The impact of osteoporosis on implant treatment is still a matter of debate in the scientific community, as it may possibly lead to higher failure rates, and long-term controlled trials are missing. A prospective, controlled, multicenter study aimed to verify the long-term outcome of implants placed in patients with systemic osteoporosis.
Postmenopausal women in need of implants underwent bone mineral density measurements in their hip and spine, using dual x-ray absorptiometry scans. Based on T-scores, they were divided into 2 groups: group O (osteoporosis group) with a T-score −2 or less or group C (control group) with a T-score of −1 or greater.
Implants were placed in a 2-stage manner and loaded 4 to 8 weeks after abutment surgery. Six months after loading and yearly thereafter, clinical and radiographical parameters were assessed.
In total, 148 implants were placed in 48 patients (mean age: 67 y [range, 59 to 83]). Sixty-three implants were placed in 20 patients (group O) and 85 implants were placed in 28 patients (group C). After 5 years, 117 implants (38 in group O and 79 in group C) in 37 patients were assessed.
The study found that the cumulative survival rate was 96.5% on an implant level (group O: 91.5%; group C: 100.0% [P < 0.05]) and 95.7% on a patient level (group O: 89.2%; group C: 100.0% [P > 0.05]). After 5 years of loading, the overall marginal bone-level alterations were −0.09 ± 0.78 mm (group O: −0.15 ± 0.50 mm; group C: −0.06 ± 0.89 mm) on an implant level and −0.09 ± 0.54 mm (group O: −0.18 ± 0.43 mm; group C: 0.06 ± 0.58 mm) on a patient level (P > 0.05).
The study concludes that oral implant therapy in osteoporotic patients is a reliable treatment option with comparable osseointegration rates, implant survival, and marginal bone-level alterations after 5 years of functional loading. (Source: Journal of Dental Research, Sept. 11, 2018)
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