A technique for locating implant abutment screws of posterior cement-retained metal-ceramic restorations with ceramic occlusal surfaces

With the increased use of cement-retained implant-supported restorations for the replacement of missing teeth, clinicians may choose to use a definitive cement to lute the definitive restoration. A complication that may occur, especially for a single-tooth replacement, is loosening of the abutment screw. In those situations, it may be difficult to locate the abutment-screw access to remove the restoration. The purpose of this article is to describe a technique that may facilitate the clinician's ability to locate the abutment-screw access in the event of abutment-screw loosening, thus reducing the need for refabricating the restoration.