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Did You Know That Antidepressants
Can Affect Your
Dental Heath
An international study has been performed on antidepressants and their relationship and correlation to the risk of failing implants. They found that people who were taking antidepressants specifically, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) at the time of their surgery, and for at least one year beforehand, had a more than 4.5 fold increased risk of their implants failing.
The 170 patients in the study were taking some of the most commonly prescribed SSRIs, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline.
The researchers, from the Complutense University of Madrid, suggested that SSRIs may affect bone metabolism, i.e. its production and breakdown. Dental implants are replacement tooth roots, where a metal screw is placed directly into the jawbone, providing a foundation for an implant crown to be fitted on top. A failed implant is defined as the implant falling out or moving, or the occurrence of bone loss, pain, or pus forming. Normally, the body lays new bone directly on the implant surface, making it secure a process called osseointegration. But this may not happen with SSRIs, resulting in the implant not integrating with the bone.
The drugs can also cause teeth grinding, which can put pressure on dental implants, said the researchers in the British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The medication can alter levels of the brain chemical dopamine, which is involved in muscle control. Antipsychotics that are prescribed for bipolar disorders, severe depression and schizophrenia may also cause issues for dental implants, as they can cause teeth grinding or bruxism.
Professor Justin Durham, chief scientific adviser at the British Dental Association, described the findings as ‘interesting’, but said that more research was needed before definitive conclusions were drawn, and clinical guidelines would not be changing based on the outcomes of the study. ‘The mechanism by which these antidepressants might affect the attachment of teeth and implants to the bone of the mouth is complex and is still yet to be fully explored and understood.’
When having dental implants at the Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania we look at your dental health and your overall wellness. We collate these factors and integrate them into your dental remediation for the best possible outcome.
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