Broken Dental Implant Screw – What Happens When an Implant Fails? | Chong Dental Ipoh
- chongdentalipoh
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Dental implants are designed to last many years and function like natural teeth. However, like any mechanical system in the body, complications can occasionally occur. One situation we sometimes encounter is a fractured implant screw.
Recently, a patient visited our clinic with discomfort around an implant that had been placed several years ago at another clinic. The crown had become loose, and the patient noticed something was not right when chewing.
What Happens When a Broken Dental Implant Screw Occurs?
After a detailed clinical examination and radiographic assessment, we discovered that the abutment screw had fractured inside the implant fixture.
For those unfamiliar with implant components, a dental implant typically consists of three parts:
The implant fixture – the titanium post placed inside the bone
The abutment – the connector between implant and crown
The crown – the visible tooth on top
The abutment screw holds the crown and abutment securely to the implant.
In this case, the fractured component was deeply lodged inside the implant body. Because the broken dental implant screw could not be predictably retrieved.
More importantly, we also noticed that the implant was not ideally positioned. Because of this angle and position, the implant had been subjected to excessive mechanical force during chewing, which likely contributed to the screw fracture.
Why Implant Position Matters
Implant placement is not only about placing a titanium post into the bone. The three-dimensional position of the implant is critical.
If an implant is not ideally aligned with the bite and final crown position, several problems can occur:
Excessive load on screws and components
Loosening of the crown
Screw fracture
Difficulty cleaning around the implant
Long-term bone stress
Good implant planning considers bone anatomy, bite forces, prosthetic design, and long-term maintenance.
Treatment: Removing the Old Implant
Because the screw fragment was lodged deep inside the implant and the implant position itself was not ideal, the most predictable solution was to remove the existing implant.
Using a minimally invasive technique, the implant was carefully removed from the bone.
The advantage of modern implant systems and surgical protocols is that in many cases we can replace the implant immediately, provided the bone condition allows it.
Immediate Replacement in the Correct Position
After removing the failed implant, we placed a new implant in a more ideal three-dimensional position.
This improved alignment allows the future crown to distribute chewing forces more naturally. Proper positioning reduces mechanical stress and improves long-term stability.
Immediate implant placement also helps preserve the surrounding bone and can shorten the overall treatment time.
A Reminder About Implant Longevity
Dental implants have a very high success rate and are one of the most reliable solutions for replacing missing teeth. However, long-term success depends on several factors:
Proper treatment planning
Accurate implant positioning
Good prosthetic design
Regular maintenance and check-ups
Even implants placed many years ago can usually be managed effectively when complications arise.
Managing Implant Complications
If an implant crown becomes loose, uncomfortable, or starts to move, it is important to have it checked early. Many issues—such as loose screws or early component wear—can often be resolved before they become more complex.
With modern imaging, surgical techniques, and implant systems, dentists today are able to diagnose and manage these situations with a high level of precision.
At Chong Dental Clinic Ipoh Garden, we regularly manage complex implant cases, including implant complications, revisions, and full-arch implant rehabilitation.
Our focus is always on careful diagnosis, thoughtful treatment planning, and providing solutions that support long-term oral health.
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