Retrieval of displaced dental implant: A case of buccal space displacement and an analysis of the literature search (2015–2019)

Abstract

This study aimed to report the clinical findings of a case of dental implant displaced into the buccal space and to provide an analysis of literature searches regarding dental implant displacement retrieved during 2015–2019. A 62-year-old male patient with dental implant displaced into the left buccal space was referred to our university hospital. Cephaloradiographic examination revealed radiopaque objects, indicating a dental implant-cover screw assembly displaced into the left buccal space. The objects were retrieved with intraoral surgery under general anaesthesia after metal detection in tissues. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, with no abnormal findings. We also searched electronic databases for articles published in the past 5 years using the key words ‘displaced’, ‘retrieved’, ‘migrated’, and ‘accidental’. The age and sex distributions were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U- and 2 × 1 table tests, respectively. Twenty-six articles involving retrieval of displaced dental implants have been reported from 12 countries, mainly from the Republic of Korea (26.9%) followed by the United States and Italy (15.4% each). Maxillary sinus with displaced dental implants accounted for 61.5%, 83.3%, and 84.8% of the articles, cases, and implants, respectively. A case similar to our case was reported in India. No significant differences were observed in age and sex distributions. Displaced dental implants were retrieved with intraoral surgery (58.3%) using the lateral window approach (33.3%) under local anaesthesia (46.7%). Hence, practitioners should appropriately evaluate preoperative radiographic images for dental implant placement and remove foreign bodies immediately and safely to prevent complications.

Keywords

• Displaced dental implant
• Buccal space
• Retrieval
• Migration
• Complications