Explaining the Red Fluorescence Evident on the Surface of Failed Dental Implants: Case Reports.

INTRODUCTION It is important to identify the reasons for implant failure when planning future dental treatment. No studies have distinguished the factors that affect implant failure by evaluating the appearance of failed fixtures. PURPOSE This study investigated these factors by evaluating the surface of implant fixtures using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D), which involves detecting the red fluorescence emitted by porphyrin metabolized by oral bacteria in a mature biofilm. MATERIALS AND METHODS The areas of red fluorescence in QLF-D images obtained from all aspects of the fixture surface were then analyzed using quantitative analysis software. RESULTS Red fluorescence was evident on the surface of implants that failed after at least 2 years of occlusal loading and exhibited severe bone loss. Implants with no fluorescence exhibited a clean surface in blue-light images, and the bone loss could not be observed radiographically. CONCLUSIONS The cases presented that failed dental implant surfaces caused by periimplantitis can be detected by the red fluorescence evident as QLF-D.