Certain Medications Affect Success Rates of Dental Implants

Half a million people get dental implants in the U.S. every year, and the vast majority of these patients are rewarded with beautiful and functional replacement teeth. The long-term success of dental implants hinges on the extent of osseointegration, or how well the jaw bone fuses with the implant surface.

Many factors affect the success of dental implants, with more failures observed in patients with diabetes, and those who habitually grind their teeth. Now, a new body of research shows that certain common medications can also explain why some tooth implants attach properly, and others don’t.  The study, performed by the McGill research team in Moncton, New Brunswick, followed 700 dental implant patients over an 8-year period. The results showed that some medications impede the integration of dental implants, whereas others help promote new bone growth and healing.

Medications help or impede dental implant success

The researchers believe their findings may not only help dental patients, but also individuals who are about to have hip or knee replacement surgery, because the same mechanisms at work within the body.

The team found that beta blockers, which are commonly prescribed to combat high blood pressure, were associated with a statistically lower failure rate of dental implants, while over-the-counter heartburn pills did the exact opposite. “Because some medications affect bone metabolism and the way that bone cells heal and multiply or die, they can have an important effect on the success of implants,” said Profesor Faleh Tamimi, the study’s lead author.

According to the results:

• Failure rates of dental implants in patients who took heartburn medication were 6.8 percent
• Failure rates of implants for patients not taking heartburn pills were 3.2 percent
• Dental implant failure rates for patients taking beta blockers was .6 percent
• Patients who were not on beta blockers had 4.1 percent failure rates with dental implants

Tamimi says that additional clinical trials and animal studies will be needed to determine appropriate dosages and time periods for avoiding or taking these medications.

Dental implants in New York City

Besides patient characteristics and medication usage, the surgeon’s level of skill also factors into the success rates of dental implants – which generally hovers between 95 and 98 percent.  Dr. David Blaustein of Chelsea Dental Aesthetics has ample experience in restorative dentistry and uses the latest technology, equipment and methods for replacing damaged or missing teeth.

Dr. Blaustein is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantlogists and has been practicing cosmetic dentistry in Manhattan for more than two decades. In his state-of-the-art dental office, Dr. Blaustein offers single and multiple tooth implants as well as the All on 6 procedure, otherwise known as “same day implants”.

If you’re interested in trading in your dentures or bridge work for beautiful, permanent replacement teeth, and would like a dental implant consultation, please call (347) 773-2679.

Resources:

1. ScienceDaily, Why some dental implants work and others don’t https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161025220345.htm
2. Dentalimplantguide, Dental Implants Have Long-Term Success http://thedentalimplantguide.org/dental-implants/why-dental-implants/long-term-success/

Author

Chelsea Dental Aesthetics Comprehensive, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry located in Chelsea, New York, NY