Peri-implant bone loss caused by occlusal overload: repair of the peri-implant defect following correction of the traumatic occlusion. A case report.

The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the relation between occlusal overload and peri-implant bone loss and the reversal of the situation after removal of the offending forces. The placement of an unstable removable prosthesis on 3 well-integrated implants that had been stable for 9 years caused noticeable bone loss after 6 months. The elimination of the traumatic occlusion reversed the situation, and a remarkable healing of the peri-implant tissue occurred until the pretrauma condition was nearly restored. The condition has been stable for the past 4 years.