Adapting a simple surgical manual tool to a 3D printed implantology protocol: the use of a universal screwdriver for fixation of custom-made laser sintered titanium subperiosteal implants.

Abstract

Purpose: Current paper aims to describe a simple technique used for the fixation of the screws of a customized implant via a universal screw driver (BoneTrust® Easy Screw according to Dr. Bayer, Medical Instinct®, GmbH, Germany) to simplify the surgical placement of the customized implants.

Methods: The insertion of the drilling screws for the retention of the implant with angulated handpiece into the palatinal region or zygomatic buttress were performed with universal screw driver.

Results: The retention screws could be inserted with a proper angulation without interfering with the surrounding tissues. The technique described herein has significantly simplified the surgical intervention.

Conclusion: The insertion of the drilling screws for the retention of the implant with angulated handpiece into the palatinal region or zygomatic buttress could be challenging, thus the anatomical structures and the insufficient length of the handpiece could interfere with the placement of the screw with a proper angulation. This problem could be easily managed with the use of universal screw driver.