Immunocompromised patients and dental implant

Abstract

Dental implant is on rise in today’s time and era due to its importance in improving quality of life of patients. However, the success of the dental implant is significantly associated with individuals’ medical condition. Immunocompromised patients due to their weak immunity are considered sensitive for any type of surgery as it can result in various complications. Similarly in case of placing dental implants in immunocompromised patients’ supreme care and attention is needed in order to avoid risk and hazardous consequences. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons see an increasing number of patients with immunocompromised conditions in their daily practice due to better long-term health care and new indications for immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of this research is to review the available information about the dental implants in immunocompromised patients. Despite the fact that certain diseases are still considered risk factors in the effectiveness of dental implants in immunocompromised patients, there are few definite contradictions in this treatment option. As a result, disease control of risk factors, as well as personal risk assessment prior to dental implant treatment, may be considered more important than the disease or risk factor itself. Presence of various diseases can raise the risk of treatment failure or side effects in case of dental implant. Majority of the studies support dental implants as reliable and safe option under utmost care in immunocompromised patients however, the literature is quite divided and scarce in this regard and future research can be beneficial to yield better outcome and treatment strategies.