Based on latest research, a striking association links the success rate of dental implants and everyday pills you may be popping. Heartburn medications as well as beta-blockers, a group of cardiac drugs, were shown to affect the implant’s attachment and growth in different ways-one positively and one negatively. If you are considering this procedure, a review of your medications with your dentist or Caffaratti Dental Group could be warranted.
With over 500,000 people in the U.S annually receiving dental implants, the importance of this study looms large. Knowing there are growing numbers desiring a more pleasing long-term solution to tooth replacement, dental implant outcomes and patient satisfaction were driving forces behind researchers’ goals to investigate drugs speculated to interact with implant success.
Their justification to conduct this study stemmed from previous research on beta-blockers and original work from Tamimi who reported, “The success of procedures like dental implants depends mainly on how the existing bone accepts the implants to create a connection between the living bone and the surface of the implant.” He continued in his findings, “Because some medications affect bone metabolism and the way that bone cells heal and multiply or die, they can have an important effect on the success of implants.
McGill and his team’s study goals were to evaluate dental implants and heartburn medications that were reported to interfere and hinder the implant success rate as well as review the benefits of beta-blockers, previously demonstrated to increase bone growth.
What they found was striking evidence demonstrating each having different impacts on outcomes. The researchers’ data clearly supports the premise that the use of beta-blockers increases the likelihood of implant success and showed a definite link to a greater chance of implant rejection by heartburn medications users. These positive findings surrounding beta-blockers’ use for aid in bone growth also have implications for hip and knee replacement surgery.
Additional justification comes from what scientists already know about heartburn medications. They are reported to reduce calcium absorption in bones and generally increase the risk of bone fractures. Tamimi points out, “That is why we wanted to look at how it affects the integration of implants and bone healing after this type of surgery. But we didn’t expect to find that the negative effects of this category of drugs would be as great as they are. Further work will need to be done to find the appropriate dosages and time periods that people should take or avoid these medications .”
Study findings support use of beta-blockers to aid in integration of implants. Details from the Tamimi study include:
“…data was based on conclusions of 1499 dental implants in 728 patients between Jan. 2007—Sept. 2013 at the East Coast Oral Surgery in Moncton, New Brunswick.
- 327 implants were in 142 people who took beta-blockers for hypertension
- 1172 implants were in 586 people who didn’t take beta-blockers
- Failure rates of implants for people using beta-blockers was 0.6%
- Failure rates of implants in people who don’t take beta-blockers was 4.1%
- More than 640 million patients around the world take beta-blockers to control hypertension.”
As Tamimi discusses in his article on the research, “Randomized clinical trials will need to be carried out, as well as other studies of large numbers of patients to investigate this phenomenon in more depth.”
Having knowledge as well as experience with the latest dental implant technology and outcomes are critical considerations when choosing your dental surgeon for implant success. Many patients in the Reno, Nevada area have known and trusted Dr. Frank Caffaratti and Dr. Jason Doucette with all of their dental health needs.
Caffaratti Dental Group offers a variety of dental treatment solutions for failing, chipped or missing teeth. We perform the latest dental implant surgeries such as All on 4 and All on 6 implant supported bridges and dentures. From single tooth implant surgery to full mouth restorations, Dr. Caffaratti and Dr. Doucette are ready to assist you.
If you or someone you know needs dental advice toward a healthier and more pleasing smile, we are happy to schedule your private consultation or answer your questions at (775) 358-1555.