Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 01 Aug 2011

Extra-Oral Fistula Caused by a Dental Implant

MD, PhD,
MD,
MD,
MD, and
MD
Page Range: 477 – 479
DOI: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-09-00008.1
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Abstract

Dental implantation has become an important procedure for both dental treatment and head and neck reconstructive surgery. However, this useful technique sometimes results in peri-implantitis. We describe a rare complication of peri-implantitis in the maxilla which extended to the soft tissue and caused an extra-oral fistula above the alar region. The patient underwent the placement of dental implants in the maxilla 8 years earlier. Radiography showed osteolysis of the maxilla and implant exposure. After the implants were removed, the patient was fitted with a conventional fixed partial denture. Such unfavorable outcomes are caused by failed endodontic and apicoectomy procedures.

Copyright: 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
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1.
F igure 1.

View of the fistula. A 2.0 × 1.5-cm skin fistula was found in the maxilla above the alar region.


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<sc>igure</sc>
2.
F igure 2.

Radiography showed a maxillary bone defect around the implants (arrow).


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F igure 3.

CT scan showed osteolysis of the maxillary bone and implant root exposure.


Contributor Notes

Corresponding author, e‐mail: mfujioka@nmc.hosp.go.jp.
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