could-antidepressants-increase-risk-of-implant-failure

Antidepressants have been reported to increase the risk of bone fracture and reduce bone formation

Dental implants are the most effective treatment for replacing teeth. There are really only 3 cases when placing dental implants is not a viable option: if you are smoker, if you have periodontitis and if you take certain medications.

Smoking

Many dentists and prosthodontists will not treat smokers because of the high risk of implant failure associated with smokers. There is a higher than normal risk of implant failure with smokers because of the effects of smoking on a person’s health. Aside from the possibility of various cancers and other deadly illnesses, smoking negatively affects your body’s ability to heal naturally. What this means is that there is a good chance that the osseointegration process will not be successful.

Periodontitis

While it is true dental implants and dental crowns are not susceptible to decay, they are susceptible to gum disease. Periodontitis is the advanced form of gum disease and causes the inner layer of your gum to pull away from the teeth to form pockets. These pockets collect debris and can become infected. If left untreated the bone and the tissue holding your teeth in pace start to break down. Since dental implants act as an artificial tooth root there is nothing to stop periodontitis from forming around them. So before dental implants are placed, periodontitis must be first treated. Although it is important to realise that periodontitis is not curable: only treatable.

Antidepressants

The jury is still out on this one. The most recent study, which looked at data from 2007 to 2013, concluded that patients not on antidepressants had a failure rate of 4.62%. Patients on antidepressants had a failure rate of 10.64%. This failure rate is almost equal to that of smoking. The reason the jury is still out on the antidepressants is because this study was retrospective: the data was collected after the fact. Which means it’s difficult to ascertain the dosage of antidepressant capable of causing bone fracture and reduced bone formation. What this research has reinforced is the importance of patient’s sharing their full medical history prior to any surgery. This research has also demonstrated the need for a further research on the subject.

Dental Implants from Curtis Couch D.D.S

At our Thousand Oaks dental practice we offer implant dentistry to suitable candidates. Unlike any other form of tooth replacement treatment, implant dentistry replaces the whole tooth. The dental implant, a biocompatible titanium screw, replaces the tooth root and fuses with your jawbone. Then either a dental crown or bridge is placed to replace a missing tooth or teeth. If you are looking for a dentist in Thousand Oaks who can replace your missing teeth with the best tooth replacement treatment, give Curtis Couch D.D.S a call. The dental implant part of implant dentistry can last for life; and the porcelain restoration – dental crown or bridge – will last for 10 to 15 years. To find out more about how Curtis Couch D.D.S can help you, or to make an appointment at our Thousand Oaks dental practice, please contact us today.