Decreased vitamin D levels as a factor of deterioration of osseointegration during dental implantation

Introduction . Decreased vitamin D levels are considered as a possible factor in dental implantation failure. However, there arelack of good quality studies on this topic, some of which were conducted on animal models. Aim . To identify the possible role of vitamin D levels on osseointegration parameters during dental implantation. Materials and methods . A retrospective single-sample cohort observational non-interventional study was conducted. 78 female patients who underwent dental implantation were examined, who were divided into 3 groups: up to 44 years old, group 1 (n = 20), 45-60 years old, group 2 (n = 34), 60 years and older, group 3 (n = 24). All patients were examined before implantation: vitamin D, FSH, estradiol, TSH, free T4, computed tomography of the jaw bones, indices of the gums and periodontium condition, also the implant stability quotient (ISQ) was determined at the time of implant placement and at the time of prosthetics. Results . The concentrations of vitamin D, estradiol, jaw bone density, and ISQ at the time of implantation and at the time of prosthetics were significantly lower in group 3. Vitamin D deficit/insufficiency occurred in 38%, 58%, 88% of patients in groups 1, 2, 3, respectively (p < 0.001). The ratio of chances to detect a decrease in vitamin D was 13.1 (CI 95% 2.9–60.2) in group 3 compared to group 2, and 5.7 (CI 95% 1.4–22.6) compared to group 1. The ratio of the chances for an increase of osseointegration time was 11.6 (CI 95% 2.3–59.1) in case of vitamin D deficiency compared to optimal values, and 5.7 (CI 95% 1.4–24.1) compared to a insufficiency condition. Vitamin D levels significantly inversely correlated with hygienic indices of periodontal condition. Conclusion . A decrease vitamin D levels can be strongly considered as a factor in the deterioration of osseointegration during dental implantation, since this is associated with an extended period of osseointegration due to a decrease in the bone density of the jaw and a worse periodontal condition.