Nutritional deficiencies as a causative factor for implant failure: what recommendations should we be giving dental implant patients

- The importance of immune cells during tissue integration and homeostasis

- Various vitamin deficiencies and anti-oxidants critical for wound healing and implant integration

- Guidelines for clinicians to present to their patients

- Future research opportunities in the field

Dental implants are generally considered a safe and highly predictable surgical procedure performed by many dental surgeons with the aim of replacing missing teeth. Yet to this day, a number of implants are lost every year for yet explained reasons. Dental implants remain one of the only transmucosal implant utilized in medicine; meaning they integrate directly into bone (a phenomenon called osseointegration) yet span into the oral cavity through transmucosal tissues. In this area, a number of bacteria co-exist with host living cells (primarily epithelial and immune cells) creating peri-implant pockets. Here an array of cytokines and highly active complex compounds are secreted and may reduce host defense/antibacterial properties. This lecture will focus on the importance and relevance of tissue homeostasis as it relates to oxidative stress. Furthermore, one of the most prominent vitamin deficiencies known to mankind, that of vitamin D, is discussed as a primary cause linked with early dental implant failure. Recommended doses and guidelines will be provided for patients with ongoing research presented as it relates to 6 week pre-surgical supplementation program aimed at reducing early implant failure.