Diagnoses, Clinical Classification, and Proposed Treatment of Spontaneous Early Exposure of Submerged Implants

Spontaneous early exposure of implants can become a serious complication during the initial healing phase. These early perforations and partial exposure of the coverscrews are a foci for plaque accumulation which, if left untreated, may result in inflammation, damage to the periimplant mucosa, and possible bone loss. Sometimes, these exposures are so small so as not to be clinically visible. This article presents methods of diagnoses of perforated mucosa around submerged implants. In addition, an easy-to-use classification of the spontaneous early exposure is proposed. Treatment modalities to prevent or intercept mucositis during the initial healing phase, when early exposures occur, are suggested.