Should I have my infected dental implant removed? Tooth #14, it was implanted 8 years ago. (photos)

Question

Hello.I have been having a lot of pain, bleeding, oozing puss. I have recently been relocated for work and do not have access to my regular doctor. The doctor I saw diagnosed an infection and horizontal bone loss around the implant. I asked her if I could have it pulled and she strongly suggest not to bc a substantial amount of bone would have to be removed. her plan is: gingival flap debridement with bone graft and guided tissue regeneration $3500 which I can't afford.

Dushyanth Paul, MDS · Answer

The x-ray reveals peri-implantitis which means an infection around the dental implant. The condition is can be successfully reversed and can be cured by raising a gingival flap, removing the entire granulation tissue, placing the bone graft and carrying out GBR (Guided Bone Regeneration). 
Such a procedure will cost around $500 in India. Hence, if you add up the airfare to the total treatment expenditure, you will still save around 50% of the treatment charge quoted for you by your local doctor.

Ruben Mateo, DDS · Answer

You must remove the implant and not put anything else, so the tissues: bone and gum will recover better, place a new graft right now, you take the risk of getting infected.
good luck

Ted Baghdasarian, DDS · Answer

You have two options in this situation. If the treating doctor can lift the gums and get good access to thoroughly clean the area and remove all granulated tissue and any discharge/pus to get down to healthy bleeding bone, then the area can be grafted with a membraneous guide and allowed to heal for 6-8 weeks. You will need a course of antibiotic and oral anti-microbial topical mouthwash while you heal. Follow-ups can then verify if healthy osseointegration of the implant surface has taken place with the surrounding newly formed bone. Again this is highly contingent on initially taking time and really cleaning the area out well. 
Second option is simply to call it a day, remove the implant along with any diseased or infected tissue again down to healthy bone, graft the area, wait and place a brand new implant in the now fully healed new healthy bone. This option may be more costly but it has a higher chance of success due to less variables being involved in the process. 
If you are a U.S. resident, I would not suggest doing this abroad, this type of treatment requires several follow ups and even when done carefully, there is still a chance of failure. Lack of professional liability abroad is also a concern, if there are unforeseen complications there will be very little liability to account for abroad. Cheaper is not always better, please keep that in mind, good luck!

Nirav Patel, MDS, PhD · Answer

its my advice to go for flap surgery [with bone graft] without removal of implant and laser application. as yr another concern is cost, so best option for u is dental tourism, u will get this procedure in approx 200- 300$ in india. do not wait, visit dentist as soon as possible.

Sanaz Vahid, DDS · Answer

Hello,
Based on the amount of bone loss and symptoms you are presenting with I would recommend that you have the implant removed,  the site cleaned thoroughly and  bone grafted and then 4 months later have a new implant placed. Based on the x-rays provided above I can see that the teeth adjacent to the site also have some issues going on as well. Please make sure are disease control is addressed prior to any implant placement by your general dentist. The removal of the implant, grafting and implant placement should be done by a periodontist or oral surgeon.  Please feel free to reach out with any other questions or concerns. 
Best Regards,
Dr. Vahid

Amber Garcia, DDS · Answer

I would have it cleaned and grafted if that's possible. If it were my implant, I would try to save it. Removing it will remove bone as well. Either way, you'll need the bone graft to fill in the missing bone.

Should I have my infected dental implant removed? Tooth #14, it was implanted 8 years ago. (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Dental implant infection

Answer: Dental implant infection

Answer: Implant infection/removal

Answer: Implant infection/removal

Answer: Implant

Answer: Implant

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

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

Should I have my infected dental implant removed? Tooth #14, it was implanted 8 years ago. (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Dental implant infection

Answer: Dental implant infection

Answer: Implant infection/removal

Answer: Implant infection/removal

Answer: Implant

Answer: Implant

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

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