Unsterilized products used for dental implants

By Na Jeong-ju

An artificial tooth maker is being investigated for providing more than 16,000 unsterilized artificial roots to 85 clinics for dental implants, health authorities said Thursday.

If the unsterilized tooth roots are implanted, they can cause serious damage to patients’ facial and cerebral nerves.

The maker, ICM, allegedly provided the unsterilized products to clinics through the United Dental Group, one of the country’s largest distributors of dental products.

According to the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), ICM produced some 55,000 artificial tooth roots for dental implants from early last year. Of them, some 26,000, including some 10,000 sterilized ones, were sold to 85 clinics nationwide.

“We don’t know yet how many unsterilized artificial tooth roots have been implanted. This is a serious matter because the unsterilized products can damage the recipients’ nerves,” a KFDA spokesman said.

Last month, the administration banned the sale of tooth roots produced by ICM and ordered it to recall the unsterilized products that were already sold to clinics.

The United Dental Group is also under investigation for distributing the artificial roots without checking their safety. The group’s earnings have grown rapidly in recent years as dental implants have become popular for patients who seek semi-permanent replacement teeth, industry sources say.

It has more than 100 affiliates nationwide as well as seven clinics in the United States, and also plans to open practices in Europe.

The group has often clashed with the KFDA and the dentists’ association because it has provided dental implants and other products at lower prices.

The KFDA plans to refer the case to the prosecution after completing its investigation.