Cold welding: A possible mechanical complication related to a failing dental implant cover screw

Cold welding is a very useful mechanical effect in dental implant therapy when abutments are fixed. However, this effect may cause very challenging situation for the clinicians when occurring in the “wrong place, wrong time.” The incidence of cover screw complications was reported to range 0.5%–8%. According to our investigation, this value may be even higher when conical design present. Although some manufacturers offer so-called retrieval kits, in some cases, these are very time-consuming and not always effective, and when the complication occurs, the planned dental implant therapy could be in danger. This article summarizes a case report when the conical connected cover screw affected from cold welding was removed with a carbide bur.