Dental implant failure and retrieval techniques; a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Evidence-Based Dentistry

Background:

• Dental implant failures are a significant clinical concern with diverse etiologies.
• Existing literature on implant failure causes and retrieval is fragmented.
• A comprehensive review is needed to guide clinicians and researchers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify biological, mechanical, and patient-related factors contributing to dental implant failure.
• To document techniques used for dental implant retrieval and explantation.
• To analyze publication trends in dental implant failure research from 1983 to 2025.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was performed following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1983-2025).
• 388 relevant studies on dental implant failure and explantation were included and descriptively synthesized.

Main Results:

• Publication interest in dental implant failure has significantly increased since 2015.
• Early failures are linked to smoking, diabetes, poor bone quality, and surgical errors.
• Late failures are associated with peri-implantitis, biomechanical overload, and systemic conditions.
• Trephine burs are the most common retrieval method, with success rates of 70-100% for atraumatic techniques.

Conclusions:

• Dental implant failure is multifactorial, with peri-implant disease, systemic health, and mechanical overload being primary causes.
• Understanding risk factors and employing evidence-based retrieval strategies are crucial for successful rehabilitation.
• While trephines are common, minimally invasive retrieval techniques show promise; further research with standardized definitions is recommended.