The persistently sensitive or painful osseointegrated implant

To determine why some implants can appear to be well osseointegrated with no signs of infection and yet can remain sensitive to percussion and painful and unable to tolerate the weight of a restoration.

Five patients were identified who between them had 7 implants that met the criteria of being persistently painful and sensitive to percussion while appearing to be well integrated and otherwise disease free. High-definition cone beam computed tomography scans were obtained for all patients. All patients had failed medical treatment.

The cone beam computed tomography scans showed radiolucent channels running from the nearest nerve trunk to the vicinity of the sensitive implants. These may represent neurovascular channels that originally supplied the teeth that were present at the site of the implants, and they may have terminal neuromas that neuromas may be irritated by the implant. In all cases removal of the offending implant caused either substantial or complete relief of discomfort.

The presence of terminal neuromas within the jaws may be responsible for persistent pain and sensitivity in an otherwise well-integrated and disease-free implant. Removal of the offending implant appears to be the only treatment.