lumen.

---

IMPLANT REMOVAL

If the Dental Implant itself is damaged or revision surgery is required due to periodontal or other pathology then the Dental Studio complete implant and screw removal kit is required. See HERE for further details.

A BETTER ANSWER FROM ask@implant-store.co.uk

---

TO PURCHASE THE DENTAL STUDIO SCREW REMOVAL KIT CLICK HERE.

TO SEE THE COMPLETE DENTAL STUDIO CATALOGUE CLICK HERE

---

GRADE 23 TITANIUM ALLOY – HIGHER LOADS – LOWER FRACTURES (6)

Bioner, an independent Spanish manufacturer with over 30 years experience choose only Ti 6AL-4V ELI alloy (AKA Grade 23 titanium) for all their implants. This material delivers:

–High strength with Lightweight.

–Excellent corrosion resistance.

The use of Grade 23 Titanium Alloy in Dental Implants reduces the potential for fractures – especially around the implant collar whilst allowing narrower diameter implants with uniform internal connections for simplified restoration.

The author has been supplying Grade 23 Dental Implants to UK clinicians for over 5 years with zero implant or screw fractures reported. In this same period, we have sold or supplied many implant or screw removal kits to practices 100% of which told us they use a system produced from either grade 3 or grade 4 titanium.

---

REFERENCES

(1) Zarb GA, Schmitt A. The longitudinal clinical effectiveness of osseointegrated dental implants: the Toronto study. Part III: Problems and complications encountered. J Prosthet Dent 1990;64:185-94.

(2) Goodacre CJ, Kan JY, Rungcharassaeng K. Clinical complications of osseointegrated implants. J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:537-52.

(3) Weiss EI, Kozak D, Gross MD. Effect of repeated closures on opening torque values in seven abutment-implant systems. J Prosthet Dent 2000;84:194-9.

(4) Misch CE. Contemporary implant dentistry. 2nd ed. St. Louis (MO): Mosby, Inc; 1999. p. 580-2.

(5) Stevens PJ, Frederickson DJ, Gress ML. Implant prosthodontics: clinical and laboratory procedures. 2nd ed. St. Louis (MO): Mosby, Inc; 2000. p. 153-65.

(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_alloys