What is suspected if a patient presents with an inflamed implant and a fistula?

When a patient presents with an inflamed implant coupled with the presence of a fistula, this scenario is indicative of implant failure. The inflammation suggests that there is a pathological process occurring around the implant, which could be due to infection, lack of osseointegration, or other complications that hinder its stability and integration with the surrounding bone.

The formation of a fistula is a particularly telling sign as it often indicates a communication pathway between the infected area and the external environment, further supporting the diagnosis of implant failure. This situation is not consistent with normal healing responses, which would typically show signs of integration and healthy tissue surrounding the implant. Similarly, bone regeneration would not be expected in the presence of significant inflammation and a fistula, as these conditions suggest a breakdown rather than a rebuilding of bone structure. Therefore, the presence of inflammation and a fistula strongly points to complications leading to implant failure.