Identification of Attachment System: Any Ideas?

Last Updated: Jan 24, 2011

Dr. C. asks:
I have a new patient (see photos below) who presented with a poorly retained maxillary overdenture. The implants are 3I Osseotite NT Certain implants placed by an oral surgeon in 2004. The restoring general dentist is deceased and his records identified these abutments as Locators. The actual ball portion moves but has no receptacle for a wrench of any kind. I contacted 3I Biomet and they state it isn’t something they recognize and are unable to help. I cannot move forward on this case and don’t know what to do. Does anybody recognize the attachment system used? Anybody know how to manage it?

11 Comments on Identification of Attachment System: Any Ideas?

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01/24/2011

These look like 3i Certain NT implants, but the attachments are NOT locators. They look much more similar to Dalbo attachments, like a ball and hitch type, similar to 3i's "dal-ro" system or "O-Ring" but they (3i) never made a ball-type attachment for the Certain internal hex system. Recommendation: remove attachments and replace w/ real Locator abutments from 3i, otherwise called "Zest Attachments" since Zest is the company who makes them. Hope this helps. JC

Guy Carnazza

01/24/2011

That is the whole problem. How do I remove these. What tool do I use. The balls themselves move. I am the one who sent this article.

Shirley A . Colby

01/24/2011

Dear Dr. Carnazza, Please take a CLOSER look at the last picture you posted.Can you identify the vague pattern of a hexagon, at the base of the attachment? It is partially covered by plaque. Maybe if you wipe it off, you'll see it better. Is this the configuration you're looking for? Hope this helps...

Guy Carnazza

01/25/2011

I consulted my lab implant manager and she provided me with the implant company website, parts I need,and contact info all within 24hrs. The lab is part of the team. Thanks Jeralyn.It is a mutual win win for all. Thanks for posting my case.

R. Smith, DDS

01/25/2011

Looks like Bredent VKS-OC. Sold by XPdent now.

L. Chausse dmd

01/25/2011

They probably are Sphero-Flex from Rhein83. For unscrewing, there is a screw driver that fits over the hex at the base of the neck of the ball. heck on Rhein83 web site. Flexible balls is a weird concept. Simply change those for the more reliable Sphero Block that works very well.

Dr. Michael Zidile

01/26/2011

Looks like 3i/Biomet "OverdentSURE" O-Ring abutments. I'd also be concerned about the apparent peri-implantitis.

mike ainsworth

01/27/2011

I had this problem once and couldn't find out what tool to use. In the end I just got a very small ('tiny' I think) adjustable spanner from ebay and used that! only cost me a couple of euros, and worked a treat.

Ljungberg

02/02/2011

I would suggest to explant and replace by new one. Implant is no others than a kind of metals. The 2 implants have been serving the patient for 7 years. I would query if the metal would be fatiqued due to long-termed loading. If the abutments were fractured during unscrewing, I don't think you would be able to satisfy the patient when they know that the abutments have "become broken" in your hands. Moreover, the 2 implants showed a remarkable resorption. If the abutments were screwed with a torque wrench, when you are going to unscrew it, I think the fixtures would be unscrewed, instead of abutments.

Rui Martins

02/15/2011

Suposing you want to keep the implants...1)I think best solution would be to unscrew the attachment that is conected to the implant and find a replacement; any make that has the same thread on screws. 2)Alternative is to buy hollow Titanium males, then grind ball area till Ti attachment seats. After this you can simply cement new male on top and use conventional method for repeating job. 3) mesure ball diameter and hight, search for compatable female part and procede as usual.

Nicole Varras, CDT

06/06/2011

These are sphero-flex implant abutments. You can buy them from Preat or call Sterngold; they should have a female component that will fit over this ball.

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