A NOVEL CLINICAL TECHNIQUE FOR FRACTURED ABUTMENT SCREW RETRIEVAL - A CASE REPORT:

Abstract

Background: Abutment screw fracture is a clinically challenging situation for a Prosthodontist. Fracture of the screw tests the skill and ingenuity of the doctor. While there are many techniques and retrieval kits available, different clinical situations will demand modifications in the approach to retrieval of the fractured abutment screw.

Case report:  81 years old male patient reported to the department of Prosthodontics and crown & bridge in our institute with the fractured abutment screws in the lower right and left mandibular posterior region. The prosthesis was fabricated 12 years back in a private clinic. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed abutment screw fractures in three locations i.e, at screw thread level in relation to 35 and 46, at abutment screw shank level in relation to 37 region,which resulted in screw loosening of prosthesis. various methods for retrieval of fractured screw as mentioned in the literature were considered.  In this case 2 different techniques were used for retrieval depending upon the site of abutment screw fracture.

Conclusion: Different clinical situations require different techniques and modifications of those techniques due to complex nature, site and cause of abutment screw fracture.