Factors associated with hematoma of the floor of the mouth after placement of dental implants

Purpose: The aim of this article is to determine factors associated with hematoma during placement of dental implants in the anterior mandible and to provide the dental practitioner with preventive measures to avoid such a life-threatening complication. Methods: All available clinical case studies from (1986 to 2010) published in English or with English abstract were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Nineteen studies have been identified and written in the literature. Most of the reported studies were case series and they showed that hematoma is a very rare complication, but general dental practitioners do not pay attention to the significance of the mandible anatomy in the anterior area and the possibility of perforation of the lingual cortex during placement of the dental implants in that position. Conclusions: The use of dental CT in planning the implant treatment coupled with accurate determination of implant length in order to provide detailed data about the mandible anatomy are highly recommended to avoid the occurrence of hematoma in the floor of the mouth and the airway obstruction that may lead to death during placement of dental implants in the anterior mandible.