Crestal bone loss and the consequences of retained excess cement around dental implants

Crestal bone loss around dental implants has been a subject of discussion in implant dentistry since its inception. Many of the research and design developments related to dental implants have sought to limit the amount of crestal bone loss. While there are a variety of possible causes for crestal bone loss around dental implants, one iatrogenic cause that has become the subject of several articles is retained dental cement. The focus of this article will be to discuss the predisposing factors that can lead to retained cement and clinical strategies to minimize or prevent cement peri-implantitis. Case reports are presented in which retained cement resulted in significant peri-implant inflammation and bone loss around restored dental implants. Strategies for early detection to limit the damage from retained dental cement and cementing techniques are also discussed.