A modified approach for removal of damaged implant abutments: A clinical report

Abstract

Dental implants have currently become an extremely popular prosthodontic treatment option for restoring function and aesthetics, owing to their effectiveness, longevity, dependability and esthetic outcome. Among the various prosthetic rehabilitation modalities for completely edentulous cases, implant-supported overdentures have a very good prognosis. Over time in use, implant-related complications like abutment damage may arise.Damaged abutments may lose their external hexagonal structure, making it challenging to engage the drivers. This makes their removal complicated and technique sensitive. The rotary devices that are used have many drawbacks that might harm the implant's internal threads during implant abutment removal. This article describes a novel method for removing a damaged mandibular overdenture abutment using an ultrasonic scaler wrench without jeopardising the implant. This conservative management was found to be simple, cost-effective and time-efficient, with no additional required equipment.