title: Implant failure associated with actinomycosis in a medically compromised patient.
abstract: Oral actinomycosis is not a common disease, but it can cause massive destruction. This article reports a case of implant failure associated with actinomycosis. A 55-year-old Caucasian male patient had tooth #20 extracted years ago and an implant placed 3 years ago. The #20 implant area developed an abscess about 1½ years after implant placement. Radiographic findings revealed a large radiolucency on the mesial aspect of the #20 implant. The implant was surgically removed and the lesion thoroughly debrided. The patient experienced severe pain when the apical soft tissue was curreted following implant removal. A periapical radiograph revealed that the lesion approached the mental foramen. A short course of antibiotics was prescribed. Histological observation found sulfur granules, which were found to be actinomycotic colonies. Peri-implant actinomycosis was diagnosed. No recurrence had occurred at the 1-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA, USA. csun1@llu.edu
authors.forename: Chun-Xiao
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Henkin
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ririe
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Javadi
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000382:microbiology*; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants