Facial Implant Bone Resorption

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m considering getting implants, but I’m worried about both bone erosion and infection. When it comes to bone erosion, I’m worried about how much bone will actually erode and will I have to eventually replace my implant in a few years time? Also, I plan on having some teeth removed and replaced with dental implants in a few years (after implants), will the implants get infected from this or would they remain infection free?

A: Bone resorption is not an issue I have ever seen with any custom jawline implant. There can be bone overgrowth sometimes back at the jaw angles and some mild implant settling into the bone (seen as an implant imprint on the bone) but not inflammatory bone erosion or any other tissue reaction that would necessitate removal of the implant. Teeth removal and the placement of dental implants does not jeopardize the implant per se…although the inadvertent injection of local anesthetic (dental infiltraion/blocks) into the implant may pose the risk of infection to the implant. For this reason full disclosure to the treating dentist is advised so they can appropriately adjust the depth of their needle penetration into the tissues.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana