A conservative approach to retrieve a fractured abutment screw - Case report.
BACKGROUND
Regarding implant-supported prostheses, the most reported types of complications are related to loosening or fracturing of abutment or prosthesis screws. This case report shows a series of procedures that allowed a conservative solution for a fractured screw. It avoided removing the implant and also allowed the same prosthesis to be used after guided-drilling the fractured screw and re-tapping the implant internal threads. The same prosthesis was replaced immediately after the procedure.


METHODS
A 67-year-old male patient, who had a fractured abutment screw of the lower left first molar implant. The patient decided for the conservative treatment option and an attempt was made to remove the fractured screw.


CONCLUSIONS
Parafunctional habits can generate excessive occlusal forces, which are risk factors associated with loosening and fracturing implant screws and even the fixtures themselves. This case report focus on the probable causes, difficulties and risks associated with this procedure and it also discusses the alternative approaches.


CONCLUSIONS
The purposed treatment allowed a time and money saving resolution for fractured abutment screws.
Department of Occlusion, Fixed Prostheses, and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: tapncarneiro@hotmail.com.
Thiago de Almeida Prado Naves
Tde A
Carneiro
Department of Occlusion, Fixed Prostheses, and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Marcel Santana
MS
Prudente
BMe, Biomechanical Section, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium.
Roberto Sales
RS
E Pessoa
University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, Department of Biologic and Material Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
Gustavo
G
Mendonça
Department of Occlusion, Fixed Prostheses, and Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Flávio Domingues
FD
das Neves
D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011475:Prosthesis Failure
Implant re-tapping; Osseointegrated implant; Screw fracture