Use of a removable partial denture in the management of chronic screw loosening

Lack of posterior support can result in adverse occlusal forces being placed on anterior teeth. These forces may cause fremitus, splaying of the anterior teeth, and even accelerated wear. When implant-supported restorations are used, a common indicator of overload is screw loosening. This clinical report demonstrated conservative management of a patient who presented with multiple episodes of screw loosening of an implant-supported restoration replacing the maxillary left incisor secondary to developing reduced posterior support. Ideal treatment would be to re-establish posterior support by means of implant-supported restorations; however, this option was constrained by finances.