Implant Complications in Ontario

Aims and Objectives: To investigate the experience of implant complications and opinions on complications among dentists in private practices in Ontario. Methods: In 2010, a web-based anonymous survey was distributed to 2034 Ontario dentists with valid e-mail addresses. Results: 527 dentists replied to the survey, of which 469 utilized implants. Most complications were preventable. The most important cause of complications was “poor planning”. The most severe complication was “permanent paraesthesia”. Fewer than 5% of patients experienced a complication in 2009. There was little agreement among general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists on the causes of complications, some agreement on preventive strategies to avoid complications, and significant agreement on severity of complications and their preventability. Conclusions: A significant proportion of dentists in Ontario had encountered an implant treatment complication in 2009. Since most complications are preventable, efforts at decreasing their prevalence and severity should be pursued.MAS