Dental implant failure possibly attributed to embedded pencil graphite: first clinical report

Implant failures have been associated with a diversity of etiologic processes, predominately arising from bone loss (peri-implantitis) due to inadequate maintenance of oral hygiene or excess luting agents. The aim of this article is to report a novel case of the apparent failure of a dental implant to undergo osseointegration in the presence of submerged pencil graphite. Practitioners are advised to carefully evaluate the clinical and radiographic site of a proposed implant for occult foreign substances. Embedded pencil graphite in the jawbone may promote a foreign body reaction and should be considered in the list of possible contributing factors to dental implant complications.