Severe Oral Infection and Cellulitis From Dental Implants

ByWendy Ketner, M.D.

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Updated onSeptember 27, 2018

Severe Oral Infection and Cellulitis From Dental Implants

This oral implant case involves a sixty-five-year-old patient who was referred by her dentist to an oral surgeon after she underwent a procedure to insert two internal Heximplant titanium dental implants. She also underwent bone grafts to create a proper surface for device implantation. There were no complications during surgery, but the patient presented back to the office with complaints of severe pain and symptoms of an infectious process. The patient was sent home without antibiotics and told to return in a few days if the pain continued. Three days later, the patient was admitted to the emergency room for shortness of breath and lethargy. The patient was intubated due to respiratory failure and it was determined that a bacterial infection and sepsis was the underlying cause.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Should these devices have been removed when an infection was first suspected?

Expert Witness Response E-005198

inline imageIn the immediate period after the placement of dental implants, infection, although rare, can be a complication. The patient may note an increase in pain, possible drainage, swelling, and redness around the implant. Depending on where the infection is originating from, it may require some antibiotics, local irrigation, or removal of the implant, altogether. In this case, the failure to remove the implants after suspected cellulitis and osteomyelitis led to the severe systemic complications including bacteremia and sepsis.

About the author

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Wendy Ketner, M.D.

Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.

Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.

Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.

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