**What to Do When You Lose the Screw on Your Dental Implant After Traveling North?**

　　In recent years, many Hong Kong residents have chosen to travel north for dental implants. The reasons vary, including a wider range of options, mature techniques, and easy access to follow-up visits in places like Shenzhen or Guangzhou. However, some might encounter an uncommon yet puzzling issue—after using the implant for some time, the tiny screw inside goes missing or seems loose. So, what should you do?

　　**Why Do Dental Implant Screws Go Missing?**

　　A dental implant generally consists of three parts: the implant post (the titanium portion embedded in the jawbone), the abutment (a connector piece between the post and crown), and the crown (what resembles a real tooth). The "screw" is likely the abutment screw, which secures the crown to the implant post. Screw loosening or detachment might result from prolonged biting pressure, installation angle deviation, excessive force from chewing hard foods, or inadequate oral hygiene.

　　**Warning Signs to Watch For**

　　Dont wait until the screw falls out to realize theres a problem. If you notice slight movement of the dental implant, hear unusual sounds while chewing, see gaps between the crown and your gums, or feel instability while eating, its crucial to see a dentist promptly. When the screw becomes loose, bacteria can enter and affect the health of the implant and surrounding gums.

　　**How to Handle It in Hong Kong or Should You Head Back North?**

　　If a screw is missing or loose, ideally, you’ll need specialized parts compatible with your implant system for repair. If the implant was done in the north, contact the original clinic immediately to see if they can arrange for a fix. Different brands and models of implant screws might not be readily available in Hong Kong, so sometimes a trip north is necessary.

　　However, if the situation is urgent or youre unable to trav

　　el to Shenzhen, some dental clinics in Hong Kong can inspect the condition of your implant, and at least temporarily secure the crown to minimize further damage risks. Be sure to bring your medical records, surgery notes, or implant warranty card to assist the dentist in determining the system used.

　　**How to Prevent Screw Loosening Daily?**

　　1. **Regular Checkups**: Even if you dont feel any discomfort, schedule a checkup every six months to a year to have the dentist examine if screws are loose.

　　2. **Avoid Excessive Biting Force**: Continually chewing bones, hard candy, or using teeth to tear packages can exert pressure on screws, increasing loosening risks.

　　3. **Maintain Good Oral Hygiene**: Keeping your gums healthy reduces bacterial buildup, maintaining stable occlusion.

　　4. **Notice Early Signals**: Dont delay; if you encounter sounds or slight crown movement, see a dentist immediately.

　　**Why Avoid Delaying Treatment?**

　　Some might think a missing screw isnt a big deal since chewing is still possible. However, an unstable abutment can cause further wear on the implant interface during chewing, potentially requiring the removal and redo of the implant, becoming a more time-consuming and complicated issue. The sooner the treatment, the smaller the repair scope and higher the success rate.

　　**Conclusion**

　　Losing a screw on a dental implant done in the north isnt common, but its essential to stay calm if it happens. First step: contact your original clinic; second step: prepare related documents, and third step: if needed, find a Hong Kong dentist for preliminary checks. Developing good care habits and regular checkups significantly lowers the chances of this happening.

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