Inflammatory implant periapical lesion: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment--presentation of 7 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate implant periapical lesions, and to describe their treatment. The hypothesis of this evaluation is that implant periapical lesions are disorders of the area surrounding the apex of a dental implant, and that their etiology can be multifactorial (ie, vascular impairment, vascular ischemia, overheating of bone during drilling, and implant surface contamination). The diagnosis is based on the clinical manifestations and x-ray findings. The x-ray findings usually involve a periapical radiotransparency.


METHODS
Seven patients with implant periapical lesions (3 in the upper jaw, and 4 in the mandible) after implant placement are described. All patients reported pain, and 3 suffered from inflammation. Upon percussion, the 3 nonsubmerged implants produced a dull sound, with no mobility. A panoramic x-ray study showed periapical transparencies around 5 implants, whereas in 1 case, computed tomography showed a maxillary sinus reaction. The diagnosis was acute apical peri-implantitis (nonsuppurative in 2 cases, and suppurative in 5 cases).


RESULTS
The clinical manifestations did not subside with antibiotics. In all cases, treatment consisted of implant periapical surgery, after which the symptoms disappeared. The radiotransparencies showed progressive resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of implant periapical lesions must be taken into account. A rapid diagnosis should be established to treat the lesions at an early stage, hence preventing the need for implant extraction.
Peñarrocha-Diago
Miguel
M
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. Miguel.Penarrocha@uv.es
Boronat-Lopez
Araceli
A
García-Mira
Berta
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants