Breaking a dental implant screw or abutment — whether it’s the tiny screw holding your crown, bridge, or denture in place or the piece connecting your implant to your tooth restoration — can feel alarming. You might be wondering: “Is my implant ruined? What do I do now?” The good news is that most of these issues can be fixed without removing the entire implant — but it’s important to handle the situation the right way from the start.
First Things First: Stay Calm and Contact Your Dentist
If you suspect a loose or broken implant component, the most important early step is to stop any DIY attempts and call your dental professional right away. Avoid chewing on that side, and don’t try to use home tools or tricks you’ve read online — doing so can make the situation worse.
Why Implants and Their Parts Fail
Implant components like abutments and screws don’t break often, but when they do, it’s usually due to mechanical overload, misfit between parts, wear over time, or improper occlusion (how your teeth come together). In some cases, manufacturing or design factors also contribute. A proper diagnosis helps your dentist figure out how to recover the problem parts and why it happened, so it is less likely to happen again.
What Makes a Safe Recovery?
Specialized care is key. Some dental experts — like those trained in Implant Mechanical Rescue protocols and techniques, many of which have been developed and refined by Dr. Charles Mastrovich — focus on carefully removing broken screws or abutment fragments while preserving the implant itself.
These specialists use tools like a high-powered clinical microscope to see inside the implant, while working with specially designed hand instruments and, in some cases, specially designed precision recovery tools to delicately retrieve broken pieces. This level of visualization and precision is crucial for success without creating damage to the implant.
What Your Dentist Should Do (or Refer)
When you present to your dentist with a loose or broken implant restoration:
- Your dentist should take a detailed X-ray to help diagnose the problem.
- Ideally, they’ll assess whether the implant itself is intact or if there is another problem. While there are many different implant systems, many have common features; however, there are also differences that need to be understood. The parts and pieces are often small, so viewing them using magnification, such as a microscope, can greatly improve understanding of the specifics of the problem.
- Once the problem is identified, a course of corrective treatment can be organized. If they don’t have specialized tools or training for safe removal, it’s appropriate — and wise — for them to refer you to a dentist experienced with implant mechanical rescue techniques.
While many dentists should be able to handle the less complex problems, there are situations that require specific mechanical knowledge, techniques, and the appropriate precision tools to avoid making the problem worse. Here are a few things to look for.
- If a dentist does not have an operating microscope — and most don’t — it will limit what they can do safely. In implant mechanical rescue protocols used by trained specialists, the safest retrievals are done with hand instruments and excellent visualization, not vibration. Ultrasonic instruments — though useful in many dental tasks — can inadvertently and quickly erode or distort the implant’s internal threads and surfaces, potentially making the implant non-restorable. Ultrasonic use is nearly impossible to control, and damage can happen with only a short amount of use.
- Rotary dental drills are used routinely in dentistry, and dentists are trained and use them daily to repair teeth. However, going deep inside a small dental implant with one requires special precision drill guides and microscopic magnification, both of which are essential to control the procedure.
After Retrieval — What Comes Next?
Once the broken part is removed, your dentist or specialist will determine whether a new screw and abutment can be placed, or if additional restorative work is needed to ensure a stronger, longer-lasting solution.
Final Takeaway
A broken implant component doesn’t always mean disaster — but the way it’s handled matters immensely. Prioritize careful diagnosis, skilled hands, and avoid attempts with tools like ultrasonics that aren’t part of a safe retrieval plan. With the right care, many patients can keep their original implant and enjoy lasting results.
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If you’ve followed these tips and still feel stuck — or if your dentist isn’t sure how to safely address a broken implant screw or abutment — help is available. Dr. Charles Mastrovich specializes in complex implant mechanical rescue cases and works with dentists around the world. Ask your dentist about a referral or reach out to learn whether your implant may be safely preserved.
Contact Dr. Mastrovich and the Mastrovich Dental Team for more information on our Implant Mechanical Rescue services.
