Role of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Prognosis Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study

Many recent research shows that antidepressants interfere with the osseointegration of implants. The main purpose of this study was to determine the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and dental implant failure.

A retrospective study consisted of 410 patients (720 dental implants). Patients' records were used to retrieve the history of SSRI use and medication. The study consists of two groups. Group I (SSRI users) consisted of 128 patients (245 dental implants) patients, whereas Group II (non-SSRI users) was formed by 282 patients (475 dental implants). The implant failure rate was evaluated and statistically examined using the Chi-square test.

Group I had 30 implant failures with 13 (12%) males and 14 (11.8%) females, whereas Group II had 28 implant failures with 12 (6.3%) males and 16 (5.6%) females. In Group I, 26% of the implants failed in the age group >50 years, whereas it was 10.4% in Group II. However, in the age group <50 years, it was 6% and 4.2% Groups I and II, respectively. Group I shows that out of 40 implants in diabetic patients, 12 had failure, whereas in Group II, out of 32 implants placed in diabetics, 7 had failure. In smokers, 48% of the implants failed in Group I, and 29% in group II. In non-smokers the failure was seen in 7.7% cases in Group I and 2.1% cases in Group II. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

The usage of SSRIs is associated with an increased rate of implant failure. It has a deleterious effect on bone remodeling and leads to excessive osteoporosis.