Can I Sterilize an Implant for Reuse after Immediate Implant Procedure Aborted?

Do not re-sterilize an implant and use it. I think you already had this answered on your DentalTown posting, but here it is again. Sterilization cannot predictably remove all biologic material, therefore even if it is for the same patient and sterile- it is a risk you do not want to take. Also, in speaking with implant manufacturers- steam sterilization can affect the surface properties of an implant. Bottom line- do not re-use an implant.

Would you want a re-sterilized/packaged inserted into your jaw? I hope the answer is no.

Once an implant is removed from it's packing it is exposed to air and hence to a thin layer of titanium oxide is formed to which osseo integration takes place primarily. With excess exposure to air and to washing and steam of sterilization the surface of an implant does get modified. Secondly biologic mass does get bound into the surafec of rough implants which may not be cleaned and sterized completely. Like your good self I too have come accross implantologists who have reported good success rates with reuse of implants. Remember such evidence is at best anectdotal and hearsay and not subject to scientific scrutiny. Implant companies tend to give free replacement these days. Every thing is possible but is it worth the risk. THINK.

U HAVE TO KNOW THAT IMPLANT IS STERILIZED BY GAMMA RAYS NOT BY STEAM PRESSURE SO AUTOCLAVE NOT RECOMMENDED

While they CAN be reused, the posters above have already mentioned why it is a bad idea. For the relatively low cost of an implant, why take a chance? Having said that, older implants used to be autoclaved prior to use. In fact, all of our bone drills get autoclaved after each bloody use. I remember the old IMTEC temporary implants would come non-sterile, and you would autoclave them and place them just before the patient arrived. How many of us buy a new healing abutment for each patient, and for each case? I guess the argument for reusing implants, particularly in the same patient is: 1) I'm too cheap to buy a new implant, 2) If a patient already has a prion based disease, it won't really hurt him to place his prion coated implant, 3) We'd like to practice GREEN implant dentistry. All joking aside, I'm sure someone will finally study this in a journal, obviously with no manufacturer support. I'm sure it will turn out to be fine, just like all the subperiosteal, blade, and hand made implants of yesteryear. However, with the mass availability of reliable implants at all pricepoints, why mess around with this?

I use the Ankylos Implant system. If for any reason the implant fails to integrate they will replace the implant free of charge. A brilliant implant system, and great service and peace of mind.

I use the Straumann ITI Implant system. Don't know about america, but here in europe they will replace the implant free of charge!

AB Dental, likewise, exchange is free: dropped, disintegrated. No questions asked. GREEN dentistry - cute joke :)

Any experience with the old branemark system where implants were cut to size (i believe), passivated with acetone as a recommended procedure??? I'm sure someone has experience with this. We also re-use endodontic files for the same patient don't we?

i just can't believe that this a point for discussion. i hate to repeat myself, but clinicians, would you want a re-sterilized or re-processed implant placed in you? Of course not. all we need to do to answer questions is ask what WE would want if we were the patient. the answer is simple. I simply do not believe anyone who does not answer "no" to this question. by the way, an endodontic file and a dental implant are to drastically different things. they cannot be compared in this discussion.

KTT, Endo files don't need to be stating in the bone. Implants do. Can't make the comparison between two. I agree with sb oral surgeon.

It is unbelievable that a trained clinician would even ask this question - folks like you are the reason why implant manufacturers have labeling and instructuction - please read the insert - and the 2 with a big slash accross mean not to re-use... Wow - I just can't believe this question - I'm dumbfounded

In deed- I love my mum in law! If I was on an island and I if have had only one fitting single piece implant, some HF (90%), some alcohol (at least 70%) and the possibility to to use an autoclave I would risk it ! (some seconds here some seconds there and a couple of minitues in the autoclave- Think about ASTRA`s fluorided implants) She can cook that good you can`t imagine !- I would not risk to renounce that lukulik joy for any kind of effort ! But I have not to risk anything ! Do you have ? For 30-100 $ ?

Zimmer has replaced every implant that was ever contaminated free of charge with no questions asked. returned it with a sx report and in 2 days received a replacement. Good policy for all implant companies. It costs them very little to manufacture one. Bill

I do agree, when implants are replaced by the company why sterilise & reuse them. i use nobel biocare & biohorizon , they have failed implant replacement form. I am not sure whwther they replace implants where implants are opened tried and not placed

Your situational problem with not getting adequate primary fixation in immediate implants will progressively disappear as you gain more clinical experience and because needless expendibility of expensive implants is a great stop-loss teacher. I commend you for taking the hard way out and by making a delayed placement. Not everyone would do that I am sure. Of course as everyone has commented about, it is just foolish to attempt a reuse of a contaminated implant if for no other reason than it has potential to be a liability issue. To carry on a bit, primary fixation has quite a lot to do with implant geometry. In an immediate implant site the operator is depending on the apical third for fixation due to the flare of the root of the tooth so it is critical to extend the length beyond the apex and to undersize the osteotomy to achieve bone compression. I am of the opinion that implant selection is site dependent and no one implant is suitable for all sites. In the case of the immediate implant, a tapering implant into a tapering osteotomy is much better choice than placing a straight implant into a straight osteotomy so you may want to consider an implant such as Nobel Replace or one that works on the same principle where apical binding increases due to the wedging effect of the taper. In other sites this implant may not be the best choice such as in dense bone because it is difficult to seat for the same reason of apical binding.

Thank you all for your responces. As I stated, I have never re-used an implant and was simply asking if others had heard of such a practice. I will continue placing as always and again thank you for your responces.

A xouple of doctors aboce compared the steam sterilization of implant drills to that of sterilizing implants with steam. Well that is an apples to Oranges comparison. So is the comparison of Ni Ti files to implants. 1)We don't leave the drill or Niti File into the bone. 2)Implants these days aren't just sterlie packed, they are also "surface treated" for example the latest Straumann and Xive/Ankylos implants. When you open a pack you loose both sterility and "surface charge" necessary for better and faster integration. 3)Todays implant surafces come with a very rough surface. It's virtually impossible to clean completely a rough implant surface. The older implants were machined and were not as rough as todays implants. Glossy surface implanyts can be risked for washing not todays rough surface implants. I have looked closely at some old machined implants closely. They were sold in plastic sachets and the salesman opened the packet to show me the implant and I handled an unsold unused implant and put it back. He told me top autoclave it if I bought it! The surface was machined and smooh. I know what I am talking about. You couldn't take off half the debris on todays implant suraface unless you had specialied equipments. I could lay a bet on that.

i place ALFIT and they replace it free of charge so change company

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I'm quiet shocked on a lot of these comments, yes you can sterilise and re-use drills, a drills surface compared with an implant surface is very different, very hydrophilic surfaces are great for implant to bone contact however, to sterilise a hydrophilic implant in an autoclave??? There is no way all blood microbiology could be removed from that surface hence the reason implants are gamma radiated (look it up) Also ask the question- would you like one of those re-sterilised implants in your mouth???? and next question- If you by a car and then you accidentally speed and crash or drive in into water/ tree, does the company you bought it from just give you another????? OR- do you have insurance to deal with that sort of happening???? WHY should the company give you a new car for your misfortune????

Can we use implant who packing has expired

What about after an implant placement, cbct shows slight mis angulation. Excellent torque was achieved, but unsatisfactory angulation. Can it be removed and same re inserted same day after a few hours, or after 1 or 2 days? No infection present whatsoever, pt healthy, and totally covered by precautionary antibiotics pre and post op.

Hi, I have an existing implant needs to be removed. Can the current crown/tooth itself be saved & reused for when the new implant is ready. Thank You, Paul