Genes can be a Factor in Implant Success

Gene Study on Implant Patients

The big question whenever the dentist places a tooth implant is whether it will “take” – will the mouth reject it, or will the bone fuse around the screw as if it were the original tooth root? Scientists recently identified a certain gene combination, or genotype, that tends to indicate a greater propensity for tissue destruction. This, of course, can jeopardize the success of a new implant. The study, listed in theJournal of Oral Implantology, compared 2 groups of 25 patients each, all of whom had dental implants. One group had healthy tissue, and the other suffered from peri-implantitis, a condition somewhat related to gum disease. Wikipedia describes it:

Peri-implantitis is a dental term used to describe the destructive inflammatory process affecting the soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants.

Researchers hoped to see if there was a link between peri-implantitis and that particular genotype and determine if it would also affect treatment.

Implant Study Results

After comparing the 2 groups, 17 patients from the group with peri-implantitis tested positive for that genotype, while only 5 from the second group had that particular genotype. They also provided treatment for all patients in the group with peri-implantitis, and those with the genotype experiencedsignificantly worse results than those without the genotype. Because of the poor response in patients with both the gene combination and the disease, scientists say they have a much greater risk factor when it comes to having successful implants and maintaining a healthy mouth. With such ahigh cost associated with implants, especially since most dental insurance companies consider it a strictly cosmetic procedure, patients in that situation may want to consider an alternate option. If you and your dentist think that an implant could be successful, however, you still have several options on how to make dental implants affordable.

posted by : dentist