The effect of an airbrasive instrument on soft and hard tissues around osseointegrated implants. A case report.

A 40-year-old woman with natural teeth in the upper jaw and a complete lower denture was treated with six osseointegrated implants connected to a fixed bridge. On a recall visit 6 months posttreatment an air powder abrasive devise Prophy-Jet had been used to remove calculus and debris from the titanium abutments by the referring dentist. This resulted in an acute clinical reaction characterized by pain and submucosal emphysema. Furthermore, radiographs revealed break down of the marginal bone surrounding the fixtures. The treatment and follow-up period became long. These observations suggest that the use of air powder abrasive instruments is not the treatment of choice in the maintenance care of osseointegrated titanium implants.