Submerged Implant Fixture: Is this a Problem?

Print Print

Dr. K. asks:
I am restoring #8, 9 [maxillary right and left central incisors] in a middle age female patient in excellent health and with the rest of her dentition intact. I placed the implant fixtures too far subgingivally so that the top of the implant platform is 4mm cervical to the adjacent cervical margins. Is this really a problem? I have not done that many implant cases and I have not encountered this problem. Should I just go ahead and restore the case as is with custom abutments and cement retained porcelain fused to metal crowns?

9 Comments...Read them below or add one

  1. Charles Schlesinger, DDS
    Charles Schlesinger, DDS November 9, 2009 at 12:46 pm |

    We try to shoot for 2.5-3mm below the intended FGM- 4mm is a bit more than that, but should not be an issue. Where it can be an issue is if the implant fixture that was placed was not a bone level implant. In that case you may have more remodeling than you would like. If it was a bone level implant, then go ahead and have a custom abutment made and keep your cement line about .5-1mm subgingivally.

  2. Linkow
    Linkow November 9, 2009 at 5:18 pm |

    You can restore but you probably going to have a perio problem with a deep pocket.

  3. Ryan
    Ryan November 10, 2009 at 7:05 am |

    the following information is important in determining possible outcome:
    1) type of implant
    2) diameter of implant
    3) amount of inter-implant bone
    4) Type of bone
    5) Soft tissue bio-type
    6) bucco-lingual position and trajectory
    7) Thickness of gingiva
    8) Type of implant-abutment interface
    9) Restorative plan

    Please share these information to help provide insight as to potential outcomes.

    Thanks

  4. Alejandro Berg
    Alejandro Berg November 10, 2009 at 3:36 pm |

    Actually you will be fine, just stick to zirconia abutments and it would be better if you get the crowns in one piece, not cemented, just ceram over the abutment and keep a long contact interproximal area so you can keep the gingiva in place.at the time of placemnet use the technique described by Hebel so you wont over compress the gingiva. That should get you home free.

  5. Dr. T
    Dr. T November 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm |

    If the implant fixtures are at or above the bone crest then they will be fine. Otherwise, it’s the matter whether you want to grind down the surrounding bone to the fixtures level or let the bone remodeling process procceeds itself. In the latter case, patient will experience chronic gum inflamation, advancing pocket depth, possibly occasional perio abscess, and eventually the gum recession after the bone remodeling completes itself which may take years. However, if you decide to go ahead and grind down the crestal bone to the fixtures level in the anterior area instead, think of a possible aesthetic compromise if the patient also has a high lip smile.

  6. Dr. ALOK TANDON
    Dr. ALOK TANDON November 11, 2009 at 11:28 am |

    In this case, esthetics would be of paramount importance.Complications which could follow, like periodontal pockets et al would advocate a repeat procedure to correct the implant position very worthwhile so that esthetics would not be compromised.I guess on the long run, this would be comfortable for both, the Dentist, as well as the patient.

  7. narayan
    narayan November 12, 2009 at 12:36 am |

    To add to Ryan’s list ,the lip line and the width of attached gingiva are factors that could influence treatment outcome.A 4mm deep sulcus is bound to be troublesome sooner than later.If the lip allows and you have adequate attached tissue,you may consider surgical reduction of the sulcus depth prior to restoration

  8. Dr Sameer Bhandari
    Dr Sameer Bhandari November 12, 2009 at 7:34 am |

    I do agree with Dr.Alejandro Berg It would be advisable to use screw retained pre cemented prosthesis ..dr sameer bhandari

  9. Dr.med. Dr. dent Alessandro Romano Italy
    Dr.med. Dr. dent Alessandro Romano Italy January 15, 2010 at 11:29 am |

    i would extract the implant if not yet integrated and place another 4mm longer.

Comments are closed.



Never Miss Any Updates From OsseoNews.com!

Get notified about our new implant cases and questions. It's FREE!

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox and stay updated!
Subscribe Now!