My implant loses "integration" after a year of surgeries to correct a gum problem. What should I do?

February 11, 2014
Asked By:Trudijane in San Francisco, CA

I had an implant put in a year ago.  A few weeks later my dentist discovered a hole in my gum and sent me back to the periodontist.  After 5 attempts (skin, connective tissue grafts, etc.),  it finally seemed to have healed properly, except I had developed "scar tissue" in my cheek that was very uncomfortable for me.  I had asked my periodontist if he could remove it and he asked me to give it a month to see if I could get used to it.After only a few days, I started to feel some pain/tenderness when I put any pressure on the implant.  I knew something was wrong and went back to the periodontist.  Turns out that my Implant lost integration with the bone.  Now, I'm scheduled to have the implant removed and he's going to try to remove the scar tissue in my cheek at the same time.  This has been a total nightmare for me.  After a whole year of surgeries, healing, followups - the implant just failed.  I asked him if he would replace the implant and he said he would replace it with a thinner implant as he felt the size was initially to large for the space.  I'm guessing he's going to do another bone graft before replacement.I was very happy with my implant before the hole in my gum was discovered.  Also, during the last surgery, something popped out from underneath my gum called a buccal fat pad (he had to call an oral surgeon to see what it was as he had never seen this before).  He's concerned that it might show up again.  Of course, so am I.Any thoughts about this whole situation are most welcome.Thanks

Answers (1)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
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August 7, 2023

Answer: Bone grafting and implant placement may be required.

Kerem Turgut Atasoy, DDS, PhDOral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Book a virtual consultation
MOST RECENT
August 7, 2023

Answer: Bone grafting and implant placement may be required.

Kerem Turgut Atasoy, DDS, PhDOral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Book a virtual consultation
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