Abstract:
The introduction of dental implants spawned an exponential
growth in the number of fixtures being placed to meet the
increasing functional and aesthetic demands of patients.
In response, manufacturers have flooded the market with
new, cheaper systems, and many general practitioners have
begun placing implants to support restorations. Enhanced
life expectancy means that implants placed in younger
people are expected to function effectively over many
years. Studies have shown that a certain low percentage
of implants will develop early or late complications,1 and
that the risks are greater with increased usage.2 It is thus
anticipated that practitioners will be faced with increasing
numbers of implant-related complications that will require
appropriate management, or even implant removal.1 Hence
the majority of complications will be in older persons where
healing may be compromised due to physiological ageing,
systemic medication, or other age-related factors.
