Implant Screw Tightening & Retightening in London

A loose implant screw is more common than many patients realise — and it is entirely treatable. At DentAkademi London, our specialist team diagnoses and resolves screw-loosening issues quickly, restoring the function and comfort of your implant restoration in a single visit whenever possible.

Screw-retained implant crowns are among the most reliable restorations in modern dentistry. But like any precision component under repeated load, the retaining screw can lose torque over time. Knowing the signs — and acting promptly — makes the difference between a straightforward 30-minute appointment and a more involved repair.

Why Do Implant Screws Loosen?

The most common cause is cumulative micro-movement at the implant–abutment interface. Every chewing cycle, grinding episode, or bite force creates a tiny amount of mechanical displacement. Over months or years, this can reduce screw preload below the threshold needed to keep the restoration stable.

Other contributing factors include a bite that places uneven load on the implant, bruxism or parafunctional habits, and — occasionally — a screw that was not torqued to the manufacturer’s specification during the original placement. In any of these situations, the solution is the same: professional retightening before the looseness progresses to something more serious.

Signs You May Need Screw Retightening

• The crown feels loose, wobbly, or produces a faint click when biting
• Mild discomfort or new sensitivity around the implant site
• A visible gap appearing between the crown and the gum line
• A faint metallic taste near the restoration
• The crown feels slightly higher or lower than it used to

Any one of these warrants a prompt assessment. None of them should be waited out.

What the Procedure Involves

Step 1 — Assessment

We begin with a clinical examination and, where appropriate, a periapical radiograph to assess the implant, abutment, and surrounding bone. This confirms that the looseness is isolated to the screw and that no structural damage has occurred.

Step 2 — Accessing the Screw Channel

In screw-retained restorations, a small composite or PTFE plug covers the access hole. This is carefully removed without damaging the crown. In cement-retained restorations that have become mobile, the assessment process differs — we will advise accordingly at examination.

Step 3 — Retightening or Replacement

Using a torque-controlled driver calibrated to your implant system’s specification, the screw is retightened to the correct newton-centimetre value. If the screw shows signs of wear, deformation, or fracture, it is replaced with a compatible component. The access hole is then resealed and occlusion is verified.

Please Tell Us Your Implant Brand in Advance

This is genuinely important. Every implant system uses proprietary prosthetic components — the driver interface, screw thread, and torque specification differ between Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Osstem, Zimmer Biomet, Dentsply Sirona, and the dozens of other systems in clinical use. Having the correct instruments prepared before your appointment means we can treat you immediately rather than requiring a second visit.

If you are unsure of your implant brand, bring any paperwork, implant passports, or previous treatment records you have. Our team can often identify the system from radiographic appearance, but documentation is always faster.

Frequently Asked Questions