Etiology and classification of food impaction around implants and implant‐retained prosthesis

Background: Food impaction is a common risk factor for the initiation of peri-implant inflammation and failure of the osseointegrated implant. Although clinicians do acknowledge the presence of food impaction around implants and implant-retained prosthesis, no classification system has yet classified the food impaction around the implant and implant-retained prosthesis. Purpose: The present paper aims to identify and classify the plausible etiology of food impaction around implants and implant-related prosthesis. Materials and Methods: The following search terms were utilized for data search: “Food Impaction” AND “Implants” AND “Food Impaction” AND “Perimplantitis” AND “Food Impaction” AND “Classification.” Articles that were written in the English language in PubMed and Cochrane Library database from 1930 till September 2018 were scrutinized. A total of 24 articles were scrutinized, out of which only 15 articles were selected. Results: Food impaction around implants is broadly classified into five categories based on the number of implants, nature of implants prosthesis involved for replacement and relation of the implant prosthesis to the adjacent tooth, restoration, or prosthesis. Conclusion: This is the first classification designed to classify food impaction around dental implants and implant-retained prosthesis. The classification can be used by clinicians for optimal diagnosis, interpretation, and treatment plan for patients.