A Retrospective Analysis of the Management of Ailing and Failing Endosseous Dental Implants

Very little has been presented in the scientific literature regarding the ability of practitioners to salvage the ailing dental implant once bone loss has occurred. The purpose of this study was to follow patients who had bone loss and increased probing depths associated with their dental implants after initial integration and restoration. All patients either were referred for the treatment of these implant problems or were patients on supportive periodontal therapy in this periodontal practice. Forty-two ailing/failing implants in 21 consecutive patients (ages 22-87) all having signs of excessive bone loss and bleeding on probing (most having suppuration) were treated either resectively or via hard or soft tissue augmentation and were followed for 42 to 84 months (average 54 months) in this retrospective study.