Failed dental implants ÇƒÏ clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings in 17 patients

Failed dental implants ÇƒÏ clinical, radiological and bacteriological findings in 17 patients
Received 20 June 2003; accepted 21 December 2004. Available online 25 April 2005.
Pekka Laine1, , , Antero Salo1, Risto Kontio1, Seija Ylijoki1, Christian Lindqvist1, 2 and Riitta Suuronen1, 2, 3
Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 33, Issue 3 , June 2005, Pages 212-217
ScienceDirect
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Chair: Prof. C. Lindqvist), Helsinki University Central Hospital
2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Chair: Prof. C. Lindqvist), Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
3Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Medical School (Chair: Prof. R. Suuronen), Tampere University and University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Summary
Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons for implant failure in two Oral and Maxillofacial Units in Helsinki. Seventeen patients, who lost 30 implants were included in this study.
Material and methods
The patients and implants were studied clinically, radiologically and microbiologically.
Results
Most patients did not have any symptom indicating failure; hence, the failures were noticed mainly by the clinicians when instability of the fixture or of the prosthetic reconstruction became obvious. Radiolucency around the fixture was the most frequent radiological finding. Twenty per cent of the fixtures were located in insufficient bone. Ninety seven per cent of the bacterial cultures were positive, Streptococcus milleri being the most commonly identified aerobic and Fusobacterium nucleatum the most commonly anaerobic bacteria.
Conclusion
The most critical time for success is immediately after prosthetic loading. Hence, implants should be placed in the optimal position to facilitate prosthetic reconstruction and loading.
Keywords: dental implants; failing; microbiology; clinical
Sources of Support: State Subsidiary Grant (TKIL023).
Pekka LAINE, DDS, PhD, Docent, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Helsinki, PO Box 263, Helsinki 00029, Finland. Tel.: +358 9 47188318; Fax: +358 9 47188414.
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