One‐Year Follow‐up of an Implant with Early Radiographic Signs of Loss of Osseointegration: Case Report

BACKGROUND: Failures in dental implant treatment are classified as early and late and depend on certain complications. Proposed preventions and treatment modalities for late complications have been comprehensively reviewed in the literature. Since early implant failures are characterized by lack of osseointegration, generally, removal of the implant is suggested to prevent extensive bone loss that would further complicate implant placements in future. PURPOSE: This case report presents the controversy between clinical findings and radiographic examinations in evaluating the nature of contact between an implant surface and the bone during the healing period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In one patient scheduled for implant treatment in both jaws, four maxillary and two mandibular implants showed excellent healing, whereas one mandibular implant showed an extensive radiolucent area indicating early failure after 6 weeks of healing. The latter implant was clinically stable and was not removed. RESULTS: Radiographic evaluation 1 year later showed no sign of peri-implant radiolucency of the mandibular implant as seen after primary healing. CONCLUSION: When the bone-implant interface appears to be compromised radiographically but not clinically, such implants may have a favorable prognosis through a currently unknown biologic host response.