Can My Chin Implant And Screws Be Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a chin implant in 1995. Twenty-five years later, I began to have very specific localized pain in the jaw bone directly at edge of implant, and also feel overall tightness and discomfort throughout my chin. There was back and forth that the pain was dental; ultimately had two teeth extracted and still have the pain. CT scan shows the implant is secured with 4 metal screws. I want to have the implant and screws removed and am worried about the risks of this, bone remodeling, etc, after so many years. (The original surgeon has long retired so I don’t know what the implant or screw is made of). I have attached a cone beam xray.

A:While there is nothing ominous in the 3D CT scan and the implant looks normal (well below the tooth roots, has no signs of significant settling into  bone and even has reparative bone overgrowth over the top of the implant) I would agree with you that by the process of elimination the implant should be removed. By the way the implant appears to have been hand carved and appears on the 3D scan it is either silicone or Goretex. (most likely the former) But regardless of its material composition it can be removed along with the screws. If there is any bony irregularities I would just fill them in with allogeneic bone chips/paste.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon