ABSTRACT
In the field of mechanical engineering, dental implant screws have improved their biomechanical behavior in the past decades. Once implant osseointegration has occurred, abutment screw loosening appears to be the most common problem. Several factors have been implicated in the aetiology of such technical failure, including occlusal overload, fatigue, improper screw engagement, superstructure non-passive fit, manufacture deficiencies and use of non-genuine implant components. Since the literature on this subject is vast and dispersed, the aim of this work was to perform an overview about dental implant screws, as an attempt to provide a list of clinical tips for practitioners, based on scientific evidence. The increasing use of dental implants has raised new concerns, particularly related to late failure, with screw retention representing a persistent clinical issue. Management of implant problems due to screw retention can be challenging, thus emphasizing the need for preventive efforts that preclude loss of the restoration.
