.  2024 Mar;28(1):10-17. 10.32542/implantology.2024002.

Implants Removal Due to Abutment or Screw Fracture: Report of 13 Cases

• Kwak TW
• Ahn KM

• KMID: 2562829
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.32542/implantology.2024002

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to report dental implant removal due to various instances of implant abutment and screw fractures. In this study, the indications for implant removal due to mechanical failure were documented. Materials and Methods: This study investigated patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of our hospital for implant removal surgery due to abutment screw fractures between 2010 and 2024. The study included 13 patients with 15 implants. Patient age, sex, implant location, fracture site, and implant system type were investigated.
Results
Fifteen implants were removed in 13 patients with abutment and screw fractures. The mean age of the patients was 63.4 years. Moreover, a total of 11 men and two women were included in the analysis. The implants were most commonly placed in the molar region, with a maxilla-to-mandible ratio of 9:6. The screw fracture locations were categorized into the cervical, middle, or apical thirds. Their corresponding numbers were two, eight, and four, respectively. The implant system and manufacturer demonstrated no significant correlation with screw fractures.
Conclusion
When a screw fracture occurs in the lower third of a dental implant, removal is often difficult. Regular check-ups and periodic screw tightening are mandatory to prevent severe complications such as screw or abutment fractures. Failed implants should be removed and replaced with new dental implants.

Keyword

Abutment fracture; Dental implant; Implant removal; Screw fracture