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Volume 33 , Issue 1
January/February 2013
Pages 9–11

EDITORIAL: On Crestal/Marginal Bone Loss Around Dental Implants

Myron Nevins, DDS

Implant replacement of the natural dentition has been woven into dental treatment planning as a result of predictability demonstrated in retrospective trials. As anticipated, the exposure of this science has given rise to some bumps in the road that challenge the remarkable success record that is superior to most treatment regimens in the health sciences. The problems are labeled “mucositis” and “peri-implantitis”— the latter resulting in the loss of cervical bone and challenging osseointegration. Clinical observations and corrective methodologies appear in refereed journals, and now, entire textbooks. In fact, the diagnosis and corrections have become alarmingly similar to those for chronic periodontitis. A simple example identifies gingival inflammation resulting from excess cement that accumulates subgingivally when the final prosthesis is placed on implants that extend too far subgingivally. This also occurs when restorative submarginal restorations are placed on natural teeth and results in inflammation of the periodontium.

Are there complications with osseointegrated implants? To this point, a panel of 12 experienced individuals was sequestrated for a 2-day consensus meeting to consider the reasons leading to marginal bone loss for implants that might threaten the longevity of the result. The outcome of this meeting identified several factors to consider, which are identified in the following report.

We welcome your thoughts relative to this topic and are available to publish scientific investigations.

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