Title
Previously successful dental implants can fail when patients commence anti-resorptive therapy—a case series
Publication Date
2018
Journal Title
Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg
Abstract
© 2017 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons This article reports a type of localized osteonecrosis that can occur in patients who have had successful osseointegrated implants for many years and then commence anti-resorptive therapy. Eleven female patients were identified who had successful implant insertion, but who were placed on anti-resorptive therapy (bisphosphonates or denosumab) several years later and developed osteonecrosis around the implants. In each case, the osteonecrosis occurred only around the implants and not around the patient's remaining teeth. The implants of eight patients were removed with a sequestrum of bone tightly adherent to the implant. This is different from the normal pattern of implant failure. Implant failure can occur when patients with successfully integrated implants are later placed on anti-resorptive therapy, and the osteonecrosis takes a particular form where a sequestrum forms that remains adherent to the implant. Why the adjacent remaining teeth are not affected is unclear.
Volume Number
47
Issue Number
2
Pages
220 - 222
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Dental Medicine
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.ijom.2017.07.012