Chapter 3 - Possible solutions to problems encountered at maintenance stage2.
General Manager of Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mitsui
Memorial Hospital
Yasuhiko Tsuyama
I.

Solutions to screw loosenings and fractures

The screw that joins the fixture to the abutment is an indispensible component for the two-piece type, andthe loosening of the screw is an issue throughout whole of the implant systems. All surgeons who have
implanted two-piece type will have experienced screws becoming loose, at least once in their practice.
Under the clinical settings, the screwing process is complicated by the invasion of soft tissues and blood
into the connecting point, and the difficulty in gaining a direct view in the molar region therefore it iseasier to feel the pressure and unease. Thus a more simplified screw system while still retaining thenecessary strength is in demand. At the same time, we, as a surgeon, have to always have in mind thepossibility of screw loosening and fracture, and be prepared to treat these problems accordingly.
A. Connective forms of abutment
To the abutment screws, there is the external joint type, in which the connection is formed on the externalsurface of the implant body, and the internal joint type that contains the joint within the implant body.
The internal join is further divided into a butt joint and a slip joint. The external joint is disadvantageous
due to the effect it has on the surrounding alveolar bone structure. This is because a part of the alveolarbone has to be milled for the abutment placement; or the connection is located very close to theperiosteum that is considered to easily lead to downgrowth, and consequently providing favorable
conditions in which to develop peri-implantitis. The vast majority of implant systems have adopted theinternal type, and so has AQB two-piece type.
The internal joint of the AQB two-piece type has been characterized by an octagonal butt joint, referred to
as SOL system (Fig. 5-3-1). It adopts a unique shape, with an ability to disperse the stress, and withstrong interlocking force. In the bending stress test, the two-piece type showed the ability to withstandhigher amount of stress in comparison to the one-piece type (Fig. 5-3-2, 3). In order to maximize thisproperty of the system, there are two main points that have to be taken into account.
1. Ensure complete removal of soft tissues and bone to enable full placement of the abutment
A secure connection cannot be made where soft tissues are present in between the fixture and theabutment, regardless of the joint types. It is therefore imperative to remove the surrounding soft tissues
or bone that could become included in the joint. In situations where partial augmentation of the bone hasdeveloped on the implant root after GBR (Fig.5-3-4), these should be removed with a bone profiler (Fig.
5-3-5). The steps to completely exclude the surrounding soft tissues, and hemostasis should not be
neglected.
2. Secure the screw with a driver equipped with control setting with torque force of 25 to 30 N
The force applied to tightening the screw with the hand is often below 25 N, which has often been

insufficient, resulting in its loosening. On the contrary, application of forces above 30 N should also bedone cautiously when exchanging the abutment, since the implant body can also rotate.

Interdigitation without looseness (SOL system)

zThe stress can be dispersed with the SOL system due to its uniqueshapezHigh interlocking property facilitated by the high precision cutting
technology

Fig. 5-3-1 SOL system<Bending strength test>

Stroke speed
Load (N)T typeFig. 5-3-2 The differences in strength of theFig. 5-3-3 The results of bending strength test

two-piece type and previous types

when the strength of 3 mm diameter one-piece

Fig. 5-3-4 Partial bone augmentation

Fig. 5-3-5 Bone profilers

to the top surface of the fixture
B. The basic techniques of abutment attachment
The abutment placement procedure①

Anesthesia, gingival incision, detachment (Fig. 5-3-7-a,b)②

Inspect the state of the fixture (Fig. 5-3-7-c,d)Fig. 5-3-6 Torque control

③Apply temporary suture, and gingival incision with a circular knife (Fig. 5-3-7-e)④

Healing cap removal⑤

Adjustment of the surrounding gingivae⑥

Placement of the abutment (use of torque control) (Fig. 5-3-7-f)⑦

Protection of screw (temporary seal, referred to as ‘stopping’)⑧

Suture (Fig. 5-3-7-g)⑨

Temporary attachment (Fig. 5-3-7-h)Fig. 5-3-7-a to ha.

Preoperative image of the oral cavityb.

Membrane exposed after incising and elevation of the gingivaec.

The state after the removal of the membrane. New bone formation can be seen on the top of the
fixtured.

Exposing the healing cap by the removal of newly formed bonee.

Temporary suture, and gingivae incised with circular knife.

f.

Abutment placement. Tighten with 25 N force employing torque controlg.

The state after the sutureh.

