Can erosion of the dental roots by a chin implant happen soon?

Question

I've had a chin implant for 7 months now, and I've been having discomfort ever since. Could erosion have occurred already? How can I tell if it is? On certain days, my gums feel sore and my front teeth feel sensitive.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

These symptoms are likely nerve healing related not due to any bone erosion caused by the implant. They concern about bone erosion is way over stated and any issue with involvement of the tooth roots extremely rare. The implant would have to be placed way high on the chin bone to be sitting anywhere near the tooth roots. The few cases in which this has happened have in common the intraoral placement of the implant. But your concerns can be simply answered by getting a lateral cephalometric x-ray, a plain side view mandible x-ray or a 3D CT scan. All will how the location of the implant and the condition of the underlying bone.

Edward O. Terino, MD · Answer

Dear Chinguy,Implants do not erode bone, they remodel it.  But even that takes years.  In the mean time, your teeth sensitivity and discomfort may be from the position of the implant pressing on the two nerves in the chin which cause feeling sensation in your lower gums and teeth.  You need to return to your original surgeon and have him/her research it.  In thousands of implant procedures that I have done I have not seen those symptoms at 7 months post operatively.  If you have a silicone implant an xray study called a 3 D CT scan clearly shows the precise position of your implant in relation to the 2 nerves.  This will tell your surgeon what if anything needs to be done. Best Regards, Edward O. Terino MD

Can erosion of the dental roots by a chin implant happen soon?

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Can erosion of the dental roots by a chin implant happen soon?

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.