The possible impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dental implant therapy: narrative review

Abstract

The COVID-19 has challenged the professions and Implantology also has its challenges in the pandemic. Several factors can interfere with the osseointegration process and more associated factors, greater the interference risks. Risk assessment in the therapy indication is the main decision to define the best technique, the best biomaterial, the best surgical access and the best moment to intervene. The purpose of this review was to investigate and synthesize the scientific evidence on the factors that may interfere with dental implant therapy in the midst of pandemic. The literature was reviewed in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Sciello and Google Scholar using the keywords “COVID-19”, “pandemic”, “risk factors”, “impact factor”, “dental implants”, “dentistry”, “oral health”, “osseointegration”, “bone metabolism”, “drug risk factors”, “chronic stress”, “antidepressants”, “zinc”, “hydroxychloroquine”, “ivermectin”, “vitamins”, “corticosteroids”, “surgical risks” and “disinfection”. The present review showed that chronic stress and depression caused by the pandemic, the consequent use of antidepressants, the use of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs such zinc, vitamin D, hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids, can interfere with bone metabolism and consequently in osseointegration establishment and/or maintenance. Any osseointegrable biomaterial can be influenced by systemic factors and drugs’ actions that can affect the homeostasis of the inflammatory process, cell proliferation and bone remodeling. These factors’ influence on dental implant therapy should be investigated through new reviews, observational studies and randomized clinical trial.

Investigating the Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on the Mouth, Jaw And Face: A Review Study

“…Another role of this vitamin is in the movement of teeth in orthodontic treatment, where studies have been associated with conflicting findings on the impact of vitamin D on the external analysis of the root [27,29]. Vitamin D has a protective role against periodontal diseases through bone preservation and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity [31]. Other effects that vitamin D has on bones can help improve TMJ joint pain and bone repair caused by osteonecrosis, but more research is needed [45,46].…”

“…Since MRONJ can occur in all oral surgeries, it can be prevented by taking a history, consulting with a doctor, and using surgical or less damaging techniques such as lasers. Research has shown that not only vitamin D, but also PTH levels have a significant effect on the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaws, and also vitamin D deficiency can cause disturbances in PTH calcium levels [31]. Vitamin D supplementation may have a protective effect against diseases that later require the use of bisphosphonates, which can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, and as a form of primary prevention against diseases in which the risk of ONJ increases [32].…”

Оцінка Поширеності Порушення Остеоінтеграції Дентальних Імплантатів У Ранній Період На Основі Досліджуваних Вибірок Різного Розміру

“…Водночас у низці попередніх наукових робіт було відмічено, що прогностична значущість факторів ризику розвитку ранньої втрати встановлених внутрішньокісткових титанових опор відрізняється у різних групах пацієнтів, відтак доцільним є вивчення ролі таких у дослідженнях проспективного, а не ретроспективного дизайну [3,6,7,8]. Також досі остаточно не встановлено, як зміна популяційного імунітету у період після пандемії COVID-19 може впливати на варіації поширеності саме ранньої втрати дентальних імплантатів серед стоматологічних пацієнтів [13,14,15,16].…”