Installing false tooth, after the removal of sutures

C. Loosening of abutment
The screw must be securely tightened to ensure that the abutment does not come undone. The looseningof the abutment is induced by an application of external force, and often, with the occlusal force with thetemporary crown. It is recommended therefore to inspect its state roughly a week after the placement of
the temporary structure. The movement of the abutment can be perceived by the patients that theimplant body itself is becoming loose which can lead to panic. It may be an idea to explain this to thepatient beforehand.
The radiograph observation, a week after applying occlusal force with temporary crown (Fig 5-3-8-a) does
not show any bone resorption in the implant surroundings, but the loosening and floating up of theabutment can be seen. If the application of occlusal force persists, it can result in damages to the screws
thus it is vital to tighten the screw immediately. The state after the screw tightening should be confirmedwith a radiograph, as shown in Fig. 5-3-8-b.

Fig. 5-3-8 A case where the abutment has become loose
a. Radiograph showing the loosening of the abutment
b. Radiograph showing the state directly after the tightening of the abutment
D. Fracturing of abutment
I have not yet experienced abutment fracture with the AQB two-piece type implants. The possible causeof the fracture is at the screws. A tool specific for retraction of the screw is in need to be developed, sincecomplications at the removal of the screws can be anticipated.
II. The criteria to judge whether to remove or preserve the implant
The majority of cases with peri-implantitis are associated with progression of bone resorption. From theprevious case examples it has often been found that where the bone resorption has progressed to expose
half of the HA-coated portion without treatment, the implant has been observed to fall out within a periodof two to three months.
There is no clear line to help decide on whether to remove or retain the implant body. In current practices,
the treatment plans and the decisions on the suitability are made solely based on the past experiences ofthe dental practitioner.
A. A proposed criteria to judge whether to remove or preserve the implant
The treatment for peri-implantits is often complicated. Particularly with regards to controlling thebacterial infection in the subgingivae, as in the natural teeth, thus, the primary importance is placed on
creating an environment where the plaque management can be conducted easily. The regeneration of thebone once resorption has been induced is difficult even with preservation therapy such as laser therapy;
therefore the emphasis has been placed on the preventive measures to stop the progression of resorption.
The decision as to the extent of bone resorption before intervening is left to each dental practitioner. The
criteria that I use to decide when to remove the implant are given below.
1. Bone resorption progressed to over a half of the length of the implant body, with the implant bodymovement
The case where bone resorption associated with peri-implantitis is shown in Fig. 5-3-9. PMTC
preservation treatments were conducted in this case, but peri-implantitis had nevertheless progressed. A
radiograph image after ten months is shown in Fig 5-3-10. The implant was removed due to theprogression of the condition. From the past experiences, once the bone resorption has surpassed half ofthe length of the implant body, reduction in the bone supporting the implant, breakdown of the root tocrown ratio and resulting in loosening of the implant body. The preservation of the implant body once it
becomes loose is difficult, and further progression of bone resorption without the implant removal cansubsequently lead a state where re-insertion of the implant will no longer be possible.
2. Cases where the inflammation of the gingivae surrounding the implant body cannot be controlled
The development of chronic swelling of the gum or fistula can complicate the preservation therapy. The
resorption of the surrounding bone is often progressive, and it is recommended to remove the implant
body as soon as the symptoms are detected.
3. The absence of anchorage for implant
Where bone graft or artificial bone graft has been conducted to the region of bone resorption forpreservation of implant, roughly two months of protected periods are needed. Protection can be achieved
with the connection of the adjacent implants or with natural teeth with consideration to avoid
application of occlusal force. The presence of anchorage therefore becomes the prime importance.
A case in which the peri-implantitis has been
inducedFig. 5-3-9 Radiograph in which bone
resorption can be observed in thesurroundings of implantFig. 5-3-10 The radiograph observation of thestate (Fig. 5-3-9) 10 months later
Fig. 5-3-9

