Contraindications to Dental Implant Placement

Contraindications to Dental Implant Placement

Posted by Dental Didactics CE on May 21st 2022

Dental Implant Contraindications

It is always the paramount obligation of any dental surgeon to first "do no harm", and a huge portion of that stewardship is related to proper patient selection for elective surgeries. When considering dental implants to replace a tooth, or support a dental prosthesis, there are many local factors that affect the decision as to whether it is prudent to place a dental implant. These can be anatomic variations that make implant placement unpredictable: thin bone, poor bone quality, porous bone, short bone level, lack of keratinized gums around the implant site, concavities of the jaw near the implant site, proximity of nerves adjacent the implant site, poor bony ridge angulation, low maxillary sinus anatomy, etc. There are also systemic health issues that may contradict implant placement due to compromised healing characteristics: diabetes, immunocompromise or immunosuppression, generalized systemic infection, septic conditions, autoimmune disorders, or malignancies. Additional conditions that may contraindicate dental implant placement include mental illness, drug abuse, bleeding disorders, recent stoke or heart attack. Additionally, incomplete healing of the extraction site, or the use of Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis can preclude the placement of an implant. 

Dental Implant Decision Making

Although dental implants are an accepted treatment option for natural tooth replacement, with a high rate of success, individual success is dependent upon proper patient and site selection taking into consideration both local factors and systemic health issues. More information on implant issues and approved dental continuing education can be found at Dental Didactics CE