Tightening abutment screw dental implant

[PostHeads123]

My dental implant is 16 yrs old and a bit lose they diagnosed it as the abutment screw is loose needs tightening. I was hoping from looking online they could just drill the crown to access the abutment screw and tighten that way, they fit it this way and just fill the hole after. They place I went to though want to replace the crown to do the work so adds alot more expense, circa £1200 for implant screw and new crown. I want to avoid a new crown really it's not damaged, has anyone else managed to have the abument screw tightened while retaining the existing crown ?

Thank ls

[Mr Pointy]

Yes, & the dentist did exactly as you describe BUT it was within a month or two of having the implant fitted & the crown made. Is it the case that after 16 years the crown is not such a good fit & the dentist feels that making a new crown is the better solution?

I would suggest that you ask him to refit the existing crown first & if that doesn't work then make a new one.

[PostHeads123]

Mr Pointy said:

Yes, & the dentist did exactly as you describe BUT it was within a month or two of having the implant fitted & the crown made. Is it the case that after 16 years the crown is not such a good fit & the dentist feels that making a new crown is the better solution?

I would suggest that you ask him to refit the existing crown first & if that doesn't work then make a new one.

Thanks - I will ask them as you say to try refitting old crown and if that doesnt work a new one. I did ask them directly could they drill through the existing crown and save it but the response was more on the line of 'I've tried to that once before didn't work' rather than the crown needs replacing. I guess though after 16 year the crown may be coming to end of life and I should just get it done anyway. It's just so expensive it would mean I've spent approx £4.2k on 1 single tooth in 16 years, I've tried shopping around but most places wont touch an implant fitted elsewhere or dont deal with the brand I have 'Tatum' so don't have the tools.

cheers