Extraocular muscle damage from dental implant penetration to the orbit

Purpose: To demonstrate an unusual case of orbital trauma due to dental surgery complication.

Observations: An elderly patient who underwent dental implantation to the zygomatic bone was hospitalized in the ophthalmology department with impaired abduction of her right eye, also evident on ocular examination. Head computed tomography demonstrated damage to the lateral rectus and to the inferior oblique muscles. Clinical assessment determined these muscles could not be repaired and reattached. The extent of irreversible damage in the patient was permanent limitation in movement of her affected eye with subsequent strabismus.

Conclusions and importance: Accurate pre-operative planning of dental zygomatic implant insertion, as well as selecting the size and direction of the implant, are imperative. Moreover, performing surgery in multidisciplinary centers with oculofacial plastic surgeons in such cases, may reduce risk of this complication, make it a safer procedure, and allow immediate treatment when required.