Implant placement in patients with oral bisphosphonate therapy: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Although the effect of bisphosphonates on dental implant osseointegration is not clear, dental implant failures attributable to oral bisphosphonate therapy have been reported in patients with osteoporosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate implant survival in patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy in a retrospective survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 ITI implants placed in 21 osteoporotic patients (females; average age 53 years, range 42-79 years) were evaluated with regard to probing depth, mobility, thread exposure, and bleeding on probing. All patients were under oral bisphosphonate therapy.

RESULTS: None of implants showed mobility and all patients could be considered free from peri-implantitis. Time of bisphosphonate therapy before and after implant insertion showed no statistically significant influence on PD, BOP, and TE. Likewise, implant location, prosthetic type, and opposing dentition had no statistically significant influence on the clinical and radiological parameters of implants.

CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it could be concluded that neither being on oral bisphosphonate treatment before implant placement nor starting bisphosphonate therapy after implant installation might jeopardize the successful osseointegration and clinical and radiographic condition of the implants.