Intricate assessment and evaluation of dental implants in patients on bisphosphonate therapy: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background: Osteonecrosis is one of the prevalent side effects of bisphosphonate (BP) therapy in oral cancer patients. In case of patients with various oncologic lesions, standard guidelines contraindicate the use of dental implants if the patients are on BP therapy. Literature also quotes studies that emphasize on the safety of dental implants in patients on BP therapy. Hence, this study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of dental implants in patients on BP therapy. Materials and methods: In this retrospective analysis, a total of 140 dental implants in 112 patients were included. Inclusion criteria included only those patients who were on or had history of BP therapy. Calculation of implant failure and survival rate was done. Results: Ten cases of implant failure occurred, giving a success rate of above 92%, which was comparable to the results found in previous studies in patients who were not on BP therapy. Conclusion: No significant risk of implant failure is seen in patients on BP therapy compared with other patients.