Risk of endocarditis with dental implant ???

[Adrienne]

At the end of May 2008 I had an infected and fractured molar pulled. Then at the end of August I had a bone graft with a view of having a dental implant in May or June of this year. Obviously, I will be on antibiotics for the procedure (and for two weeks after it). However, I can't help but worry if there is a risk once it is healed and the crown has been affixed to the implant. Is there a way that bacteria can get under the crown and somehow climb up the implant into the gum and bone? Has anyone here had a dental implant?

 

[Ross]

I'm almost certain your fear is unfounded, but I'll let KristyW answer this one.

 

[dick0236]

I've never had an "implant" but I have had several Crowns over the past 15 years without incident or infection under the crown. Have not had to take any precaution other than the standard anti-biotic before dental appointment.

 

[Adrienne]

Thanks Ross and Dick. Ross, If KristyW does not post an answer, maybe I will PM her (I see that she is a dental receptionist) and ask her if she knows or if she can ask the dentist she works for. Dick, I also have crowns, but it is the fact that with an implant there is a stud sticking out attached to the crown, and that stud is part of the implant that goes through the gum and into the jaw. It's that part that worries me.

 

[Bina]

Maybe you can try a google search for dental implants and infection?
(I'm thinking it will be fine)

 

[LUVMyBirman]

I don't know that the stats are for infection? Did chicken out post bone graft. For the same reason, fear of infection. It's a molar in the rear, so not visable. Otherwise, I may have taken it. Another complication will be the tooth above moving down because there is nothing to grind against. The root could become exposed. At that point, I will go for an extraction. Not what the dentist wants to hear, but will work for me. Have had two failed root canals and ended of losing the tooth regardless. Figured I would save myself a ton of time and worry and cut to the chase.

 

[lcwhitney]

Try not to worry. Taking the ABX is all you can do . I would however, get moreABX at the first sign of inflamation at the implant site.If you do that there is nothing else to be done.


Lettitia

 

[deano89]

i have had 4 crowns and here in the UK we no longer have antibiotics even though my mvp is severe touch wood alls been ok and the dentist said to me the antibiotcs are only30% effective thats why it was stopped as the risk was no greater than brushing your teeth as bacteria are already down under the gums he showed me on a poster he had .but im not completely convinced i would rather have the antibiotics to be on the safer side

 

[Adrienne]

Maybe you can try a google search for dental implants and infection?
(I'm thinking it will be fine)

Actually, I did do a google search, and there are a couple of articles which mention a risk, but I have not found enough to really know what the risk is.

 

[Bina]

Fortunately you have some time to think about this.....are you missing the molar enough to warrant an implant?

 

[sue943]

I am now under the hospital for dental treatment and have had several appointments with the consultant (senior doctor) there. He showed me the x-ray of my jaw and pointed to the root canal fillings (three or four of them) and said that if one was to be extremely conservative those teeth ought to be removed as the root fillings are potential sites for infection. Obviously we are not going that way, he was just illustrating how far one could go in trying to eliminate future problems.

He did, however, prescribe toothpaste which is very high in fluoride to try to eliminate too much dental decay for the future.

 

[Adrienne]

Fortunately you have some time to think about this.....are you missing the molar enough to warrant an implant?

Well, although it is the last molar (wisdom teeth already gone), it is very annoying trying to chew on that side. Since it is the last molar, I cannot have a bridge (besides, there are drawbbacks to that too). O.K. I guess I could live with annoying, but when there is not either a tooth or an implant in the jaw, the jaw eventually degenerates, at least in the spot where the tooth was removed). Again, you might say "well, is that so bad in one tiny place?", but if it should happen to another tooth in the same area, it could become problematic. The tooth in question had already had a root canal done years ago, but then fractured and got infected. I have a couple of other teeth in that area which have had root canals. Even my normal dentist (not the one doing the surgery) said last spring that I needed to have a transplant. Who knows, but it would be nice to have one if I don't have to worry about future infection in that area.

 

[Gail in Ca]

While most people assume implants last forever, our dentist told us they only last 10-15 yrs. We were going to go forward with them for our daughter when she was a teen. But, she ended up with Maryland bridges that look like her other real teeth. She cleans the area very well each night. I think you have to be fastidious about cleanliness with anything in the mouth not real.
I would think your surgeon or trusted dentist could tell you if infection was a real possibility in the future with implants. Having just had endocarditis I can tell you you do not want to go there!!
Gail

 

[KristyW]

Hi Adrienne,
I'm sorry that I didn't answer right away (I'm usually not far away), but I've has a personal emergency with my husband and a traveling and eroding blood clot. I've been at the hospital with him for the last 36 hours. Enough about that for now.

Congratulations on the Implant!! The best solution when you lose a tooth is to replace that tooth! Now for your question. I do not believe that it will be any problem with increased risk of infection or endocarditis. We have diabetics who get and retain implants with no problem, and they have great difficulty healing. The implant becomes fully integrated into the bone..(part of the bone itself) so it is no more risk than any other crown that may be in your mouth. As always, keep it clean by brushing and flossing daily, and visiting your dental hygienist at least 2 x a year for a professional cleaning. Many periodontists suggest 4 x a year for the implants, so check with them. My employer is a general family dentist. We do have patients with implants, but we are not specialists. I will ask him when I go back to work.

 

[tobagotwo]

My thoughts...

I had a bone graft and two pins (titanium inmplants) put in a year after my OHS. No issues. I had a bone graft done this October for two more pin implants to go in next year (same back molar area as yours). No issues. Am I getting those implants? You betcha! Dental implants are a wonderful invention.

They put the sockets in after the bone graft has fully matured, and cover them over to heal. When they're fully bound into the bone, they are uncovered so the pins can be put in. After they heal, there is no pathway for infection that has any difference from any natural tooth root, other than being more regularly shaped, which makes them easier to keep clean and discourages them from harboring as many bacteria as a natural tooth could. Of course, they don't get decayed, either.

If you wind up favoring one side of your jaw, you will damage the teeth and any work on the "good" side much faster. You may also develop jaw problems from misalignment or from disaparate jaw muscle strengths on one side vs. the other. Evening the bite has a lot of beneficial repercussions.

I think you're on the right path, and you're trying to also be cautious and reasonable. However, I'd hate for you to miss out on having balanced dentition from taking one trip too many to the Well of Agonizing Reappraisal.

In looking up "dental implant infection," one word keeps popping up: rare. The sites talk about that rare issue being most possible at implant time. There was one article that spoke of later infection being possible as a result of longstanding and recurrent periodontal disease (it was from Spain). The response to such infection doesn't seem dire, and falls within the realm of what would be done for any infected tooth root or gum tissue. And of course, an infection doesn't mean endocarditis will result.

If you don't have an active phase of periodontal disease, you shouldn't be in extra risk of infection. So get your new molar and be sure to floss.