Fig. 5-3-10

III. Implant removal technique
In removing the implant, avoid excessive amount of milling to the surrounding bone and should be
conducted with consideration to the possibility of re-implantation. The key is to preserve labial and buccal
sides of the alveolar bone as much as possible.
Administration of local anesthetics have been adequate in the past practices, however, other anesthetics
should be considered in situations where a significant anxiety is shown by the patient; or where
inflammation is present in the neighboring structures such as the maxillary sinus. Intravenous or
general anesthesia should be employed in such cases.
A. Extraction of blade-type implants (Fig. 5-3-11).
The extractions of the blade-type implant are generally perceived to be simple, but there are a few points

of caution that have to be taken into account. As displayed by the radiograph (Fig.5-3-11-a) of a blade-typeimplant affected with peri-implantitis. The soft tissues are usually entangled through the blade holes
therefore the initial step should be to detach both sides of the blades free of the soft tissues. Next, using
thin burs, such as fissure bur, disconnect the blade in a manner so that the bone can be conserved asmuch as possible (Fig. 5-3-11-d). The neck has the tendency break off if the blade is pulled out
aggressively while the soft tissues are still tangled with the blade. It is often found to have subsided deepin the jaw, therefore the extraction procedure particularly to the lower mandible should be conductedwith care to avoid causing damages to the lower alveolar nerve fibers. The soft tissues should be removed
completely once finishing the extraction procedure, ready for closing the flap with stitching.

Fig. 5-3-11 A case example of extraction of blade-type implanta. Radiograph featuring the peri-implantitis around the blade-type implant.
b. Oral cavity before the operation, featuring the incision line displayed.
c. State of alveolar bone inflammation and exposure of blade-type implant.
d. Once extracting the blade-type implant, conservation of the buccolabial alveolar bone is the key inthis step.
e. Piece of soft tissue that was entangled in the blade holef.

Blade implant extracted.

B. Extraction of tooth-root type implant (Fig. 5-3-12)
The difficulty in the extraction of tooth root type varieties depending on the surface material of theimplant; whether it is titanium or HA. Both types however, should be extracted with bone-cutting forceps
to take hold of the implant firmly (Fig. 5-3-12-d). Here, the practitioners tend to pull and rotate theimplant in half-circles in the clockwise direction, but the key is to press and rotate in an anti-clockwise
direction (Fig. 5-3-12-e). Once firmly getting hold of the implant body, remember to press before rotating.
There is no need to mill down the surrounding bone to the implant base, but aim to grind down a third ora half of the bone quantity for implants with titanium surface, and a third for a HA coated implant.
Remove the soft tissues completely after its extraction (Fig. 5-3-12-f). A significant bone resorption on the
buccal and labial sides are found in the majority of the cases facing extraction, therefore the dimensionsof the implant as well as the need for bone augmentation procedures should be determined at this stage.

Fig. 5-3-12 A case example of artificial tooth-root type implanta. State of oral cavity before operation
b. Panorama radiograph featuring the state with bone resorption surrounding the implant body.
c. Mucoperiosteal flap formed to expose the implant body. A significant amount of soft tissues can befound in the surroundings.
d. Hold the implant body firmly with the bone-cutting forceps.
e. The implant body rises up by rotating the implant in a half circle while pressing the structure.
f.

Completely remove the soft tissues, once extracting the implant.

C. Extraction of AQB Implant (Fig 5-3-13)
The implant extraction due to complications such as inferior alveolar nerve paralysis, can be done
without the need to mill down the bone and just by the anti-clockwise rotating action with the a wrench
for roughly up to two weeks after the implantation. The implant can be lifted off easily by pressing downslightly when rotating in the anti-clockwise direction.
If extraction has to be conducted after the two week period, it often requires milling down of the bone.
Here, aim to mill down the supporting bone to a third of the HA coating layer (approx. 3 mm). The
surrounding bones can be conserved as much as possible by using thin burs, operated in a similar manner
to how it is used to shave the HA coating layer.
A case where the AQB one-piece type implant was extracted due to fracture is presented (Fig. 5-3-13). The
primary step in the extraction of the fractured implant at the HA coated region is to gain as much space tomaximize the visualization of the fractured bodies. This is achieved by forming a large gingival periosteal
flap extending towards the buccal and labial directions (Fig. 5-3-13-c). Once exposing the implant body,
mill down another layer of the surrounding bone to establish a space needed to insert the hebel or thebone-cutting forceps (Fig. 5-3-13-d). Remember to press before rotating in the anti-clockwise direction to
help its removal.

Fig. 5-3-13 A case example of extracting AQB Implanta. Preoperative radiograph featuring the state of AQB one-piece type (3 mm diameter) fracture.
b. State of oral cavity before operation.
c. Gingival periosteal flap formed to expose a part of fractured implant.
d. Secure a space around the fracture implant to fit a habel forceps, by using a diamond turbine bur.
e. State of the oral cavity after the extraction of the fractured implant body.
f.

Fractured implant.

