Review Article

The role of vitamin D in dental implants osseointegration

Anna-Maria Vesala^1,2, Ismene Dontas^1,2

1. Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System “Th. Garofalidis”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens KAT, Greece
2. Postgraduate Program “Metabolic Bones Diseases”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Goudi, Athens, Greece

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Keywords: Dental implants, Implant failure, Osseointegration, Vitamin D, Vitamin D deficiency

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Abstract

Dental implants currently constitute a well-established solution for both functional and aesthetic restoration of complete and partial edentulism. Osseontegration, however, is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon bearing concerns as to its strong association to implant, prosthetics and surgical protocols, as well to patients themselves. This literature review aims to research into potential correlations linking the osseointegration process in dental implants to low levels of vitamin D in dental patients. A number of scientific articles were retrieved from PubMed and MEDLINE databases, using the following key words: “vitamin D deficiency”; “osseointegration”; and “vitamin D AND dental implants”. Αll retrieved studies were limited to those involving human and animal experimental models, and only articles written in English. Nine animal studies investigated the osseointegration process in dental implants that may be attributed to the effects of vitamin D; and five studies used human subjects. However, none of the said studies demonstrated statistically significant differences. A number of patients, especially those with severe deficiency, reported beneficial outcomes following vitamin D systemic administration prior the surgery. In such patients, is important to maintain vitamin D levels, as it ensures bone reconstruction around the implant.

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