Sorin Uram-Țuculescu
Prof, DDS, MS, PhD
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
USA
Session 33 · DAY 3 (Nov. 7, 2026) · 12:15–12:45 CET
Mechanical complications of implant supported crowns in patients treated in an university setting
Abstract
The complications of implant restorations – while potentially representing a burden to both the dental team and patient – remain an issue which probably deserves more attention than currently given.
Our study is based on an electronic chart review of patients receiving implant supported crowns in our university, including predoctoral clinics, graduate programs, and faculty private practice. Only restorations with at least 5 years of follow-up were considered.
The median time to first complication was around 3 years after restoration delivery, with a range from days to more than a decade. This parameter was found to be significantly associated with implant diameter, the presence/absence of cantilevering within crown, and the jaw in which the implant was placed. Apparently, the restorations in the molar area are more prone to mechanical failure, despite the use of wide and extra-wide implant platforms, which can make us speculate that simply wider implants may not always compensate for the original stability of multi-rooted teeth.
“Fortunately”, abutment screw loosening – a “reversible” technical complication accounted for about half of the technical complications, while fracture of various components (implant, abutment, superstructure) represented the majority of the rest.
Learning Objectives
- Appreciate the prevalence of different technical complications of implant restorations
- Identify risk factors associated with such mishaps
- Manage dental team and patient expectations in regard to these rather complex treatments
Biography
Dr. Sorin Uram-Țuculescu earned a DDS Degree and a MS in Prosthodontics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in addition to his Romanian DMD and PhD degrees.
He started an academic career in Romania and continued in the United States, where he currently serves as Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry.
Dr. Sorin Uram-Țuculescu served as President of the Virginia Section of the American College of Prosthodontists (2017-2019). He has been listed in topDENTISTS since 2018, and maintains a part-time private practice limited to prosthodontics and implant dentistry.