Analysis of acute sinusitis-related early failed implant surface: a combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach

BACKGROUND: Even though dental implants are a reliable choice for dental rehabilitation, implant failures due to various etiologies have been reported. Early implant failures account for 2 to 6% of installed implants and are reported to have a higher rate than late failures, regardless of loading time. We herein report three cases of acute sinusitis and early implant failure with implants that failed within 1 month after installation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties of early failed implants and peri-implant tissue to determine the early osseointegration pattern in acute sinusitis-related failed implants as well as the possible role of surface contamination in the failure of osseointegration. RESULTS: A combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach was used to characterize the surface of non-osseointegrated titanium implants and the surrounding biological tissues. Morphologic scanning electron microscopy revealed a heterogeneous surface and irregular osseointegration. The implant surface was covered mostly by carbon- and oxygen-rich organic matter. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy surface analysis of three implants showed the incorporation of some contaminants in both the upper and apical regions. Carbon, nitrogen, sodium, silicon, chlorine, sulfur, gold, and zirconium were detected on the surface of one or more failed implants. Fibrosis, lymphocytic, and macrophage infiltrates and a high activation of osteoclasts surrounding the bone graft particles were detected in the surrounding tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology and mechanism of early implant failure, especially in sinus-related cases, as well as the proper management interventions to minimize the rate of early implant failures, are of great concern. No matter how confident and accurate the surgeon’s operation, there may be unknown errors in the whole procedure that no one knows about. Rather than errors related to the implant surface, it is expected that there were invisible problems during the evaluation of the patient’s own unique sinus mucosal inflammation or the operator’s own procedure. Furthermore, well-designed researches are necessary to reveal the effect of material-related factors on acute sinus complication and early implant failure.