Viability of dental implants in patients treated for oral squamous carcinoma: A retrospective study

AIM: Dental rehabilitation significantly improves the quality of life of oral cancer survivors, although its success may vary with multiple factors. This study aims to assess the viability of dental implants in treated cases of oral squamous carcinoma, focusing on radiotherapy, dose, site, thread design, and time interval following radiotherapy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary cancer care institute on patients with oral squamous carcinoma who received dental implants during the period January 2019 to February 2024. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 120 patients with 443 implants. The primary variables assessed included radiation therapy (RT) status (pre RT and post RT), dose, implant site (native bone versus fibula free flap), implant thread design (active or passive), and time interval following radiotherapy.Statistical Analysis Used: Chi square and independent t tests. Statistical significance was determined as P<0.05. RESULTS: Among the evaluated variables, radiation status demonstrated statistically significant effects on implant success. Implants placed before radiotherapy (pre RT) showed a higher success rate compared to those placed after radiotherapy (post RT) (95.1% vs. 80.1%; P = 0.03). Other variables, including dose, implant site, and thread design, did not have any significant association with the survival of implants. CONCLUSIONS: Among assessed factors, timing relative to radiotherapy appears most influential, favoring pre RT implant placement. To mitigate implant failure, a longer interval time period between radiation and implant treatment is recommended with consideration to dose of radiation to implanted area. Fibula bone is a dependable recipient site.