How Long Do I Have to Wait Until I Can Replace Implant Removed Due to Infection?

Implant infections are very hard to eradicate because the bacteria form a "biofilm" a layer on the implant which our infection fighting white cells have a very hard time destroying. The only way to eradicate implant infections is to remove the implants, irrigate the pocket of all bacteria and foreign matter and allow the body the time to go after and rid itself of the remaining bacteria.

Various surgeons would cite different waiting periods from 3 to 6 months or more. Obviously the longer the waiting period the lesser the chance of inflammed and or infected tissues.

As hard as this may be on you, wait as long as you can. Rushing in at this point will result in another disappointment.

In over 20 years I have never had an implant which I placed become infected although this is something that can happen 0.5-1.0% of the time and the next case I perform could get infected.  I have dealt with one patient a few years ago who had her implant placed in LA and it became infected when she returned to Louisville.  In her case I waited about 3-4 months before replacing her implant.