D. Extraction of implant that strayed into the maxillary sinus (Fig. 5-3-14)
The implant body that stray into the sinus must be extracted. If the situation is complicated with thepresence of maxillary sinusitis, it should be extracted once the sinus has returned to a state that is as
close to its ordinary state as possible, by administering antibiotics to reduce the inflammation. In
attempting to extract the implant where the inflammation is present, the search of the implant body canbe made difficult, and risk unexpected bleeding.
The extraction technique is shown in Fig. 5-3-14. Administer infiltration anesthesia to the maxillary
gingivae before forming mucoperiosteal flap to the buccal side to expose the anterior wall of the maxillarysinus (Fig.5-3-14-b). It should be operated carefully to avoid exposure of infraorbital foramen. The
opening of the sinus wall is applied from the canine cavity, and the size of the hole should be roughly 2 cm
diameter (Fig. 5-3-14-c). I have employed a small rounded diamond bur to cut into the anterior wall of themaxillary sinus. To gain visual clarity of the sinus interior, head lights or pen lights have been used forclarity, and a thin surgical aspiration tube has been effective for extraction of the implant body (Fig.
5-3-14-e). The sucking action often attracts and effectively attaches the implant body. The implants in the
upright position are often found on the maxillary sinus floor, whereas those in sitting position, or lying
horizontally are often found at the back wall of the sinus. If the position cannot be determined easily, it
should be confirmed by taking another radiograph, or by getting the patient to jump and with bending
forwards. The latter method has been effective for the implants to shift closer to the sinus opening,
therefore making the search easier. Rinse and restore the mucoperiosteal flap to its original position,
upon confirming that the bleeding to have stopped and apply suture. Warn the patient not to blow theirnose, or to gurgle in a way that would apply negative pressure to the oral cavity.

Fig. 5-3-14 A case example of extracting strayed implant from the maxillary sinusa. Preoperative panoramic radiograph. Implant strayed into the left maxillary sinus.
b. Construct mucoperiosteal flap to expose the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus
c. Open a hole of roughly 2 mm diameter to the bone of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus. The
picture shows the state whereby the sinus wall has been opened while conserving the sinus
membrane structure.
d. Enter into the maxillary sinus, by forming double doors on the sinus membrane.
e. Extract the implant body with a thin aspiration tube, and holding it with surgical forceps.
f.

After the closure of the flap

IV. Preservation of implant with application of bone graft
The bone graft technique that is applied to overcome the bone resorption issues induced byperi-implantitis will be described. The key is to completely remove the soft tissues that have been affected,
and to load the grafts into the area excluding any dead spaces created. Injured soft tissues are likely to beleft untouched in the lingual and buccal sides. Therefore the mucoperiosteal flap should be formed
ensuring that it reaches to the labial and buccal sides, and achieving full visualization of the implantbody.
The case is demonstrated here together with the explanations (Fig.5-3-15). The radiograph featuring theperi-implantitis (Fig. 5-3-15-a) shows bone resorption to affect half the height of the implant as well as
those of the adjacent teeth. The image of the oral cavity (Fig. 5-3-15-b) did not show any swelling or
exudates in the gingivae. The tapping sound of the implant body was normal, and no looseness wasshown.
The mucoperiosteal flap was formed on the buccal side (Fig. 5-3-15-c), where a significant amount of soft
tissues were observed in the surroundings of the implant structure. Once extracting the adjacent tooth,the soft tissues surrounding the implants were thoroughly removed (Fig. 5-3-15-d). The formation of theflap on the palatal side is also required for thorough exclusion of the soft tissues at this stage. The bonecollected from the maxillary tuberosity was loaded into the area excluding dead space created(Fig.5-3-15-e). Here, the flap was closed and sutured without the application of the membranes (Fig.
5-3-15-f). The radiograph (Fig. 5-3-15-g) shows the state of bone regeneration.

Fig. 5-3-15 A case where the implant was preserved with application of bone graft procedurea. Preoperative radiographb. State of the oral cavity before the operationc. Formation of mucoperiosteal flap on the buccal sided. After the removal of the soft tissues around the implante. Packing the bone collected from the maxillary tuberosity as much as possible.
f.

After suture

g. Postoperative radiograph
V.

