How Can I Fix My One Jaw Angle Implant?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a question about jaw implant revision surgery 3 years ago when I put two silicone jaw angle  implants. While one stayed in the correct position and I’m very happy with it, the other one moved a bit or was misplaced causing a bit of an asymmetry which I solved these past years with filler on that side. As I’m looking for a more permanent solution I was considering a revision surgery and was wondering if it would be possible to use the implant I already have and maybe fix it with a a screw so it doesn’t move and if there are many risks compared to the first surgery. 

Many thanks for all the help,

A: In theory if the one jaw implant side is satisfactory and the other one isn’t then it is an implant positioning problem not an implant style or size problem. Therefore one should be able to reposition the unsatisfactory side with screw fixation and achieve a satisfactory outcome. BUT don’t ever try to reposition an implant unless you know precisely the position of both implants with a preoperative 3D CT scan.

The risks of jaw implant revisional surgery as the same as the original surgery albeit half since it is only one side.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana