Can The Use Of Anti-depressants Increase The Risk Of Dental Implant Loss?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) are the first choice of drugs for anti-depression therapy.

 

There are over 350 million people world-wide that suffer from depression. If you are taking any one of these drugs for depression, you have an increase risk of implant failure. The drugs named in this category are the following: Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Symbyax, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft, Viibryd or Effexor. If you don't see your drug on this list, then please check with your physician to see if your anti-depressant drug is in this category.

 

These drugs work to regulate serotonin in the brain; however, they also can regulate bone cells by blocking 5-HTTs on bone cells that result in a decrease of bone mass and mineral density. Thus, bruxers, clenchers, diabetics, smokers and other people with systemic diseases are at an increased risk of the implant failing under function in a shorter period of time due to softer bone. Therefore, your dentist may want for you to wear a splint to reduce the force on the implant, or use another type of implant which can integrate better using a different type of metal or design. This is especially true if you are one of the unlucky patients who have experienced implant loss or failure due to your medications, social habits or under a physicians care

for other illnesses and diseases.