Simple method of unscrewing tightened abutment and transfer coping in Calcitek Spline implants

VOLUME 82 NUMBER 3 In the procedures of prosthetic restoration of Calcitek Spline (Sulzer Calcitek Inc, US Patent No. 5449291) implant-supported crowns and fixed partial dentures, transfer impression with a transfer coping on a shouldered abutment is necessary for the fabrication of the prosthesis. According to the manufacturer’s technical manual, before making an impression, the abutment should be tightened to the implant with an abutment driver and the transfer coping should be tightened to the abutment with a hex driver1 (Fig. 1). A periapical film must then be taken to confirm the complete seating of all parts. However, sometimes when the impression has been made and one tries to unscrew the transfer coping from the abutment, the transfer coping and abutment are both removed with a hex driver as a result of being too tightly screwed together during the previously described procedures (Fig. 2 ). The transfer coping and abutment have to be separate before proceeding further, but it can become more difficult, especially when tightly screwed together. A method to separate a tightly screwed abutment and transfer coping is not included in the manufacturer’s manual. Even though a hex driver can be used on the end of transfer coping, because the other end of the tightened abutment is the screw on the abutment itself, one must handle this assembly with care so the threads are not jeopardized. This makes it more difficult to unscrew the abutment and transfer coping. Forceps or pliers may not work when trying to unscrew the abutment. Unscrewing the 2 parts with a driver and bare hands also may not be possible when the abutment and transfer coping are tightly connected. This article presents a simple method of unscrewing a tightened abutment.