Clinical outcome of dental implants placed in liver transplant recipients after 3 years: a case series

The use of dental implants in organ transplant patients remains controversial because of their altered wound healing and risk of serious infections. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term survival rate and related clincial parameters of dental implants among liver transplant patients on immunosuppressive medications.

We placed 45 implants in 13 liver transplant patients. All implants were sucessfully placed in the mandible or maxilla. The success rate, perimplant bone absorption (MBL), probing depth and Periotest values were measured at 3 months, as well as 1 and 3 years.

At 3 years' follow-up, no implants were lost. MBL and Periotest values were within acceptable ranges without bleeding on probing or pathological probing depth.

This series supports the use of dental implants in liver transplant patients who are stable under long-term immunosuppression.