Procedure from the extraction to re-implantation

A. Immediate re-implantation, straight after extraction
Several criteria have to be met in order to undergo immediate implantation method. The key is todetermine how to regenerate the resorbed bone, surrounding the implant where the bone resorption had
partially occurred. The vast majority of the cases encountered in the clinical settings have been resorbed
in all aspects of the bone surrounding the implant, therefore limiting the number of cases with which thismethod can be applied with. The success of this method lies in at least three lateral sides of the
supporting bone remaining, and should not be conducted for conditions that are less severe. In particular,
the bones to be left remaining on the mesial and distal sides have been shown to be effective.
The bone graft or artificial bone graft have often been chosen to be conducted with hard bones such as
cortical bone. This is so that the invasion of the epithelial layer into the bone structure can be avoided as
the bone resorption is associated with the loss of periosteum.
A case example is presented where the artificial tooth root implant is extracted (Fig. 5-3-16). Refer to Fig.
5-3-12 for the state before the operation. The installation of AQB T-type implant (4ML) is shown(Fig.5-3-16-a). A sufficient amount of bone is present to cover the mesial, buccal and distal sides, but not
to the palatal side, and the recrystallized HA layer exposed can be seen. The cortical bone collected fromthe alveolar bone of the posterior region (Fig. 5-3-16-b) was divided into two, to cover the exposed HA
coated layer. The fragments were pressed onto the surface with the tools (Fig. 5-3-16-c). The
mucoperiosteal flap was restored in a way to cover the grafted bone, and was sutured (Fig. 5-3-16-d). The
radiograph is shown in Fig. 5-3-16-e.

Fig. 5-3-16 Immediate re-implantation straight after the implant extraction.
a. State of the oral cavity after the implantationb. Cortical bone collected from the alveolar regionc. Grafting bone was divided into two and was pressed fixed to the exposed surface with applying
pressure with the hand.
d. After the suture
e. Postoperative radiograph
B. Re-implantation with a consolidation period after extraction
This method has been indicated for cases where a significant bone resorption is present and where thedisease state of acute inflammation still remains. The issue encountered here is how much consolidation
period is required, but 6 months is often employed as the standard. From the past experiences, the bone
graft that does not result in bone regeneration after six months is unlikely to ever regenerate. The sign ofregeneration of the bone is often seen between three to six months period, therefore six months has been
deemed a sufficient amount of time for the radiograph to be used as the determining factor.
A case was presented (Fig. 5-3-17), to which three AQB implants were installed to the right mandibularmolars (Fig. 5-3-17-a). After two months, one of the implants was seen to rise up due to bone resorption(Fig. 5-3-17-b). It was extracted having established that it could not be treated to preserve the implant
body. A temporary crown was placed onto the right mandibular implanting region, to establish verticalocclusion on the right (Fig. 5-3-17-c). The bone regeneration could not be detected at this stage therefore
two AQB one-piece type implants were installed to the left mandibular molars (Fig. 5-3-17-d). Temporary
crown was placed onto the implants to establish vertical occlusal in the molar region on both sides. The
bone regeneration was detected 14 months after the extraction of implant, and was then re-implanted.
The radiograph of the state two years later, showed satisfactory progress to have been made (Fig.
5-3-17-e).
C. A case where the re-implantation is complicated after the extraction
There are cases where bone regeneration would not be able to be achieved due to the severity of the stateof bone resorption, particularly where all four sides of the supporting bone to have been affected. In suchcases, re-implantation may need to be done to the places next to the original cavity.
A case example is presented (Fig. 5-3-18) affected by peri-implantitis (Fig. 5-3-18-a). The bonereggeneration at this location was unsuccessfu
ul, thereforre re-implan
ntation wass done to distallydto thet
extracted cav
vity (Fig.5-3-18-b). The bone regenneration in the extracted location can be obse
erved, but hashal quantity.
noot been restoored back too its origina

Fig
g. 5-3-17 A casecof re-im
mplantationn with a connsolidation period afterr extraction
na. Three AQB one piecee type impla
ants were in
nstalled to thet right maandibular mmolar regionnw shown to be lifted after two monthsm
due to bone resoorption
b. One of thee implants wasd this implan
nt, and wass capped witth a temporrary crownc. Extractedw
installeed to the lefft mandibullar molars,d. Two AQB implants were
ph taken tw
wo years afteer the re-im
mplantation shows favoorable progrress
e. Radiograp

g. 5-3-18 A casecwhere the re-impllantation iss complicate
ed after the extraction
Figa. Radiograp
ph featuring
g the state ofo peri-impllantits.
ntation distal to the ex
xtraction cav
vity.
b. Re-implan
ph featuring
g the state twot
years afterathe re-iimplantatioon.
c. Radiograp
he oral cavity two yearrs after the re-implantaration.
d. State of thReeferences1)

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