Dental Implants: Q&A
Ask a QuestionThe Screw Head of the Dental Implant Broke Off. Is This Common? How Difficult to Fix?
My husband is in the process of getting a dental implant. Each step has presented problems. The last part of the procedure that he had done involved implanting the screw. The screw head broke off. The dentist now wants to go in and notch the head with a lazer and try to remove it with a screwdriver. My husband is very hesitant to proceed. Is this a common occurrance and what risks are involved with the procedure to remove the screw and replace it with another. What would success rate be?
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13 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Phoenix85020
in Phoenix
+3
Screw head breaking off
Aligned with other authors above, this is extremely rare. I think there was either improper torquing technique or manufacture defect that has led to the screw fracture. Laser is certainly not effective nor a good idea. It produces heat and that is not good for the implant. The best is to attempt to remove the screw. If not successful (in the event the screw part is to deep) there is nothing that can be done and implant must be removed altogether and plan for replacement.
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Dr....
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+6
Implant Screw Breaking
I would not say this is a common event, but implant screws do sometimes break. It could be due to a defective screw or some other reason. When I've had to remove a broken screw I did it by carefully removing the screw with hand instruments. Notching the screw might be a good idea, but I wouldn't use a laser to do so. I've been told that broken screws can sometimes be vibrated loose ultrasonically, but I have not tried this myself.
+3
Broken Implant screw, the Why is important.
The screw head breaking off is an extremely rare occurence. It is possible that the screw can be removed, but a lazer should not be part of this. If may not be possible to remove the screw without damaging the interface of the implant. The implant itself can be removed and a new implant placed and this may turn out to be the best alternative depending on the situation, but most importantly why the screw head broke should be determined so that this does not happen with the...
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+3
Dental Implants, dental bridges, All-on-4
This can happen, the question is why did it happen? Are there not enough implants to support what is in place? Are the implants not parallel? Can you advise if it is single implant or overdenture?
Getting the broken screw out is usually not a problem. There are several ways to get them out and most of the good implant companies offer assistance with this. I would suggest that you find out what type of implant this is and why the screw broke and make any changes as necessary....
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Houston Cosmetic Dentist
+3
Not an easy fix but something has to be done.
This is not very common but it does happen and is one of the biggest nightmares in implant dentistry. I have never heard of a laser being used to notch the screw head but if you don't get the remainder of the screw out without damaging the internal threads of the implant the implant will be useless. Good Luck!
Fairfield Cosmetic Dentist
+3
Broken Implant Screw
The weakest link in any implant system is the small screw that attaches the implant abutment to the head of the implant. This screw can break yes but should not be considered a "common occurance." There are special tools made to remove a fractured screw from an implant. I've honestly never heard of a laser being used for this purpose and might in fact be contraindicated. This might be worth a second opinion.
Tustin Cosmetic Dentist
+2
Broken head of dental implant
This is an extremely uncommon event in the hands of an experienced surgeon. This particular event is almost always due to one of two reasons. The first is lack of experience in placing dental implants. The reason the implant broke was because of too much torque placed on that particular implant. Whether it is from faulty implant (which is extremely rare if a legitimate implant brand was used, not a cut rate cheap implant company that the dentist used to save a few dollars) or a inexperienced...
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+2
Broken Implant Screw
Although not considered common I have seen broken implant screws occur from time to time. The interface between implant and abutment (or Implant Post) is retained by a screw that is torqued down to a certain amount of force that is recommended by the implant manufacturer. Assuming that there are no defective parts the specifics of the case must be considered to find out WHY this happened. Did the abutment or Post seat and fit accurately onto the platform of the Dental Implant? If not...
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Paramus Cosmetic Dentist
+2
Broken Implant screw complication
Unfortunately, it sounds like the tiny screw connecting the abutment (post) to the actual implant broke. This is one of the rare complications we sometimes face in implant dentistry. Retrieving the remaining screw is tricky. I imagine your dentist will use a laser to remove any excess tissue and stop the bleeding in the area to get better visibility. Then he will try to use a micro screwdriver to try and tease the screw out of the implant. Sometimes...
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+2
Complications of screw retained restorations
Implant restorations can be srew or cement retained. The biggest advantage of screw retained restoration is retrievability. Unfortunately sometimes screws brake. Depends on implant system that was used for your husband, but there are special instruments to facilitate removal of broken screw, and it can be done. Of course the more experienced doctors have "the bag of tricks" that they use in such critical situations. Notching the remaining screw and unscrewing it...
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Comments (4)
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
If they can get your husbands screw out at least let them try...it hopefully will go,better an mine!
I am sitting here recuperating from my dental implant...and a broken implant during the process! Dr. said he never had it happen before and not sure, but apparently side by the torx head broke while he was tightening it. All I know it was a 5x13, and he had to drill it out and was able to replace with a 6x13...and a bone graft. All the numbers don't mean a lot to me, except I believe the 13 is the length and 5 or 6, then, would be the diameter. Still in pain is all I know!!
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear. It does seem to be a pretty rare occurrence, but of course that is not much comfort when you happen to be one of the ones it happens to. :( It would be great if you would consider sharing your story with in our Dental Implant community. We would love to be able to support you as you go through this.