Apical peri-implantitis: A presentation of a series of 11 clinical cases

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical protocol and discuss possible predisposing factors of apical peri-implantitis.

Material and methods

A retrospective study was performed by analyzing a series of cases involving 11 patients, all of whom where diagnosed with, and treated for, apical peri-implantitis at La Princesa Hospital in Madrid and at Navarre University Clinic in Pamplona, Spain, between 2002 and 2013. Symptomatic patients were treated with curettage of the area, which was, in some cases, combined with bone regeneration techniques.

Results

A total of 11 cases of apical periimplantitis were included (4 asymptomatic and 7 symptomatic). The symptoms observed were similar to dental periapical pathology, and the period of time elapsed until the patients were diagnosed with API was variable, but was less than 3 years. Complete resolution of the pathology was observed in 6 of the 7 patients treated with curettage of the periapical implant area. In the remaining case the affected implant was removed.

No surgical treatment was used in asymptomatic cases, as they were self-limiting.

Conclusion

Apical periimplantitis is a condition which may complicate the dental implant treatment. Conservative surgical treatment has shown satisfactory results in symptomatic patients.