A Conservative Fix for a Painful Implant: Apicoectomy Preserves the Prosthesis
A new case report details a surgical technique for managing chronic orofacial pain linked to a malpositioned dental implant. The patient, a 63-year-old female, suffered from persistent facial pain and nasal discharge due to an implant placed too far toward the cheek, leaving its apex outside the supporting bone. Instead of removing the entire implant, clinicians performed an implant apicoectomy—surgically removing the protruding tip—combined with a connective tissue graft to augment the soft tissue. The procedure resulted in complete resolution of the patient’s symptoms within two weeks, demonstrating a method to retain a functional, integrated implant while addressing a significant complication.
Why it might matter to you: For orthodontists involved in interdisciplinary treatment planning, this case highlights a salvage option for implants compromised by positioning errors, which can be relevant when orthodontic treatment precedes or follows implant placement. Understanding this microsurgical approach expands the toolkit for managing complications without sacrificing prosthetic investment, potentially influencing decisions regarding anchorage, space management, and final occlusion in complex cases.
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