Placing Implants Into Infected Area
Posted in Dental Implant Complications Patient Questions on Dental Implants
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Subscribe to this PostA patient from New York asks us:
I recently had a dental implant fail and my dentist told me that he would replace it in 3 weeks, which to me sounds rushed.
I have found information leading in both directions on the time to wait or
immediate replacement. Is there a generally accepted time to wait?
Prior to dental implant placement, I had an infected tooth that was removed.
Waited one month to have the dental implant placed. I experienced significant
pain after the implant was placed that lasted 2 weeks, starting around
the 3rd day after dental implant placement. Any ideas!?! Thoughts?
[OsseoNews Editorial Comment: This patient raises the question of placing a dental
implant into bone with a recent history of frank infection. We invite
comments from readers on their protocols for managing situations like
this. GJK]
Dear Patient:
If there is no active infection there is no contraindication to implant placing. There is also a school of thought that says that it doesnt matter if you have infection as long as it can be correctly debrided pryor to the implant placing.
I tend to be more conservative and wait 40 days or so just to be on the safe side but that doesnt mean i havent placed implants after debridement with great success.
Delayed Pain is never a good sign so….
To replace failed implants with no infection 3 weeks is more than ok.
of course all of the above is done under antibiotic coverage.
best of luck in your next surgery.
i will routinely place implants in sites that are infected. This follows the concept of Pritchard’s intrabony technique and Kramer’s regenerative concept of the hot lesion.
Complete debridemetn of the socket and soft tissues are a must as is antibiotic coverage. If there is sufficient bone to place a fixture in a good postion and have it stable, the results should be a winner.
As a Maxillofacial surgeon I would recommend a delayed approach when an infected site is considered for immediate implant placement. A short period of 2-3 weeks for healing of bone and soft tissue and a short course of antibiotics if needed then placing the implant is a safe and clinically proven protocol. I do not see orthopaedic surgeons placing hip or knee replacements prostheisi in infective sites for it will fail and major complications result. However the oral cavity is a unique environment and more forgiving with implant surgery
Get rid of the source of infection what ever it may be, then build the bone. The implant can then be placed in good vital bone as directed by the treatment plan. Why rush placing the implant, it is not worth the risk of a failure.
thanks dr.callan.