Objective: To perform a literature review on peri-implant metastases and primary malignoma and report a case of a pulmonary metastasis around dental implants of the anterior mandibular jaw that mimicked peri-implantitis. Method and Materials: A literature search of publications from June 1980 to June 2011 in the PubMed/Medline database was performed to collect information about the type, incidence, and localization of malignant primary tumors and metastases around dental implants and to evaluate potential risk factors. A descriptive statistic was performed based on the collected data with regard to the type and/or origin of tumor, its localization, and the patient’s age and sex. Results: A total of 1,795 articles were considered for evaluation. Peri-implant metastases are described in three articles, and peri-implant primary tumors were found in 14 publications. Of all peri-implant metastases, no associated risk factors are mentioned. Those of the peri-implant tumors are alterations of the peri-implant mucosa (such as oral lichen planus, verrucous leukoplakia, and ulcer). Most of the primary tumors are squamous cell carcinoma. The mean age of the patients with peri-implant metastases was 68 years; for the peri-implant primary tumors, it was 71 years. Conclusion: Peri-implant metastases and primary tumors are rare. Every untypical or refractory reaction to the treatment of peri-implantitis is suspicious for malignancy as long as the contrary remains unproven. (Quintessence Int 2012;43:563–570)

Key words: dental implant, numb chin syndrome, peri-implantitis, primary tumor, pulmonary metastasis, risk factors