[Implant positioned buccally of the alveolar process; a complication]

Because of a blue discolouration of her mucosa a 58-year-old patient visited her new dentist. Her medical history revealed that several months before an implant in the region of dental element 22 had been installed. When palpating the alveolar region, a painless hard swelling was felt. As a malposition of the implant was suspected, it was decided to have a cone beam computed tomography-scan made. The sagittal scan revealed that apically the implant in the region of dental element 22 was not embedded in the jawbone. Following the placement of an implant, it is always necessary to verify that the implant procedure has been carried out successfully; palpating the implant bed is always required.