Removing Implant by Minimal Reverse Torque?

Print This Post

Dr. I asks:

Can a dental implant that appears both clinically and radiographically integrated be removed by minimal reverse torque?

The reason for my question is that recently I have experienced a number of failures with a particular implant. Prior to using this implant, I had experienced about 2% failure rate. In this particular case I placed two implants in the maxillary first premolar area, when the implant placed in the # 5 site failed shortly after loading (the implant appeared both clinically and radiographically integrated), I removed the crown and abutment from the implant in the # 12 site to see if I could remove by applying reverse torque using the manufacturers ratchet and with slight force I was surprised to find the implant began to come out.

I did not think this was possible, but may explain the high number of failures I have noted since using this implant. I have since stopped using this implant, but worry about the twenty implants from this company that I have already placed. The patient in this case was a healthy 70 year old female, implants were placed in native bone D3 and given a full 6 months to integrate before uncovering. At the time of uncovering no crestal bone loss was noted. Radiographically it appeared that bone was intimately adapted to the implant body the full length of the implants. Any feed-back is appreciated. I am not sure how to proceed.

Free Daily Email Alert Click Here>>

Get OsseoNews.com Comments delivered daily! Click Here to subscribe.

6 Responses to “ Removing Implant by Minimal Reverse Torque? ”

• Alejandro Berg May 20th, 2008

  
  

  Yes they can (unfortunatelly), if you want to be sure use contra torque every time. also periotest(not my favorite) can help. Ostell is also a good tool but finally good contra torque (40Ncm) will give you peace of mind.
  best of luck

• SFOMS May 20th, 2008

  
  

  What is the brand/surface technology of the said failed implant?

• Bruce G Knecht May 21st, 2008

  
  

  I have removed three and they reverse torque right out nicely. Now they were only in at most three months. Two were lower implants I removed them due to thread exposure and I felt that it was better to sink them deeper than graft.

• William Chong May 27th, 2008

  
  

  Implants which appear clinically and radiographically osseointegrated and can be reversed by minimal reverse torque are not integrated and are best removed. Your 2% failure rate is acceptable and you are a good surgeon. Suggest reviewng protocol to see what changes you have made besides the brand switch. If your recent switch is between two tapered implant brands or 2 parallel sided implants unlikely that protocol is no issue. If you are switching from parallel sided to tapered or vice versa, there is a need to review your protocol as they have a different feel upon insertion. The other common cause is when dealing with immediate extraction sites where there could be a leftover granulation tissue undetected. Finally while I do not think it is necessarily a problem with one brand or other, I would opt for a surface modified, i.e rough surface implant rather than a first generation smooth surface Ti.

• ash May 28th, 2008

  
  

  yes , what is this implant brand?…use an implant surface treated with (”cell plus,tiunite,sla”)..claim to have faster better integration

• peter Shieh June 26th, 2008

  
  

  can you tell us which brand of implant that failed? Radiographs does not reveal much.Pain is a good indication while torquing the abutment

---

Leave a Comment

Note: Please refrain from ad hominem attacks, and promotional comments. Outside links are not permitted in comments. Though we require an email to route questionable comments to our editors, we will NEVER publish your email or use it for any other purpose. Thank you for your understanding.

Name (required)

Email (Required, Will NEVER be published)

Website

Note: At times your comment may not appear on the website immediately, because it has been sent to our editors for approval. Once approved, we will publish the comment. There is NO need to resubmit your comment, if it does not appear on the website immediately.

Mon September 08 2008

FREE Weekly Email

Keep current on the latest dental implant discussions! It's Free!

>>Click Here to Subscribe to OsseoNews.com Now!

---

---

Sponsor