Current understanding of genetic polymorphisms as biomarkers for risk of biological complications in implantology

Abstract

Background: In the last decade, multiple studies have been published that analyze the relationship between the risk of experiencing biological complications with implants and the presence of certain types of genetic polymorphisms. In the present report, we analyze the controversies that have arisen from this important area of investigation and synthesize the most prominent aspects of knowledge related to this possible etiopathogenic relationship. Material and Methods: For this review, the biomedical databases PubMed-Medline, SciELO, and DOAJ were used. Different search strategies were employed, from which 298 articles initially emerged. After refinement of the search, 55 articles published between 2002 and 2018 were finally selected based on relevance. Results: In certain population groups, there is evidence to support that about a dozen polymorphisms could in some way be related to biological complications in implantology. Indeed, the results may vary according to the ethnic origin of the population studied. Most of the published investigations are initial studies reporting small sample sizes and utilizing different study group homogenization methods. We are still at a preliminary stage of our understanding and development with regard to these types of biomarkers. The interesting results identified indicate that new investigations will be necessary to eliminate the biases observed in some studies and to homogenize the research groups. In order to clarify the controversies surrounding the current knowledge in this field, we believe that it will be necessary to employ larger study groups and search for possible synergistic effects between different polymorphisms.