How do you re-thread a dental implant?

I have a patient with a Noble Biocare external hex implant fixture. The abutment screw looks fine, but I am unable to screw it into the implant fixture. I have tried the screw in another implant fixture and it works great. I think the implant might be cross threaded. How do you re-thread the implant? Is there a special tool for this and if so, where do I obtain this?

5 Comments on How do you re-thread a dental implant?

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sb oms
8/24/2013
In most situations like this that I have seen, there was some debris in the threads that prevented the abutment screw from seating. Remember that the abutment screw is softer than the implant threads, and if a screw becomes loose, a piece of it can shear off. I'm sure you've taken an x-ray to check for anything visible. Blast the implant with high pressure water and air, try a soft micro brush inside he implant to see if you can dislodge anything. If it comes to re-tapping, Contact your nobel biocare rep, there is an implant specific screw tap. this is very technique sensitive, and the patient must know that their implant may need removal. I would practice on an analog before doing this in a patient. If its a posterior implant, it will be more difficult due to access and angles. good luck, consider referral if uncomfortable
Richard Hughes, DDS, FAAI
8/25/2013
Sboms, you have given great advice on this topic. This does not Halley a lot, but when it does it has potential to get ugly. The manufactures, back in the day did sell tapping instruments.
ali sawas
8/27/2013
In this case you should use tapping instrument hss 2mm diameter 0.4 thread . Slowly rotate it clock & clockwise using also olive oil during tapping .then rinse the implant inside by water and air, then try the screw . Good luck Dr. M.Ali Sawas
LCM
8/27/2013
Just to be sure, you did take a PA to make sure there isn't a fractured screw segment still stuck inside the implant? What was the reason the abutment is being replaced at this time? LCM
Baker Vinci
8/28/2013
This is one of reasons I went into sugery. B Vinci

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