Case report reveals surgical methods for managing fractured narrow-diameter implants in full-arch overdentures, suggesting key decision-making criteria.
Abstract Background: Fracture of narrow-diameter dental implants (NDIs), although uncommon, presents unique challenges and can jeopardize prosthetic stability and long-term treatment success. When a fractured implant from a full-arch overdenture is supported by several implants, management is especially challenging. Case Presentation: This case report describes the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broken NDI placed in a patient rehabilitated six years ago on a maxillary all-on-eight implant-retained overdenture. Clinical and radiologically based assessments confirmed a horizontal fracture in the middle third of the implant body. Implant extraction was managed by conservative extraction of the coronal portion followed by surgical excision of the apical region by trephination using radiographic imaging. The site was managed later on for potential implant placement and prosthetic re-stabilization. Conclusion: This case highlights surgical techniques and guiding principles related to the treatment of broken NDIs and relevant decision-making criteria. In order to optimize positive outcomes in complex full-arch implant procedures, the knowledge of biomechanical limitations, careful design, and appropriate retrieval approaches play a vital role.
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Damineni et al. (2025) studied this question.
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